The Glory that is Jeff Blumenkrantz

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:51am

What a wonderful show at the Zipper Theater last night. I have to admit, I've only very recently been introduced to his work, when he performed "My Book" at a concert at the Gay Center a few months ago. I thought it was one of the funniest and TRUEST songs I had heard in a while, and decided to go to the Zipper concert thinking "If he wrote one song THAT good, he's gotta have writen a few more of that quality, right? And he's got Audra and Rebecca, so it can't be a wasted evening."

Oh, there were funny songs - "Moving Right Along" a hysterical duet set in a singles bar sung by Ms. Luker and Sally Wilfert and "I'm Gonna Like it Here" (a musical threeway with Jeff, Sally & Jennifer Simard), which was cut from URBAN QUALITY on account of its gleefull raunchiness. And Audra made me roar with her panic-stricken version of "My Book".

But I wasn't prepared for the tasty character songs, filled with longing and resolve: "Toll" (about an unrequieted love for a motorist from a toll-booth clerk, and "Another Guy" from URBAN COWBOY, both sung by Jennifer) "Walking the Wrong Way", (about an older woman's misguided but helpless affair with a younger man)sung by Rebecca, and the Jennifer's terrific "Take the Filter Off" (sensible dating advice sung by a former girlfriend to her ex-beau-and still-best-friend who has just come out of the closet), nor did I expect the moving melodies written to poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay.

But the songs that really moved me and worked the ol' tear ducts but good were "I Won't Mind" a tender and heartbreaking lullaby (with lyrics by Annie Kessler and Libby Saines) sung by Audra and two songs from Jeff's musical-in-progress HUSH "about a neurotic, balding, newly-middle aged gay Jewish composer. I really had to, you know, STRETCH myself to write for this character." Hearing "He'll Never Get What I Do" and "Hold My Hand", I felt the same exhileration I experienced at SONGS FROM AN UNMADE BED - here were new, achingly tender, open-hearted and romantic gay love songs that I wanted to hear over and over again.

And what a treat this morning to hear all of Audras' SEVEN DEADLY SINS concert on the NPR link that Jeff has thoughtfully provided on his website, and stumble across "Burning the Sauce" by Mark Campell & Steve Marzullo (whose "The Night You Decided to Stay" was a highlight of UNMADE BED)

So when do we get a Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook CD - and when does HUSH open?

[Derek]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:56am

wasnt he Bud Frump in 1995's How To Succeed???

glad u had fun!

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 12:17pm

Yes, he was!

Yikes..he not only writes great songs, he ACTS too.

And he's cute, too!

Updated On: 6/23/05 at 12:17 PM

[Madame X2]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 3:09am

Was he Maximillian in PBS' "Candide"? If her was, then he was awesome.

[TonyInATL]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 3:16am

Yep, that was him.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 9:55am

A propos of nothing. I was there and have to say that Audra McDonald is (bar none) one of the finest recitalists I have
EVER seen. (And keep in mind that I have seen Fisher-Discau in recital) Subtle and exciting in her phrasing and expression..

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 10:10am

twogaab, two things I have always been aware of whenever I see Audra perform are: complete and total committment to the material and VERY high standards of quality.

And she's always willing to give NEW composers a try.

Updated On: 6/24/05 at 10:10 AM

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 10:53am

Jeff is a great composer. I love his work. He is sooo nice. I sent him an email back in NOV. that he responded to the same day. Then in Jan. I met him at Audra's concert and he 1. remembered the email I sent and 2. took time to have a nice conversation with me and was genuiunely interested in everything I was saying. He certainly gained a lifelong fan that night. I can't wait to get his songbook. I tried to get outta my plans for weds. to make the concert, but alas, I was unsucessful. Thanks for the review!