Sometimes it is best not to become too jaded in life.

 

Boulder Soul and I met Bobby Bennett after 2:00 am outside Herman's Hideaway in Denver after an incredible LiMBO concert.  I had had a few adult beverages and brazenly yelled to him that I thought he was cute on AI.  He came over and talked to us for a few minutes and mentioned that he was giving a concert.  Boulder Soul and I, in for the cheese factor and a chance to get together again, decided to go.

 

We arrived at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret (a delightful, quirky club in the basement of a Denver landmark, the Daniels and Fisher Tower) to find the club totally sold out and people asking us if we had extra tickets outside.  Once inside we found the club to be sophisticated and quirky, a mixture of Paris cabaret, wild west kitsch and crazy Uncle Hal's treasures from the basement.  It is the kind of place that once you arrive you just want to sit with a drink and never leave.  It is a place that beckons to you to have fun.  Champagne seemed in order, so we ordered Kir Royales and later splits of champagne, from our cute waiter, Tim, who was just a delight all evening.

 

The show began with Lannie herself coming onstage to announce Bobby Bennett.  She told an audience filled with friends, family and fans that she had met Bobby a few months earlier when he began to work for her and was charmed by him.  She loved his love for music and his hard-working attitude (and she meant that in the best way possible).

 

The concert opened with the band playing a song (I got a kick out of the bass player who looked to be 16 with asymmetrical blond hair who obviously was looking to play with the next Big Head Todd, and not covers of Barry Manilow) ...then heeere's Bobby!  Bobby was thrilled that he had an audience.  Anticipating only a handful of people, he was relieved to see a packed house.  He started out with Manilow's "Daybreak" and then told the audience he was going to sing every song he knew!!  The first set was a tribute to Barry and the second set was all Broadway.  We all sang along with "Copacabana", the song Bobby said "began and ended his career on THAT SHOW." 

 

Bobby changed up his sets pretty well, considering the theme.  While I enjoyed his fast songs, I particularly enjoyed when he sang ballads. He sang a lovely rendition of "I Made It Through the Rain", which was very poignant, and dedicated "Memory" from "Cats" to his recently-deceased grandmother, telling of how she always believed in him when no one else did.  Particularly touching was the story of how he used to give "shows" in his backyard, going so far as to make up tickets.  Even his mom would find excuses to leave the shows early (laundry, dinner), but his Gram stuck with him to the end...How can one not love a rendition of a song introduced with such tenderheartedness?

 

My favorite song of the evening was "Seasons of Love" from the musical "Rent".  It was really well-sung and highlighted the good qualities of Bennett's voice, and it captured his youthful exuberance excellently.

 

There were a few mishaps along the way, but I think some could have been remedied with a stronger pianist.  The pianist was fine, but tended to accompany with a lot of filigree.  I think Bobby needs a stronger support underneath his voice to bring out its best.  Also, the violinist was a bit out of tune in places which, in my opinion, caused some of the key change missteps.  Another thing that would have helped in some places was a raising of the key of many of the songs.  He has a beautiful, brilliant higher register, which he should use to his advantage.  But, the world loves an upward key change mid-song (thanks AI for that addition to the permanent "artistic" repertoire)....

 

Bobby has natural stage presence and an infectious personality, which, I think, will give him a future in the entertainment business.  He has an easy banter with his audience reminiscent of Dean Martin and his singing persona reminds me a bit of the fun-loving stage appearances of Jackie Gleason.  If you close your eyes, you CAN hear strains of Barry Manilow's beautiful voice in spots.  Put it all together and there is potential for a blow-your-socks-off stage show.  Most of all, though, he shows you his heart, in both his singing, and in the glimpses he offers of his personal life and of his inner self in his conversation with the audience. (Another touching moment was when he acknowledged a man who was his mentor from the age of 10 through the Denver Kids program, without whom he would have ended up in a far different place in life.)

 

Bobby sang with heartfelt earnestness and joy that was just wonderful. When someone lays themselves and their heart on the line for an audience, you can't help but give your heart back.  I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and feel privileged to have seen his first concert.  I hope there are many more in the future.

 

An encore of "New York, New York" had the audience singing along.  Boulder Soul managed to dance the tune away with Bobby's uncle, who was clad head to toe in Bronco regalia (this is Denver after all and he was missing quite a game to be there).  I joined in with them and we sang away, waving our arms side to side.  Bobby was so pleased to have received a standing ovation from a happy audience.  He was beaming, and I beamed along with him.  It was nice to see a kid who had a rough start get to live his dreams, even for the moment...

 

I may have gone to this concert for the cheese factor, but I truly fell for Bobby Bennett.

 

And, I am so glad that for this one night, I wasn't jaded....