I really enjoy seeing shows at The Duplex. The venue is home to seasoned professionals as well as a spot for folks who are testing the waters.

Ruth Carlin, while striking me as the latter, still has much to offer in her presentation of With Love & Song.

She radiated good will towards her audience as she showered us with an interesting array of songs and some of her poetry. The poems were short and sweet, enhancing rather than distracting from her act. The opening song, “Good Times Are Here to Stay” from Dames at Sea, was an almost eerily perfect song for the times we are living in today. The lyrics are in the same vein of CNBC’s happy time money chit-chat, recently condemned by comic and pundit Jon Stewart.

It was apparent from the start that Carlin has a natural voice and is at home on the stage. She also has a nice easy vibrato when she sets it free. It was also clear that she has picked up some vocal habits along the way that should be examined and possibly dropped. Her darkening the tone comes off as an affectation that interferes with direct interpretation of the lyric.  She does not need to manipulate the color of her voice or her diction, as it is distracting and diminishes the purity of her tone and accuracy of pitch.  As is often pointed out, one does not need a great voice to do great cabaret, but one does need to be authentic and connected.

Carlin might consider singing her repertoire in higher keys. She showed glimmers of a sweet, high range and she should exploit it.  In fact, by the end of the show, she relaxed and let out a high piano tone that could rival many other singers out there. On the other end of the spectrum, there were signs of a potential belt to her tone if she let herself go and used it.

Of the bunch, I particularly liked the “The Song of Old Lovers” (Jacques Brel). Hearing the English translation really enhanced the masochistic pleasure of the lyric.  The tune “Irving” tells of a woman in love with a man so ugly that people stare at him in the street. It was quite amusing and a bit sad.

Gathering from her patter (married 22 years), she seems to have overcome the angst of unrequited love and is happy as a kitten. Paul Greenwood, Musical Director and pianist, offered sold support and leadership.

Ruth Carlin returns to The Duplex on Saturday, March 28 at 4:30 pm.

Melody Breyer-Grell
Cabaret Scenes
March 13, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org