Warren Shines Through The Velvet Mist at Met Room

In the very recent past of cabaret history, the most amazing trend has been taking place in the guise of artists who are at long last presenting evenings of tribute to entertainers of renown, as opposed to specific composers/lyricists, and not with a vocal impression of said performer. Jenna Esposito is certainly a prominent example with her recent deservedly-acclaimed show and CD in tribute to Connie Francis. Towards that end, and to that illustrious bunch, must be added Warren Schein,

with his tribute to Mel Torme at the Metropolitan Room entitled Remembering Mel. While this show might not be a cup of tea for the cabaret cognoscenti at large, fans of Torme will absolutely have the time of their lives, and with qualified reason.

Schein makes it clear from the get-go that even though he worships the Mel Torme catalog of music and the Great American Songbook, he isn't deliberately hunting for anything but to be himself on a stage and simply relate the great songs of an even greater entertainer. In point of fact, while his physical stature is reminiscent of Paul Anka, his high-tenor voice possesses a Neil Sedaka sort of shading, and his patter throughout, while at times a bit "Borschkeit" to reflect all his years entertaining in the Catskill Mountains, is never anything less than utterly engaging. One is reminded somewhat of the cabaret of yore, when Jan Wallman would employ such singers to entertain at her various and sundry clubs. And, joined by musical director Albee Barr (who also wrote the lovely "We Knew Him Well," as sung by Schein early in this show), and the virtuosic work of bassist David Shaich, there is absolutely nowhere to go but up from the very first note.

Calling himself "The Velvet Mist," as opposed to Torme's "The Velvet Fog," Schein never fails to enthrall. The show is admittedly medley-heavy, as were the majority of Torme's concerts and recordings, and this is clearly evidenced with a brilliant grouping of Torme's favorite ballads (including several numbers in which Johnny Mercer had a hand ("Dream," I Remember You," "Skylark" and "The Nearness of You"), or an early coupling of "It's Not Where You Start" alongside "If My Friends Could See Me Now." But his solo numbers prove an equally effective standout, including "Just in Time," "The Christmas Song" and the encore of "Every Time We Say Goodbye." He also very much enjoys having the audience sing along (even scatting) on such tunes as "Blue Moon." And from the packed house, he takes pride in singling out such audience members as Dana Lorge and the widow of Prysock.

Again, this isn't a show that everyone will love if they're not a fan of Mel Torme. But that Warren Schein is so clearly giving his all to the proceedings that follow, is true testament to the fact that the evening is a swell party from start to finish.