Daniel Datzer made his cabaret debut in a show called, rather grandly, The Daniel Datzer Experience. He has a pleasing personality, good material and a self-deprecating sense of humor, all of which took him only so far.  His singing was inconsistent and occasionally flat and, though an audience of friends gave him a standing ovation, it seemed clear he could use more experience.

Among his strongest numbers was a song he wrote with pianist Mitch Kaplan about the experience of finding out who his birth mother was — “When I Was Nine” — which he sang with sweetness and sincerity. Another highlight was his pre-encore closer, “I Did It All” (written by Tracy Chapman), during which he came off as relaxed and believable while singing about a life without regret about the choices made.

Datzer delivered reasonably effective versions of: “Taking a Chance on Love” (Vernon Duke/Ted Fetter/John Latouche), which illustrated the beginning of a love affair; Jerry Herman’s “Wherever (S)He Ain’t,” to illustrate the end of the affair two songs later; and the holiday perennial, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (Hugh Martin). He also performed well on “Whistling Away the Dark” (Henry Mancini/Johnny Mercer) and “Pieces of Dreams” (Alan and Marilyn Bergman/Michel Legrand).

However, he tended to sing single notes rather than full lines, resulting in a choppy rather than smooth sound.

Kaplan provided excellent accompaniment, often playing one song quietly under Datzer’s patter before moving into the song he was going to sing — for example, playing “Over the Rainbow” as an introduction to Datzer’s encore number, “The Rainbow Connection” (Kenneth Ascher/Paul Williams).  In singing the song, Datzer made up in feeling what he lacked on vocals.

In sharing his life in between-songs patter, Datzer kept making reference to the fact that most of the audience already knew his story — causing some of those who didn’t know him to feel somehow left out.

One of the evening’s high points was a duet with guest singer Alison Lewis on Leonard’s Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” accompanied for the one song by guitarist Sleven Rucci-Airo . The duet followed a smashing solo on Joni Mitchell’s “River” by Lewis, who tenderly caressed the lyrics of the song in her distinctive style.

Besides Kaplan, musical support was provided by Denise Fraser on drums and Brett Simons on bass.  The show was directed by Clifford Bell.

Elliot Zwiebach
Cabaret Scenes
December 19, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org