It’s been a while since Marcus Dagan performed at the Beechman. He’s usually playing on cruise ships or spending time in Bermuda. Somewhat of an enigma and out of the genre of what we’ve come to know as cabaret; if one were categorizing, think folk-rock, Diamond, Springsteen, earthy, raspy, bluesy.

Accompanying himself at the piano, singer-songwriter Dagan has his own interpretive style, turning a lyric and creating innovative tempos on standards “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “At Last” and “The More I See You,” making his small but attentive audience sit up and take notice. He possesses a secret little smile that makes one wonder what he’s really thinking. Elton John/Bernie Taupin’s “Your Song” fit him to a T!

With guest jazz vocalist Mariel Larsen (Ben Seyer on piano), they created a theatrical journey on Joshua Kadison’s “Beautiful in My Eyes” and a very personal moment with David Friedman’s “I’ll Be Here with You.” Dagan’s poignant rendition of “Et maintenant...” (Becaud/Delanoe) was reminiscent of Aznavour.

Although Dagan is indeed a revealing storyteller, one must truly understand his art of communication through music and lyrics only as he segues from song to song sans patter as explanation.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
September 11, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org