Reviews
"Quotes for her JUNE, 2010 OAK ROOM AT THE ALGONQUIN 3-week engagement, "Heart & Soul: A Centenary Celebration of Frank Loesser" "Birds Do It: Songs of the Natural World" "The Wizard of Words: Yip Harburg's Songs of Wit and Wisdom" "Like Love: The Popular Songs Of Andre Previn" Other Shows and CD's"Heart & Soul: A Centenary Celebration of Frank Loesser"
“Karen Oberlin is a demure pop-jazz singer who radiates a subdued glamour… Beyond having a pretty voice, poise and interpretive insight, Ms. Oberlin is a thorough researcher who placed many of the songs in a historical or personal context. The frisky “Bloop, Bleep!” and the galloping boogie-woogie “Rumble, Rumble, Rumble,” she explained, described Loesser’s nocturnal frustration at the sounds of dripping faucets and an upstairs piano player… In “Heart and Soul” Ms. Oberlin concentrates on Loesser’s softer-edged zaniness and on his unjustly neglected romantic side… A smart, polished show.”
“A Christmas tree angel named Karen Oberlin is lighting up the Algonquin’s Oak Room with a show that sends you out humming. I loved the bebop jawbreakers, and she excels on the love songs. Subtle, elegant and musically spot on, Karen Oberlin is such a welcome addition to the often noisy and pointless cabaret scene that one can even imagine her accompanied by a celesta without causing the slightest hint of boredom. She’s a keeper.”
“How would you like your own private one-to-one performance by a sophisticated singer? All right, so there are other people with you in the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel. But everyone seems to fade away as Karen Oberlin has a love affair with the music and lyrics she has chosen and sings so intimately that it’s as if her songs are meant only for you. She sets the bar for her purity of tone and interpretation at the outset with “If I Were a Bell” from “Guys and Dolls,” sung with utmost clarity and attention to detail. She liltingly sings such ballads as “I Don’t Want to Walk Without You” (music in this case by Jule Styne), “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” from “Guys and Dolls,” and “I Wish I Didn’t Love You So” from the 1947 film “Perils of Pauline.” Honoring the prolific composer and lyricist could not be in better hands.”
“Karen Oberlin is a soulful, swinging scholar of the Great American Songbook. She reaches into the minds and muses of our golden repertoire to teach us, dazzle us, and send us to a Tin Pan Alley nirvana, as deep as the ocean and high as the sky. She is truly a marvel. Accept no substitutes.”
“Like a breath of spring, Karen Oberlin’s lush vocal renditions of the songs of one of America’s foremost writers of the American theater filled the air of the historic Oak Room. Oberlin, always in control, cleverly weaves lyrical wonders whether it’s a sensitive and plaintive “I Don’t Want to Walk Without You” (music by Jule Styne) or a meticulously sung novelty, “Hamlet” (1949 film: Red, Hot and Blue). Musical Director Jon Weber, skillful in his accompaniment and arranging, added vocal counterpoint to a sultry “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” From Pulitzer Prize winner How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (slated for a Broadway revival in 2011), Oberlin showed off flawless styling on “I Believe in You.” A mix of pop and jazz with an easy delivery, it feels as if she hugs each lyric, Oberlin is joyous to behold.”
“Her voice warms like melting butter to infuse her love songs with emotion and passion. With shades of the whispery Doris Day intimacy, she luxuriates over the long lines and romantic intent of "Wanting to Be Wanted", an intense song cut from Most Happy Fella just before its New York opening... With her warmth and introspection, Frank Loesser's songs come to us as fresh and contemporary as the annual question, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?". Karen Oberlin has followed a straight upward path since she began her career. In a three-week engagement in the Oak Room, she proves her audiences were right and her critical acclaim is well-deserved.”
