Forget the winter chill, forget the threatening storm!   Atmospheric rivers departed just in time, bowing to the sheer force of talent, allowing a flood of music lovers to fill the cafe instead..Talk about atmosphere!  Last night the Unurban Cafe transformed into a warm, soul-stirring paradise, a vibrant testament to the enduring power of music and the timeless magic of three legendary birthdays.

 

We’re talking about a celebration so electric, it could have powered the entire Santa Monica pier!   The energy was palpable, a tangible buzz of excitement and pure, unadulterated joy and a celebration of true friendship.

Mews Small, Flo Lawrence, and Dutch Newman, three iconic originals of the Sunday Songbirds, took the stage, their voices weaving a tapestry of warmth and joy, although sometimes touching upon heartfelt, sweet sadnesses of life.

This wasn’t just a performance; it was a communal hug, a boisterous singalong with your favorite, insanely talented friends. And my goodness, did other friends show up to support.

The Unurban, became a cozy, packed  haven of sweet friends and long time talented compadres, a swirling sea of smiling faces and tapping feet often joining in with wild backup vocals.

The night opened with a sizzling sexy number.  Flo Lawrence wandered through the audience with her “Cigarettes,Cigars” tantalizing all  with a soulful adage to a passing era of the Speakeasies.

Mews Small, our venerable tour de force, in 1998 birthed what we now call the Sunday Songbirds. She graced us with “Sunshine Song,” penned by the venerable John Jennings, one of many songs written specifically for her. Then, just as we were all basking in the manufactured glow of pure, unadulterated joy, Mews pulled a sharp left turn…She launched into Suzy Williams’ “The Art of the Wasted Day,” and suddenly, we were knee-deep in existential ennui, but in a chic way. Think Parisian café, melancholy…

 Now let’s get to Dutch Newman. 

This man can write songs and boy can he sing them. If you close your eyes you can imagine these songs played on the radio in 1924.

“Zenobia, Oh You Dawg, If All My Dreams Were Love Songs , Coo Coo and Fairy Tales”… all are number one hits!

The guest performances were nothing short of spectacular. Ginger & Kahlil brought a soulful, bluesy edge that had the room swaying, their harmonies melting the last vestiges of winter frost. 

Suzy Williams delivered a powerhouse vocal performance of “ Beat my Wings” that left jaws dropped and hearts soaring.

 Donna Bacalla’s nuanced delivery was a masterclass in storytelling through song, while Zane Tatum’s loosey goosey rendition of Bill Murray’s 1920 “Cuba”  was unabashed great fun. His  raw talent and infectious energy had the audience clamoring for more. Or possibly less.

SongBird temptress, Karin Spritzler delivered a haughty and very, very sexy “HandyMan” to a wowed crowd!  She also joined Flo Lawrence on the ivories for a perfectly haunting and poignant rendition of “Waltzing Matilda” of Tom Waits fame.

Elegant and stately, Rita Obermeyer, pulls down her vocals from the heavens and last night’s “At Last,” was no exception

Behind the majority of the incredible vocal cavalcade stood top of the line fluid and creative pianist Brad Kay.   Other powers on the black and whites to join in the evening  were:  Bob Mitchell (with Dutch), David Barker accompanying Mews Small “I’d Sell My Dreams for a Quarter,” written by Ken Hirsch as Mews gave tribute to  this well known songwriter ,who wrote for such as Sinatra, and as aforementioned, Karin Spritzler.  Also, special guest, Buzz, sang and accompanied himself on piano with full gusto and panache. Fingers danced across the piano keys all night, creating a lush, vibrant soundscape that perfectly complemented the  voices of the night. Even as the show closed, Steve Fedor stepped up, sat down and played his contribution.

The Unurban’s Dancing Purveyor, Pamela imbued us with her enigmatic Chocolate Birthday cake, the perfect sweet treat, fueling the revelry and adding a touch of decadent delight to the evening.

Collective singing is always a highlight.  Not only the Happy Birthday Ballad for the three Songbirds, but the audience also decided to help out with Dutch Newman’s raucous “Low Down Dawg.  They joined in with gusto, voices blending in glorious, imperfect but acceptable dog howling and semi-beautiful sounds!

If you missed it, you missed a slice of pure, unadulterated musical heaven. But fear not, the Sunday Songbirds and their incredible friends will surely be back to ignite the Unurban again, and when they do, be there! 

PS: The Sunday Songbirds are there at The Unurban Cafe every Sunday except the 2nd Sunday of the month, from 1:30-4:30, 3301 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica,Ca. Come join the family

You won’t regret it.