Marlene VerPlanck-- Now!

I must, once again, make a preface to a review: I have been a fan of Marlene VerPlanck's distinctive singing for close to twenty years now. While in grade school, I accompanied my parents to a jazz club somewhere in New Jersey. I expected to be bored to tears (as I often was in such clubs), but when Ms. VerPlanck glided to the microphone and began to sing, I was hooked. Her voice has a truly unique quality that I remember describing as being like porcelain. It is not a particularly brassy and belty voice, but neither is it very soft and delicate. Instead, like the best porcelain, Marlene VerPlanck's voice is pure, smooth, clear, and fine. She needs no excessive riffs or other vocal tricks to add color to a note; she can simply hold it, sustain it, and infuse it with enough emotion to make it a complete moment. Hers is the kind of versatile voice that can serve any kind of music from jazz to showtunes to rock; indeed, Ms. VerPlanck has sung backup for such legends as Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Tony Bennet, Blood Sweat & Tears, and even KISS.

So having been enraptured by this fascinating and lovely voice so many years ago, I was very eager to see if it is still as good as it was. And, I am delighted to report, it most certainly is. Presenting her latest cabaret Now! in the elegant Skylight Room at Danny's, Ms. VerPlanck shows off her distinctive voice and her distinctive charm to great effect, treating every song as a welcome friend and every audience as her cherished confidantes.

Backed by the trio of Tedd Firth on piano, Steve LaSpina on bass and Richard DeRosa on drums, the intimate concert is moving and exciting, but most of all, fun. Her opening number, Peter Kindell's flirty "Don't Fall In Love Without Me," is sweet and bright, while Jack Segal and Marvin Fisher's classic "I Keep Going Back to Joe's" is heartbreakingly poignant. She also performs what has become one of her signature songs, Francesca Blumenthal's wry "The Lies of Handsome Men," and introduces two exciting new Blumenthal numbers, the energetic "Yes" and the sassy "The Party Upstairs." Her renditions of the smoky and poignant "Is It Raining in New York" and Johnny Mercer's "Drinking Again" immediately conjure images of regret and loneliness, while Morgan Ames' "Quietly There" sets a more comforting, gentle mood.

All of the songs' arrangements are by Ms. VerPlanck's husband Billy, and all share one remarkable trait: as reimagined by Mr. VerPlanck, the songs give everyone on stage a chance to shine. There are always breaks in the singing to feature one or more of the musicians, subtly letting the audience know that the best cabaret is a collaborative effort, and that everyone's efforts are worthy of recognition. In a show as strong as this, that recognition is doubly earned.

Mr. VerPlanck also composed the evening's finale, the lovely titular song that expertly captures the many joys of love. Together, this team keeps jazz vibrant and exciting, always creating something new while lovingly showcasing the classics. If you enjoy jazz at all, you'll love what Marlene VerPlanck can do with a song.

Now! runs through June 1 at Danny's Skylight Room. Visit www.dannysgrandseapalace.com for details and reservations, or call 212-265-8133.