“This well-crafted, smartly directed (by Eric Michael Gillett) and decidedly engaging act is a superb introduction to the composer-lyricist's talent for tunefulness and witty wordplay, which can be heard in everything from "The Inch Worm" to "Snug as a Bug in a Rug." Better still, it's also a show that will please Loesser's longtime fans. She even throws in the delightful "Then I Wrote the Minuet in G," for which Loesser wrote the lyrics and Ludwig von Beethoven penned the music, and ably duets with musical director Jon Weber on "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Her slam-bang take on "I Believe In You" not only whets the appetite for the upcoming Broadway revival of How to Succceed in Business Without Really Trying, it's one of the act's highlights... The 20th Century was lucky to have Loesser, and the 21st Century is equally lucky to have singers like Karen Oberlin making sure his work lives on.”
“Karen Oberlin is as appealing as they come.”
"Birds Do It: Songs of the Natural World" (so far)
“(In) the pop-singer Karen Oberlin’s new show, “Birds Do It: Songs Inspired by the Natural World,” the aromatic atmosphere suits (her)... Ms. Oberlin has the blond good looks of January Jones in “Mad Men.” The essence of the program is distilled in “A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing,” (showing) her strength as a soft ballad singer (with) delicately voluptuous phrasing. Another arresting moment was a little-known ballad, “Everything Beautiful.” On uptempo numbers Ms. Oberlin swung demurely. Between songs she offered amusing tidbits of lore.”
See Page 12 for Karen Oberlin’s inclusion in 16 photos chosen for The New York Times, “The Week in Culture,” October 30th, 2009
"Her fresh approach to many of the fine standards, handled with aplomb, plus her sparkling attitude, joyful personality and fantastic vocals (made for) a totally entertaining event!"
"(A) well-crafted cabaret show… Karen Oberlin has the qualities of constantly trying new approaches and delivering songs with individuality, natural ease, warmth, poignancy, and without artifice."
"The Wizard of Words: Yip Harburg's Songs of Wit and Wisdom"
"Impeccable pop style... Ms. Oberlin brought a steady musical intelligence to (songs). (Her singing has) purity, naturalness and polished phrasing, with added colors and a jazzy spontaneity. In the show’s perfect moment, Ms. Oberlin’s calm, beautifully shaped reading in the classic pop tradition was one that (Doris) Day in her prime might well have envied."
"Thrilling! Oberlin is as lovely to look at as she is to hear, and diversity fills the air. Breathless when the song is as romantic as a country road, then forceful and full-speed-ahead when the mood turns onto a musical freeway, (her singing) rings true and funny and flawless."
"Oberlin presented songs of wit, wisdom and passion in a tightly assembled and entertaining flow. Her lush vocal tone and intelligent flair held the point of the story. In 'Last Night When We Were Young,' Oberlin evinced (its) poignancy, (and) the pain was palpable in its simplicity. (She) built up a narrative tower of tension and passion... Few of today's singers elicit the sense of rapture as naturally and intimately as Karen Oberlin."
"A superb production...(Oberlin has) a deep understanding and appreciation of the lyrics. She has a great feeling for Harburg songs and the style and talent to perform them. Meanwhile, the show reviewed here could easily be reprised (at the Metropolitan Room) or many places out of New York. It is strong enough to have a good long life."
"After the show I was so warm from Karen's spectacular performance and delightfully heartwarming show, it took me the 8 blocks (nearly 1/2 mile) to cool down to the reality of the outdoor temperatures. You simply must see this finely crafted and elegantly presented performance!"
"Like Love: The Popular Songs Of Andre Previn"
"Stellar… enchanting… Oberlin's winsome voice and delicate phrasing are a perfect match for Previn's compositions. (She) will entertain you so thoroughly that you'll actually come away believing that Previn was – or, at least should have been – as popular as Richard Rodgers."
"Ms. Oberlin's vocals can only be described as heavenly, and her flawless performance made for a fascinating look at the Previn songbook. You simply must see and hear (this show)… (It) is perfection, and Ms. Oberlin's silk-smooth vocals and the wonderful Previn tunes, along with some very interesting background information, make this one of the fine-crafted performances that only cabaret can deliver."
