Review
of Jackie Evancho’s Performance at the Café Carlyle, New York City (April 21,
2017)[1]
Last Friday night at the Café Carlyle, at
8:45 P.M., shortly after the house lights were dimmed and Jackie’s Musical
Director Peter Kiesewalter took his seat at the piano, Jackie entered the room
and took her position behind the microphone stand. I don’t remember if she
spoke, but if she did, it was very brief. Peter began playing Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” and Jackie began to sing.
Her delivery - in a surprisingly low register - was strong, confident,
no-nonsense – dramatic, but straight to the point.
It was a good thing that it was dark, because before she even finished the first line, I don’t know why, but I completely lost it. I started to shake, tears were streaming down my face, and I had my hand over my mouth to keep from gasping.[2] I remember thinking that whoever said Jackie didn’t have a “pop” voice – oh wait, that was her – was sorely mistaken. Her voice was incredible. It was almost like she was someone else – some new singer I had never heard sing before – which was hard to believe, since I had been to at least a dozen of her live concerts, most recently less than five months ago. Also, I can’t describe it, but as Jackie sang, I got the feeling that she was bursting inside to get this song out. She was relentless – on a mission - like a steam roller. This truly was a Jackie Evancho I had never seen before.[3]
It was a good thing that it was dark, because before she even finished the first line, I don’t know why, but I completely lost it. I started to shake, tears were streaming down my face, and I had my hand over my mouth to keep from gasping.[2] I remember thinking that whoever said Jackie didn’t have a “pop” voice – oh wait, that was her – was sorely mistaken. Her voice was incredible. It was almost like she was someone else – some new singer I had never heard sing before – which was hard to believe, since I had been to at least a dozen of her live concerts, most recently less than five months ago. Also, I can’t describe it, but as Jackie sang, I got the feeling that she was bursting inside to get this song out. She was relentless – on a mission - like a steam roller. This truly was a Jackie Evancho I had never seen before.[3]
Thankfully, for her next song,
Jackie reached back into her past – and mine – for a very familiar song, “Over the Rainbow,” which she sang with
the not-often-heard introduction. Even though this song is a much softer and
gentler song than “Viva La Vida,” Jackie
sang it with unapologetic power. She was just not going to let up.
After
“OTR,” Jackie launched into her
medley. This was an assemblage of
songs that helped define Jackie’s career, interwoven with brief remarks by
Jackie saying a few words about each song, which helped to put the songs into
context. This was a great idea, considering that there were most likely many
people in the audience who probably had never seen Jackie perform before. The
songs in the medley included, as best I can recall from memory, “O Mio Babbino Caro,” “Con
te Partiro,” “Think of Me,” “Somewhere,”
“When You Wish Upon a Star,” and “The Prayer.”
After the medley, Jackie performed her cover of “Safe and Sound,” from “The Hunger Games.” By this time, I was beginning to recover my senses – the medley took me through very familiar musical territory, and I had viewed the “Safe and Sound” video numerous times. Also, she performed “Safe and Sound” at the last concert I had attended, just a few months ago (Providence, RI).
After the medley, Jackie performed her cover of “Safe and Sound,” from “The Hunger Games.” By this time, I was beginning to recover my senses – the medley took me through very familiar musical territory, and I had viewed the “Safe and Sound” video numerous times. Also, she performed “Safe and Sound” at the last concert I had attended, just a few months ago (Providence, RI).
But
my respite was to be brief. Next up on the set list was “Pedestal.” I knew the lyrics were intense – I had listened to the
song several times on the “Two Hearts”
CD.[4] Well,
listening to “Pedestal” was one thing
– watching Jackie perform it live was something else entirely. She held nothing
back. Her delivery was unforgiving - raw, powerful, intensely emotional,
excruciatingly personal. I was almost glad - for her - when it was over.
Next
up on the set list was the Carpenter’s hit from 1970, “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Jackie dedicated this song to her sister
Juliet, who was in the audience. I mentioned Jackie’s lower register earlier in
this review. It was, of course, quite evident in this song, and there was more
than one moment where I swore I could hear Karen Carpenter singing in her
uniquely beautiful contralto voice.
Karen, who died tragically at the age of 32, would have been 67 years old this
year, and one can only imagine what musical magic she and Jackie could have
made together.
