Sinatra: Remembering The Sands: Doing It His Way

Despite city ordinances, New York nightlifers longing for that classic smoky atmosphere where a tuxedo-clad saloon singer, backed by an 11-piece orchestra, embraces an evergreen melody in an elegant setting can kick back and relax at The Carnegie Club, where the smooth-singing Steven Maglio pays tribute to one of the great interpreters of the American popular song in Sinatra:Remembering The Sands. 

Though not an impersonation, Maglio's performance of 14 legendary standards ("Witchcraft", "Luck, Be A Lady" and "The Way You Look Tonight", to name a few) recalls the days when Frank Sinatra made The Copa Room at The Sands Hotel his Las Vegas home.  With swingin' arrangements provided by The Stan Rubin Orchestra and a style that stresses clean, straightforward vocals that hug the melody and gracefully interpret the lyric, the show is lively, entertaining and a heck of a lot of fun.  Maglio sings rhythm numbers like "They Can't Take That Away From Me" with a jaunty flair and ballads like "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning" (a definitive saloon singer ballad if there ever was one) with strength and sincerity.

In between renditions of favorites like "All The Way" and "Summer Wind," Maglio's engaging patter gives us glimpses into Sinatra's career and explains how his performances at The Sands truly defined him as a performer.  The intimate setting allows him to playfully connect with the audience (my guest was delighted when he pointed right at her during the lyric "But there's no nicer witch than you.") and joke around in typical Las Vegas fashion.  The humor is sometimes corny ("Why did you come home half drunk?""I ran out of money.") but perfectly in sync with the period he salutes. 

Sure, his timbre sometimes takes on a Sinatra edge and his phrasing for signature tunes like "My Way" and "My Kind Of Town," are straight out of the master's recordings, but what's most impressive about Steven Maglio is that even while tributing a singer he so obviously admires, he manages to make the evening his own.  You may walk in because of Frank Sinatra, but you'll leave with an appreciation for a terrific entertainer named Steven Maglio. 

Sinatra: Remembering The Sands plays Saturday nights at 8:30 and is followed by 10:30 performances of Steven Maglio in Sinatra Songs, as part of The Carnegie Club's Sounds of Sinatra evenings.  Due to special provisions in New York law, the smoking of cigars and cigarettes is legally permitted in The Carnegie Club. 

Photo of Steven Maglio by Richard Termine