An apartment complex on 27th Street and the East River, Waterside is rather secluded and almost mysterious. Living off the beaten track as they do, the residents seemed to truly enjoy and appreciate the delightful appearance by jazz singer Joyce Lyons. She turned the plain, almost bare meeting room/bar into an intimate and welcoming venue with her solid vocals and open demeanor.

Lyons had a creamy, latte-colored voice, fashioned after (but not imitative of) Natalie Cole. She swung hard on “How High the Moon” and had an authentic feel for Billie Holiday’s “Don’t Explain.” I would suggest that she avoid a common practice of singers today, which is to sit on high notes, sometimes robbing them of their luster.  Ms. Lyons had a slight tendency to use that habit, and would be better off releasing some vibrato which would result in a blooming sound and accurate pitch.

She sailed through the night singing one hit standard after another, and delivered a quite enjoyable show. One of the highlights was a well-controlled “It Never Entered My Mind” (Rodgers and Hart). Leaving the complex, my husband wondered aloud, “Why is this woman not singing somewhere every week?” In NYC, even the legends rarely get to perform, and one is fortunate to find a venue anywhere. Waterside was as nice a place as any to find an appreciative audience.

Ms. Lyons will be performing at the more centrally located Metropolitan Room on August 5th, 12th and 19th. I recommend you seek her out.

Melody Breyer-Grell
Cabaret Scenes
May 15, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org