Reviews
Grateful
Michael Holmes on Facebook
Dear Friends, tonight I had the extreme pleasure in seeing the marvelous Norman Lasiter in concert accompanied by Music Director Christopher Marlowe! WOW!!! Norman's ability to express such a range and depth of emotion simply with inflection and phrasing is nothing less than spectacular, and all with a joyously beautiful voice and rich arrangements. Bravo gentleman!
Jerome Elliot - Cabaret Scenes
May 8, 2010 www.cabaretscenes.org
A library auditorium, magically transformed into an intimate cabaret, provided the perfect backdrop for Norman Lasiter. He took the stage buoyantly to say "Yes" (Kander and Ebb) and followed with an hour of lush vocals, riveting programming and crisp wit. Backed by the innovative arrangements of Musical Director Christopher Marlowe, Lasiter showcased the infinite possibilities of cabaret with songs ranging from Broadway standards to classic pop from the 1960s.
A recording artist with two CDs under his belt, Lasiter moved to Palm Springs from New York eight years ago and his too rare cabaret appearances attract an ardent following. A native Hoosier, Lasiter uses a deadpan Midwestern wit to great advantage in his comic numbers. His rendition of "Norman" (#3 on the Billboard charts by one-hit wonder Sue Thompson, 1961) was both a tribute to his old-fashioned moniker and an opportunity for show and tell with his treasured 45 rpm carrying case. A novelty number, "Secrets" (written for Lasiter by Michael Thomas) paid tribute to the singer's eccectric devotion to his three cats.
The afternoon included several emotional peaks. In a medley of Frank Loesser's "I Believe in You" with Sondheim's "Good Thing Going" and "Not a Day Goes By," Lasiter took us on a journey from optimism to nostalgia to heartbreak with each sentiment deftly nuanced. (The latter two were originally arranged by Marlowe for Nancy LaMott.) This medley, followed by a searing "Marry Me a Little" highlighted one of Lasiter's greatest assets - his stillness - which allows his silken tones, impeccable diction and total investment in his lyrics to carry the day.
He provided several "buried treasures," including a haunting and plaintive rendition of "Like a Map" (Harnick & Bock) which was cut from The Rothschilds before the show opened on Broadway.
His skillful reading of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now," set to Marlowe's gorgeous arrangement, focused our attention on the sad contradictions of Mitchell's verse. An enthusiastic invitation to come "Downtown" via Petula Clark (another reminder of Marlowe's collaboration with LaMott), closed the show on an ebullient note. As it happened to be Mother's Day, Lasiter offered an encore of Brian Lasser's "Becoming My Mother," dedicated to his own mom who was in attendance. It was a sweet bookend to an afternoon in the library.
David Hurst - Cabaret & CD Critic
Show Business July 21, 2004
The move across the country from New York to Palm Springs seems to agree with Norman Lasiter because he has finally fulfilled his dream of becoming a recording artist. His first disc, The Gift of Love, is a lovely collection of show tunes and pop songs that are all well sung. But it's his second recording, Trust the Wind, which finds Lasiter coming into his own as, not only a singer, but an artist as well. Lasiter's passion for his material, ranging from David Friedman and John Bucchino to Stephen Sondheim and Stephen Schwartz, is even more arresting because of his warm, lyric tone. His radiantly confident singing only enhances the inspirational message of songs like "Grateful" and "Love Don't Need a Reason," and his light touch on Friedman's "I'll Be Here With You" is especially welcome. Wisely, he's working with Christopher Marlowwe, a consummate musician who plays the piano exquisitely and instinctively enhances Lasiter's pure, unaffected vocals to maximum effect. At this point, New York's loss is Palm Springs' gain but hopefully, with a voice that seems tailor-made for Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, and the rest of the Songbook composers, these CDs will be the first of many gifts to the world of music.
David Friedman
Do not apologize for anything on this album. It's absolutely beautiful, sung with a clean, clear understanding and communication of the songs. I'm working on 10 new Nancy LaMott CD's at the moment and there are a lot of performances that were done in 1 take or live and there is a certain magic to them that's different from the perfect studio CD's. Your performances have a similar magic. I'm honored that the CD is entitled Trust The Wind and appreciate the love and understanding that you've brought to my songs, as well as the lovely acknowledgement. Best of luck with the CD. It's something I know anyone with a sense of spirit will want to listen to.
Backstage
Touching... emotional high... performs with tender drama"
Christopher Marlowe
Norman's honest interpretations shine through with emotion and clarity.