Goldie Dver is a beating heart on two legs. Energy and commitment onstage erupts like a July sparkler. To my mind, stand-outs in this show are “Spooky” – here pronounced ‘SpookA’ (Buddy Buie/James Cobbs/Harry Middlebrrooks/Mike Sharpe) and “I Said No” (Jule Styne/Frank Loesser)- both of which showcase visual and vocal stage seduction (note to performer- your back to us is not a good look.) Duets with guest Tanya Moberly are appealing, robust rock n’ roll. John Lennon/Paul McCartney’s “All You Need is Love”, is buoyed by a chorus of passed out kazoos. A grand idea.

Alas, I have no idea what I’m watching. What does the title mean? There’s no through-line or clear reasoning to sequence. Personal history arrives in disconnected lurches. Nothing prefaces a sudden reference to Martin Luther King or a toast of “Happy Pride.”

Nor do I understand musical attitude choices. Why is Carly Simon’s “That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” angry and bitter? If only Dver had offered the wistful song alone with piano. The same might be said of “The Rules of the Road” (Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh) which would lighten overall show weight if performed only with bass accompaniment with which it opens. “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore” (Alan Jay Lerner/Frederick Loewe) arrives as a dense cha-cha eschewing every ounce of its lyricism. John Lennon’s “Imagine” is a plea, a prayer. Dver delivers like Medea.

The artist has a small range but manages some melisma and variation. Arrangements, however, sound the same with everything at one level. Music is too loud, particularly in this small room (especially bass guitar). It seems as if the performer strains to be heard over it.

I admire Goldie Dver’s openness and vivacity, but not this show.

Photos by Conor Weiss

Goldie Dver: Bridges
Special Guest Tanya MoberlyDirector James BeamanMD/Piano- Michael Roberts
John Miller-Bass, Marc Daine-Guitar, Sax, Chip M. Fabrizi- Drums

Don’t Tell Mama
Venue Calendar

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