I was surprised to learn that Suzanne Vega is fifty years old, since she still has the aura of a downtown waif. Supporting that impression is the youthful bloom in her voice, untouched by decades of touring. But no waif was she; even at the start of her career, her songs had challenging and symbolic lyrics that had to be listened to more than once to "get." She came into the spotlight with “Luka,” a song that dealt with the issue of child abuse, and then cemented her way into the public’s ear with “Tom’s Diner.” The latter was almost a throwaway a capella recording but was later remixed into a monster hit with its famous opening bars. You probably have heard it even if you don’t think you have.

Suzanne’s folksy pop is often lush and sometimes trippy with strong hooks and shimmery effects. I wonder how much of that is due to her bassist, Mike Visceglia. His effortless style seems to be quoting jazz, folk and pop artists, while always keeping it original and of a piece. His playing is multi-colored and deeply resonant. Gerry Leonard's guitar was stellar as was the Light and Sound String Quartet.

Vega offered a generous set of at least thirteen songs. One interesting bit was “Frank and Ava.” It was somewhat bizarre hearing a tune about this famous couple of old, done as an alternative folk-rock type of deal. Would the Chairman approve? It did have a strong hook, whatever the style might be.

“Their chemistry, like you and me
Proved to keep them both apart for life
And so, now we know
That it's not enough to be in love”

Although Vega is unique, there appeared to be some subtle influence from folk genius, Leonard Cohen, as her dreamy “The Queen and the Soldier” reminded me a bit of “Joan of Arc.” Nothing wrong with that!

The show took an unwelcome detour when Ms. Vega offered up her response to Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May,” (the ultimate tribute to the “Cougar”) with her own tune,“(I’ll Never Be) Your Maggie May.” It appears she took issue with the appropriateness of Stewart’s observation regarding Maggie’s face showing her age in the sun—but the tinge of anger in Vega’s expression threatened to taint her dreamlike show.

I sometimes prefer folks not keeping it too real, or as Streetcar’s Blanche Dubois says, “I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic.” A good portion of night was magical and sure to please Suzanne’s ardent fans and perhaps attract some new ones.

Melody Breyer-Grell
Cabaret Scenes
January 28, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org