CHICAGO - MIDWEST CABARET REVIEWS

Tracy Adams: Modern Man at DAVENPORT'S

Reviewed by Carla Gordon

In Modern Man, performed Thursdays in August at DAVENPORT'S, Tracy Adams reflects on whether life reflects art or art reflects life. Adams offers a collection of songs all written during his lifetime.

Tracy sets the tone opening with "Corner of the Sky," written by Stephen Schwartz. Longing to be where "my spirit can run free," lets us know that Tracy's life has moved in many directions The art reflecting his life will also take many roads.

In "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La Da," by Paul Mc Cartney, Tracy ponders how life changes as do the roles of relationship partners. In the beginning, Desmond is the traditional male role plying his trade in the market place. By tune's end, Desmond is a stay at home parent who "does his pretty face." Life goes on.

In a fun medley combining "Grandma's Feather Bed" by Jim Connor and "TV" by Cheryl Wheeler, Tracy shares his Virginia roots. Grandma's Feather Bed, besides being quite funny ("I even kissed Aunt Lou") is told through the eyes of a little kid. The bed is "nine feet high." This song is about family. Tracy effectively conveys both the excitement and sense of security a little kid feels being with the extended family. Interlaced with Feather Bed is" TV." We often hear two voices; one yearning for pastoral repose and the other demanding the conveniences of our electronic world. Tracy captures what this song means. Are you the person or do you know the person who brings the laptop on the camping trip?

Adams is an excellent vocalist. His pitches are solid; his voice resonant. However, what makes Modern Man enriching is Tracy's effectiveness as a communicator. The song from Tracy's show that remains in my head is "Feed the Birds" by Robert and Richard Sherman. Like Tracy, I heard this song as a kid, in the film, Mary Poppins. The song tells the story of a little old woman who makes her living by selling bags of crumbs to passersby so they may feed the birds. The old woman's words are "simple and few." In Tracy's hands, "Feed the Birds" takes us to a more meaningful place. The birds need us. Their nests are bare. The old woman needs us; she depends on us. Tracy makes a courageous performer choice: he expresses his liberalism. He communicates in this short song that those among us having more carry obligations to those having less.

Beckie Menzie provided the right support as musical director and accompanist. Perhaps because Beckie is also a vocalist, she has a remarkable sense of just how much piano is enough. A delightful moment in Tracy's show happens when he sings "One Woman's Story" written by Becky and collaborator Cheri Coons. I don't want to spoil this song for future listeners by giving away the secret. Let's just say that it is about an unusual upbringing.

By offering a cabaret show in which personal values are shared, Tracy undertakes the risk of opening his heart. It moves us. In fact, he could take it farther. Tracy, tell us even more about why each song affected you. We came to learn as much as we could about a talented and warm modern man.

DAVENPORT'S is located at 1383 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL - 773-278-1830 - http://www.davenportspianobar.com/

Copyright, 2005 by Carla Gordon

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