In a show separated into solo portions, with duets midway and to close, Amanda King and T. Oliver Reid present a roster of American Songbook selections including cabaret, pop, show tunes and jazz.

Reid’s set offers bouncy, “Rat Pack” arrangements, a number from Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, and renditions of “How Long Has This Been Going On?” (George and Ira Gershwin) and “This Can’t Be Love” (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart) smoothly vocalized, but without a shred of lyrically innate delight and surprise—or  even a smile. These are followed by a couple of funkier numbers during which he loosens up, engages the audience, and more effectively shades his emotional choices.

King’s set—but for the mischievously sung “Midnight Swinger” (Hank Jones) and Cole Porter’s “Love for Sale”—is iconic jazz by the likes of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Billy Strayhorn. She’s got a big, rich, slightly smoky voice with as much talent for jazz and soul as swing. Long-searching arcs and sighing overtones seem effortless, as does the precision with which she improvises around a tune. Her stage persona is warm and packed with gusto.

King and Reid sing together with affection and a sense of play. “Satin Doll” (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn/Johnny Mercer) is cool and breezy. Their version of “Diga Diga Doo” (Dorothy Fields/Jimmy McHugh) is sheer piquant riffing fun, its fine arrangement, by pianist Daryl Kojak, an equal participant. “Love Is Here to Stay” (George and Ira Gershwin) sails brightly into the room on winsome vocal overlays.

Alix Cohen
Cabaret Scenes
October 23, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org