Report from The Fort: 1/18/03

Another freezing cold night and yet that didn't keep the hordes away from Sidewalk Cafe. The club was packed from the start to see Michael Leviton sing his "love songs to the sea" accompanied by his ukelele. Leviton had a beautiful review in the Village Voice so the local Anticrew was joined by culture vultures and both camps were treated to a delightful set. The Voice compared him to Chet Baker but we see him more as an extension of Hoagy Carmichael. loping, languid and melodic.

Next up was another relative newcomer to the scene, Nellie McKay. Her set was a mixture of an hilarious Rat Pack-type roast of Mr.Leviton, select covers (The theme to I Love Lucy!) and remarkable originals all performed at the club's baby grand piano. McKay is at times wry and witty (think Tom Lehrer meets the Gershwins) and at other times scattered but charming (think Garland's stage patter meets Annie Hall). She has one of the best voices on the scene and is a terrific piano-player. These are amazing times when one realizes that the scene encompasses the piano and songwriting talents of such spectacular women as Regina Spektor, Jordin Corbin, Atoosa and now Nellie McKay. As Jason Trachtenberg would say "Good times, good times". Indeed!