Ann Hampton Callaway - City Winery, Chicago, 23/4/2023

  by Lisa Torem

published: 26 / 4 / 2023

A full-spectrum entertainer, Ann Hampton Callaway’s tribute to the late singer/songwriter, entitled: ‘Peggy Lee, Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration’, falls on the heels of the late singer’s 100th birthday. The Chicago City Winery audience had the rare chance to experience two remarkable worlds: the here and now, with one of North America’s most expressive and nuanced entertainers, as well as, a nostalgic glimpse into the big band era, and beyond, where Lee, with band director Benny Goodman, at the Ambassador East, turned heads and won over hearts. But it was, with little fanfare, and precisely at the appointed hour, that Ms. Callaway entered the stage with a sincere smile and wave. She was dressed regally in a stark white suit, flanked with sparkles; the fanfare was soon to come. This was a night which needed no additional orchestration. A superb pianist, she glided easily from finger-snapping, stealthy blues to tear-stained ballad. But equally exciting was the quick rapport she built with the nearly sold-out, Sunday night house. When not seated on the bench, she grabbed the mic and exuberantly lit up the stage, with back stories of her hero, that extended through several generations. “I love being here with you,” she grinned, taking in the sea of excited faces. “I can’t believe, I’m finally back in my hometown Chicago. I am here to celebrate and spoil you.” The repartee was genuine. As Ms. Callaway underscored the drama and splendour of Ms. Lee’s lengthy career, she used humour, and a fair bit of drama, to pepper the pertinent introductions. Chicago remained in the spotlight. This is where Ms. Callaway hails from, as well as, her famous broadcaster father, the late John Callaway. In the audience were old friends and a smattering of show business colleagues, to whom she politely extended pleasantries. At one juncture, she recalled the thrill of composing a melody inspired by one of Ms. Lee’s poems, entitled ‘Clair de Lune,’ named after the classical piece by French composer Claude Debussy. Callaway also revealed a little-known fact, that Ms. Lee’s granddaughter had access to much more of her grandmother’s touching poetry. The repertoire was woven from solid hits like, ‘Fever,’ an old blues number, which “Lee made her own," her first recorded single, ‘Why Don’t You Do Right,’ where she seamlessly modulated from verse to verse, and hit, ‘Just One of Those Things’ by Indiana-raised songwriter Cole Porter. ‘Black Coffee’ was another upbeat tune, which Ms. Callaway nailed with virtuosic fills and a blistering contralto, followed by the Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller (‘Jailhouse Rock,’ ‘Heartbreak Hotel’) anthem, ‘I’m a Woman’ which the already pumped-up audience illuminated with hearty hand claps. The lights dimmed for two especially evocative numbers: ‘Johnny Guitar’ from the 1954 western of the same name, and ‘Until There Was You,’ from Broadway’s 'Music Man', and which the Beatles included in an early album. Ms. Callaway took full advantage of her impressive wheel box, which includes a significant vocal range and a finely-tuned ear, by scatting at all the proper places, and elongating the final notes of popular American standards. Thankfully, she introduced us to songs few of us knew Lee had written or co-written with her first husband, David Barbour. Prior to singing, ‘The Folks Who Live on the Hill’, Ms. Callaway explained the grief Lee felt about losing her paramour: “You hear the longing in her heart for the man who got away.” Some selections were bouncy and light on the tongue, such as ‘I Don’t Know Enough About You’ and ‘It’s a Good Day,’ a celebration of optimism. A lesser-known song, ‘Pete Kelly’s Blues,’ from the 1955 film, also warranted a back story. As such, Ms. Callaway expressed her admiration for Lee’s award-winning acting performance. Another captivating moment occurred when Ms. Callaway displayed a bold, pianistic build and subtle vocal performance on ‘Sing a Rainbow.’ The song, which went on to achieve acclaim on American show, ‘Sesame Street’, had been penned by ‘Cry Me a River’ songwriter Arthur Hamilton and inspired by a Peggy Lee comment. Ms. Callaway also briefed us about Lee’s major contribution to the Disney film, ‘Lady and the Tramp’. From that commercial success, she sang, “He’s a Tramp” after asking the audience to chime in with random howls. It didn’t take much to get them rolling, and Ms. Callaway procured a few laughs when she exclaimed: “You can stop now.” After a rousing ovation, Ms. Callaway invited more audience response and ended the satisfying set with ‘The Glory of Love’ with the lead-in, “Think of yourself as the Callaway Tabernacle Choir” and the 1938 co-write, ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal. It was an intimate, unforgettable night that was over all too soon. Happy birthday, Ms. Lee.

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