In a way, knowing from other reviews what songs we were about to hear next, I almost wondered if Jackie was also saying “Hold on to your seats, folks, I’ve only just begun.” I had learned earlier in the evening from someone in our party who had already seen the show three times - no names, please - that Jackie would not be singing “The Music of the Night” – for some reason, she dropped it after her opening night – but that still left a very powerful lineup: “The Impossible Dream,” “The Way We Were,” “Caruso,” and “Vincent (Starry Starry Night)” with “Nessun Dorma” expected as her encore.
In a way, knowing from other reviews what songs we were about to hear next, I almost wondered if Jackie was also saying “Hold on to your seats, folks, I’ve only just begun.” I had learned earlier in the evening from someone in our party who had already seen the show three times - no names, please - that Jackie would not be singing “The Music of the Night” – for some reason, she dropped it after her opening night – but that still left a very powerful lineup: “The Impossible Dream,” “The Way We Were,” “Caruso,” and “Vincent (Starry Starry Night)” with “Nessun Dorma” expected as her encore.
The song “The Impossible Dream” means a lot to me, for very personal reasons
which I am going to keep to myself. I have seen Jackie perform it live in
concert several times, and have never been disappointed.[5] By this time in the evening, I knew Jackie
was in top form, bursting with energy, and eager to share her songs with us, so
I felt justified in expecting something extra special with “The Impossible Dream.” Needless to say, Jackie delivered. It was
everything I could have hoped for – and more: Soaring, majestic, triumphant… I
could go on, but it’s Sunday night, and getting late. I was hoping to finish
this review before the weekend was over.[6]
Next up on the set list was the beautiful Barbra Streisand classic “The Way We Were,” from the 1973 movie of the same name. I wrote at length about the studio version of this song in my review of the “Two Hearts” CD so I won’t dwell on it here. Suffice it to say that this is a bittersweet, nostalgic song about lost love, so I knew it would pack an emotional wallop no matter how Jackie interpreted it. I expected to cry, and cry I did. It was too dark in the Café to know for sure, but I doubt that I was the only one in the audience with their face buried in their napkin.
For me, the most highly anticipated song of the evening was “Caruso.” I also wrote quite a bit about this song in my review of Jackie’s CD, so I’ll keep this short. I’ll be honest – I was nervous for Jackie. As I mentioned above, I had seen her perform live about a dozen times, and had never seen her stumble over a lyric, but if that was ever going to happen, it would probably be a song like “Caruso.” While the chorus is very lyrical, dramatic and highly emotional - this is where the singer – a dying man – tells his young lover how much he loves her - the verses are basically Italian tongue-twisters, sung at breakneck speed. It is a very difficult song to sing, but Jackie nailed it – the verse lyrics poured out of her rapid-fire and clear as a bell, and the chorus was “classic” Jackie Evancho - as intensely focused and emotional as I have ever seen her.
Next up on the set list was the beautiful Barbra Streisand classic “The Way We Were,” from the 1973 movie of the same name. I wrote at length about the studio version of this song in my review of the “Two Hearts” CD so I won’t dwell on it here. Suffice it to say that this is a bittersweet, nostalgic song about lost love, so I knew it would pack an emotional wallop no matter how Jackie interpreted it. I expected to cry, and cry I did. It was too dark in the Café to know for sure, but I doubt that I was the only one in the audience with their face buried in their napkin.
For me, the most highly anticipated song of the evening was “Caruso.” I also wrote quite a bit about this song in my review of Jackie’s CD, so I’ll keep this short. I’ll be honest – I was nervous for Jackie. As I mentioned above, I had seen her perform live about a dozen times, and had never seen her stumble over a lyric, but if that was ever going to happen, it would probably be a song like “Caruso.” While the chorus is very lyrical, dramatic and highly emotional - this is where the singer – a dying man – tells his young lover how much he loves her - the verses are basically Italian tongue-twisters, sung at breakneck speed. It is a very difficult song to sing, but Jackie nailed it – the verse lyrics poured out of her rapid-fire and clear as a bell, and the chorus was “classic” Jackie Evancho - as intensely focused and emotional as I have ever seen her.
I was also very excited to learn not too long ago that “Vincent (Starry Starry Night)” would be included in the set list for the Café. I had seen cell-phone YouTube videos of her singing this song, but had never seen her sing it live. As always, Jackie delivered. In a word, her performance was “epic.” This song is one of the best examples of how Jackie can take someone else’s song – in this case, of course, a pretty good song – and turn into a masterpiece. If you’re not sure what I mean, listen to Don MacLean (the composer) singing this song. He presents it as a fairly lightweight folk song. Leave it to Jackie to understand how this song was meant to be sung.[7]
At
the conclusion of “Vincent (Starry Starry
Night),” the house lights were turned up, signaling the end of the show.
