Pop Reviews : Lainie Kazan’s Torch Song Overdose

Lainie Kazan, making her first Los Angeles nightclub singing appearance in years at the Cinegrill, promised to “keep the comedy in the closet.” Fortunately, she didn’t quite manage to keep her pledge.

The actress-vocalist--whose performances in the films “29th Street” and “My Favorite Year” threatened to stamp her as the ultimate ethnic mother--demonstrated early in the engagement that she is still a sultry performer, and a first-rate musical talent.

But her program, which was far too long, was nearly scuttled by a middle section overloaded with torch songs. There’s no doubt that Kazan can sing superbly; pieces like “Little Girl Blue” were brilliant blendings of exquisite musicality and convincing drama. But her interpretations, good as they were, couldn’t survive a parade of similarly downbeat numbers.

Kazan’s humor, as well as a few much-needed rhythm songs like “Some of These Days,” were what finally saved the show.

Kazan’s accompaniment is provided by the excellent trio of John Hammond on piano, Jimmy Hoff on bass and Eddie Caccavale on drums. She continues at the Cinegrill through Saturday.