Cole Porter is simultaneously one of the most appreciated and yet most unknown songwriters behind jazz music in the first half of the 20th century. Singer Spider Saloff, along with pianist Tony Monte and bassist Steve LaSpina, recreated some of Porter’s defining songs Saturday night at the Chapel and Cultural Center in a memorial concert for the late Betty Wiberley, who was a friend and supporter of the C+CC for decades.
Saloff, a charismatic redhead with a stage presence that considerably reduces the need for lighting, faithfully belted out a dozen or so of Porter’s songs, as well as a few songs by other artists. The songs ran the gamut of the expressive power of jazz, from peppy foot-tapping tunes to slower, deeper ballads.
In between the songs, Saloff’s sense of humor was shown as she related little anecdotes and legends surrounding Porter and some of his songs.
In one such story, Porter was supposedly asked to leave the city of Venice after a particularly well-imbibed party which involved Italian dignitaries in drag falling out of windows into the canals. This incident was the basis for Porter’s “Get Out of Town.”
Another highlight of the show was Saloff’s performance of “The Laziest Gal in Town,” a song originally written for Marlene Dietrich. For this song, Saloff donned a beret and an accent and pretended to be Dietrich, even asking for a light from Stephen Wiberley, professor emeritus at RPI and husband of the late Betty Wiberley. “The Laziest Gal in Town” ended the first act, as Saloff-cum-Dietrich said, “Ve vill have intermission, and you vill like it.”
Kicking off the second act was a purely instrumental song which highlighted the talents of Monte and LaSpina; talents which were impressively demonstrated throughout the entire show, due to the frequent piano and bass solos in the arrangements in the songs performed by the trio.
Saloff then returned to the stage for a second round of Porter’s songs, including a few songs which Saloff called “very vulnerable” of Porter, since they were unusually true to events in Porter’s personal life.
One such song was “Weren’t We Fools,” a ballad about two former lovers meeting again after many years and having found other partners.
Saloff’s versatility lended this song as much emotion as it lended happiness to more cheerful songs.
Indeed, cheerful songs were on the second act’s lineup as well. “Tale of the Oyster” was a particularly amusing ditty about an oyster, desiring to move in the upper circles of society, which is cooked by a chef, eaten by the wife of a millionaire, and violently returned to the sea.
Saloff closed the show with a song written by George Gershwin rather than Cole Porter. The song was requested by Professor Wiberley, titled “Vodka.” Saloff’s performance of this humorous song was flawless, and it even included a few sips of vodka.
The audience, a crowd of about 50 people and mostly family and friends of the late Betty Wiberley, greatly enjoyed the show and rewarded the trio with a standing ovation at the conclusion of the show.
In return, Saloff graciously provided an encore, “Honeysuckle Rose,” written by Fats Waller.
Overall, Saloff’s recreation of Porter’s songs was very enjoyable. Saloff always performs as if she is sharing a delightful little secret with her audience.
Saloff’s energetic performance, combined with the excellent instrumentals of Monte and LaSpina, almost brings the playful spirit of Porter back to life.
