Photo Coverage: Marilyn Maye Brings ALWAYS FROM THE HEART to The Iridium

"What the world needs now is love, sweet love..."

And with those lyrics Marilyn Maye returned to the Iridium Music Club and set the theme for her Valentine's week show, "Always From The Heart".

In keeping with that theme, club manager/booker Scott Barbarino had an inspired idea of having the opening night audience sign Valentine's cards that were delivered to Ms. Maye in her dressing room between shows.
And thus the love pact between audience and singer during this set of songs both familiar and new to the Maye fans was sealed with a kiss - or at least with a card & a song.

Backed by musicians Jeff Harris (piano), Tom Hubbard (Bass), Daniel Glass (drums), and Jack Cavari (guitar) Marilyn kicked off the show with a rousing "What the World Needs Now"?"Let There Be Love" and proclaimed "we don't need another mountain...we don't need another WALL". Ms. Maye always infuses laughter in the tears and pathos in the comedy.
She had the cheer flowing with her "Get Happy" medley then kept the peppy mood going with "Let's Fall In Love".

While Marilyn is the master with an uptempo beat and the evening was full of barn burning positive songs - no Valentine's show would be complete without the tender and heartfelt ballads we expect with the holiday.
She took full advantage of her expert musicians and some special guitar moments with Jack Cavari on songs like "My Romance", "Why Did I Choose You", a stunning "Quiet Nights", and of course she gave the audience what they wanted with "My Funny Valentine".

Marilyn Maye's way with communicating a familiar lyric in a new manner is a master class in performance. As a coach to new and experienced cabaret singers, Marilyn brought up one of her actual students to feature singing an appropriate "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing"/"Our Love Is Here To Stay". That pupil just happened to be Iridium club owner Ellen Hart who shared her own love story of her late husband.

Perhaps the most effective moment (in a night of stand outs) was a medley newly added to Marilyn's set list. "Come Saturday Morning"/"Sunday Kind Of Love" is sure to become the next 'most requested song' at a Maye concert. In true Marilyn Maye fashion she pairs a well known song with something unexpected and communicates a new and revelatory story.

Marilyn has kicked off the year in the true Maye way and has a busy spring schedule ahead culminating with her April birthday celebration. Performance dates can be found on her website MarilynMaye.com.

Photo Credit: Kevin Alvey