POP REVIEW : A Low-Energy Billy Eckstine at Vine St.

Was that really Billy Eckstine at the Vine St. Bar & Grill?

The performer who stepped into the spotlight Tuesday night was only a dim reflection of the robust and energetic Eckstine image. The rich and resonant chest tones--envied by all his contemporaries--have diminished to a few low rumblings of sound. And his once-soaring head tones were chancy excursions through an uncertain musical stratosphere.

The veteran jazz singer was making his first Los Angeles appearance in more than two years.

To give Eckstine the benefit of the doubt, he seemed hampered by the absence of his longtime accompanist, Bobby Tucker. Still, there was little to fault in the work of pianist Dick Shreve, bassist Dave Carpenter and drummer Paul Kreibich, who provided a smoothly reassuring backing.

Eckstine, nonetheless, seemed distracted and uninvolved with the performance. He dashed through truncated versions of “Everything I Have Is Yours,” “All of Me” and “Prisoner of Love,” then forgot the lyrics to “Bewitched.” Ballad readings of “My Funny Valentine” and “I Love You” were better, occasionally recalling Eckstine’s past excellence, and his often unappreciated ability to swing brought life and vigor to the classic blues “Jelly, Jelly.”

Even at its best, however, the brief, 35-minute set was insubstantial. Hopefully, once past his understandable opening-night jitters, a more competent Eckstine will appear for the balance of his engagement.