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L.A.
based singer Anne Kerry Ford's show ,"Blue Skies" at Judy's
Chelsea was classy and engaging last weekend. With special guest Maude
Maggart and brilliant musical director John Boswell, she offered a carefully
crafted biographical show on the life of Irving Berlin. It made for a
delightful hour, with highlights that included a swinging "Let Yourself
Go" in medley with "Shakin' the Blues Away". Her soprano
was effective and she knows this territory well. She was very effective
singing mid-range, as on a trilogy of "Say it Isn't So/ Remember?/What'll
I Do?" Maude Maggart has been slowly making a name for herself on
the L.A./N.Y. circuit. A protege of Andrea Marcovicci, she has a warm
alto that captivated the audience, whether on duets with Ford, on solos
like "All Alone", or on a tour-de-force dance medley. Ford generously
shared the spotlight with Maggart. As always, John Boswell's arrangements
couldn't be better. |