Betty Buckley Saturday, October 7th in Cleveland @ Severance Hall

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/5/06 at 10:58am

I will be there this Saturday at Severance Hall. I will be sure to post a review. Please post a shout out if you are going or want to throw Betty some love. I can't wait. I haven't seen Betty live in several years. I'm so excited. YAY!!!!

Updated On: 10/5/06 at 10:58 AM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:15pm

Betty Buckley graced Cleveland with her prescence this past Saturday with a stunning performance that shook the rafters of the tiny hall she played in.

Betty was originally secheduled to play in Severance Hall, the home of the Cleveland Orchestra. I guess tix sales weren't so strong so she was moved to a smaller, more intimate music hall below the large hall. It held a few hundred enthusiastic people. Betty's voice was in great shape and she belted away song after song. Some country, some showtunes, some jazz. She mixed it up with her 4 man jazz band Quintessence. Kenny Werner was out sick, so she had a fill in pianist.

Betty was warm at wonderful with highlights that included "Too Many Memories", "Fire and Rain", No One is Alone", "Come Rain or Shine" among others. The show was a testament to Betty's phenomenal diction and phrasing. The best moments of the show were the quiet intimate songs like Mary Chapin Carpenter's " I Am A Town". You can understand every word she is saying when she sings a slow song. It is undeniable. She is a musical theatre actress of stunning power and range. Betty cried during many of the songs, so it is clear that she connects to the songs she chooses.

The show was warm and intimate but the real treat came when the audience asked her to sing without a microphone since it was a small jewel box of a hall. So Betty put down the mike for the last song of her first set "With One Look." Betty became Norma Desmond and acted with ferocity and grandeur as she belted out the song and shook the rafters. She even had perfect diction on the last line "I'll be meeeeee..." She didn't sing "maaaahhhhhh...." like so many others. It was gorgeous.

Also, I had the delight of meeting Betty by accident. After the show my friends and I stopped at the Ritz Carlton piano bar for a drink and comfy conversation. Well Diva Buckley came in with her assistant shortly after. She was warm and gracious and looked divine with that stunning smile and Southern charm. She was adorable in her light blue sweater and khakis.

Betty says a new recording is coming out soon called Quintessence and I can't wait. Bravo, Betty!!!