On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Jimmie Bush at NYC's Metropolitan Room

I did a Q&A with Jimmie a while ago but, unfortunately, had a serious accident the morning before the show. So, it was so good to finally attend his latest appearance at the Metropolitan Room!

Strongly built to match his strong voice at 6'7" with a 15 shoe size.

He well covered many a Motown number along with standards by the likes of Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdink and didn't once disappoint.

The Metropolitan Room's Bernie and JoAnne Furshpan were there and we got to share some hugs and kisses before the show.

Jimmie was  dressed formally though I noticed audience members undressing him with their eyes.

Don't miss Jimmie the next time he's in town!

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Remembering Darlene Love, Merry Clayton & Marianne Faithfull at The Rainbow Room

Who remembers when, high atop Rockefeller Plaza, there was cabaret at the very classy Rainbows and Stars in The Rainbow Room.

Dress code was very strict. For men, it was jacket and tie and dress pants.

I have a very clear memory of going there around this time of year in '96 -- well before my blog -- to see a show of girl group greats. It was a very large large room but it was packed.

Darlene Love, Merry Clayton and Marianne Faithfull made an odd trio but that's part of what made it so wonderful. Faithfull good-naturedly poked fun at her ravaged voice.

The show had little patter but a plethora of wonderful songs. It ran January 16th through February 3rd of 1996. I remember the stage was a high dais set in front of the windows overlooking Manhattan. It snowed the night my friend John and I attended, providing a beautiful backdrop.

"He's a Rebel," "Gimme Shelter" and "Broken English" were all on the song list that night. There were at least 20 other numbers.

It was really a marvelous night to remember. And I do... so well! Right down to the shrimp cocktail and cosmos.

The next time I was at The Rainbow Room was at an office party in summer. Beautiful view and great food.

Bring back Rainbow & Stars! Cabaret is back big-time and we could use your elegance.

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Denise Spann-Morgan's Soulful Christmas at NYC's Metropolitan Room

The holidays got happier when Denise Spann-Morgan brought a bevy of artists to Bernie and Joanne Furshpan's Metropolitan Room this afternoon. I don't make it to 1:00pm shows for just any old body but this was well worth the effort.

Denise did Phil Spector proud as she opened and closed the show with "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home," a song identified with its original vocalist, Darlene Love, that Ms Morgan outstandingly made her own.

Denise brought a number of fabulous artists to the stage to sing carols and seasonal pop tunes that ranged from "Mary, Did You Know?" (a rhetorical question the song never answers, though sung beautifully by Beau Howard) to the novelty tune "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," sung campy zest by Molly Pope.

But more than hosting, the lead singer of The "Marvelous" Marvelettes belted out songs herself in an array of outfits. Denise put together a rousing afternoon of superlative talent.

I sat in a booth with my brother from another mother, Nick Lion and we got to exchange Christmas gifts just before showtime. Bernie and Joanne sat nearby, both looking even more dapper than unusual. Even my friend Wellington Perkins -- whom I haven't seen in ages -- came by to wish us a happy holiday.

Nick's white sports jacket looked appropriately divine for Christmas! In fact, it was an afternoon of holiday bliss that left me wanting to go dancing in the streets. Merry Christmas to all!

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Rita McKenzie Brings Ethel Merman Back to Life @ Feinstein's 54 Below

Everything came up roses last night with Rita McKenzie's grand impersonation of the late Ethel Merman in a night of song at Feinstein's 54 Below in NYC.

Ms McKenzie made her way through the Ethel Merman songbook with aplomb, singing and gesturing in an uncanny recreation. Even her patter was perfect!

It was a pleasure to be back at 54 Below, my first time since Sarah Dash's birthday brunch and since Michael Feinstein took over. The tech people are still top-notch and the service is always polite and attentive. Rita had quite a crowd for her return to that venue.

Ethel Merman, with her big belter voice, is quite a dynamo, and Rita captures her so wonderfully, it's easy to get lost in this performance, drift away and think you're watching the real deal. I didn't spot one false step through the entire show.

