|
“Come along, come along,” a suddenly-appearing ethereal figure seems to say as he sings “Nature Boy” with his sly and slinky look that follows a mood-setting piano introduction by his accompanist Jerry Steichen. Shall we accompany him, too? Where are we? Are we in the dark depths of decadence, or a vacation in a fascinatingly fun and wild web of a Wonderland that our inner Alice cannot resist? Certainly our bewitching host has a Cheshire Cat grin that makes us curiouser and curiouser.
The performer of this oh-so-unique act has an oh-so-common name: Smith. He creates his own world that could be the Twilight Zone or a dizzying Delight Zone. He uses the back of the room for his entrance and exit, touching patrons on the shoulder as he passes, as if passing on some kind of magic touch and invitation. Or maybe Kim Smith’s tactile contact proves that he is no wisp of illusion. Whether you are bonding or responding, taken in or taken aback, it can’t be taken lightly….no matter where we are being taken. Sometimes we’re in the Weimar Republic, and then suddenly cunning Kim Smith has us thrust into today, helplessly, like when the subway train is switching tracks and stops unannounced. Are we looking through a prism of pop music that seems familiar yet inside-out?
One thing is quickly sure in this quicksand of quixotic, erotic, narcotic nightclub adventure: every stop is carefully planned and artfully executed. God may have created the world in just under a week, but the allegedly mortal Kim Smith has taken much more time to create his own special planet, to plan it and to populate it with creatures of his own design who borrow songs from come-hither and yon. Like God’s first human attempts of Adam and Eve in Eden, his can be innocent or contrastingly flush with the Garden variety of experience. Experience it.
Kim Smith’s honed act (if that’s even the right word) called Morphium, is quite an achievement. Recent recipient of a BackStage Bistro Award and a MAC Award nominee, he remains a compelling performer even on repeat exposure. Seen at Don’t Tell Mama on November 22, 2009, he was especially in his element, as comfortable playfully addressing the audience, as he was comfortable disappearing into characters. His audience clearly included some who’d been there before, anticipating and welcoming songs they’ve caught and been caught up in before. They’re not easy to forget, like the unsettling one of a minor with major sexual experience with an adult, spitting with unblinking revengeful control over the man in question, who could be sent to a literal and emotional prison (The Dresden Dolls’ “Missed Me,” written by Amanda Palmer). Like popping a balloon, he can break the spell and come down to earth (well, almost) and chat with the loyal fans, to complain about another Kim Smith who grabbed the obvious internet domain name. But he’s master of his own domain in cabaret, totally secure and in charge of every twist and turn and trick or treat, tremble and taunt. “I work hard for my mystique,” he says with a wink he can afford, comfortable enough with his art to acknowledge it as such. It’s not easy being Pygmalion and Galatea at the same time.
He refers to his Australian background and accent, relishing the vowel sounds, but when this boy from Oz goes to the land of Oz, one approaches via yellow brick road, he does it his own way. Following a bit of the “Optimistic Voices” section marking the arrival at the gates to the Emerald City (“You’re out of the woods, you’re out of the dark, you’re out of the night…”), his version “Over the Rainbow” is sung wistfully, yes--- beautifully, yes --- with aching loneliness, yes --- but in German. He never strays too far, too long, from the European tradition (he works with cabaret singer/director Karen Kohler, who’s a native and nurturer of that school). Keeping a page from his homework book from the MAC Awards show, where performers were assigned/challenged by the director Lennie Watts to reinvent and personalize a Motown classic, he’s hung on to “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” He sings it brilliantly but with tongue firmly in cheek, in torrentially tormented trademark Kurt Weill style, riding on a not-so-merry merry-go-round, hijacked for hijinks by S&M pirates. Just another joy ride. Just another day’s work. Just another fascinating facet of the fellow in what he calls his “glittering parade of dreams, illusions and little white lies.”
Whether dripping with melancholy or bouncing back with bright eyes washed by the tears and alight with the possibilities of joy and/or romance to be found, Kim Smith is a consummate performer. Whether employing a bit of a mask, or a bit of mascara, singing in French, German,or English, this multi-lingual, multi-faceted fellow is in fine fettle. For the time being, the uninitiated may find him on Youtube or www.kimdavidsmith.com or maybe in a dreamlike haze.
Actually, you can get a sample of Mr. Smith kimself when he appears on Thursday, December 3 as a guest in the Watts Happening?! variety show at the same venue, Don't Tell Mama. Other guests are Klea Blackhurst, Lina Koutrakos, Jay Rogers, Wendy Russell, and the women who won first and second place in last symmer's MetroStar Talent Challenge: Liz Lark Brown and Danielle Grabianowski. And Randy Lester ("The Singing Technician", no relation) will perform on the other side of the lights. Musical Direction is by Steven Ray Watkins who has been known to sing, too, as does your host, Lennie Watts. The show begins at 8:30.Don't Tell Mama's address is 343 West 46 Street. The phone number for reservations is 212-757-0788. |
Tweet this article !
