Show Makes the Case for Songwriters

The Great American Songbook is often spoken of in the past tense--as though it were completed with the passing of the Cole Porters, Jerome Kerns and George Gershwins.

The ASCAP Songwriters’ Showcase, however, has persisted in making a convincing case that tunes with thoughtful lyrics and sophisticated harmonies are still being written. Wednesday at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, Lucie Arnaz hosted an entertaining ASCAP presentation of material by songwriters whose work merits far more attention than it receives in an era of rap, hip-hop and adult contemporary.

Babbie Green, daughter of composer-songwriter Johnny Green, is an extraordinary talent. Her brief set revealed her range, from the sweetly lyrical “In the Land of Love” to wryly humorous, off-the-wall ditties such as “Your Dog” and “At the Pound.” Good stuff, all of it, underscoring everything with the kind of harmonic subtlety and melodic flow one only hears in the most gifted songwriters.

Alan Chapman, who usually works with his wife, singer Karen Benjamin, is at his best with songs that are filled with wit and whimsy. His lighthearted rendering of his “Everybody Wants to Be Sondheim” was an example of first-rate, cabaret-style writing and performance.

Michele Brourman generally composes with other lyricists, so the quality of her songs was affected by the words she was setting. “Midnight in the Garden,” with a text by Amanda McBroom, was exquisite, a classic ballad noir. Other tunes seemed a bit forced, aimed too pointedly at a hook line rather than a complete story.

Special guest Dave Frishberg, as always, defined songwriting as a combination of words, music and sheer inspiration, especially with his droll “Quality Time.” Participating singers included Arnaz, Tim Stone, Karen Benjamin, Andrea Marcovicci and the inimitable Sharon McNight.