This rockin’ jazz lady has a three-and-a-half octave range and is a film and Broadway performer. After a somewhat nervous start, she seemed right at home, playing to a packed house.

She’s a combination of sounds reminiscent of Garland, Streisand and others, with the capacity to sing opera, jazz, Broadway, gospel and Dixieland. Her long film career began with a big break in 1982’s Risky Business with Tom Cruise. Since then, she’s been featured, as she says, as mothers in numerous films. Most recently, she appeared on Broadway in Little Women with Sutton Foster and Maureen McGovern.

Her “don’t ask, don’t tell” set-up for “My Old Flame” was well coordinated with stories of people wondering whether Sean Connery made any advances when she appeared opposite him in Sidney Lumet's Family Business.

Carroll has a big, high belt well utilized when she’s whoopin’ it up on “His Rocking Horse Ran Away,” made famous by Betty Hutton, or “Bill Bailey,” where she also imitated a trumpet sound, and a dramatic “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” Carroll gives lots of personal information and is quick-witted, all contributing to a warm and fuzzy evening. Her soft, whispery “Skylark” was gently delivered and it was Jesse Crump’s “Fore Day Creep,” in a bluesy, let-loose style, that brought the house down. Once Carroll relaxes, she’s dynamite to see and hear. Her musicians included Jason Howland (Musical Director of Little Women) on piano, Dave Mann on sax/clarinet/flute and Chris Lightcap on bass.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
July 28, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org