Patrick DeGennaro Tells Us All about Love in Birdland Show & New CD "Unbroken"

Patrick DeGennaro, sexy singer, songwriter, pianist and teacher, has a new CD out, entitled "Unbroken" and, backed by band and vocal trio, on November 9, at Birdland-"the jazz corner of the world," according to Charlie Parker-Patrick celebrated the release of the CD with a sensational evening of songs, most of them by him, 10 of them on the CD, and largely concerning love, either lost or burning brightly.

For a powerful opening, this consummate singer struck a pulsating blow for self-esteem in his own proud and assured "Standing Up Straight," with a wide vocal and dynamic range and a rocking interlude for the band, but lest we feared otherwise, guaranteed us that he's still "Crazy As Before."

Taking a seat at the Bösendorfer, Patrick wound the mood down considerably to play and sing the Beatles' "She's Leaving Home," its quietly lulling rhythm belying its sad message of abandonment, and Elton John's "Levon," a ballad of sincerest admiration for a self-made made. In his song "Friend," Patrick shared a wistful memory of "the love I shared with you," often singing in his securely placed upper register.

With the band, Patrick delivered "Unbroken," the CD's title cut, reflecting a lover's wise recognition and acceptance of the limitations of even his powers, but the lover, not omniscient, doesn't always see betrayal coming, as the contrasting "If I Didn't Know," a formidable lament, laden with resentment, made clear. He was back at the keyboard for "Leave Me," quiet and tearful, when not a full-throated cry, but then, with the band, treated us to a world premiere, just finished the day before, an upbeat, driving salute to a loved one who is "All I Need" ("You're the best thing for me"). With awe, he earnestly expressed devotion in Michael Jackson's "I Just Can't Stop Loving You."

Patrick next turned to "I Hear Your Voice in the Rain," his song of someone still haunted by the vivid memory of a lover who's left, and singing from the piano, juxtaposed it with his anthem "The Best of Me," an ecstatic paean to a true and worthy love. The band took over responsibility for the instrumentals once more for the lively conclusion to the show, as Patrick, plainly thrilled and enthralled with a loved one, offered "Let Me Be Your Eyes Again," and his encore, "Pick Up the Power" sizzled with all the optimism of the "we can," Barack Obama era.

Versatile Patrick DeGennaro Brings Varied Show to Birdland, with Guest Annie Golden

Familiar to audiences in New York City and on Fire Island, cabaret's versatile Patrick DeGennaro, consummate singer, songwriter, pianist, teacher and vocal coach, brought a varied show to Birdland on January 19, the eve of Barack Obama's inauguration, assisted by backup singers Ula Hedwig and Lisa Burns, and guitarist Alec Berlin, bass (guitar) player Randy Landau, drummer Brent Stranathan and, on keyboard, Jorgen Kjar, with special guest Annie Golden ("Assassins," "The Full Monte," and film "Hair"). Our man of the hour, Patrick proved once again that he's not only sexy, he can sing, too.

What Cabaret Needs Now

By the time Patrick DeGennaro gets around to recalling accompanying the school chorus at the piano as they sang Burt Bacharach songs, he remembers thinking, “I just don't get it!” This revelation happened in the middle of his dynamic new show, 'The Burt Bacarach Songbook,” which wrapped up a run at the Metropolitan Room last weekend. He mentions this after singing one of the shows many highlights, a sincere “Whoever You Are I Love You.” That song, one of the most overlooked and beautiful from the Bacharach canon, is one of many high points in one of the single most commercially viable shows to pop up in a club in years.

Birdland

To celebrate the release of his new CD ONLY IN NEW YORK, Patrick DeGennaro gave three shows at The Triad which proves he’s a musical force to be reckoned with on the cabaret and recording scenes.
Opening with the CD’s title song, Ann Hampton Callaway’s driving, pulsating “Only In New York”, DeGennaro rocked the upstairs cabaret room at The Triad, expertly accompanied by a six piece band: Keith Thompson (musical director / piano ), Joseph Baker ( keyboards ), Gary Tillman ( drums ), Brian Hamm ( bass ), Kim Norton ( guitar ), and Mike Migliore ( sax ).

Kooky Tunes
ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING
Producer(s): John Yap
Genre: POP
Catalog Number: Jay Productions 1367
November 09, 2002

Keith Thompson is one of those New York theater mainstays whose only reason for not already claiming a Tony Award is the simple, inopportune luck of the draw. His Kooky Tunes has been circulating the New York cabaret circuit since 1998 and, at last, it has been committed to a live recording that truly delivers on his lofty gifts for both scripting and composing.