Submitted by Al Kanovsky 03/01/14
...end a short month. When I left
home it was February 28th. When I got back home it was March 1st. What happened
in-between was that I had a great time. The place I had chosen was the Turnberry
Club & Spa. It's close, they validate valet parking, full volume beverage
service and Noreena Downey was on the bill. With Noreena were Felix Gomez at the
keyboard and Elegant Emilio Valenzuela (tuxedo & all) on drums. An added
pleasure was that Emilio had brought along Carmen, a home-girl from Fort Apache
in The Bronx. Noreena opened with "Moondance" and immediately showed her scat
sensibility. Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" was an example of what a
real JAZZ singer can do with a song. During their doing that "OOhBa" song, 3
ladies walked in.
Beautifully clad in vibrant colors, hi-heeled shoes, form
fitting dresses with hem lines that showed off their tall-girl legs. I welcomed
them when they entered by saying "My dance partners have finally arrived". They
laughed at me. I took that as a "YES". Emilio and Felix collaborated on a JAZZy
"Autumn Leaves". Ms. Downey returned to do Nat King Cole's "Signifying Monkey"
better known as "Straighten Up & Fly Right". Nice swing tempo and so as the
instrumentalists did their thing, I did a little step or two with Noreena. My
dancing inspired another couple to take the floor when Noreena sang "You've
Changed". They danced, holding each other close, she closing her eyes at times.
You could see the LOVE. Cindy and John Silva. They've only been married 27
years. Noreena has no fear when it comes to doing songs in rhythms not generally
associated with the tune. She does "Besame Mucho" with no tinge of Latin
whatsoever, just kind of swinging it. So that means "Night and Day" had to stand
up for Cuban rhythms. When they did "What's Going On" my earlier advances paid
off. Sue, one of the aforementioned trio, came over, inviting me to dance. She
was celebrating her 21st or so birthday. I was celebrating dancing with this
lovely 'dame'.
Another of her friends arrived. Just as pretty and well dressed.
Her name was Melissa. She walked in with a guy---I didn't bother getting his
name. During the break Emilio put on a set of headphones while Noreena played a
track. Senor Valenzuela played along. I paid close attention to what he was
doing. Understated but grooving all the way. It was a treat. They opened the 2nd
set with a tune from the "Bump" era, "I Feel Like Making Love To You"---I
thought, G-d give me the strength. It puts me in full dance mode so when they do
"No Moon At All" I ask Carmen to dance. We do and have fun doing it. They
play "You Don't Know What Love Is" with a samba beat. Noreena motions me to get
up and do a little with her. I'm hesitant. It is not a step that I really know.
But if you take Noreena in your arms you become an instant dance master. My
buddy Bill asks for his fave "Since I Fell For
You".
I look over at
Carmen----"Do you know how to do the "Fish"? It was a foolish query----she's
from The Bronx----she knows how to do it and also knows that some of us called
it the 'Grind'. "Skylark" done to a gentle samba beat with a notable scat
portion. Emilio and Felix play around with "Come Fly With Me" and have me
clappin' and tappin'. They continue with "Morning of Carnival" from the film
"Black Orpheus". Noreena invites Carmen up to sing. She is reticent but finally
agrees. Am I glad she did. She does a song in Espanol. Her voice is classic
soprano with a hint of JAZZ. Some say French is the language of love. Not I. My
belief is that Spanish is not as syrupy, has more warmth, more depth of feeling,
more heart and soul. Carmen's song says "You accustomed me to loving you, but
you never taught me how to live without you". The lyric is now engraved on mi
alma. It ended the set.
The last set started with "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home
To". Then a salsa tempoed "All Or Nothing At All". If you want to dance to Latin
rhythms do it with a girl brought up in Fort Apache (the 41st Precinct). Carmen
fit the bill. A group of young men came into the room. They were having a good
time and enjoyed JAZZ. Noreena repeated "N.Y. State of Mind" for them and then
rocked "Nature Boy". Keeping in the youth movement she did U2's "You Don't Have
To--". A couple came in with their dog Koko. He liked the music and shook is
head in time. I was told he plays guitar. The evening came to an end early in
the A.M. of March 1st and the band doing a little funk/rock "Do It Again". I
will !!!!!!!
Al's Disclaimer:
A short note: The reason I write this is because I love music and words. I do not book acts. I do not promote acts. I do not accept invitations to review artists. I go to venues of my own choice. When and where is not influenced by anything other than who I would like to hear that night or day. If I don't like what I hear, I won't write about it. When I like it I let you all know. I never mention a name without asking permission. "Pardon me, Miss. Would you like to dance?"
~ ~ ~
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