HIGH NOTES
Women’s Hope Concert repeats its success
The lobby of the Tennessee Williams Theater was the scene of the annual Women’s Hope concert, with Kim Gordon as chairperson and musical director. Ten singers, six of whom were repeaters from last year’s event, were backed skillfully by Mike Emerson on guitar, Linda Sparks on piano, Joe Dallas on bass and trombone and Dave Parker on drums. Proceeds from the concert were in support of Habitat for Humanity. The concert was successful both financially and artistically.
The first two numbers offered two different varieties of tour de force. Gordon and Michael McCabe opened with a duet, “You’re Just in Love.” The parts to that tune come in two completely different rhythms, so that keeping them together is chancy, but those two did it nicely. And McCabe sang the second number, Barbara Streisand’s “Everybody Says Don’t;” with its rapid fire lyrics, one slip of the tongue and it’s a train wreck, but he brought it off flawlessly.
Three fine singers teamed up in various combinations. Deb Hudson sang lead, backed up by Dora Gholson and Adrienne Zolondick, covering the Dixie Chicks’ version of “Long Time Gone.” Mike Emerson, whose forte is as a jazz guitarist, got some authentic and effective country licks working behind them. Then they turned the trio inside out, with Dora Gholson singing a fine bluesy lead on Sippie Wallace’s “Women Be Wise.” In the second set, Adrienne was out front with her own song, “Conchtown.”
With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, Fiona Molloy sang a medley of Irish songs, with audience participation, as she did last year; in the second set she sang a comic version of “Galway Bay.” Valerie Carr sang three songs. One, “Todo Cambio,” was in Spanish; it was well sung, but the language got in the way. Another was a duet with Gassy Winds, who came on stage in emphatic drag, rhinestoned right down to the spectacle frames.
Kim Gordon’s version of “As Time Goes By” was one of the few standards on the program, and, because it demands precision, one of the most difficult to sing. Gordon possesses an extra degree of professionalism, which came out both musically and in the expression of its emotional message. And it’s such a great tune. Do play it again, Sam.
Linda Sparks and Michael Kilgore opened the second set with a comic turn on a Lizst rhapsody, with both of them trying to play in each other’s register and getting tangled up. Melody Cooper had two numbers, one accompanying herself on piano, both presented well. The two male singers (no offense, Gassy Winds) were standouts. Michael McCabe, in addition to his opening number with Kim Gordon, sang a powerful “New York State of Mind” in the second set, and J.B. McClendon did a nice job on the difficulties and unpleasantnesses of “Being With Me.” Deb Hudson sang Sting’s “Fields of Gold,” and sang it well. The only problem with that, for me, was the memory of the version by the late Eva Cassidy, one of her best: that was so moving that when its author heard it, it brought tears to his eyes. Some songs should be retired, like the roster numbers of baseball stars.
This show well deserves its annual return. The singers, six of whom were repeaters from last year’s concert, are all accomplished performers: most of them work as singles or backed up by very small bands, alone out front, and they have become successful entertainers under the severe demands which that imposes. Since the concert is a benefit — it raised $25,000 for its beneficiary — the audiences is especially appreciative. It always is, as it was Friday night, a good show.
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