The Salon Wrap-Up for August 11th: "Mad About the Boys"

Irrational, emotionally unhinged, and exuberant love was in the air (and maybe the drinks?) at Salon tonight. Our co-hosts Those Girls, the powerhouse quartet comprised of Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack, and Wendy Russell accompanied by the lively piano of Steven Ray Watkins, opened the evening with an oldies groove featuring a mashup of the Temptations classic "Get Ready" and The Jackson 5's "The Love You Save." The best part of seeing Those Girls perform is their intricate harmony - they're always tight, perfectly in tune, and deeply satisfying. Their arrangements in combination with their exquisite musicianship are a real delight.

Can confirm: Those Girls really are this badass.

They opened the second half of the show with solid barbershop-style harmonies on the Dean Martin crooner classic, "Ain't That a Kick in the Head." (In truth, this Blogette prefers this sweet and sultry boogie-woogie arrangement to the original.) These ladies have gigs all over town for a reason - they're the ultimate professionals. They even made their debut at Carnegie Hall in May with the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Jerome Kern evening ("All the Things You Are: Celebrating Jerome Kern"), for which they were given a handful of Jerome Kern songs  and 4.5 minutes in which to perform them. Their Kern-ucopia medley (performed next) was thus born, including "Can't Help Singing," "I've Told Every Little Star," "They Didn't Believe Me," "A Fine Romance," and "Long Ago and Far Away."   Their arrangements were efficient, smooth, and stunningly beautiful. They passed the melody from soloist to soloist without dropping a note, which was especially impressive considering different singers were trading those harmony lines around at any given moment. 

Sophisticated harmonies (their trademark, in case you can't tell) and a pristine blend made their rendition of Elvis Presley's "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" a lovely finish to the evening. It was like the perfect NY cheesecake finish - silky smooth with a hint of sweetness. This Blogette can't wait to see them perform again.

Fortunately, there are many opportunities coming up to do so! In October, they're taking their "Unplugged" show to BJ Ryan's Magnolia Room in Norwalk, CT (Sat. Oct 5th at 8 pm), and then to Pangea for "Those Girls Sing the Boys Unplugged Vol.1.2" (Sat. Oct 19th at 7pm).  And finally, we can catch them in "Those Girls Sing the Boys Vol. 1" at The Laurie Beechman on Saturday November 22nd (7pm) and Saturday December 2nd (7pm). More info below.

Salon Spotlight

Angela Leone was our smooth-voiced Salon Spotlight tonight, acoompanied by the wonderful Bill Zeffiro on piano. With her contralto tone reminiscent of Rosemary Clooney, she began with Johnny Mathis's pleading ballad "Come to Me." She followed up with Hoagy Carmichael's "How Little We Know," then treated us to "Wild is the Wind," (Washington/Tiomkin, made famous by Nina Simone). Angela's selection of lesser-done standards by the undisputed masters of jazz was so refreshing! Jazz is a perfect fit for her voice. As an artist, she lets the songs speak for themselves, and with her rich and resonant vowels, her lower register has particularly supple ease and depth.

Her upcoming show with Bill Zeffiro, "Mathis and More," will be performed here at Don't Tell Mama's (343 West 46th Street) on Monday, October 7th (7pm) and Sunday, November 3rd (3pm). 

Classical Corner

Mark Janas opened by playing a recording of Liebera, an English boys choir, and explained to us the fascinating history of boys' choirs in Europe, including the anatomical changes that happen in boys' versus girls' voices over time. Next he played "From a Distance," allowing us all the chance to relish the beauty and purity of the boys choir. (And the perfect intonation!!!) It was a lovely respite and a hearkening back to a simpler moment.

Roster of Performers for the Evening (in order of appearance):

Click link to visit the performer’s website or other links, when available.

All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Co-Host: Those Girls (Steven Ray Watkins at piano)
Lynda Rodolitz
Joan Darragh
Aaron Wilson
Marnie Klar
Rian Keating
Josh Carr
Emily Ellet
Bobbie Horowitz (Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Stew Frimer (Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Andrea Axelrod (Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Sally Darling (Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (self at piano)
Janice Hall (Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Goldie Dver (Bill Zeffiro at piano)

Salon Spotlight Angela Leone (Bill Zeffiro at piano)

Classical Corner
BREAK
Co-Host: Those Girls (Steven Ray Watkins at piano)

Tanya Moberly

Lynda Kennedy
Todd Monroe
Jeff Flaster
Sean Patrick Murtagh
Michael Colby
Richie Eisenberg
The Elegant Ivory Duo (self at piano)
Bill Zeffiro (self at piano)
David Ballard
Joshua Bennett
Co-Host: Those Girls (Steven Ray Watkins at piano)

Special thanks to our pianist for the evening, Mark Janas, and to musicians Steven Ray Watkins, Bill Zeffiro, and Matthew Martin Ward. Thanks also to David Ballard on lights and sound and to the delicious waitstaff (Joshua and Leo) and supportive management at Don't Tell Mama. Also thanks to our videographer for the evening, Zoltan Suhy.

Ongoing Shows:

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (8-12pm): Bill Zeffiro at La Rivista, 313 West 46th Street, NYC

Tuesdays (6-9:30pm): Annie LeBeaux at The Town House, 230 East 58th Street, NYC

Upcoming Shows:

Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly will take part in a benefit evening for the Dutch Treat Club, "Jerome Kern & Friends," at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, August 14th, 2019 (7pm): Sean Patrick Murtagh will pay tribute to Mario Lanza in his show at The Green Room 42, 570 10th Avenue, NYC.

