What easier way to escape blustery winter nights than to conjure up images of sea, sand, the moon and swaying Brazilian rhythms? New Yorker Mary Foster Conklin confessed she was tired of northern winters. Knowing how to move right into the mood, she prepared an eclectic musical gift of balmy breezes and moon glow for her show at the Metropolitan Room. She opened with the bossa nova rhythms of, "Cinnamon and Clove" (Mandel and Bergmans)

"Where ev'ry slice of life and love/ Has just the perfect combination
"A cup of sweetness/ A pinch of sadness"

Conklin has an easy swing and keen instincts for inventive ways to steer the melody. At the same time, she keeps her grasp on the intent of the lyrics, bringing the song to fruition through both melody and words. Is this jazz or cabaret? This imaginative musical artist moves easily in both camps. Phrasing and rhythms weave intriguingly through her selections, creating nuances. Her diction is precise and with her jazz trio, pianist John DiMartino, Tim Horner on drums, and Marco Panascia on bass, the shadows of her songs span moods, always with a jazz foundation.

With a voice reflecting a pinch of both sweetness and sadness, plus a dash of saltiness, she seductively delivered "Moonglow" (Hudson/DeLange/Mills) and Johnny Mercer and Marian McPartland's "Twilight World," a tune of touching wistfulness.

All was not seductive in this escapist hour. With energy and sauciness, she rendered "What a Little Moonlight Will Do" (Woods), and Cahn and Styne's "Put 'Em In a Box" perked up the message of packing up your troubles and throwing 'em in the deep blue sea.

"And time is but sand/Sifting through our fingertips.
"Why spend it in the cold?" – ("Cinnamon and Clove")

Makes sense to me.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
February 6, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org