Renaissance Man Steve Tyrell is back at his seasonal holiday haunt for the fifth year, the romantic Café Carlyle. This gravel-voiced, throaty singer is as charismatic as ever, albeit somewhat distracted the evening I was there. However, when armed with America’s greatest contribution to the arts, the Great American Songbook, one can do no wrong.

This is the tenth anniversary of his first album, surely a good reason to celebrate. Personal stories brought the audience into his world. Did you know that when the space ship Endeavor was circling the globe, the Commander requested to be awakened to the strains of Tyrell singing “On the Sunny Side of the Street”? When he was ready to release the album, which included the tender “I Can’t Get Started” with special lyrics “I’ve been consulted by President 'C' and even Diana’s asked me to tea,” he stopped the presses and re-recorded that song when Princess Diana was tragically killed.

Tyrell doesn’t rely on any shtick. He just sings the lyric in a straightforward manner and it lands as it should; openly, honestly, vis-à-vis, “I’m Through with Love,” “I’ll Be Seeing You.” I guess it would have been nice to hear an occasional verse, but not included in his repertoire. Keeping in touch with family members of famous songwriters, he had several tidbits of information to impart, one about Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields. While in the midst of writing “I’m In the Mood for Love,” McHugh was so down and out, he had to sell his piano. He happened to run into George Gershwin to whom he related his tale of woe. The next day there was a new piano delivered, compliments of George.

With a seven piece band of fine musicians, his long-time guitarist Bob Mann is responsible for all the great arrangements and the sweet sounds of muted trumpeter Matt Fronke. Quinn Johnson is pianist/Musical Director; Jon Allen, keyboard; David Finek, bass; David Mann, saxophone and Kevin Winard, drums.

Steve Tyrell is at the Café Carlyle through New Year’s Eve.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
November 12, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org