Jaymie Meyer's resume is impressive. It includes one-woman shows, an appearance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., gigs at prominent New York City rooms, work with Mark Murphy, several off-Broadway appearances, all capped off by the Bistro Award for Outstanding Female Vocalist. On her first album, she applies her pure mezzo-soprano to a play list of contemporary pop tunes and standards. With a voice and presentation that recalls Julie Andrews, her first album solidifies her CD cabaret credentials. The program has been carefully and wisely selected to bring out those storytelling qualities unique to cabaret singers which, to be believable, must run the full gamut of emotions with sincerity. To help her along, Meyer has opted to include songs written by other cabaret performers. There's Francesca Blumenthal's "The Lies of Handsome Men," a poignant "Ship in a Bottle" by Amanda McBroom, and Portia Nelson's sad "It's the Little Things." And no album can earn the cabaret stamp of approval without at least one tune by those absolute sophisticates, Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Here it's "You Fascinate Me So" with some good walking bass by John Loehrke. But for the most part those who accompany cabaret singers must be satisfied with anonymity. They are there, but in the background as the singer commands the spotlight. One other exception to this rule is Andy Dressler's bright flute on the tale of the secret, erotic life of the dull-appearing "Miss Byrd." This is a fun cut. In fact, the whole album is thoroughly entertaining and will be a welcome addition to the cabaret section of anyone's collection. Recommended.
© Dave Nathan /TiVo