Surprise! Terese Genecco, who has made a name for herself as the very good good-time gal with the big band, bigger belt, biggest sassy-strut personality in town can do small. With just her band’s invaluable guitarist, Sean Harkness for musical accompaniment, she shows her sensitive and rootsy sides as the two re-imagine all the songs from Elvis Presley’s first album. Pre-icon status, Elvis’s material was eclectic and proves to be quite adaptable to adventurous re-shaping by this creative, magnetic pair. Her just-for-the-occasion jacket was bright white but her voice revealed new colors in the plaintive, moody and relaxed, simple country numbers. Playful with smaller-sized “Blue Suede Shoes,” they were in step with the audience’s anticipation of the more slowly-unspooled lyrics.

They humanize the legend by doting on anecdotes revealing his insecurities, maternal attachment and missed opportunities (narration needs tightening but is interesting). Nailing songs like “Got a Woman,” we’ve got a woman capable of making us see Presley in a new, warm light. Guitarist Harkness, a gentle spirit and masterful player/arranger, is a true partner in the presentation. Some might have expected/wanted more assertive, carefree styles associated with classic Elvis (and “classic Genecco” whose monthly Iridium shows are packed with Rat Pack raucousness). Sure, they might add a couple of rockers, especially if they break out from the Under the Covers series concept’s assignment of doing one single album’s cuts from start to finish, but talented Terese’s stretch succeeds and delivers—with no stretch marks!

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
March 29, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org