A tribute to my Aunt Kay who passed away at 87 years old on July 19th 2008. I will miss her deeply.
Since his sensational cabaret debut in January of 2000, Marcus Simeone has emerged as one of the most celebrated singers to grace the stages of Manhattans nightclubs since the days of Barbra Streisand and the Bon Soir.
Universally regarded for his heart-wrenching interpretations of ballads, red-hot jazz sensibility, and powerful pop flair; Simeone's musical genius is in evidence on his original material as well. Earlier in his career, this native of Brooklyn appeared on the original Star Search as well as Showtime at The Apollo.
Marcus Simeone is both a singer and a songwriter who has been performing in NYC metropolitan area bands, with orchestras on both U.S. coasts, and as a solo act, for the past 14 years. His haunting, multi-octave voice has been compared to many greats including, Al Jarreau, Marc Anthony, and Johnny Mathis. As well, Simeone cites among his greatest inspirations Jane Olivor, Phyllis Hyman, and Diana Ross. Marcus' long-awaited live CD, "At Last" is scheduled for release in 2007.
NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE OR ANOTHER GENUINE HEART
Marcus Simeone / "The Heart"
First Sunday of every month at 7 PM through the end of '08
Metropolitan Room
34 West 22nd Street
Accompanied by Barry Levitt (musical director), Ray Matuza (guitarist), Victor Jones (percussion) and others
"God, he's GORGEOUS!"
That's the first thought when looking upon Marcus Simeone. Regardless of who or what or when you are or who you might choose to love. That's the first thought.
"God, he's GORGEOUS!"
Then Barry Levitt starts to play piano, the band follows, and Simeone starts to sing. And his looks don't matter, and neither does his flawless vocal training. What matters is that this gentleman is one of the foremost communicators of the cabaret genre to be seen since the mid-1980s. Indeed, one hasn't seen such flawless emotion since the glorious early days of Jon Andersson, Andy Garcia, Jill Cohen, Karen Saunders and a scant few others. Those unfamiliar with Marcus Simeone simply MUST see his current show, entitled "This Heart," which will appear at the Metropolitan Room every first Sunday of the month between now and the end of the year.
Comparisons with Jane Olivor are inevitable here on some level; Simeone counts the woman as one of his inspirations, he appears on stage in puffy white blouse and black pants as she used to during concerts in the 1970s and 1980s, he sings plenty of Stephen Schwartz numbers, and of course there's the fact that Jason Darrow, who served as the single driving force behind Olivor's greatest concerts and recordings of all time is also now Simeone's producer. But comparisons herein are wholeheartedly unnecessary; it is simply impossible to say, "Hey, you know, Marcus Simeone reminds me of..." because one will be left utterly speechless. If there was any justice in this extremely narrow world of showbiz, Simeone would be packing 'em in to standing room only crowds in major arenas. And since there isn't that sort of justice, one must content oneself with having the Met Room literally remodeled before our eyes into a space the likes of which hasn't been seen since the Bottom Line or Symphony Space. Because Simeone literally transforms what was already the hottest room in town into a happening on a major scale.
From the first moment, with the title number "The Heart," it's obvious that the name of the game here is "visceral." Every note and syllable seems to come from the very depth of Simeone's heart and soul, and it never lets up for a blessed second.
Selecting a standout moment is difficult to say the least, so brilliant is almost everything displayed. A slow version of "Alone Again," however, by Raymond "Gilbert" O'Sullivan, which easily could have melted into a lounge act in the hands of a lesser artist, is beyond splendiferous; in point of fact, when Simeone displays misty eyes at the commencement of the song, one might wonder if this was elected to bring unnecessary drama into the piece, and it wholeheartedly was not. And an absolute wonder is "I Knew You When" by S. Harrington-Burhart and D. Kees, not to mention a singularly stunning "No One Like You" by David Zippel and Jerry Goldsmith, from the popular cult film "Powder," rendered absolutely gorgeous with guitarist Ray Matuza as the single instrumentalist. But every selection puts Simeone at the top of his game. The most familiar song of the evening, "Colors Of The Wind" by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, becomes chillingly savory. The terrifically bouncy "Just One Kiss" has a retro-70s feel not uncommon to Davy Jones or the Partridge Family and yet absolutely belongs in cabaret as performed by Simeone. "Answer Me" provides a beautiful tribute to the late lamented musical director D. Jay Bradley. And Simeone even proves an adept songwriter with "Never Left Behind," co-written with Peter Maillis, which is, for want of a better word, scrumptious.
Superlatives don't exist to say it more clearly. Marcus Simeone must be seen and heard, his show "This Heart" must be seen and heard when it returns July 6th, and anyone reading this should grab a megaphone and shout out the news to those without Internet access and unable to read this humble report. It doesn't get better than this. jazz lounge MySpace Layouts Gallery! Create Your Own Layout Here!
Hello Marcus,
Thank you!
'I Dance for the Love' I dance and still believe I dance for everyone to see
May you have a week that Dances for the Love. XX~
'I Dance for the Love'
I dance for the love
I dance even when I feel pain
I dance knowing there's something to gain
I dance for the love
I dance for me
I dance for everyone to see
I dance for the love
I dance as the sunshine
I dance hoping you will be mine
I dance for the love
I dance with words to say
I dance all day
I dance for the love
I dance even when you leave
I dance and still believe
Hi thanks so much for the add on your page...best wishes to you from Cork City Ireland...hope you get a chance to check out my new songs.. and maybe leave a comment .....thanks again for the add.....Hope your well ... your friend patrick k
Today is love your friends day. Send this to all your friends and me if I am one.
If you get 7 back then youre LOVED!
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We are Friends I got your back You got mine, I'll help you out Anytime! To see you hurt To see you cry Makes me weep And wanna die And if you agree To never fight It wouldn't matter Whos wrong or right If a broken heart Needs a mend I'll be right there Till the end If your cheeks are wet From drops of tears Don't worry Let go of your fears Hand in hand Love is sent, We'll be friends Till the end!!!!
show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND, including the one who sent it to you. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.
FRIENDS ARE LIKE BALLOONS ONCE YOU LET THEM GO YOU CANT GET THEM BACK SO IM GOING TO TIE YOU TO MY HEART SO I NEVER LOSE YOU.
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......I Love you .......I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you .......I Love you ......I Love you .....I Love you ....I Love you ...I Love you ..I Love you .
I Love you .
I Love you .
I Love you ..I Love you ...I Love you ....I Love you .....I Love you ......I Love you .......I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you .......I Love you ......I Love you .....I Love you ....I Love you ...I Love you ..I Love you .
I Love you .
I Love you .
I Love you ..I Love you ...I Love you ....I Love you .....I Love you ......I Love you .......I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you .......I Love you ......I Love you .....I Love you ....I Love you ...I Love you ..I Love you .
I Love you .
I Love you .
I Love you ..I Love you ...I Love you ....I Love you .....I Love you ......I Love you .......I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you .......I Love you ......I Love you .....I Love you ....I Love you ...I Love you ..I Love you .
I Love you .
I Love you .
I Love you ..I Love you ...I Love you ....I Love you .....I Love you ......I Love you .......I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you ........I Love you .......I Love you
I love you forever, and always until the end, I can't live with out you, because you are my friend. "
Let's face it, Marcus, life is hard. Sometimes we just gotta drink a glass of champagne, take off all our clothes, and roll around on the floor with pearls. Period. End of subject.
