While I was away...
I wasn't really away. I was swamped. Not the same thing, but the same effect, at least as far as blogging and answering mail goes. But I just discovered a neighboring blogsite (also hosted by Typepad, I mean) that kicked the brakes out, and now I am rolling again. More on that blog later; for now, here is the set list from my recent performance at Birdland here in Manhattan. A successful performance, thanks to all of you who were able to be there, and to the lovely messages I received from those who could not!
1. Something's Coming Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim
2. East of the Sun Brooks Bowman
3. Canât Teach My Old Heart New Tricks Richard Whiting/Johnny Mercer
4. Have You Got Any Castles, Baby? Richard Whiting/Johnny Mercer
5. My Ideal Richard Whiting/Leo Robin/Newell Case
6. I'm Old-Fashioned Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer
7. Seven Years in Four Minutes (Manhattan Transfer Medley)
8. The Right Thing Don Breithaupt/Jeff Breithaupt
9. Stay Away Chris Thile
10. Blue Rondo Dave Brubeck/Bill Crofut/Chris Brubeck
11. Burcham Woods Hubert "Tex" Arnold
12. Only Trust Your Heart Benny Carter/Sammy Cahn / Once in a Million Moons Jerome Kern/Yip Harburg
13. Old Devil Moon Burton Lane/Yip Harburg
14. Obsession (medley): Losing My Mind Stephen Sondheim
With Every Breath I Take Cy Coleman/David Zippel
Breathing Michele Brourman/Amanda McBroom
15. Finding Beauty Ann Hampton Callaway
16. (encore) On My Way to You Michel Legrand/Alan and Marilyn Bergman
Musicians:
Tex Arnold, piano (leader and arranger)
Dave Finck, bass
Richard De Rosa, drums
Old Devil Moon arranged by Richard De Rosa
Iâm Old Fashioned arranged by Laurel Massé and Dave Finck
Seven Years in Four Minutes arranged by Tex Arnold and Laurel Massé
All other arrangements by Tex Arnold
As you can see, there was some new material in this show, and it was very satisfying to sing. I love all this songs unreservedly, and I know I was accompanied by a fantastic trio. Tex, Rich and Dave are all masters of their craft, versatile, solid, sensitive, and very nice, too. It is a joy to work with them. Birdland has already asked us to come back; the return will be in April. Not so very long from now, it seems. A falling leaf, a few snowy days, a crocus in bloom, and presto!
Yes?