Ol’ Blue Eyes is back, where it all began ten years ago, in the form of the original Our Sinatra with co-creators Eric Comstock, Hilary Kole and Christopher Gines.  Accompanied by Mr. Comstock on piano and Boots Maleson on bass, the sophistication of the supper club era is alive and well. More material than is needed is crammed into this one and a half hour plus revue in a tribute to Sinatra’s life in the movies, his saloon songs and, more than adequately described, “The Mother of All Medleys.”

Sinatra had over 1,500 studio recordings, made fifty-eight movies and, of his recordings, eighty-five with melodies by Jimmy Van Heusen.

Vulnerability, living within the lyric and unique phrasing is what made Sinatra one of the greats of all time. Often, these qualities were the strength in the passionate, inner focus and delivery of the lovely Ms. Kole on many tunes, and particularly on “I’m a Fool to Want You” and “It Never Entered My Mind.” The relaxed, conversational Mr. Comstock’s “Everything Happens to Me,” a song recorded a few times by Sinatra that included additional lyrics written for him, presents the epitome of a suave, intelligent and witty piano bar singer-pianist. His arrangement on “Pennies from Heaven” is notable. Christopher Gines relaxed more as the show moved along, even sounding a wee bit like Sinatra on “Old Man River” and “I Fall in Love Too Easily.”

The thirty-two-song “Mother of All Medleys” needs a second look with an eye towards revising it into a shorter grouping of songs—or perhaps as another show!

Our Sinatra performs at the Oak Room through September 11^th and thereafter on Monday evenings with new casts.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
August 31, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org