Lannie Garrett pays fond tribute to Peggy Lee in a lively cabaret review of songs and stories of the artist’s career, and life.
Garrett puts her stamp on Miss Peggy’s fabulous songbook, the lyrics for many of which the multitalented performer wrote. As always, Garrett’s band, “The Errand Boys of Rhythm,” run hot, cool, or swing as the mood demands.
“I’m a Woman,” draws on Lee’s steamy sexuality, for which she was famous. She was a pioneer in this regard in Caucasian culture, drawing inspiration from African-American songstress Lil Green. Lee’s 1943 recording of Green’s “Why Don’t You Do Right?” with Bennie Goodman was her first #1 hit, selling over a million copies. Lannie’s sassy singing along with Bob Rebholtz’s sizzling sax, keep things hopping.
Garrett’s trademark blues mastery shines in “Don’t Let My Love Grow Cold,” an aching tale that includes an awesome musical conversation between Denver’s favorite redhead and Mike Abbott’s red hot guitar. In addition to Rebholtz and Abbott, Justin Adams on keyboards, Robin Ruscio on bass, and Todd Reid on drums dazzle us with their versatility.
Among Lee’s signature pieces are “I Wanna Be Around,” “Fever,” “Sunny Side of the Street,” “See See Rider,” “Is That All There Is?”, “All Right, Okay, You Win,” and “I’ll Be Seeing You,” the finale accompanied by a sweet visual tribute.
