It was not the first time that Allan Harris and Nikki Parrott performed together, but in making their joint New York City debut they were fantastic!  The fast-paced opener, “Can’t Live My Life Without You,” set a bouncy, joyful tone, the song written by Harris and included on his newest CD, Open Up Your Mind.  The duo came out with guitars blazing, their honest, charismatic presence broadened by pianist Pascal LeBouf and drummer Jake Goldbas.  Both singers have an approachable style that endeared them to the audience. They played like a couple of old friends who meet up in a favorite club to jam.

Harris is tall and wore a jaunty grey porkpie hat and Parrott is an attractive long-haired blonde who was dressed in indigo jeans, a pale blue tee shirt and a dark vest.  Harris has a full, resonant bass-baritone and Parrott’s voice sounds liquid, breathy and sexy.  She soloed on “You’re the One I Think I’ve Waited For,” her own song, performed in a smooth Brazilian idiom, and “I Love the Way You’re Breakin’ My Heart” (Milton Drake), a song made famous by Peggy Lee.  Parrott accompanied herself on bass, which in her hands seemed as light as a guitar, and benefited from a stunning piano flight, one of several.

Performing additional tunes from his CD, including “There She Goes,” written with wife Pat Harris, Harris’s voice suggested Brook Benton.  A highlight of the evening was a medley of songs associated with Nat King Cole, a profound influence on Harris, although Joe Williams and Johnny Hartman would not be far behind.  “The Very Thought of You” (Ray Noble) had Cole’s leisurely, relaxed cadence and an interpretation which was clearly original, as were “When I Grow Too Old to Dream,” “L.O.V.E.” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” prominently featuring Parrott.

Other performances of note included: “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” a Bob Dylan number sung by Parrott with an easy country twang coupled with a bass which she played like a fiddle; “Color of a Woman,” effectively delivered by Harris with a singular guitar introduction and swung until the last note of the extended finish; and “On Green Dolphin Street” (Bronislaw Kaper/Ned Washington), an exceptional arrangement of a much-beloved jazz standard recorded by countless luminaries such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane.  This included an extraordinary drum solo, as did “Shores of Istanbul,” the closing song with the sensibility of a 1940s theme by Duke Ellington.

Allan Harris and Nikki Parrott are multi-dimensional musicians who exceed on every musical front.  Harris has absorbed the best aspects of some of the most popular singers that have ever graced the microphone and he generously shared his remarkable skills with great style.  Parrott continues to be a top-rated entertainer who wins over her audience in a heartbeat.  Whether appearing solo or combining their talents with others, they give 100 percent and deserve all of the recognition they’ve received.

Jerry Osterberg
Cabaret Scenes
August 24, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org