Buddy Beaverhausen highly recommends seeing this award-winning, critically acclaimed act when it is next performed in Manhattan. I never wanted it to end!

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: a John Waters Christmas

John Waters again proved what a witty and clever raconteur he is, bringing his hour-long stand-up comedy act to the stage at City Winery in NYC.

A tall, slim figure in a garish holiday suit. wearing his trademark pencil-thin mustache, he played to a very appreciative packed house, regaling us with his sharp, off- beat monologue. There were no videos or music; just Mr Waters on-stage with his comic patter.

I wanted an image of him onstage, so I took a photo, thinking no one would ever notice, even though we'd been notified that pictures and videos were strictly forbidden. I figured that, in the spotlight, the director would never see that little, old flash from my cell phone. Guess what? He did.

As we were right aside the stage in front seats, he looked at me and firmly reminded me of the club's policy. Mr Waters asks us to unleash our inner rebels and iconoclasts. But, obviously, not when he's performing. I was secretly pleased to have unleashed his inner diva, but let a word to the wise be sufficient. Upon reflection, though, I thought it might be fun to proudly say I got 86'd at a John Waters show. After all, what could possibly offend him? Well, now I've tested the Waters so that we all know.

However, he must have cast of spell. The photo never came out after all that trouble.

Kevin at City Winery 

The director was back with his updated obsessions of celebrity worship, sex, movies, music, politics and pop culture, making the season bright... and gay! The show, entitled "A John Waters Christmas: Holier and Dirtier" was also funnier.

The q&a with the audience at the end of the show displayed John's ability to think on his feet and still be brilliant. He payed homage to Andy Warhol, an obvious influence, when he talked about Holly Woodlawn, who died this night in one of the show's rare touching moments.

When asked if he thought any of today's politicians had ever seen Pink Flamingos, he quipped: "Bill Clinton definitely. Hillary probably not." Then he moved on to mention what a great First Lady Bill would make. "Like our new Mamie Eisenhower!" Advice to today's rioters: "I'm with you but don't burn down your own neighborhoods! Burn down a country club!"

You gotta love this guy!

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Julie Budd, the Boys & the Booze

Me, Julie, Nick (l. to r.)

Julie Budd returned to the Metropolitan Room to belt out Frank Sinatra and Sinatra-associated tunes last night. She was delightful as always from start to finish.

Her talent to amuse was evident, from start to finish, in her patter. It was a night of both laughter and thunderous applause. The joint was jumpin'!

Ms. Budd was in no-holds-barred mode. When she finished off with "I'll Be Seeing You," Nick and I both wept because it was a favorite tune of our mothers -- who left us exactly two and three years ago to the day.

Julie's heartfelt renditions are her forte. Although her voice is frequently compared to Streisand's, Nick and I agreed Julie's voice is even better as it rarely slips into vibrato mode.Viva la Julie!

Incidentally, I thought Julie's guitarist, Sean Harkness, bore a strong resemblance to my doctor (Spinelli), so I asked him if we could take a picture of us together. Honestly, Dr S and he could be twins!

After the show, Nick and I went down to our haunt, The Monster, on Grove Street in the Village. Must have been my lucky night as I met two very tall, good-looking young men who took a distinct interest in me for whatever reason.

The first guy (left) lives in neighboring Bensonhurst. I make it my policy not to take people home on the night that we've just met. Besides, my house was kind of messy, but a date is in the cards. I offered him a ride back in the cab with me, but he declined. I also got mystery date #2's phone number. My pheromones must have kicked into high gear after Julie's show! Just some innocent fun at Nick's and my after-party.

By the way, Nick and I had VIP seating at the Metropolitan Room, thanks to both club manager Bernie Furshpan and performer Dorothy Bishop. The cheese platter was fabulous! I was scrupuously clean-shaven tonight at Nick's insistence as, in my last photo with Julie, I was a little grungy under the chin line. Thanks once again to friend Richard Skipper, Julie's press manager, for inviting us... and for taking our picture (at top)!

As for tonight, how much more fabulous could it get?! Seems I'm officially back On the Town again.

