Another guest concert review ... this one provided by Jimmy Nowoc, whose book "No Strings Attached" [My Life Growing Up With The Birth of Rock and Roll] I'm reading right now!!!
(Actually, Freda's got a new book out, too ... written with our FH Buddy Mark Bego, biographer of the stars!)
This show took place at the beautiful Club Arcada, Ron Onesti's 1920's Speakeasy located on the top floor of The Arcada Theatre in beautiful downtown St. Charles, IL.
I'll let Jimmy take it from here!
Another magnificent evening of entertainment was provided by
Ron Onesti this past Friday. While Yacht Rock Nite with Firefall and
Pablo Cruise was enjoyed at the Des Plaines Theater, Pink Floyd Nite was
being featured on the main stage at the Arcada. Simultaneously, former
sixties pop and R&B star turned Jazz Artist, Freda Payne was
performing her "Let There Be Love" tour upstairs at Ron's nifty Speakeasy.
Freda sparkled, sang and scatted through fifteen beautifully arranged tunes that accented Freda's multi-octave vocal range.
Beginning
her evening with the prophetic "Best Is Yet To Come," Freda
transitioned nicely to Count Basie's "Make Me Rainbows" to George
Gershwin's "Our Love Is Here To Stay," proudly sharing the joy she felt
when she recorded it as a duet with Johnny Mathis.
Her impressive start was followed by a tribute to her friend, former
Supreme, Mary Wilson. "Here's To Love" was a tender accolade to the Rock
and Roll Hall Of Fame inductee who passed away in February, 2021.
A
singing style that had been perfected over her six decade long career
included the audience being treated to clever musical introductions
either spoken or sung.
Cole
Porters' "So Nice To Come Home To" and "Too Darn Hot" sandwiched "If I Were A Bell" [ from Guys and Dolls ], the beautiful ballad "Fifty
Percent" from the play "Ballroom," and a kick-ass rendition of "St. Louis
Blues," duplicating Ella Fitzgerald's own arrangement.
Capably
supported by Dick Barnes on stand up bass, David Rokeach on drums and
Rahn Coleman, her long time arranger/conductor on keyboards, the three
contributed years of experience to the success of the Jazz event.
Freda
reminisced about meeting Quincy Jones as a teenager and impressing him
by singing "If I Were A Bell" from "Guys and Dolls." Concluding her walk
down memory lane, the lovely seventy-nine year old jazz diva concluded
her show with Bernard Roth's "Just To Be With You" and followed with her
mega sixties hit, "Band Of Gold."
Appropriately,
Ms. Payne finished her evening with she and the ensemble performing
Duke Ellington's, " C Jam Blues, " better known as "Duke's Place."
The ambiance of Mr. Onesti's Speakeasy provided the perfect venue for her intimate presentation.
-- Review submitted for Forgotten Hits by Jimmy Nowoc,
Author of "No Strings Attached" [My Life Growing Up With The Birth Of Rock And Roll]
Available at Amazon Books
Here are a few photos I took to compliment the piece ...
And, of course, the night simply would NOT have been complete if Freda hadn't signed Jimmy's infamous guitar!!! (kk)