Jackie received a standing ovation from most of the audience. Since we all knew
there would be an encore, there were not a lot of shouts of “Encore” from the audience, so Jackie
playfully teased us, telling us that she was waiting to hear - “What’s that word? The word beginning with ‘E’?” The audience responded enthusiastically
with several shouts for an encore, and Jackie ended the night with a very
solid, very operatic, rendition of “Nessun
Dorma.” Many of us knew what to expect at the end of the song, but there
were still quite a few audible gasps from the audience when Jackie hit that impossibly
high last note. It was a great way to end the evening.
I also want to say that even though the room was very small – so small that it would be hard for anyone not to get the feeling that Jackie was singing just for them - she still made the effort to connect with the audience in all parts of the room. The stage platform was so small that it didn’t really allow for any “roaming,” but Jackie still occasionally turned to her left or right, took a step forward and made eye contact with someone sitting off to the side of the stage platform.
.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not give full credit where credit is due to Jackie's Musical Director and Piano Accompanist Peter Kiesewalter. He is enormously talented, and has a huge responsibility. Think about it - Jackie used to have a full orchestra behind her. Then things got downsized to a dozen or so live musicians (including Peter) with pre-recorded backing tracks. And then there may have been a period of time with just Peter on the piano with some backing tracks (I'm not sure about that). But at the Cafe Carlyle, it was just Peter and his piano (and his electronic keypad "thingy"). The entire responsibility for the music backing up Jackie fell on his shoulders (and fingers!). In my opinion, he did a great job. As a general matter, I think his unique, quirky, jazzy style of playing works very well with Jackie's voice and vocal stylings. They really do make magic together.
I also wanted to say a word about Jackie's dress. It was very cool - no little girl "poofiness" - it was sophisticated, very modern, very stylish, almost "futuristic," but still age appropriate - not too "slinky" or skimpy. This is the best picture I could find - the lighting isn't very flattering for Jackie's face, but it shows the dress pretty well. As a bonus, the picture includes Peter at his piano. And yes, I believe he might be singing in this picture. He does provide some occasional lines of harmony. By the way, the picture is courtesy of Peter, via Instagram.
This is the dress she wore on Saturday, April 22, 2017, the last night of her 10-show residency (picture courtesy of Jackie Evancho via Instagram):
And another dress Jackie wore during the first week of her residency (Picture courtesy of TheaterMania.com).
I wouldn't want the reader to come away with the mistaken impression
that Jackie was somehow somber, morose, or maybe even a bit angry. Yes, much of
her delivery while singing was intensely emotional, powerful, relentless, raw,
unforgiving, etc. etc. , but between songs, Jackie was Jackie. She was in a
great mood - poised, confident, upbeat, enthusiastic – you could tell she was
very excited - and grateful - to be there. Her “patter” between songs was
natural, unforced, always relevant, occasionally humorous, and above all, always
authentic - true to her personality. I learned only later from someone who had
been to the show the night before that most of the patter was scripted and
memorized – as it should it have been – you can’t expect a seventeen-year old -
not even Jackie - to “wing it” in front of a crowd of ultra-sophisticated Upper
East Side Manhattanites. But I doubt very much that anyone else wrote the
script for her. It was 100% Jackie.
I also want to say that even though the room was very small – so small that it would be hard for anyone not to get the feeling that Jackie was singing just for them - she still made the effort to connect with the audience in all parts of the room. The stage platform was so small that it didn’t really allow for any “roaming,” but Jackie still occasionally turned to her left or right, took a step forward and made eye contact with someone sitting off to the side of the stage platform.
.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not give full credit where credit is due to Jackie's Musical Director and Piano Accompanist Peter Kiesewalter. He is enormously talented, and has a huge responsibility. Think about it - Jackie used to have a full orchestra behind her. Then things got downsized to a dozen or so live musicians (including Peter) with pre-recorded backing tracks. And then there may have been a period of time with just Peter on the piano with some backing tracks (I'm not sure about that). But at the Cafe Carlyle, it was just Peter and his piano (and his electronic keypad "thingy"). The entire responsibility for the music backing up Jackie fell on his shoulders (and fingers!). In my opinion, he did a great job. As a general matter, I think his unique, quirky, jazzy style of playing works very well with Jackie's voice and vocal stylings. They really do make magic together.