Julie's new album, Remembering Mr Sinatra, is available on cd and for downloading on-line. It can be purchased through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

Julie will return to the Metropolitan Room on December 10. The club is already taking reservations.

https://juliebudd.com

http://metropolitanroom.com

http://www.richardskipper.com

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Gretchen Reinhagen ~ Both Sides Now

Gretchen Reinhagen returned to the Metropolitan Room last night, reprising her show "Both Sides Now." The charming diva, with her wry and clever patter, belted out 16 songs (including encore), displaying great modulation over her powerful voice.

In a '70s groove, it was great to listen to Ms Reinhagen cover classic covers from that period. Like her medley of Linda Ronstatd's "You're No Good/ When Will I Be Loved" or "The Tracks of My Tears." "Don't Rain on My Parade" was another hit. It was an appreciative crowd that attended. Gretchen had stiff competition as Lady Gaga debuted in American Horror Story during showtime last night. But she had able assist from musical director Tracey Stark and Andrew Sotomayor, each on piano and vocals as needed.

It was so good to greet Gretchen and her wife, Deb, after the show, as well as promoter Richard Skipper, musical director Tracey Stark, and to sit with my friend Nick Lion in one of the rear booths over a couple of pino grigios... on the rocks as is my wont.

Afterwards, we went to Marie's Crisis, a venerable gay/ theater peoples' bar pre- Stonewall, around since the 1950s and it looks it. It still has a hep aspiring-stars crowd in attendance (many very cute), gathering around the piano. It's nice to see some things are seemingly eternal. After one for the road, Nick and I parted company as I headed back to Bay Ridge in a car.

It's great being back cuz, oh, Toto, there's no place like home. And that's where the heart is. In the nightlife once more.

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Matt Beckoff Brings Sixties Girls to NYC's Metropolitan Room

Me & La La Brooks of the original Crystals

What an awesome afternoon delight this Saturday when three of the great girl-group divas of the 1960s appeared together at the Metropolitan Room. I met with La La Brooks in the lobby, ahead of her being onstage. I've interviewed La La and also reviewed her album from late last year. I was so happy she remembered Buddy Beaverhausen and showed such love! "Buddy Beaverhausen! I really enjoy your little sarcasms and that your blog has an edge to it," La La said to me. I can die happy now.

My friend Ron Giles and I went inside and were seated at one of the comfy booths at the back of the room. Matt Beckoff was a wonderful host to Ms Brooks (original lead singer of Phil Spector's The Crystals), Barbara Harris (of The Toys) and Margaret Ross Williams (lead singer of The Cookies). All were native New Yorkers. The Chantels' Arlene Smith was to be part of this but had to cancel over purported safety issues. Ms Smith uses a motorized wheelchair and thunderstorms were predicted (though failed to develop, gratefully, until much, much later) that could possibly spell danger. May-aybe.

with Barbara Harris and Margaret Ross Williams

What incredible true recollections were discussed by the ladies who lived through it all, however. Racism and segregation -- especially when touring in the South -- was a major focus, most of it harrowing and tragic, as well as the conditions under which the girls had to change and do their make-up and hair during that era.

Influences for this trio? Frankie Lyman and Brenda Lee were cited. Gospel music was a huge part of these women's early foundations and singing. Of course, the backstage stories were especially fabulous. The ladies talked about Phil Spector, Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Sam Cooke, Dick Clark, Little Eva, the Mob, Tony Orlando, Eydie Gorme among others.

Am I a pygmy? Is Matt a giant?

La La was, if nothing else, very outspoken. Our Ms Brooks is from Brooklyn, after all, and has the attitude and outspokenness to prove it. She referred to Darlene Love as a "sicko" (i.e., pathological liar and phony). In my Q&A with La La on this blog, I intentionally avoided asking her about Ms. Love. But Matt was fearless; he went there! "If she were here," the soft-spoken Books added tersely, "I'd tell her that to her face." Thankfully, the fellow Phil Spector alumnus wasn't present.

