A Tribute to ‘Nashville’ (Altman’s, not Parton’s)

A satire of a satire made with love: if that description of the revue “Daryl Glenn and Jo Lynn Burks Play and Sing Robert Altman’s ‘Nashville’ ” sounds self-contradictory (how many satires emanate from love?), it evokes the heartfelt nostalgia of a popular little show that has been playing at the Metropolitan Room on the first Sunday each month.

Photo:Richard Termine for The New York Times

Daryl Glenn and Jo Lynn Burks Play and Sing Robert Altman’s ‘Nashville,’ a satire of the satirical 1975 film, at the Metropolitan Room.

You may recall that Robert Altman’s great 1975 film, “Nashville,” the object of the revue’s slightly campy veneration, offered a jaundiced vision of Music City as a symbol of all that was both right and wrong with the United States on the eve of the Bicentennial. Because most of its songs, including Keith Carradine’s Oscar-winning hit, “I’m Easy,” were written and performed by people outside the country music establishment, none, including “I’m Easy,” which became a mid-size pop hit, made a dent on the country music charts. One of the songs, “It Don’t Worry Me,” heard twice in the show, resonates with the current recession.

But even the movie’s best songs by Mr. Carradine and Ronee Blakley were imitations of the real thing, and I would add not as well made or as authentic as what they were parodying. The movie conveyed a sense of its creators as Hollywood city slickers on a slumming expedition with their noses tilted up, as they celebrated the vitality of the common folk with an urbane condescension. Nashville got the message.

The revue’s playful attitude is exemplified by a trivia contest in which Mr. Glenn and Ms. Burks (who plays piano, arranged the music for an able country ensemble and sings Ms. Blakley's numbers) ask the audience questions about the details of the story and the film’s casting. Ms. Blakley's “Tapedeck in His Tractor” is now a duet between Ms. Burks and Mr. Glenn, who gives it a gay spin when he takes over the number.

Mr. Glenn sounds enough like Mr. Carradine to carry off “I’m Easy.” Ms. Burks is not as distinctive vocally as Ms. Blakley, whose troubled character, Barbara Jean, was inspired by Loretta Lynn. But she lends some clout to Barbara Jean’s signature song, “My Idaho Home.”

In the end it is Mr. Glenn’s unconditional love for “Nashville” that trumps any condescension and makes the revue that kind of light-hearted entertainment that, if expanded, might have a chance for an Off Broadway run. But in Nashville itself? No way.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Daryl Glenn & Jo Lynn Burks & "Nashville" at the Metropolitan Room





Oscar E. Moore “from the rear mezzanine” for Talk Entertainment.com

GooGoo Clusters anyone? All you have to do to get one of these tasty marshmallow, caramel, roasted peanut combos covered in milk chocolate candies is to correctly answer some trivia questions about the classic 1975 Robert Altman film NASHVILLE at the Metropolitan Room the first Sunday of each month at 7pm.

No, they aren’t showing the movie. Daryl Glenn & Jo Lynn Burks, a dynamic duo to be remembered with backup vocals by Tanya Holt & Brad Wills and a six piece country western band (Ivan Bodley/bass, Jo Lynn Burks/piano, Chris Delis/guitar, Dan Gross/drums, Kenny Kosek/fiddle, John Widgren/pedal steel) are performing the songs from the film in their 2009 Bistro, MAC and Nightlife Awarding winning cabaret show with a decidedly Grand Ole Opry influence. Jay Rogers was guest artist lending his considerable talent.

“Nashville” is a complete hoot! Charming. Infectious. And oh so entertaining. Great singing and a real down home country party atmosphere that has been given great pace and a depth of feeling usually absent in such shows by director Vince Degeorge.

The exuberant and personable Daryl Glenn delivers “It Don’t Worry Me” with a fine voice and with a naturalness that seems to say, “Come and give me a big hug.” It is obvious that he loves the music and its message. Pianist and musical arranger Jo Lynn Burks is another natural with a winning smile and a terrific voice who is just as beautiful to look at as she is to listen to. She seems to say, “I’ve been there and back and I know what I’m talking about. And I love what I’m doing.” She also plays a mean piano. Alone or together they are simply great.

“I’m Easy” by Keith Carradine which won an Academy Award, “Memphis”, “My Idaho Home” and their fantastic duet “Tapedeck In His Tractor” are but a few of the incredible songs from the NASHVILLE soundtrack album recreated so lovingly at the Metropolitan Room by Daryl and Jo Lynn.

They will get your toes a tapping and your heart beat a racing with their engaging and disarming renditions and delightful cabaret show. It’s no wonder that they are the Triple Crown Cabaret winners for 2009. Upcoming shows: Dec 6th, Jan 3rd, Feb 7th.

www.metropolitanroom.com www.darylglenn.com

NOTE: Daryl Glenn will be appearing for one night only Sunday January 17th, 2010 - 8:30pm at Feinsteins at Lowes Regency Hotel – Daryl Sings Steve – (Songs by Sondheim).

Visit www.oscaremoore.com