BWW Reviews: At Don't Tell Mama, SUSAN WINTER Proves She's a Jazzy Steward for the American Songbook During Any Season

One might easily call Susan Winter's Monday night show at Don't Tell Mama, A Woman for All Seasons: Part Two as half its numbers were in the first show by this name she performed during a run starting last September at the Metropolitan Room. Having reviewed that iteration I'll stick to commenting on what I think is new.

Winter is the kind of class act that would've been lauded in nightclubs way back when, as she's a steward of the American Songbook at its most genuine but with a side of jazz influence. She's warm and gracious, connecting with an audience one by one; an example of unabashed accessibility few cabaret performers are smart and able enough to present. Patter is personal, not manufactured. Arrangements are attractive and supportive; lyrics, paramount.

"Make Me Rainbows" (John Williams/Marilyn & Alan Bergman) arrives like mist rising from dewy grass. Winter is cheerful but not chirpy. There's an earthiness to the take, unlike many Disneyesque interpretations. "Make Yourself at Home" (Barry Levitt-music/Peter Napolitano-lyrics) is conversational and unshowy, sheer invitation.

The vocalist offers one of the best renditions of Vernon Duke's "Autumn in New York" I've heard since Sinatra. It's lush, savored, full of reflective feeling. When she ends with Greet autumn in New York, it's good to live it again . . . we feel the weight of experience, the fullness of emotion.

Noting various performers' signature songs, Winter chooses "I Keep Going Back to Joe's" (Marvin Fisher/Jack Segal.) Just in case you miss me, too/I'll be there to welcome you/That's why I keep going back/That's why I keep goin' back to Joe's. An elbow on the piano (the bar) she fills the room with cottony melancholy. The sob in her voice never quite erupts. A lovely piano turn by her Musical Director Alex Rybeck (with Winter in photo) sensitively enhances. I would only wish Winter didn't feel the need to get melodramatically big towards the end.

Nancy Ford and Gretchen Cryer's "Old Friend" is lovely and low key. A raised eyebrow, an opened palm become lyrical extensions. Rybeck comes in (vocally) with the beautiful "In Passing Years" (Rick Jensen) as if answering. Piano glissando bridges, then the two sing in tandem. "This Is My Birthday" (Carol Hall) is not just cute and flirty, but here, womanly. Winter adds a more substantial dimension.

"I've spent a lifetime defined by the roles I've played," she reveals. "Each comes with responsibilities. Now that this Winter has reached autumn, I find that I don't have to be defined anymore, and that's fine with me." Cole Porter's "Don't Fence Me In" cleverly follows with easy, rhythmic bass (Tom Hubbard) on the verge of a western two-step.

Susan Winter has judgment, style, and vocal control. She sings'm like they wrote'm.

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