Set List: Todd Murray in "CROON"

Photo Credit: Marina Rice Bader

Last night, Todd Murray made his debut at The RRazz Room with a musical journey of CROON: how the invention of the microphone forever changed the connection between crooner and audience. Murray provided backstories for songs from 1920 to 1988. The top quality of the overall presentation is what you can expect from The RRazz Room, and I highly recommend tonight's final performance!

TODD MURRAY

in "Croon"
Mon-Tue, 10/24-25, 8pm
$30

The RRazz Room

222 Mason Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

For tickets and more information: 800.380.3095, or http://therazzroom.com

From swinging & crooning, to finger-snapping big band numbers, to gently caressing heartfelt ballads, Todd Murray's smooth baritone voice can woo & wow an audience, sending them away with a swing in their step. Murray is one of today's premier interpreters of the American popular songbook. He has performed to rave reviews at some of the most prestigious venues across the nation, including New York's Jazz At Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Room, & Feinstein's at the Cinegrill and Loews Regency.

Crooner/Songwriter, Jazz, Swing, Traditional Pop, Cabaret

BAND:
ALEX RYBECK ON PIANO
SEAN HARKNESS ON GUITAR AND UKELELE

STEVE DOYLE ON BASS

LOVER
Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, 1932, from “Love Me Tonight”

I WANNA BE LOVED
Johnny Green music, Edward Heyman & Billy Rose lyrics, 1933

WHISPERING
Richard Coburn & Vincent Rose lyrics, John Schonberger music, 1920

THE NEARNESS OF YOU
Hoagy Carmichael music, Ned Washington lyrics, 1937

LEARN TO CROON
Sam Coslow lyrics, Arthur Johnson music, 1933

YOU ARE TOO BEAUTIFUL
Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, 1932

DON’T GET AROUND MUCH ANYMORE
Bob Russel lyrics, Duke Ellington music, 1942
(originally an instrumental called Never Non Lament, by Ellington 1940)

YOU’LL NEVER KNOW
Harry Warren & Mack Gordon, 1943, from “Hello, Frisco, Hello”

PERHAPS, PERHAPS, PERHAPS
“Quizas, Quizas, Quizas” by Osvaldo Farres, 1947, Joe Davis English lyrics

I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
Cole Porter, 1936, MGM movie “Born to Dance”

LOVE ME TENDER
“Aura Lee”, Civil War tune, 1861, George Poulton music, W.W. Fosdick music

CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU
George Weiss, Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore, 1961, Movie “Blue Hawaii”

TODD TO PIANO
MICHELLE/
McCartney and Lennon, 1965

HEAR COMES THE SUN
George Harrison, 1969

IF EVER I WOULD LEAVE YOU
Alan Jay Lerner and Fred Loewe, 1960, from “Camelot”

THIS GUYS IN LOVE
Burt Bacharach music, Hal David lyrics, 1968

SWEET CAROLINE
Neil Diamond, 1969

I’M YOUR BOOGIE MAN
KC and The Sunshine Band, 1976 THIS IS JUST A QUICK REFERENCE

YOU’LL NEVER FIND (Todd to use Hand Mic)
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, 1976

I’M YOUR MAN
Leonard Cohen, 1988

AND I’M LEAVING TODAY
Todd Murray lyrics, Alex Rybeck music, 2010

WHEN I SING LOW
Todd Murray, 2002

WHISPERING
Richard Coburn & Vincent Rose lyrics, John Schonberger music, 1920

ENCORE:
I Wish You Love/God Bless America

WHERE OR WHEN
Richard Rodgers music, Lorenz Hart lyrics, 1934

Opening tonight @ The RRazz Room: CROON

(croon) 1. To hum or sing softly.
2. To sing popular songs in a soft, sentimental manner. 3. To sing intimately with a microphone.

