You had to be there…The Lineup

Sometimes we wake up with visions from the night before dancing in our head. That’s the morning after The Lineup for me, and I need to share. Let’s get to it. Photos: Gene Reed

Seth Sikes is joy personified. He started us off with a thrilling version of “We’re in the Money” and “Pennies from Heaven,” complete with pig Latin and Tic Tacs. His voice is huge and rounded, an absolute pleasure.

Oh My Goodness! Brian Wilson and Theresa Sareo gave serious chills with their take on the Legrand classic “How do you Keep the Music Playing.” Wow. Amazing.

Then up jumps the shy, slightly awkward Rivky. I love her so much, a total original. You can’t tell what’s gonna come out of her and then she sits down and blows the crowd away. She is an artist. Her song was captivating and her voice, contemporary magic. Not Musical Theater, not jazz, just..Rivky. Bravo.

Richard Baskin Jr is wonderful! His sound brings instant happiness. There is something so instantly likable about this guy, I was delighted he was part of the show.

Then a true Diva appeared on the stage. Jessica Fishenfeld is remarkable. Funny, beautiful and blessed with a gorgeous, classically trained operatic voice that lifted the roof. She is so natural and at home on stage. Honestly I could have listened to her all night.

Then Bill McCarty brought the funny. With his POV on the subway, anti-vaxxers and nasal swabs he had rolling with laughter. Well done! Oh, that Brad Simmons, our very own musical director. He is so talented and last night he brought another killer original to the stage. He let us know that he and the band, Clint de Ganon and John Miller, were playing the song together for the first time, which heightened our excitement, and then they play this total gem of a song and CRUSH IT. Soo Good!️

Bring on the Boys! Mama’s Boys that is. Paul Scott Pilcz, Tommy J. Dose, Jon Satromand Brian Kalinowski are just about the greatest guys on the planet, and their warmth and charm is radiant on stage. They sounded incredible. Each one possesses a stunning voice and together they are unstoppable. Singing the Cher anthem “Song for the Lonely,” they sent our hearts to the sky. I am so crazy about Mama’s Boys I wish they were at every LINEUP. Love them so.

Marissa Mulder is a star. She is such a wonderful interpreter of a songwriter’s vision, and her take on John Prine’s last song was intimate and sublime. I am obsessed. More Marissa PLEASE.

And then the one and only Andrew Swackhamer treated us to a peek inside his lush and vibrant musical mind with a new song of his. This guy. I truly could listen to his singing and ukulele tickling all day. Love him.

I am so grateful to have a place in this city to showcase amazing talent and to just be myself. Thank you Gianni Valenti and Jim Caruso. I don’t say it enough, BIRDLAND Is my happy place and I want to share it with you all. See you next Tuesday.