MY HEART BELONGS TO THE NY POPS
The New York Pops’ Let’s Misbehave: The Songs of Cole Porter was filled with many of Porter’s best-known songs: “Night and Day,” “I Love Paris,” “My Heart Belongs to Daddy.” But the evening at Carnegie Hall was also filled with many surprises, thanks to the multi-talented cast. Music director and conductor Steven Reineke chose his guest artists well.
John Manzari is not only a singer; he is also a formidable dancer, a talent that enhanced renditions of “I Love Paris,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Begin the Beguine” and “Anything Goes.” Bria Skonberg has a smoky, sexy voice. She also plays a powerful trumpet that often accompanied her singing (but not at the same time, obviously). When Skonberg and Manzari put their talents together for their version of “trading,” a type of musical conversation in which musicians exchange solos. The sparks flew.
Vocalist Tony Desare is also a pianist, arranger and composer. His “Paris Always Will Have You” is a splendid response to Porter’s “I Love Paris.” And his “Chemistry” is a brilliant homage to Porter’s sophisticated lyrics.
Porter enjoyed hosting salons where he and his friends would sing their favorite songs. With DeSare at the piano, the cast re-created those salons with a medley of classic Porter: “Always True to You in My Fashion,” “Don’t Fence Me In,” “Why Can’t You Behave?” “Friendship” and “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.”
Of course, when you’re singing from the catalogue of a composer like Cole Porter, it’s hard to go wrong. As Reineke pointed out, Porter’s music is clever, funny, beautiful and sexy. He wrote “Just One of Those Things,” a song that’s become a timeless standard, for Jubilee in one night. But with DeSare arranging the music, Reineke wielding the baton and the excellent performers and musicians, Porter was never in better hands.
photos by Richard Termine
Let’s Misbehave: The Songs of Cole Porter
The New York Pops
Carnegie Hall, 57th St and 7th Ave.
reviewed on Feb.7, 2025
