Cabaret Scenes Magazine

Maggy Simon: From the Heart

Catalina Jazz Club, Hollywood, CA, February 10, 2015 
Reviewed by Les Traub for Cabaret Scenes Magazine
 
Maggy Simon celebrated Valentine’s Day a few days early at Catalina’s with a show about love, of course, but with a well-rounded selection of songs, including a number of imaginative pairings. Opening from the audience with a lively “Once in a Lifetime” coupled with “I Feel a Song Coming On,” Simon took the stage and followed with a triple play of “Come Fly with Me,” “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart” and “Just in Time.” She has grown in confidence since her show there last spring. As before, musical director Tom Griep, fronting a terrific six-piece band that sounded about twice that number, offered arrangements that, for a singer, should have been labeled “Amateurs Need Not Apply.”

Simon swung comfortably with a strong voice, right along with the aggregation behind her. “The Look of Love” paired with “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” changed the pace with an effective slow and soft ending. A tender “Two for the Road” demonstrated her ability to emotionally connect with the material. The Andrews Sisters-recorded ”Her Bathing Suit Never Got Wet” gave her a chance to display her playful side.
 
Maggy Simon has shown she can handle a variety of styles. Adding a bit more spontaneity to her patter will make for an even more enjoyable evening.