Songbook 2016 (1/25/16)

Featuring Lyricist Bill Nelson

First off, a great show with lots of talented performers, all volunteering their time. Now for the tough part. How to report on a lyricist? A lot of the songs were superb, and that's what comes from good teamwork between composers and lyricists; however, I can’t really quote lots of clever lyrics because they went by too quickly for my scribbling pen. That said, I’ll do the best that I can.

The opening number set the bar pretty high. Approximately 30 members of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus filed out to sing, appropriately, “I Will Sing,” from Mr. Nelson’s Harmony, Kansas (music, Anna K. Jacobs). It worked as an opening number, even though it’s the finale of the show. For the record, the evening contained three songs from Harmony, Kansas, three from Men with Money (music (and additional lyrics), Joseph Trefler), and two from Carmen (music, Ben Wexler).

There were stand-alone songs as well, including “There Are Rules” (music, Will Aronson), winningly sung by Gretchen Wylder, depicting a woman’s innermost thoughts while flying in a plane. Funny stuff. Another *starred* entry (my notes to myself) was “I Wish You Could Tell Me Who You Are” (music, Will Aronson), inspired by Mr. Nelson’s autistic nephew. It was extremely touching, and nicely sung by Brad Standley.

Two more numbers from Harmony, Kansas followed—“Singin’ with the Boys” and “I Bring the Snacks.” Briefly, the show, Harmony Kansas, is about a group of gay farmers who get together to sing. Both songs had nice vocal harmonies, and Aaron Phillips was appropriately over the top in “Snacks,” a rant about some newcomer bringing treats to the meeting, such treats being the self-proclaimed job of Mr. Phillips’ character. At last! A lyric that I captured, “No muffin left behind.” I’ve heard this song before; repeated hearings are just as enjoyable.

A stand-alone song sung by Mr. Nelson, “Cindy Brady” (music, Bradford Proctor), was a fun and simple paean to the youngest Brady girl. Another favorite of mine was “Be Like Bill Finn” (music, Will Aronson), written as a tribute for William Finn’s (March of the Falsettos) 60th birthday. Another stand-alone with an interesting back story was “Belle Rive” (music, Ben Wexler). Apparently, and I may be mangling this, all participants in the NYU songwriting curriculum are required to write a song for Blanche DuBois, and this was Messrs. Nelson’s and Wexler’s contribution.

Three songs, performed together, from Men with Money—“Men with Money,” “Hot Dogs,” and “Go for the Tackle,”—showed very well. As did two songs from “Carmen”—a 1970s, Las Vegas-esque retelling of the famed opera, with touches of soul music style.

This was, all in all, a varied, interesting program from a talented lyricist (and composer—he wrote the music to one of the songs presented) who seems to be able to make good choices in selecting composers as collaborators. Sorry I couldn’t capture more lyrics.

ConcertMeister