Calling all Don McLean fans! Whether you remember the ‘70s or just heard about them, the brilliance of McLean’s famous songs is alive in the soulful interpretations of Matt Leahy, as part of Lennie Watts’s Under The Covers series. From politics to love songs, the essence of McLean’s realities are reflected in Leahy’s tenor vocal interpretations.

Smooth and easy “Winterwood” opens the evening, interspersed with quips about the era. It’s followed by “And I Love You So,” which most of us remember as a Perry Como hit. Leahy, a storyteller of note, relates smoothly and effortlessly to his small but attentive audience. However, there’s some occasional off-the-cuff silly patter that breaks the stream.

Progressing through the American Pie album, there’s an audience sing-along on “Babylon,” a tearful “Empty Chairs” and “Crossroads,” all heightening the intensity in the home stretch as we arrive at “Vincent” (“Starry, Starry Night”) and its exquisite and poetic lyrics. The show is brought to a close by the title song and ”what you came for,” says Leahy: “American Pie.”

He is a generous performer accompanied by masterful Jeff Waxman on piano and the exceptional guitar and vocals of Jeremy Wilson.

Matt serves up more American Pie on March 28 at 7 pm.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
March 7, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org