The Delicate Hour (LML Music) by Patty Morabito, was the first 2003 CD I received and if the rest of the CDs that come my way during the new year are this good, I will be one happy music journalist. A longtime fixture on the Chicago cabaret scene, New York native Patty Morabito has teamed up with Dan Stetzel to record a diverse collection of mostly contemporary pop songs by people such as Susan Werner, Tom Waits, Jennifer Warnes, Rickie Lee Jones and Gretchen Peters. Her interpretations are original and fresh, and deserve to be heard by cabaret fans, and anyone who appreciates exceptional vocals.
According to Morabito, 'In my journey in life, I'm much more drawn to contemporary music. In putting the CD together, I wanted to have some crossover stuff, stuff that was radio ready for different markets. Whether it was in the country or the easy-listening vein, or adult contemporary or possibly suitable for jazz or pop stations; I was trying to get a lot of eclectic styles on the CD.'
Gregg Shapiro: As someone who is an active participant in the cabaret scene in Chicago, do you think the city gets the respect that it deserves in this area?
Patty Morabito: I think that we get a certain amount of respect. I think that because it is a small art form, in this particular city, as compared to New York, we don't necessarily get the media attention that New York gets. But, for as small as we are, Davenport's (where Morabito performs and also works as a waitress) gets a lot of press. I don't think we get as much media as we would if we were in New York. I think we're always struggling to get people to our shows and the one way that we can do that is by having media there. It's hard because Chicago is a big jazz, blues, improv and theater town, and the media usually goes to those events.
GS: There are signs of hope as the Chicago Cabaret Convention returns in February of 2003, and you will be among the performers.
PM: I think that last year when it came, it was a big boost. There was a feature in the (Chicago) Tribune, that I think sparked awareness. There was a cabaret immersion weekend that happened this year, as well, at which (Gay Chicago's) Jeff Rossen spoke about the emergence of cabaret in Chicago.
GS: One of the pleasures of your CD is that the material that you have selected is very daring, in terms of the cabaret realm, beginning with the two songs by Susan Werner—'Maybe If I Sang Cole Porter' and 'Movie Of My Life.'
PM: I've fallen in love with all of the songwriters, and their styles of writing and these particular songs that I've chosen to put on the CD. Susan Werner is a brilliant songwriter who has now relocated to Chicago.
GS: Yes, I was going to ask you if you have had a chance to meet her.
PM: I have, yes. I've befriended her and she's come to hear me perform. She's a lovely person. Very smart. In the metamorphosis of the CD, what has been a three-and-a-half year project, I almost named the CD Maybe If I Sang Cole Porter. But, it metamorphosed for various reasons and it became The Delicate Hour. She, particularly, holds a very dear place in my heart.
GS: There are also a couple of songs by Gretchen Peters, who is primarily a country songwriter. To boot, you have included a hidden track, Iris DeMent's 'Let The Mystery Be.' Would you say that you consider country music to be an influence?
PM: I'm influenced by good songwriting, period. I think that country music (songwriters) have a knack for storytelling and that is why I was drawn to those songs. 'Let The Mystery Be' wasn't going to be on the CD. I had recorded it prior because I was putting together a country music demo. We were like, 'Well, it's done; we might as well throw it on (the CD). We remixed it and put it on as a hidden track. I always wanted to hide a track. It's interesting because it is a couple of people's favorite song.
GS: You also do two loosely connected songs. Rickie Lee Jones recorded the Tom Waits tune 'Rainbow Sleeves,' as you do, and then you also cover the Jones number 'Company.' Much of Jones's and Waits's songs lend themselves to cabaret.
PM: Sure. I had performed 'Rainbow Sleeves' in a Tom Waits show (at Davenport's). Dan Stetzel, the man with whom I collaborated on the CD, we share a similar taste in music and styles.
GS: Many of these songwriters deserve a place in the American popular songbook. These songs could all become standards, however long that takes.
PM: I think so. I think they are all carrying the torch for the American popular songbook. Down the road, I think people will look back and see that they were great songs, too.
GS: Have you written any of your own songs?
PM: That's just not a talent I possess. Not at the moment, anyway. I much prefer to interpret.
GS: Speaking of great discoveries, the song 'All The Good Men,' written by Ron Abel and Bruce H. Newberg, is a real gem.
PM: That was one of the very first songs I ever did. It's become a 'trademark' song for me. Somebody gave it to me—I can't remember how it evolved. People give me various tapes to listen to all the time. I eventually found out that it's from The Gay 90s Musical. It was kind of an unknown. I'm used to performing it with just a piano, but on the CD we arranged it with a mini-big-band. It's a different interpretation (of the song) than anyone has ever heard me do.
The Delicate Hour is available online at pattymorabito.com, LMLMusic.com and at Davenport's, (773) 278-1830.