The 100-year-old song “Every Little Movement (Has a Meaning All Its Own)” is not sung by Carole J. Bufford, but it sums up a major aspect of her style: purposefully placing hands on hips saucily; chin on shoulder; freezing in triumphant pose at song’s end. In an effective, re-thought “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (The Beatles’ hit), she’s reaching out dramatically to help an aging parent. She slowly bats or pops her eyes or raises her eyebrows—but is she really looking at us?

Here’s a performer who’s focused, confident and bold. So is her big, bright voice: you never worry that she’ll falter. She’s so solid. However, this also keeps her at a distance emotionally. In that Beatles song, I focused more on the unseen parent instead of sympathizing with the person before me expressing the emotion. One has little doubt she can tough out the “Folsom Prison Blues” or the heartbreak Cole Porter wrote into “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.” But she’s powerful and polished. Some who are polished do shine. She’s one. Carole placed third in the summer MetroStar contest. She doesn’t mention that in patter but hired the contest’s ebullient and versatile Musical Director, Nate Buccieri. Another striking plus: Alex Cooper’s guitar.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
November 21, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org