But La La really brought down the house when she gossiped about being on tour with Diana Ross (then of the Supremes) and how Miss Ross' diva attitude and prissiness pissed the young singer of The Crystals off. She also mentioned how today's divas, like Beyonce and Rihanna, don't know what girls in the Sixties went through, paving the way. "If it weren't for us, there wouldn't be them."

Matt, thank you so much for getting these ladies to talk. Brilliant work! We all loved hearing these amazing backstage stories. When the three women sang "Da Doo Ron Ron" at finale, it brought down the house. Can the Metropolitan Room take any more authentic girl-group power? We shall see.

.

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen @ the Beaux Arts Society's Summer Soiree

getting seated @ Etcetera Etcetera

It was a hot summer afternoon in NYC on Sunday. I ventured out to the fringe of the Broadway theater district and there, on the second floor of the restaurant Etcetera Etcetera, enjoyed hours of entertainment and a free buffet of delicious food (the restaurant's lasagne with green noodles and tiramisu dessert were especially scrumptious). But the smorgasbord of talent really dominated the day. Hours of entertainment from spoken word to demonstration to comedy and, of course, song.

I was seated with friends Kathy Towson, Paula Hoza and Ron Giles among several others, a couple of who got up to be part of the entertainment. Broadwayworld's Malka Gittel Bas Reuven was there. Luv huh!

Tom Stevens & Me

Beaux Arts founder Tom Stevens was our host. There were two intermissions. Highlights included Denny Daniel's lively show-and-tell of items from his Museum of Interesting Things in SoHo, like the first tv remote from 1955. He shared many interesting true stories like how we actually see two of everything but, shortly after birth, our minds combine them into one 3-D image. 3-D itself, Denny told us, began in the 19th century. He passed around an antique device for seeing three-dimensional photographs. And I thought 3-D began with House of Wax!

With Malka Gittel Bas Reuven and Sean Bennett

Sean Bennett, an attractive, bright and openly gay young man seated at our table, discussed his book Luxury Steals and Deals, things all travelers might find of great interest. Also from our table, comedian Ben Rosenfeld garnered much laughter from his schtick about Russian vs. Western culture. He has also published a very funny and nicely illustrated book, the rather oxymoronically titled Russian Optimism.

Singers Ron Fowler and Ron Giles brought the show to a wonderful close with their great covers of classics from the 1950s and '60s. Great show, great food, fabulous company. Thank you to the bevy of talented performers who kept us enraptured with their variety of material, to Beaux Arts Society and Etcetera Etcetera, and especially to Tom Stevens and Beaux Arts' Executive V.P. George Strum for a Sunday afternoon well spent.

Tom and Ben Rosenfeld

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Gloria Gaynor, Maxine Nightingale and The Blue Notes @ Resorts World, Queens

Smiles of a summer night! Few nights can compare to Saturday this week for pure joy and celebrating nightlife in New York City as well as life itself!

I went out to Resorts Casino in Queens with my friend, Kevin, whose recent birthday we were honoring. It was a night of wine, women and song or, more specifically, cosmos, divas and a concert.

We had a great livery car driver, a neighbor it turned out, taking us there and back in his sedan. The ride from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to Jamaica, Queens (extremes of both boroughs) is like international traveling to me. The long drive to the casino was wonderful, as it was all along the waterfront with cooling breezes on a hot day and the smell of salt water was in the air.

Resorts could have its act more together on their ticketing/ admissions but I won't elaborate. They could also provide more seats for the space their showroom occupies, too. Traffic had us arriving just a little late. Harold Melvin's Blue Notes opened. We walked in just before they sang "Don't Leave Me This Way," a song they recorded ahead of Thelma Houston's better known version.

The crowd for this show wasn't all that diverse. Mostly disco dinosaurs, many with canes and walkers, so there wasn't a lot of booty-shaking (well, not in the dance sense anyhow) with all the probable hip replacements except for one septuagenarian gentleman who dramatically busted a move early on. (Was it The Hustle or a seizure?)

Maxine Nightingale, who is 62 years old now, looked all fab and glam. Much hotter than Madonna, almost 57, in fact. She ended with her two hits, "Lead Me On" and "Right Back Where I Started From" after a series of strong disco covers by others like SOS Band's "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" and Alicia Bridges' "I Love the Nightlife." She was in good voice throughout her set.

