Lucille Carr-Kaffashan’s Diamonds and Rust: Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1970s is an intriguing stroll through an exciting period in American history as told through songs, some still powerful statements of universal passions and problems.

Carr-Kaffashan is a handsome, stylish woman with a rich, dark voice. She found all sorts of colors in songs mostly associated with their creators. Her calm “Save the Country” (Laura Nyro) and sweetly daffy “Twenty Mile Zone” (Dory Previn) gave these songs a new feeling.  Sometimes the original versions were so imprinted on the cultural consciousness that she had to go with the flow.  She took this path with Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move,” “Brand New Key” (Melanie Safka) and the infamously mysterious “You’re So Vain” (Carly Simon).

She probably should have thought twice about including Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen,” the classic high school D-list lament that has lost its impact in these days of electronic socializing.  However, the intently sad look on her face when she lit into the maturely wistful “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” (Simon/Brackman) and “Both Sides Now” (Joni Mitchell) spoke volumes about Carr-Kaffashan’s deep commitment to these songs and what they still have to say to 21st century audiences.

Her patter between the songs helped organize the program, which was directed by Eric Michael Gillett. Musical Director/pianist David Brunetti provided steady, serviceable arrangements and Dick Sarpola on bass made some sweet, moving sounds, enriching the depth of Carr-Kaffashan’s interpretations.

Joel Benjamin
Cabaret Scenes
April 21, 2012
www.cabaretscenes.org