Night Clubs Reviews

Jun 23, 2008 - Pops diva Meg Mackay and jazz pianist Billy Philadelphia bring their classy cabaret act to Reno

By Jack Neal

Something special happened Saturday night. It’s always special when San Francisco sophistication visits the World’s Biggest Little City.

The most recent touch of that kind of happening happened over the weekend at Reno’s peppermill Hotel Casino, when Pop diva Meg Mackay and jazz pianist (and singer) Billy Philadelphia appeared as part of what has become Silver Star Productions American Songbook series once-a-month club.

Known as the royal couple of the Bay Area cabaret scene, Mackay and Philadelphia enchanted with nearly twenty of America’s most popular popular standards. Wearing a glamorous blue-sequined, figure-hugging gown Mackay wrapped her liquid, smoky contralto around all she sang with a phrasing that was as impeccable as her interpretations are fresh and revelatory.

It was an evening billed as “A Little Romance.” And so it was with dashes of jazz and fun thrown in for good measure. Philadelphia is a stylish pianist to be reckoned with. He’s a fine singer in his own right having the kind of plaintive sound and keen phrasing that Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly used to such fine advantage in a host of movie musicals.

The rapport between Mackay and Philadelphia, in “real” life they’re wife and husband, is as good as it gets. “You’re just in love” from Irving Berlin’s “Call Me madam” was a natural for the two of them, along with Frank Loesser’s “Baby, it’s cold outside” a Bing Crosby-Jane Wyman duet from “Here Comes the Groom.” The repartee between these two pros is upbeat, fun and keeps their show moving from one memorable hit to another.

Mackay’s tribute to Judy Garland (Garland died 39 years ago on June 22 in London) included Harold Arlen’s moving aria, “The Man That Got Away,” from Garland’s triumphant “A Star is Born.” Mackay’s husky timbre and ease with portamento and other subtly nuanced embellishments makes her renditions artful, sometimes – as with “The Man That Got Away” – powerful. A vital “Trolley Song” and wistful “Over the Rainbow” completed Mackay’s Garland tribute.

The Gershwins were represented with a smooth, show-opening “Our love is here to stay.” Hoagy Carmichael’s “Star Dust” was hauntingly brought off, as were “That Old Black Magic” and “Stormy Weather.” Cole Porter’s “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” had the sass that made it such a big hit for the legendary Mary Martin. Among her many attributes, Mackay sings with pitch-perfect vivacity, nailing every song.

With Reno musicians Joe McKenna on bass fiddle and Andy Heglund on drums, the evening – with what could not have been more than a brief run-through rehearsal – was seamless, a tribute to everyone’s professionalism.

Mackay and Philadelphia’s “A Little Romance” had enough nostalgia to suit those with, shall we say, a concert-going history of note and enough show-business pizzazz and just plain entertainment value to please audiences of any age.

Diane Dragone is the power behind Silver Star Productions and the musical entrepreneur with the very good taste to make these very special presentations come off in stellar fashion. Dennis Wigent is her co-producer. In a world of overly inflated prices for often relatively mundane performers, these are superb programs at bargain prices.

For updates on what’s next for Silver Star Productions call 775-851-1638.