But the glorious Gloria Gaynor blew everyone away. She has survived and thrived. Go, Glo! She opened with her famous disco version of "Going Out of My Head" and then her '80s dance version of Kander & Ebb's "I Am What I Am" from La Cage aux Folles. Her long set included other disco hits like "I Never Can Say Goodbye" as well as a dance-music version of Christine Aguilera's "Beautiful," another positive, self-empowerment number. Ballads like "Killing Me Softly" and a great gospel version of "Every Breath You Take" were included for balance and diversity mid-way through her act. The audience was teased, tantalized and craving more throughout it.

Donna Summer said if she was The Queen of Disco, then Gloria Gaynor was The First Lady. The two formed a friendship and not a diva rivalry. GG did a Donna tribute that was admired by all. The evening's medley included "Last Dance," "MacArthur Park" and "Heaven Knows."

Of course, our prima diva ended with "I Will Survive," a 10-minute version that left no one disappointed. This has got to be one of the most famous songs, internationally, ever recorded. Even today's younger generations know it.

After the show, I cried and then I held my head up high and went with Kevin to the casino. Beginner's luck, I spent $10 and immediately won $65. I cashed out. However, I did get the opportunity to lean over the balcony and see part of the later show by Robin S doing "Love for Love" and "Show Me Love." Our '90s diva's voice has definitely deepened. She now sounds like Barry White and looks very ghetto in her denham, rag-tag and very "street" outfit. Very butch but still a big belter.

So we were back, from out of space and into our car home. Same driver. We mentioned the show and "I Will Survive" and our commander-in-chief played that song in various languages and English interpretations from his cell phone over the car's speakers, then segueing into other artists like Rihanna and Usher before we got home. Disco on wheels. A party night, right to the bitter end!

On the Town with Donna Hayes at the Metropolitan Room

Many thanks to promoter Richard Skipper for inviting me to another wonderful show at the Metropolitan Room. Donna Hayes lit up the house. When your audience includes Julie Budd, who came despite recovering from a cold, you're doing something right.

In fact, it seemed Ms Hayes could do no wrong. I was seated in a booth across from a fellow press person, David, dressed snazzily in a 1950s jacket and bowtie from O, Mistress Mine in Chelsea. Richard was in the booth directly behind us. In fact, we were back-to-back.

Ms Hayes' patter was autobiographically wonderful! She brought to life her growing up in Jamaica and her move to NYC as a teen. Now I know what a duppy is! (Basically, a Jamaican zombie.) Ms Hayes even sang Ernie Smith's "Duppy or Gunman" as part of a medley with Bob Marley's "One Love."

Donna's set included vibrant covers of standards like Sondheim's "Being Alive," Goffin/King's "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," "Home" from the play The Wiz, Simon & Garfunkle's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters,"  Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" and Coldplay's "Fix You."

Her show last night, Ordnary Miracles, takes its name from a song from the animated film Charlotte's Web (tune co-written by Sarah McLachlan).

The three-piece band (Justin Stoney on piano, Donna Kelly on drums, Matt Scharfglass on bass) was excellent, as was the direction by Gretchen Reinhagen and musical direction by Mr Stoney. Kudos all around! A lovely evening on the town. Thank you to all involved.

Ms Hayes will return to the Metropolitan Room July 19th. For reservations, you may contact Richard Skipper directly. at richardskipper.com

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Ms Julie Budd!

It was another wonderful Richard Skipper event at the Metropolitan Room last night as Julie Budd took to the stage to a packed house and received thunderous applause throughout, and not one but two standing ovations at the end! I was so happy to experience the diva live and to meet her, at last, in person. Our three-part Q&A was done by phone.

I was early to help form the que to congratulate the singer, but a few people jumped the line! One very rude woman got in front of me, saying "Sorry but I have another event to get to." The cheek!

I took the cell phone pic to the left up-close and personal and it's more than a bit overlit and blurry. I didn't have my glasses on at the time. Can you tell by any chance?

