Vickie Phillips is not a newcomer to the cabaret and theater communities.  She’s been plying her trade as a singer, actress and songwriter for a number of years.  Perhaps you’ve seen this redhead in her impassioned Musical Journey homage to favorite composers Brel, Weill and Aznavour.

What she’s got is an ease, a sensibility and most of all – conviction! Phillips loves to tell stories and she does that very well, aided by long-time musical director and arranger Gerry Dieffenbach who adds wonderful harmonic blends.  Each of her songs are choices made out of great feeling for the lyric and the narrative.

Opening with Dieffenbach/Ost’s “A Song Is Like a Friend,” set a welcoming mood. With a proclivity for the unusual, song choices included Dory Previn’s double entendre “Twenty Mile Zone” and Lieber & Stoller’s “Black Denim Trousers.”  Her strong suit, however, lies in the silver screen—“Humphrey Bogart” (Lieber & Stoller) and Craig Carnellia’s “Old Movies”—where some really good acting skills, humor and focus came into play.

Phillips chose her own song, “Time,” as encore with mantra-like theme— “strive, take a chance. . . believe in magic.” Some minor pitch problems aside, this is a performer who exudes confidence and the knowledge that maturity brings.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
October 24, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org