Moira Danis Sings Petula Clark in Beautiful Sounds

Walk into Danny's Skylight Room for Moira Danis' thoroughly charming cabaret show, Beautiful Sounds, The Songs of Petula Clark expecting to hear an evening full of pop hits from the mod London of the 1960's and you'll probably be quite surprised at the variety of musical styles in store for you.  Though most famous in America for hits like "Downtown" and "I Know A Place," Petula Clark, whose career began at the age of eight when she would sing on the radio for British WWII troops, is an international, bilingual star who has topped the pop charts in many countries, played leading roles in both Broadway and West End musicals, and even wrote a hit or two. 

The wholesome-looking Danis, who often sings with a big, bright smile on her face, possesses a clear, light lyric soprano that gracefully touches the ear.  Directed by Gerry Geddes and accompanied by music director Wells Hanley (piano), Brian Griffin (percussion) and Rubin Kodheli (cello), there is no attempt to replicate the sounds of Clark's recordings.  In fact, the show's most interesting moments are when Danis takes a decidedly non-traditional route.  Peppy numbers like "I Will Follow Him" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway" are slowed down to ballad tempo, the latter especially benefiting from a torchier mood.  The beautiful "Look To The Rainbow" is played for an Irish folk feel, with Griffin strongly pounding underneath her on Celtic drum. 

Though Clark wrote many songs under the pseudonym "Al Grant" in order to avoid the problems of sexism in the music industry, she used her real name as composer of Someone Like You, a 1990 West End musical romance about the American Civil War.  Danis uses "Getting The Right Thing Wrong" from that score to introduce a medley from Clark's stage triumphs.  "As If We Never Said Goodbye" and "Tell Me It's Not True" show off her solid lower range and fine phrasing, and her lilting rendition of "The Sound of Music" was just lovely. 

Danis' patter gives us a few brief insights into Clark's career, which is still going strong today, but there is no mention of her own personal connection to the songs or why she chose to honor Petula Clark in the first place.  That lack of personal connection and intimacy with the audience is what makes Beautiful Sounds seem more a concert than a cabaret performance.  But Moira Danis' obvious enthusiasm for the material and delightful vocals still make for a very enjoyable evening.

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