Promoter Richard Skipper's Richard Skipper Celebrates press kit was something on which he truly outdid himself this time. And I was grateful that it included a cd copy of Ms Budd's new album, They Wrote the Songs, which she is promoting through this series of shows. I was seated at a long table with other press, all with our boffo press packages. We got to schmooze, and the subject of zodiac signs came up. Asked my sign, I said Taurus and mentioned it was my birthday yesterday. I got a round of birthday greetings and cheers! The clinking of wine glasses to toast with my new friends was an incredibly bonding experience.

Julie opened the night's set with a rendition Sondheim's "Being Alive" that was electrifying. She followed that up with Michele Le Grand's "I Will Wait for You" as an anniversary tribute to Metropolitan Room club owner Bernie Furshpan and his wife Joanne for their wedding anniversary. The Great American Songbook was celebrated -- everyone from the Beatles to Duke Ellington. She did a boffo version of "Home" from The Wiz! And her Rogers and Hammerstein, and Anthony Newley/ Cyril Bricusse medleys were sensational.

I'll Be Seeing You was Ms Budd's encore and it was absolutely heart-melting!

A medley of Jerry Herman included "I Am What I Am." The last question of my original Q&A with Julie was whether she had any shout-outs to her gay fans. "Shout-outs? Like Right On? Keep On Going?" We both laughed and I said she could say whatever came to mind. Ultimately, she said she doesn't like to categorize her audience but supports mutual respect and measures for equality. I didn't include this in the published Q&A only because I thought it may have been a bit heavy-handed and, also, it was perfect to end the published Q&A as I did, the editor within felt!

Nonetheless, our diva showed up in a vaguely '50s outfit of stunning glamor! Black top, cinched waist wirh belt and a gray skirt, with a black cape embroidered with gold that she twirled and swirled and used to best divaesque touches of drama and glamor.

The four-piece, all-male band was stunning as well with long-time collaborator, musical director Herb Bernstein on piano. Brava, Diva!

"How are your sinuses today?" Julie asked me when we met after her show. "Mine are killing me! I was so congested! Could you tell?" I honestly assured her we'd have never known given her performance.

I wanted to thank Richard Skipper on my way out but he was swamped by people wanting to buy up Julie's cd. So I'll say it now. Thanks so much, Richard for Something Wonderful indeed!

www.RichardSkipper.com
www.metropolitanroom.com
www.juliebudd.com

Cinco de Mayo with Julie Budd

What a fabulous soiree yesterday at the Metropolitan Room! The glitterati all turned out. Why, I even met a daytime soap opera star!

It was Cinco de Mayo, which, let me just inform you, has nothing to do with mayonaise, though I believe there was mayo at the buffet. Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for the fifth of May, which celebrates the Mexican festival, Day of the Dead.

But we were together to celebrate life! And, more specifically, to honor Julie Budd on her upcoming residency at the club. Metropolitan Room is one of my favorite venues in the city with its intimate yet swank, vaguely art-deco design. I saw and met Pia Zadora there and numerous other luminaries. Bob Esty was Pia's musical director and I met him in person at the club for the first time. I have so many happy memories there.

And they would have to include yesterday's meet and greet. It was wonderful meeting Ms Budd at last. Unfortunately, I left in such a rush, I left my cell phone at home. So, sadly no photos of us.

Friends Andrew Martin and Tym Moss and event promoter Richard Skipper were there. I met the club owner, Bernie Furshpan. It was a terrific, sophisticated and beautifully done event. There was finger food and flutes of wine and everything had a very easy and welcoming feel to it.

Julie took to the stage with a guitarist. She wore a simple but elegant black dress. She sang a very poignant rendition of "Moon River." She was the epitome of class and restrained, understated talent.

This event was made possible by Richard Skipper Celebrates in honor of her residency at the Metropolitan Room. Tickets for her opening show May 14th almost sold out. For tickets, contact Richard at 845-365-0720 or at Richard@RichardSkipper.com.

Thank you, Richard, thank you Bernie and, most of all, thank you Julie!

