It can be a very difficult transition for an operatic coloratura soprano into the world of pop/cabaret music. The phrasing, styling and need for emotional connection to the melody and lyrics are sometimes elusive. Eve Marie has jumped into the fray with both feet and the results are mixed but very encouraging. Her concert, coinciding with the release of her freshman CD Waiting For You," exhibited her beautiful voice in ways that both suit her new repertoire and sometimes miss. Backed by a sterling group of musicians, including CD producer Tony Lufrano on keys and horn man extraordinaire Tony Malfati, the music covered a wide range of Eve Marie's influences from which she can extract and distill a unique style.

Her original material, culled from her influences in '60s girl group pop ("The Bells Sang Our Song") and romantic ballads with an R&B flavor (the energetic "Temptation"), show an exciting potential. "I'll Take a Picture" mimics the successful pop diva model and that's where her voice successfully melds with the material. "Lost Soul Today," a power ballad, shows it's possible to merge a delicate vocal with a sizzling guitar solo by producer Garth Webber. His song, "Where Did You Go?," is a lovely R&B love song that Eve Marie makes her own and with which she delivers her most honest vocal.

Her cover of standards needs work. "The Way You Look Tonight" is spoiled by a poor vocal arrangement in too high a register that doesn't gel with the throaty sax solo. Similarly, "You Made Me Love You" is given a sexy strip tease sound missing the intent of the material. "I Know You By Heart," and Christine McVie's "Songbird," both soft ballads, is Eve Marie at her best. No extraneous note cascades and a deep connection to the lyric and melody. "Fools Rush In," backed by Malfati's horns, and Sting's "Fields of Gold" were poignant and engaging.

Blessed with a stunning soprano, some impressive songwriting skills, and a knack for choosing complementary cover material, Eve Marie will only improve with each outing.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
July 29, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org