Before the age of electified amplification, songs and the singers interpreting them were slave to confines of the room or hall they were performing in, and if they wanted to be heard, they had to sing, well, loudly. With the introduction of the microphone, a new style had to be developed, one that was intimate, a technique of singing as intimate as if you were singing in someone’s ear, a new technique that became known as crooning. Todd Murray’s CROON begins by Todd demonstrating to audiences the experience and the limitations of singing without amplification, then he steps up to the microphone, and a marked warmth and richness fills the room. A sigh of relief and comfort is felt in the roon, and everyone knows they are in good hands. The song selections begin in the 1920’s, then as crooning became popular (much to the dismay of older generations, voice teachers, and the church) Todd works his way through each decade to the present. With lush popular ballads, swing, latin beat, all with lyricists such as Berlin, Porter, Lerner/Lowe, Hal David, Leonard Cohen and even Mr. Murray h imself. Todd demonstrates that they all popular music has it’s roots in crooning. With the support of piano, bass, jazz guitar and back-up vocals, CROON is not merely a concert, it is an experience. CROON is back, but in truth, it never left us. Todd connects with conversational lyrics set to heartfelt tunes, and even though it is a public setting, he sings to you, and only you.

TODD MURRAY

in "Croon"
Mon-Tue, 10/24-25, 8pm
$30
The RRazz Room

222 Mason Street

San Francisco, CA 94102
For tickets and more information: 800.380.3095, or http://therrazzroom.com
Crooner/Songwriter, Jazz, Swing, Traditional Pop, Cabaret

All That Glitters IS Gold: Beverly Lee and CliC-Gold

Ron Lando with Beverly Lee (Photo Credit: Lisa Bautista)
Opening Night of The Shirelles @ The RRazz Room (Photo Credit: Pat Johnson)

Call it serendipity: The Shirelles featuring Legendary Original Member & Co-Founder Beverly Lee were dressed in gold gowns for opening night at The RRazz Room. Prior to the show, I introduced Beverly Lee to Ron Lando, CliC CEO, and Hugh Power, Designer of CliC-Gold. The events that followed were truly unexpected, and I am thankful that we were able to capture it on video.

Video: The Shirelles Wear "CliC-Gold" Eyewear

Video: The Shirelles & CliC-Gold @ The RRazz Room

“When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.” ~Paulo Coelho

The Shirelles feat. Legendary Original Member & Co-Founder Beverly Lee

Photo Credit: Shawn Blair

Beginning as New Jersey schoolgirls, The Shirelles quickly became rock & roll's first female super group and were the inspirations for a legion of female groups that followed. They are universally credited as the originators of the Girl Group Sound that is so beloved by the Baby Boomer generation. Their long string of hits, including “Soldier Boy,” “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” “Dedicated To The One I Love,” “Mama Said,” and so many others, have been recorded by hundreds of artists, including The Beatles, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton & The Yardbirds, The Mamas & the Papas, Bernadette Peters and Smokey Robinson.

Since their 1958 debut at the New York's legendary Apollo Theater, The Shirelles have graced virtually every important stage in the world, countless supper clubs, discos, state fairs, hotel ballrooms and casinos.
They continue to thrill audiences worldwide with their high-energy show, An Evening With The Shirelles, that includes their many hits interspersed with a wide range of selections from pop, rock and soul to standards, gospel and country, mixed with spirited dancing and comedy, all done in the inimitable style that millions of fans have come to expect of the legend that is The Shirelles.

Visit The Shirelles on the Web at: http://www.theshirelles.com/
The Shirelles is a legally registered trademark in active use ONLY by Original Shirelle Beverly Lee. (Bevicorp)

The Shirelles feat. Legendary Original Member & Co-Founder Beverly Lee
Tue-Sat, 10/18-22, 8pm
Sun, 10/23, 7pm
$40-47.50
The RRazz Room
222 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
For tickets and more information: 800.380.3095, or http://therrazzroom.com

Behind The Scenes w Barb Jungr

Singer/songwriter Barb Jungr returned to The RRazz Room on Monday, 10.10.11, for a three-day run, that is unlike her 2010 debut.  This time around, Barb treats us with "The Man In The Long Black Coat":  Barb Jungr Sings Bob Dylan. Like fruit, Barb carefully selected the following set list of Dylan tracks, primarily of "philosophical songs."  One word to describe tonight's opening:  BRILLIANT.