On the Town with Buddy B in Diva Town, Part 2: Inaya Day

Inaya Day and her smoking hot band rocked the house at the Village Underground on Wednesday night and I was among the lucky crowd that got to experience this concert that started at 9:30 and went on until the wee hours.

Nick Lion and I headed to the West Village from W. 23rd St. where we'd just seen Gretchen Reinhagen perform (see part 1 of this article). Nick had parked right outside the Metropolitan Room, so it was to the Nickmobile to our next adventure!

Again, there were divas on-stage (Inaya, Toni Menage, keyboardist/singer Amina Buddafly) and off-stage (DeVonde Williams). The set proceeded with a series of rousing arrangements of pop cover classics, kicking off with "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." The '80s were revived via tunes like "Manic Monday" and "Message in a Bottle."

Ms Day and the band were a fine ensemble and vocal duties were generously shared by all. Guest vocalists took to the stage for songs like Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" and the show was an epic extravaganza that broke for intermission close to three hours. It was unfortunate that, because of the long night and pervious show, and due to our obligations the next day, Nick and I had to leave during the break. Inaya doesn't put on mere shows, she puts on events! My review of her previous show with the group TRIo (with Ms Menage and Ria Alexander) described it as "a happening"

Toni Menage rocked her guest appearance on lead vocals with very soulful interpretations of Adele's "Rumor Has It," top-10 classics like "Killing Me Softly" and "It Takes Two." Ms Day, for her part, roused the audience with reggae renderings of "Sometimes I Get the Feeling" (rapid-fire dance-hall style) and "You Sexy Thing." Prior to that latter number, Ms Buddafy's straight-forward cover of Blondie's "Heart of Glass." had the audience on their feet on the cabaret floor, dancing to the end of the first set.

Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find" and two Alicia Keys hits -- "No One" and "New York, New York" --were among popular favorites of the night. Over fifty years of pop, rock, reggae and rap were on display. We left, happy, into the night though wishing we could stay for more. A wonderful band that seemed to be able to do everything; courteous and attentive service at our table (from our waitress, Tatianna) and, most especially, the always dazzling vocals of Inaya Day among others finished off this night on the town in an exquisite, grand manner..

On the Town with Buddy B in Diva Town, Part 1: Gretchen Reinhagen

The divas were everywhere last night in downtown Manhattan, both onstage and in the audience. And by divas, I do mean this in the most flattering way as the evening's ladies are as pleasant as they are talented. Great voices, great songs carried us along in high style.

The night served as a promising launch for the month of April. Nick Lion and I got back together at last, first to see Gretchen Reinhagen at the Metropolitan Room at 7pm. I recently interviewed Ms Reinhagen ahead of her three shows (one per month) all at this classy, intimate cabaret and last night's offering, "Almost Blue," was largely a tribute to the blues and torch songs.

http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2015/03/exclusive-q-when-buddy-beaverhausen-met.html

There was original material with words and music by the star as well as the evening's musical director, Tracy Stark. Mostly, however, we were treated to powerful interpretations of standards. The show opened with the Leiber/Stoller number, "I'm a Woman." through a 14-song set  plus encore. Gretchen and her polished 3-piece, all-female band and two back-up girls received thunderous applause from a full house. She also scattered clever, funny patter throughout the show as a bonus.

Blues classics like "Stormy Monday" and "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" were included. A medley of ribald blues numbers loaded with sexual innuendo tickled the crowd. Joni Mitchell's "Blue" was on the night's menu as were Streisand-associated songs "Lazy Afternoon," "My Heart Belongs to Me" and "Enough Is Enough" (a duet with Ms Stark).

Yes, disco is aboard these days and trending in the clubs and cabarets. Once shunned, now embraced, these '70s classics are legitimately part and parcel of the Great American Songbook. (More about that in Part 2.)

In all, "Almost Blue" was a very satisfying, cohesive show. I look forward to May's show in the Reinhagen Redux series, a tribute to Kaye Ballard, "Special Kaye." (Metropolitan Room, May 4, 7 pm. Reservations again highly recommended. Box office: 212-206-0440. Press inquiries, please contact Richard Skipper at RichardSkipper.com .)

