Cabaret Scenes CD Review

What is it about opening numbers? Often it seems the stage is set far too simply. Don’t scare the na- tives—instead offer them them pretty beads and trinkets to get their atten-tion. Nonsense. Cabaret audiences are not a naïve wide-eyed bunch. In fact, eyes might tend to narrow in suspicion and possibly resentment when someone of the considerable capacities—wielded so consistently, so well, so soon after into this set by Joyce Breach—begins with a low-bouncing, oh-so-cute yet slightly matter-of-fact throwaway, “I Got Out of Bed on the Right Side” (Johnny Mercer & Arthur Schwartz.) BUT, immediately following the tossed bone, Ms. Breach more than redeems herself with a wonderfully unforced conversational musicality throughout this easy listening (in the best sense of the phrase) group of comfortably chosen songs. In “Life Can Be Beautiful” (Harold Adamson & Jimmy McHugh), this seasoned- sounding songstress plucks the notes out of the air like plump, ripe fruits from a peach tree bathed in sun, and “Love Is a Simple Thing” (June Carroll & Arthur Seigel) shows her deft spot-on lyrical light touch. “The Time Has Come” (Marshall Barer & Michael Leonard) with plucky guitar riffs by Gene Bertoncini and plinky piano ripples courtesy of arranger Jon Weber—the band completed nicely by Chip Jackson, bass and Warren Vaché, cornet!—and ”Promise Me a Rose” (Bob Merrill) have a soft, smoky savor that lingers liltingly and lightly in the air.

You can trust us, Joyce. Come out swinging strong at the start, and at the end, we’re all
smiles, darlin’.

Noah Tree
Cabaret Scenes
July/August 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org

Joyce Breach

Odds & Ends

Audiophile Records



	Joyce Breach Odds & Ends Audiophile Records
What is it about opening numbers? Often it seems the stage is set far too simply. Don’t scare the na- tives—instead offer them them pretty beads and trinkets to get their atten-tion. Nonsense. Cabaret audiences are not a naïve wide-eyed bunch. In fact, eyes might tend to narrow in suspicion and possibly resentment when someone of the considerable capacities—wielded so consistently, so well, so soon after into this set by Joyce Breach—begins with a low-bouncing, oh-so-cute yet slightly matter-of-fact throwaway, “I Got Out of Bed on the Right Side” (Johnny Mercer & Arthur Schwartz.) BUT, immediately following the tossed bone, Ms. Breach more than redeems herself with a wonderfully unforced conversational musicality throughout this easy listening (in the best sense of the phrase) group of comfortably chosen songs. In “Life Can Be Beautiful” (Harold Adamson & Jimmy McHugh), this seasoned- sounding songstress plucks the notes out of the air like plump, ripe fruits from a peach tree bathed in sun, and “Love Is a Simple Thing” (June Carroll & Arthur Seigel) shows her deft spot-on lyrical light touch. “The Time Has Come” (Marshall Barer & Michael Leonard) with plucky guitar riffs by Gene Bertoncini and plinky piano ripples courtesy of arranger Jon Weber—the band completed nicely by Chip Jackson, bass and Warren Vaché, cornet!—and ”Promise Me a Rose” (Bob Merrill) have a soft, smoky savor that lingers liltingly and lightly in the air. You can trust us, Joyce. Come out swinging strong at the start, and at the end, we’re all smiles, darlin’. Noah Tree Cabaret Scenes July/August 2010 www.cabaretscenes.org