"(Oberlin’s new show) 'Like Love' is unique, not only because of the intriguing lineup of Previn tunes… but Oberlin brings each to life with its own story. She has a vocal tone like silk chiffon, light and floating, sometimes aiming for the heights, sometimes settling down to earth. What sets it flowing is an evocation of the story, her voice taking on nuances to set the moods –- (her voice is) as communicative as the lyrics... Oberlin's patter is kept tight and relevant, with space for her own personality and humor to shine through."
Other Shows and CD's
"Warm intimacy, pitch perfect, funny, poignant, mellow, sexy and spirited (with) a sophisticated sense of phrasing... In a one-night only show at the Iridium, Karen Oberlin reprised her Doris Day tribute with mature, ebullient, confident Oberlin jazz savvy."
"Because singer Oberlin is an artful straddler, moving gracefully between show tunes, jazz and pop, it comes as no surprise that on 'My Standards' the definition of 'standard' is pleasantly fuzzy. On this velvety song set, she offers moving versions of tunes by Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman, and even the 'Theme From "Valley of the Dolls."' On the jazz-standard tip, she also shows a wise take on 'How Deep Is the Ocean' backed by ever-tasteful pianist Fred Hersch. Her standards are high, and her ears are open."
"A bright, clear voice and sensual charm… Oberlin has a distinctive sound and phrases sumptuous evergreens with a fresh and appealing approach. (She) invests ballads with a breathless intimacy and lays the allure at the listener’s feet."
"As far as concept albums go, (Oberlin’s Doris Day tribute, “Secret Love: The Music of Doris Day”) provokes an initial reaction of "so what?" It could be useful as a goody for next Mother's Day or as a campy birthday present, but it couldn't actually be any good, right? Oh, how wrong we were. Oberlin's refreshingly muted approach to such gee-whiz chestnuts as 'Que Sera Sera,' 'How Are Things In Glocca Morra?' and the title track (done as a caliente bossa nova number) lifts such tunes away from their cheesy '50s-film contexts, presenting them as lusciously lyrical tales told for the very first time. Musical director Tedd Firth continues to prove his skill with endlessly fresh arrangements."
"Karen Oberlin's terrific new recording, Secret Love — The Music of Doris Day, is an inspired tribute to one of the greatest singers who ever stepped in front of a microphone or an audience...(her) jazzy homage makes clear what a lovely artist Oberlin is with a lilting, light voice that is clean, honest and refreshing free of artifice."
"Riveting… Exciting… Poignant… Oberlin mixes exquisite singing with pithy and charming patter. A gifted writer and performer… (She) is gorgeous enough to be a movie star...but no posing, no posturing, no faking for her. There is a fundamental honesty and confidence in Oberlin's persona that comes through not just in her attitude but in her approach to the music. Oberlin sings (her songs) with full attention to the lyrics."
"Karen Oberlin is my favorite vocal discovery of the year! Oberlin is one of those rare singers blessed with a clear, gorgeous, evocative voice...there is nothing to distract from the purity of tone, nor her connection to the lyric and the audience. Oberlin treats each number with the care of a master jeweler handling a fine gem."
"Not only does the variety of music make this album ("My Standards") bracing, but so does the way it is presented. Oberlin's primary genre is cabaret with a smattering of musical comedy. Yet she takes fascinating turns with the music within that framework. Her pure and crystalline-like-a-mountain-lake voice comes in loud and clear... A 16 year veteran of the singing scene, one can say with the release of this album, 'it's about time'. Recommended."
"The Algonquin gave Karen Oberlin a chance to show off her polished style and intelligent approach to singing via 'My Standards' (which she also pressed as a CD). She is courageous… lithe, friendly and a great singer. No gimmicks. Just good songs purveyed with sincere interest and understanding."
"(Oberlin) displayed exceptional phrasing and vocals."
"(At the Algonquin) she was self possessed, good with repartee and possessed a voice that makes one want to stop and listen."
"She is quite charming and very talented. She dazzles me from the moment she steps onstage. Audiences are captivated by her rich voice and her charm."
"I’m so enjoying your CD! You have a beautiful sound and tone so I am very flattered that you have enjoyed my work. You brought me to tears."