Reviews

BISTRO BITS
Back Stage September 1st, 2005

John Hoglund

At the other end of the cabaret spectrum, singer Michael Edwin Stuart offered an hour of new songs by composers gleaned form today's local cabaret and piano-bar scene. In "With Friends Like These," his recent debut show at the Encore, with musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins, direction by Gerry Geddes, and Jackie Fornatale on backup vocals, he sang like an angel (with an occasional country slur) and presented this interesting program as though he'd been singing these songs for ages. This, incidentally, is what made the laid-back show flow with ease.

Stuart has an expressive lyric baritone with a beautiful, supple head voice. This worked especially well on "Someone Who Loves Me for Me" by Maria Gentile and Caren Cole, a trenchant ballad about the one you love believing in you. The poignant heartbreaker "You Are Here" by Gerry Geddes and Anthony Gaglione is a keeper.

This was true of many of the songs in this demanding program, which Stuart performed with most of the songwriters in the audience. Another gentle beauty, "Somewhere in the World" by Karen Jacobsen, an outstanding love ballad ("I'm afraid to live my life with understanding and a spirit that is open wide"), got a sustained ovation for good reason. Stuart's calm delivery and ease with the audience belied his newcomer status. Like Anne Murray or Kenny Rogers, his voice is a blend of soft pop and country-style crooning that is easy on the ear. Too, there wasn't a single dishonest or forced word that he spoke or sang. He skillfully committed to every song on a level one expects from more-experienced artists. Never was this truer than on "Some Days," a beautiful poem of life's struggles by James Baldwin set to music by Steve Marzullo. I wish I had the space to talk about more of the great songwriters represented in Stuart's show.

He made a compelling case showcasing songs by Steven Ray Watkins, Tracy Stark, Greg Aaron, Rick Jensen, and Steven Jaymes. With few exceptions, each tune was worthy of exposure and, hopefully, Stuart will repeat the show so that more people can see and hear them. Stuart himself has a lot of heart and should be seen by everyone who loves good singing.

Sometimes you have an experience that makes you feel that it is all worth it after all. I had that experience on Tuesday night when I went to Michael Edwin Stuart's cabaret show at THE ENCORE (266 West 47th Street, NYC - 212-221-3960 - http://www.theencorenyc.com/ ) at 7:00 pm. I'll talk more about this in the Monday issue, but I say quite simply that if you are wondering why in the world a man of 66 years of age with a bum knee would go into Manhattan night after night to attend cabaret shows and events, you will discover what it is all about if you go to Michael's next show on Tuesday the 23rd.

The title of Stuart’s show, akin to the melodic opener written by musical director Steven Ray Watkins, Just a Few of My Good Friends, refers to the songwriter/friends whose numbers make up his song list. Most of the composers are familiar to the local cabaret crowd: Watkins, Tracy Stark, Maria Gentile, Rick Jensen, for example. Obviously, there are no ‘thirties or ‘forties Great American Songbook standards here, although one or two of them might become part of this current generation’s own enduring songbook.

Stuart chose mostly plaintive and yearning ballads – “human relationship songs” he terms them, not “love songs” – a mix of pop and country. The song styles vary, but he delivers them all handsomely with the occasional help of backup vocalist Jackie Fornatale. One such piece is Georgia Calling, a number composed by Karen Jacobsen with Michael Stuart’s own poignant lyric.

Stuart is good looking, slim and sexy, with a come-hither voice that takes a song lyric and polishes it to a shine. Turn back the clock six decades, imagine a big band behind him, and darned if there isn’t more than a passing resemblance to the young Sinatra. Now, that’s a suggestion for his next show.

- Peter Leavy, Cabaret Scenes, 8/9/05

"With Friends Like These..." is the name and the theme of Michael Edwin Stuart's fine show at The Encore which showcases not only his own talent and that of his musical director Steven Ray Watkins, but also his talented songwriter friends. It's a great idea for a show, especially when your friends are as talented as this lot is.

Opening with Steven Ray Watkins' "Just a Few of My Good Friends" is, of course, most appropriate and descriptive, and is one of Steven's finest songs. Michael has a very easy manner and is so very likable that he's won you over right from the start. Using also a common theme of love, or as he prefers to call it "human relationships," he has more than his share of love songs and ballads throughout, including the Maria Gentile/Caren Cole "Someone Who Loves Me for Me" which is done with great taste and showmanship. Steven Jaymes' bluesy "Emily" is a winner, as is Tracy Stark's funky "Good Life" where Michael sounds a bit like Stevie Wonder at times.

Stark's "Mr. Moon" is a great torch song ready to be discovered, and Michael reveals himself to be an interesting lyricist, too, as proven by "Georgia's Calling" with music by Karen Jacobsen. Jackie Fornatale sings with him on this duet, and also offers back-up on a couple other numbers. She has a very pleasant voice, and you'll probably want to hear more from her after this. "Some Days" uses a James Baldwin poem, with music by Steve Marzullo, to end the program on a perfect note by reminding us that not every day will be good, and this gospel-type performance reveals even more of his amazing vocal range. This is definitely a must-see show!

~ Gregg Culling - CabaretSingers on Yahoo