Friday, August 16th, 2019 (7pm): Sally Darling presents "And Kurt Weill Begat Kander and Ebb," with Matthew Martin Ward at piano, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, Auugst 20th, 2019 (6:30pm): Joshua Bennet performs in The Metropolitan Room Staff Reunion Show Cabaret Cares Show at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC. 

Saturday, August 24th, 2019 (7pm): Todd Monroe presents "Alive at the Duplex!", 61 Christopher Street, NYC.

Friday, August 30th, 2019: Tanya Moberly performs in Ricky Ritzel's Broadway at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 6th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Marnie Klar, THOSE GIRLS, Joshua Bennet, and others in a beneift for teen suicide prevention at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 6th, 2019 (7pm): Josh Carr presents "Why do the Wrong People Travel?" at Pangea, 178 Second Avenue (bet 11th and 12th Sts), NYC.

Friday, September 6th, 2019 (7pm): Josh Carr presents "Why do the Wrong People Travel?" at Pangea, 178 Second Avenue (bet 11th and 12th Sts), NYC.

Sunday, September 8th (4pm): Andrea Axelrod presents "After the Bawl," with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, September 12th (7pm): Sally Darling presents "And Kurt Weill Begat Kander and Ebb," with Matthew Martin Ward at piano, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 13th (7pm): Andrea Axelrod presents "After the Bawl," with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 14th (1:30pm): The Elegant Ivory Duo present "Imperfections of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 14th (4pm): Stew Frimer presents "Who Needs a Theme?" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 14th, 2019 (4pm): Tanya Moberly is among the singers performing in Meg Flather's "A Cabaret Sisterhood" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, September 15th, 2019 (6pm): Goldie Dver will return in her show "Back in Mama's Arms" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, September 18th (7pm): Lynda Rodolitz in "4 Women, 4 Stories" (with Helene Blumfield, Peggy Schwartz, and Deborah Zecher) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 21st (4:30pm): The Elegant Ivory Duo present "Imperfections of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 21st, 2019 (6pm): Goldie Dver will return in her show "Back in Mama's Arms" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 (1:30pm): Joan Darragh presents "The Invigorated Ingenue" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 (4pm): Andrea Axelrod and Rian Keating will co-host "Groovin on a Sunday" at 53 Above, 318 West 53rd Street, NYC.

Monday, September 23rd (7pm): Stew Frimer presents "Who Needs a Theme?" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 27th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Lisa Viggiano's new show, "The Times, They Are a-Changin'" opening at Pangea, 178 Second Avenue (bet 11th and 12th Sts), NYC. 

Sunday, September 28th, 2019 (3:30pm): Joan Darragh presents "The Invigorated Ingenue" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, October 4th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Barb Junger direct Susanne Mack in "Where I Belong" with Musical Director Paul Greenwood at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Sunday, October 5th, 2019 (8pm): Goldie Dver will return in her show "Back in Mama's Arms" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, October 5th, 2019 (8pm): Those Girls perform "Unplugged" at BJ Ryan's Magnolia Room, 57 Main Street (upstairs), Norwalk, CT 06851.

Sunday, October 6th, 2019 (3:30pm): Joan Darragh presents "The Invigorated Ingenue" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 7th, 2019 (7pm): Angela Leone presents "Mathis and More," with Bill Zeffiro at the piano, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, October 11th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Barb Junger direct Susanne Mack in "Where I Belong" with Musical Director Paul Greenwood at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Thursday, October 17th, 2019: Bobbie Horowitz presents "It's Just A Number" (featuring Emily Ellet and others) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, October 19th, 2019 (7pm): Those Girls Sing the Boys Unplugged Vol.1.2 at Pangea, 178 Second Avenue (bet 11th and 12th Sts), NYC.

Saturday, October 25th, 2019 (7pm): Marnie Klar in Ricky Ritzel's Broadway at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Sunday, October 26th, 2019 (5pm): Barb Malley presents: "Feeling Groovy In A New York State of Mind: at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 (3pm): Angela Leone presents "Mathis and More," with Bill Zeffiro at the piano, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 (7pm): Lynda Rodolitz brings back "Animal Magnetism" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 (7pm): Michael Colby presents "Slay It with Music", a benefit for the International Rescue Committee, at The Green Room 42, 570 10th Avenue, NYC.

Thursday, November 7th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Stephanie Trudeau in "Chavela: Think of Me" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 10th, 2019 (4pm): Lynda Rodolitz brings back "Animal Magnetism" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Lisa Viggiano's new show, "The Times, They are a Changin" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, October 14th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Barb Junger direct Susanne Mack in "Where I Belong" with Musical Director Paul Greenwood at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Friday, November 15th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Lisa Viggiano's new show, "The Times, They are a Changin" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 17th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Barb Junger direct Susanne Mack in "Where I Belong" with Musical Director Paul Greenwood at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Thursday, November 21st, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Lisa Viggiano's new show, "The Times, They are a Changin" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th Street, NYC  .

Saturday, November 22nd, 2019 (7pm): Those Girls Sing the Boys Vol. 1 at The Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 2nd, 2019 (7pm): Those Girls Sing the Boys Vol. 1 at The Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Thursday, December 12th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Stephanie Trudeau in "Chavela: Think of Me" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 18th, 2019: Bobbie Horowitz presents "It's Just A Number" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

NEXT SALON: August 18th, 2019
Join us next week for our 14th anniversary here at Salon, featuring co-hosts The Mamettes and Salon Spotlight Robin Westle! How the years fly by. Start preparing your "Happy Birthday" harmonies, everyone!


Submitted by Emily Ellet
Blogette for The Salon
Email me if I missed anything!