Displaying much warmth in manner and vocal tone, Shaynee Rainbolt showed again she’s got the goods and good songs in two sets at RedBar, an especially attractive, airy and wel-coming (no cover!!) venue. Just across the street from Lincoln Center, the restaurant with a bar is experimenting with diverse music programming, wisely booking this singer who knows how to present herself and her music in such a setting, never being obtrusive but never becoming wallpaper. Avoiding lamenting songs that are killjoys or killer belting in your face, neither of which mixes well with the relaxed atmosphere of friends and fettuccini, selections were well-chosen: cozy and rosy. It was also hip with the jazz sensibilities of the singer, pianist Janice Friedman (who also accompanies her at her monthly sets at The Sugar Bar several blocks uptown) and primo bassist Tom Hubbard. What was most striking was the timbre of the voice, with more legato and more beautifully sustained, floating notes than we’ve heard from her in the past. Relaxed and confident, she communicated lyrics well, bringing listeners in.

Standards included “My Romance” and “The Nearness of You” as well as jazz favorites. A restaurant-friendly item on her musical menu was the old Nat King Cole specialty “Frim Fram Sauce,” while she cutely pointed out that “Let’s Eat Home” was not the plan for the night. An extra “side dish” was served when she brought up David Pietri, who books the room, but is also a classy and magnetic singer, offering “A Day in the Life of a Fool.” Only a fool would want to miss such a dreamy evening.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
April 30, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org