Todd Murray is keeping the art of “crooning” very much alive in his well-crafted and very enjoyable history of the crooners. Proceeding through the decades, the selections highlight the spirit and nuances the music undertook as the eras changed and the nation’s tastes altered. It doesn’t hurt that Murray possesses a lovely baritone and effervescent stage persona that fit his material like a well-worn glove.

With the advent of amplification, singers could remain intimate and cozy while being heard above the din of supper clubs and saloon banter. In the ‘40s, crooning was condemned by the church as immoral and salacious. Yet the populace, mostly women radio listeners, swooned to the new sound and its overtly romantic subject matter. Murray finds the worshipful admirer of beauty in Rodgers and Hart’s “You Are Too Beautiful,” a big hit for the superstar of crooners, Bing Crosby, in 1934. Hoagy Carmichael/Ned Washington’s “The Nearness of You” is soft and warm. WW II changed the music scene of the ‘40s, adding a wistful longing and deep emotion to the lyrics and Murray is technically perfect on “You’ll Never Know,” based on a poem by a war bride. The influence of imported musical styles was a byproduct of our new internationalism, and Cuban songwriter Osvaldo Farres’s  “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” gets a lovely arrangement showcasing Alex Rybeck on piano, Sean Harkness on guitar and Steve Doyle on bass.

Of course, Frank Sinatra is included with Murrays’ uptempo “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Not at all like Sinatra’s ultra-testosterone cover, Todd’s is loose and sexy. The late ‘50s are represented by a stirring Presley medley of “Love Me Tender”/ “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.” From the ’60s comes Camelot’s “If Ever I Would Leave You,” a softer, less-Broadway version that allows the instrumentals to shine. Burt Bacharach/Hal David’s “This Guy’s in Love with You” segues to a fun audience sing-along to the ‘70s disco hit “You’ll Never Find (Another Love Like Mine).” Murray even tackles Leonard Cohen’s “I’m Your Man.” With its difficult phrasing and odd melody, it’s a bold move for cabaret—and a complete success.

Murray is a natural, with beautiful, deep, rounded notes and a low range timbre that comforts the ear and accentuates the rising notes. You can count on one hand the number of really fine male cabaret stars, and Murray is one of them. With this show, he is at the top of his game.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
October 24, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org