I also wanted to say a word about Jackie's dress. It was very cool - no little girl "poofiness" - it was sophisticated, very modern, very stylish, almost "futuristic," but still age appropriate - not too "slinky" or skimpy. This is the best picture I could find - the lighting isn't very flattering for Jackie's face, but it shows the dress pretty well. As a bonus, the picture includes Peter at his piano. And yes, I believe he might be singing in this picture. He does provide some occasional lines of harmony. By the way, the picture is courtesy of Peter, via Instagram.
This is the dress she wore on Saturday, April 22, 2017, the last night of her 10-show residency (picture courtesy of Jackie Evancho via Instagram):
And another dress Jackie wore during the first week of her residency (Picture courtesy of TheaterMania.com).
Some random observations:
-In a small hallway just outside the entranceway
to the Café, there are two large photographs – one of John F. Kennedy, and one
of another famous Jackie – Jacqueline Kennedy, standing outside the hotel
entrance.
-Elsewhere in the hallway there is a
large oil painting of Bobby Short.
-In
another hallway between the hotel lobby and the hotel bar, there is a large
gallery of celebrity photographs, most prominently featuring Woody Allen, who
still hangs out at the Café Carlyle most Monday nights, playing his clarinet with
a Dixieland jazz band.
The
hotel elevators still have uniformed attendants, resplendent in every detail, right
down to the white gloves.
The
hotel is partly residential, so it was not unusual to see people getting on and
off the elevators with pet dogs. This is actually where I spotted Jackie’s
father, Mike Evancho. He came out of the elevator carrying Jackie’s dog,
apparently to take it for a walk.
If
you are a cigarette smoker, make sure to bring plenty of extra packs with you
if you come to New York. I learned the
hard way - cigarettes at the hotel were $25 a pack. Ouch.
I’ll
end with a couple of predictions:
1. This will not be the last time Jackie is asked to perform at the Café Carlyle.
1. This will not be the last time Jackie is asked to perform at the Café Carlyle.
2. Jackie’s song “Pedestal” will receive Grammy “buzz,” if not an actual nomination
You
heard it first here…
-Stephen K. Fischer
April 24, 2017-Stephen K. Fischer
[1] Shortly after
Jackie performed our country’s National Anthem at President Trump’s
Inauguration ceremony, it occurred to me that given the enormous amount of
publicity Jackie was getting at that time, it would be good for her career to
capitalize on that publicity by booking some concerts as soon as possible in
some major East Coast markets, thinking particularly of New York City.
Accordingly, on one level, when Jackie’s 10-show “residency” at the Café
Carlyle was announced, I wasn’t that surprised, but on another whole level, I
was simply floored by what a brilliant career move this was for Jackie. It
would be impossible to overstate what a “big deal” it has been for Jackie to
have had the opportunity to perform there. So, what is it about the Café
Carlyle that made it such an important venue for Jackie? Quoting from a 2007
online New York Times article about the Café:
“[Café Carlyle] is a New York institution of cabaret and jazz for the caviar and pearls set…”
“It
has been a longtime haven for presidents (including John F. Kennedy and Lyndon
B. Johnson) and paparazzi-shunning celebrities (no names, please, but think
Jack, Warren and Diana)…”
“[It] has maintained a soigné vintage New York chic [atmosphere]…” [Author’s note: Since I had to look it up, I’ll save you the trouble - soigné is French for “elegant.”]
“[It] has maintained a soigné vintage New York chic [atmosphere]…” [Author’s note: Since I had to look it up, I’ll save you the trouble - soigné is French for “elegant.”]
The
famous cabaret chanteuse Barbara Cook (more about her below) was quoted in the
same New York Times article as saying that the Café Carlyle is her “favorite
place to perform.”
Ms.
Cook added: “I’m so glad [The Café] is still there. It’s so much a part of what makes
New York, New York.”
Speaking
of Barbara Cook, it would also be impossible to overstate what a “big deal” she
is. Now nearing 90, back in the day (i.e. the 1950’s) she was Broadway’s
leading ingénue. She was best-known back then for playing the female lead
(Marian) in the original Broadway version of “The Music Man,” for which she won a Tony award.
