CHICAGO - MIDWEST CABARET REVIEWS

CABARET SALON WEDNESDAYS WITH BOB MOREEN

Reviewed by Carla Gordon

Bob Moreen hosts a remarkable musical evening each Wednesday at CAFE SIMONE; the cozy cabaret room under AT CYRANO'S BISTROT. Describing Bob's "Cabaret Salon" takes considerable thought. The Salon is not a piano bar gig, nor is it an open mike. Nor is it the formal type of cabaret show centering about a theme. Moreen's Cabaret Salon captures elements of all of those yet offers its own unique seasoning.

The magical ingredient is Bob Moreen. Bob is held in esteem and affection by Chicago's music community. Run into an old timer in Chicago's popular music world and chances are they had an adventure with Bob in the heyday of Chicago nightclubs. In recent years, Bob has provided well-judged accompaniment and effective musical direction for many of Chicago's top cabaret soloists. However, the Salon is especially delightful because Bob, in addition to hosting and accompanying invited guests, performs. Moreen knows hundreds of unusual tunes. (Once, I hung around a hotel lobby where Moreen and Margie Gibson were entertaining. Shmoozing, the entertainers determined that the lady occupying the wing chair hailed from a smallish Wisconsin town. To everyone's delight, Bob just happened to know a sassy tune with the name of that remote town in the title.)

Moreen's phrasing is particularly noteworthy. In cabaret, lyric arguably carries more weight than in many other musical approaches. Bob senses precisely when each word should land in the musical phrase. In Ivor Novello's "And Her Mother Came Too", without mugging or pushing, Moreen captures Novello's sassy tale of the Romeo frustrated because the unwanted but constant presence of his sweetheart's mother...not to mention her brother....continuously thwarts opportunities for romantic moments. In "Speaking of Love," Moreen offers the story of the presumed suitor frankly more interested in a positive balance sheet than in a meaningful romance. Bob's pitch is rock solid, but unlike less experienced singers, he gets that the lyrical phrase is the dog and the vocal gifts, most of the time, should be the tail.

Now, about guests. At Bob's premier Salon, a dozen or so of the busiest cabaret performers in Chicago turned out for the launch. Suzy Petri who performs often with Bob at Cafç Simone was joined by Kat Taylor, about to fly to the Washington D.C. area to open a musical to perform the lead role as George Sand. Daryl Nitz, who regales the crowds at Davenport's was followed by Paul Marinaro, who appears regularly at Cornelia's and the Gentries (and has just been added to the performer's roster at newly opened Club 3160). At the second Salon, KT McCammond was featured in her own lively set, while other singers were invited for a musical hello. That night's guests also included versatile singer/pianist Jeff Roscoe and the always hilarious Denise Tomasello. These big kids of Chicago cabaret typically don't hang out at the open mikes with the wannabees. Nevertheless, they all came for the pleasure of making music with Mr. Moreen. Both the spirit of excellent music and the fellowship of the cabaret community that were palpable both nights made the three hour Salon seem short.

CAFE SIMONE offers cocktails and Chef Didier Durand's tasty continental menu to provide creature comforts. At the moment, no cover charge applies to Bob Moroeen's Cabaret Salon. You read right, no cover. Pinch me before I wake up.

CAFE SIMONE AT CYRANO'S BISTROT, WINE BAR AND CABARET is located at 546 North Wells, Chicago, IL - 312-467-0546 - http://www.cyranosbistro.com/

Copyright, 2006 by Carla Gordon

 

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