It was a pleasure to sit with Richard last night, who made several very amusing comments before and after the show. Nick and I later congratulated Gretchen, and it was a pleasure to meet her significant other, Deb Meyers. We also got to meet and talk with Tracy Stark, whom I wil be interviewing ahead of her Lesley Gore show at 54 Below in May.. I also introduced Nick to jazz vocalist Laurie Kranz who was in the audience and who thoroughly enjoyed the show. I doubt there was anyone who didn't.

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen at the Beaux Arts Bash

You get to the Beaux Arts Society via the staircase at Solas restaurant, which was a quantum of Solas, it turned out, on a cold day with a nasty wind chill factor and gusty breezes. I only realized how to get there, speakeasy-style, when my friend, Kathy Towsen, arrived and brought me in from the cold on the Ides of March, darlings.

It was so nice to be introduced to Tom Stevens, the founder of BAS. He is a gentleman, and he regaled us by talking about and singing songs from the half-forgotten musical, La Guardia.

My friends Andrew Martin and Ronnie Giles were on hand. Andrew is quite the raconteur and delighted us all by singing "Im So Glad We Had This Time Together" from The Carol Burnett Show. Ron dutifully played the backing music (on discs and tapes) and sang later in the evening (see below).

As you can also see below, the Union Square area of the East Village (just up the block from Solas) has changed some.

The woman in the white jacket, seated behind Ron, is Lillian Walker of The Exciters. She sang "Tell Him" shortly after I scoffed down a little free food (meatballs, pudding, salad, Kathy's kebob)  and left, damn it! Ron then sang the same song (from his act), Kathy told me. The woman seated to the far left of that photo is Marakay Rogers of Broadway World.

Andrew

Ron.

   

On the Town with Buddy B: Sally Kellerman Takes NYC by (Snow) Storm

Sally Kellerman brought her considerable talent and charm to 54 Below last night to a crowd of appreciative fans that included columnist Michael Musto (who sat at the table behind us), jazz great Annie Ross, music producer Nick Lion and myself.

Kellerman was cool and casual, strutting about the stage, still a willowy beauty, dressed in a silky white tailored shirt over blue jeans. She was accompanied by Ed Martel on piano, a guitarist and drummer.

Composer and pop music producer Ken Hirsch took over the keys for a couple of numbers while the band took a break, with Sally singing "Still Miss You," a song by Mr Hirsch and Paul Williams, and the extremely affecting "If I Could."

Sally is one of the few artists who can get away opening a song while lying on the floor. A moment distinctly not music directed by Bob Esty back in L.A. And she sure knows how to work a fedora! When she pondered why she never slept with Marlon Brando when she had the chance and he was still thin, she was completely, disarmingly charming.

Ms Kellerman opened with the jazz tune, "Somebody Call the Cops." Her sets included many great standards of the '50s, '60s and '70s including "The Look of Love," "Spooky," "Love Potion #9" and the raunchy blues number, "Sugar in My Bowl."

From the start, I felt Sally's voice (by the way, she claimed not to be enamored of her first name, which she thinks is too "poofy") reminded me of Peggy Lee's. And damned if she didn't do a memorable interpretation of "Is That All There Is?"!

Sally had a clearly drunken fan in the house, a bit too vocal, leaning toward heckling. When he became truly overbearing near the end of the act, Sally said with sweetly delivered sarcasm, "Have another drink, sir."

In the lobby after the show, this man lurched toward Sally after she and I spoke. My friends, Nick and his life partner, Benjamin, gentlemen that they are, quickly escorted her back into the club. And the club personnel (always gracious and attentive at 54) escorted the sod to the street.

After we left, Nick, Benjamin and I stopped for a drink at the jam-packed The Ritz club on Restaurant Row. There's a photo of Nick and I with another giant drag queen that Benjamin took and I'll share on Facebook. Those great guys drove me through the snow (that started really coming down) to Bay Ridge. Safe passage to them, going back to Queens, and to Sally, on her way to PA for her Saturday show.