McBroom sweeps well with old and new
Palz Vaughan, Melbourne Herald Sun – October 27th 1999
Amanda McBroom with Joel Silberman
After an effusive welcome praising the virtues of the Myer Emporium for including such a fabulous hall on top of a department store, Amanda McBroom opened the show with a medley of her lesser-known songs.
McBroom likes to tell a story and penned the lyrics to eight of the 17 songs she performed on opening night.
This Time Around, Make Me a Kite and Breathing demonstrated her emotional vulnerability and controlled vocal technique.
The Australia Song, a light hearted ditty, extolling the virtues and idiosyncrasies of Australian culture, had the audience on side.
McBroom delivered a delightful rendition of the Rodgers and Hart classic, My funny Valentine.
This was followed up with a dig at the Brits. The effusively friendly McBroom said the stiff-upper-lip English made her feel like a golden retriever.
The song, The Gallery, was inspired by the proliferation of business cards found in London telephone boxes advertising a range of rather unusual sexual services. This bouncy number had the audience laughing along.
The rather obscure Baltimore Oriole, by Hoagy Carmichael, high lighted Silberman’s skills as a pianist. The piano was only a baby grand, but he performed an impressive and powerful solo that drew and enthusiastic response.
McBroom delighted the audience with engaging stories between numbers.
An emotionally charged, sad medley of The Way You Look Tonight, Dance and You Can Have the TV, had McBroom almost overcome.
With tears in her eyes she handed the spotlight over to Silberman. He performed a rousing rendition of On the Sunny Side of the Street that included a solo that Fats Waller would have been proud of.
A now composed McBroom sang one of her better known tunes, Errol Flynn, dedicated to her father, actor David Bruce.
Then came the number many in the audience had been waiting for, The Rose. It is a difficult call for a songwriter to reclaim a tune. Particularly when a vocalist of Bette Midler’s caliber has put her stamp on it. McBroom again had tears in her eyes as she performed this classic standard.
Almost half the audience rose to their feet in appreciation.
McBroom closed the show with the first song she learned, When You Wish Upon a Star.
