BWW Reviews: NITA WHITAKER: ALL THAT MATTERS Sparkles at Sterling's

On Sunday evening January 18 the beautiful songstress Nita Whitaker brought her inimitable style and warmth to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in a new show entitled All That Matters. Backed by terrific musical director Nelson Kole at the piano and a great three-piece combo, Whitaker spoke of the value of love and sang about it via a precious collection of songs both old and new. On hand were her two daughters Elyse and Skye LaFontaine, who joined their mother in a few of her original compositions.

Highlights of the evening included: the gorgeous standard "Come Rain or Come Shine", a dandy rendition of "I'll Never Love This Way Again", made so popular in the 60s by Dionne Warwick, "I Can't Make You Love Me" in tandem with "What Kind of Fool Am I", the stunning "50 Percent" from Broadway's Ballroom, Whitney Houston's engaging hit "The Greatest Love of All", "Yes", and "What Matters Most". The thread through all of these tunes is a generous spark of positive energy and uber optimism about the human condition for which Whitaker is famous. She not only has a dynamic delivery and luscious vocal instrument, but also and more urgently a spiritual faith and hope that pervade her entire life and which she shares with each and every member of her audience when she performs. In her presence you can actually feel her genuine sense of love as it flows over the footlights.

Whitaker has recently released a Christmas CD called "Keep a Little Christmas", and to help her sing the upbeat title song, both Elyse and Skye came onstage. Elyse followed this with a lovely "The Very Thought of You", showing a delicately rich voice and interpretation. Skye and her mom then performed a rousing duet with "Let Me Be Your Star" from TV's Smash. This was a wonderful segment of the 70-minute set, again showing the extensions of love that affect all of Whitaker's family.

Don't miss Nita Whitaker perform, if you get the chance! She is an unbridled force of nature who spreads joy wherever she goes.