Review: Carla Gordon and Friends Spherical Up the Enjoyable on the CheckOut Festival of Music

The artwork of cabaret has all the time been an important a part of the musical world in Chicago, and Carla Gordon is a headliner on that scene. Cabaret is greater than singing; it’s telling a common story and burrowing into the marrow of a tune’s that means. On September 21, Carla Gordon and Cool Friends introduced one of the best of Chicago cabaret to the CheckOut in Ain’t Our First Caba-Rodeo. Musical Director Chuck Larkin accompanied the singers on the piano for a night of witty, charming, and heartbreaking music with a contact of excessive camp.

Gordon has a beautiful voice that evokes Blossom Dearie with a brassier edge and emotive supply. She delivered her personal composition, “Alternative Facts,” with a splendidly droll supply that recalled Kellyanne Conway’s description from the primary administration of those that shall not be named. She then invited up the primary of three visitors to carry out some cabaret and pop requirements.

Kevin Wood took the mic and regaled the viewers with a assured stage presence and a easy voice. “Fly Me to the Moon” is a regular from the Frank Sinatra period, and Wood nailed it with out sliding into lounge lizard mode. Russ Goeltenbodt hit the stage with a defiant “I Am What I Am,” carrying an excellent sequined jacket. He delivered a little bit of humorous patter to the viewers, incorporating some political humor that went over fairly properly.

Next up was the tall and tan David Meulemans, straight outta Ft. Lauderdale, who did a implausible set. His model of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” would play properly on an enormous stage in addition to the intimate area of the CheckOut. He and Gordon did an amusing duet with a tropical bent. “Shame and Scandal in the Family” featured beachcomber hats and tales of strange bedfellows and paternity questions. Some moments recalled the good selection reveals like The Carol Burnett Show, that includes Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, or Red Skelton, that blended comedy and musical numbers.

Gordon closed out the present with one in all my favourite songs by John Prine. “Hello In There” has introduced tears to my eyes since I first heard Bette Midler sing it on The Divine Miss M. Gordon did a wonderful rendition, with refined emotion and a real connection to the viewers. I felt it in my coronary heart and remembered the good songwriters who’ve known as Chicago their “stomping ground.” Gordon has deemed the CheckOut to be the brand new residence for Chicago cabaret, and I agree. It’s nice to not need to trek all the way in which to Wicker Park when we’ve a brand new treasure in Uptown/Lakeview.

The CheckOut Opening Festival closes on September 28 with Wicked Drawl taking the stage. The music doesn’t finish there! Please go to to discover the most recent additions to the music pipeline. The CheckOut is positioned at 4116 N. Clark on the tip of the Southport Corridor.

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