Tangled Up In Blue

It Ain't Me Babe

Times They Are A Changin'

Man In The Long Black Coat

Things Have Changed

I'll Be Your Baby Tonight

Ring Them Bells

I Want You

Don't Think Twice

Sara

Trouble In Mind

Blind Willie McTell

Like A Rolling Stone

Forever Young

With God On Our Side

Barb Jungr Sings Bob Dylan

Mon-Wed, 10/11-13, 8pm
The RRazz Room

222 Mason Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

For tickets and more information: 800.380.3095, or http://therrazzroom.com

Finally, click here to check out my post opening night interview with Barb Jungr. 

Remembering Vesta Williams

Photo Credits: Pat Johnson

In May 2010, Vesta Williams made her debut at The RRazz Room.  As publicist, I escort artists to interviews, and enjoy the limited one-on-one time I have to spend with them.  From the moment I met Vesta, it felt like we were old friends.  She was funny, engaging, and the woman had a great sense of fashion.  After her 102.9FM KBLX interview, we went to breakfast, and it was there that we really connected.  Artists often share their back stories with me, so when I learned of Vesta's death, the tears just flowed.  I love you, Vesta.  Thank you for sharing your gift of song with us all.  Until we meet again, you will be missed....

Lisa Bautista of JFM Presents, LLC

Opening night of Judy Collins @ The RRazz Room

Photo Credit: Steven Underhill

No need to "Send In The Clowns" for tonight's opening of Judy Collins at The RRazz Room. Each song was carefully selected, Judy entertained us with brilliant back stories and a delivery that was on par with some of the best comedians I have seen, to date. God bless you, Judy!!!

After 52 years of performing, Judy Collins' set list falls under the "So many songs; so little time" category. She promised the set list would change nightly, encouraged all to return, with the caveat that it would take about a month of performing to cover her entire discography!

The audience was filled with long-time fans, as they joined Judy in song after song. In hindsight, the 10 performances in two weeks could have been billed as "What The 42nd Anniversary of Woodstock at The RRazz Room Would Be Like, Starring Judy Collins." As Judy said, "Like camping without the tents and sand."

Also in attendance for tonight's performance: Gil Gross of KGO Radio, Ben Fong-Torres, Suzanne Joy Kai of Asian Connections, Kathi Kamen Goldmark of West Coast Live and Melanie Stace.

JUDY COLLINS
Tue, 9/20, 8pm SOLD OUT
Wed, 9/21 8pm
Thu, 9/22, 8pm
Fri, 9/23, 8pm SOLD OUT
Sat, 9/24, 8pm SOLD OUT
Tue, 9/27, 8pm
Wed, 9/28, 8pm
Thu, 9/29, 8pm
Fri, 9/30, 8pm SOLD OUT
Sat, 10/1, 8pm SOLD OUT
$50-55
For tickets and more information, call 800.380.3095, or visit http://therrazzroom.com

SEND IN THE CLOWNS by STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.

Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move.
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.

Just when I'd stopped
Opening doors,
Finally knowing
The one that I wanted was yours,
Making my entrance again
With my usual flair,
Sure of my lines,
No one is there.

Don't you love farce?
My fault, I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want -
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Quick, send in the clowns.

What a surprise.
Who could foresee
I'd come to feel about you
What you'd felt about me?
Why only now when i see
That you'd drifted away?
What a surprise.
What a cliché.

Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer?
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
And where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother - they're here.

# # #

Lisa Bautista of JFM Presents, LLC