He wears a suit and tie; a gentle, genteel stage attitude may be his strong suit and he does diligently tie his songs to his theme: Bliss. Setting up songs rather formally is the format as Bill Terry forms theses on forms of bliss in a kindly, calm speaking voice— for example: “Love’s bliss can be earnest.” (He is, too.) “Gentlemanly” is the word that springs to mind to describe him being low-key yet high-class in the cabaret medium. “Pleasant” isn’t enough in a live show where songs need to spark to life and the blahblahblah becomes a bit blah. This is bliss?!? Serene calm bliss he can carry off (“No Moon at All”), but what about songs describing deliciously delirious joy that should bubble over—overall, all those still feel reserved. Where’s that “towering...overpowering feeling” from being “On the Street Where You Live”?

Gestures are few, phrasing is smooth, but conservative. More vocal variety and, well, oomph, are called for. Lisa Moss’s thoughtful lighting choices help create some moods and much emotion-establishing building/releasing tension fall to the skillful, wise arranger/pianist Gregory Toroian, who fills in the blanks. (“We call him ‘The Clarifier,’” the singer gratefully states as States of Bliss nears its close.) Sadly, as he sings “Time Flies,” we might think it dragged. However, mellow fellow Bill Terry has dignity that might be shaped into an elegant approach with more depth, after more experience and more personalized phrasing. That’d be blissful news.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
October 30, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org