Quoting from Wikipedia:
Quoting from Wikipedia:
“During
her years as Broadway’s leading ingénue, Cook was lauded
for her excellent lyric
soprano
voice. She was particularly admired for
her vocal agility, wide range, warm sound, and emotive interpretations…”
Some
of that sound familiar? I can very easily picture someone saying pretty much
the same thing about Jackie a few years down the road, say about 2087! Here’s
an audio clip (with photographs) of Ms. Cook performing “Long Before I Knew You.” The song is from the 1956 Broadway
Musical “Bells Are Ringing,” but this
rendition is from about 10 years ago, just before Ms. Cook’s 80th birthday:
And
finally, the Café Carlyle was the long-time home base of the late and “so-far-beyond-legendary-there-is-no-word-for-it”
pianist and vocalist Bobby Short. In 1968, Mr. Short, who already had been
performing since the 1940’s, was asked to perform a two-week stint at the Café,
filling in for another performer. He remained at the Café as their featured
performer for 35 years. Not familiar with Bobby Short’s work? Here’s a brief
taste – Mr. Short performing at the Café Carlyle on New Year’s Eve 1989-1990
for (and with) a star-studded audience:
By
the way, as it has often been the case for Jackie, this Café Carlyle residency
represents yet another feather in her cap, given that she is (no surprise here)
the youngest person ever to perform there (and note that the Café has been open
for more than 60 years).
[2] I’ve been told
that sometimes my Jackie Evancho reviews are too much about me and not enough
about Jackie and her music. A fair criticism – but my opinion of her music is
very strongly influenced by the effect it has on me. It’s not easy to keep
these two things separate. Nevertheless, I will do the best I can to make this
review about Jackie and her music.
[3] I didn’t want to
repeat myself in this review, but in case you didn’t see the comment I made on
FB regarding the New York City critic who said that “something was missing”
from Jackie’s performance, I will repeat it here: I wrote “When
I first read this review, I posted a comment here on FB that I found it 99%
positive, with the one negative comment that "something was missing"
being an honest criticism. Well, after experiencing Jackie's performance
first-hand at the Cafe Carlyle Friday night, I have to say that the only thing
"missing" was any doubt whatsoever that Jackie can do it all. She put
herself out there 110%, musically, emotionally, and on dimensions that I am
still struggling to understand, from the first low growl of the opening notes
in Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” to that
stratospherically high note at the end of “Nessun
Dorma.” And there was never even an instant where I felt that she was
“showing off” – it was all for us, the audience. [Another fan who saw the show] made the point
that in the 2 years since he last saw Jackie perform live, she has aged 10
years musically. Well, the last time I saw Jackie perform live was less than 5
months ago, and I can say that since then she has become nothing less than a
formidable musical force. Last Friday night, with no special lighting, no
theatrics, no orchestra, not even any backing tracks - accompanied only (but
very ably) by Peter Kiesewalter on the piano - Jackie swept over the audience
like a veritable tsunami. I would have given anything to get inside the head of
one of the most-likely-jaded Upper East Side Café Carlyle “regulars” seeing
Jackie perform for the first time, to experience what they were experiencing.”
[4] “Pretty doll, pretty face
Held up in this state of grace
Bittersweet, thanks and please
Welcome to my make believe….
Tie me up, hold me high
All I can do is wonder why
You forced me to be
But here's the surprise
Kill that part of me - It's a suicide
Held up in this state of grace
Bittersweet, thanks and please
Welcome to my make believe….
Tie me up, hold me high
All I can do is wonder why
You forced me to be
But here's the surprise
Kill that part of me - It's a suicide
Shattering, split in two
I am me but are you you
Save
me from my pedestal…
Free
me from my pedestal…
Sound the alarm, I'm breaking out
Hold your ears, it's gonna get loud
Crack the glass, falling fast
You should have known it wouldn't last…
Picture me smiling sweet
Through the fire that I weep
'Cause up here it's hard to breathe
So I fall down, it all falls down…
Save me from my pedestal…
Free
me from my pedestal…”
[5] My favorite
version of Jackie performing this song (at least until last Friday) was from
her concert in Atlanta, in the summer of 2011, which I have only seen on
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6N_JyDMQf4
[6] You might be
wondering why I’m still writing at 10:00 PM Sunday night about a show I
attended on Friday night. Well, I took a five-hour bus ride to New York City on
Friday, and returned the same night after the show, leaving the City at
midnight. I arrived home at 6:15 AM Saturday morning, physically and
emotionally exhausted, and went straight to bed. I woke up at 6:30 AM - on
Sunday morning. Yep, 24 hours, straight around the clock.
[7] For Don McLean
performing “Vincent (Starry Starry Night)”
live, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wrNFDxCRzU
