Travis Cloer Shines with the Standards at the Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum!
March 8th, 2010Photo Credit: Linda SooHoo & JBB Tech Half
There wasn’t an “Orange Colored Sky” outside in Vegas last Wednesday evening, but when we sat down at the Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum and Travis Cloer walked onto that stage, his rendition of that gorgeous hit tune was–well, to quote the lyrics, “Flash! Bam! Alakazam!”
It was a magical night on March 3 for the full-house crowd at Travis Cloer’s “Setting the Standard” show! The ballads, the upbeat jazzy numbers, and the top hits of the 20th century that have been loved by generations were sung with such heart, perfection, and passion by one of the most phenomenally talented vocalists we have had the pleasure to experience! You guys in New York weren’t kidding! To quote the church lady in JERSEY BOYS, “It wasn’t no vision!”
Thanks to Linda SooHoo saving us great seats at her table, the Tech Half and I, along with the rest of the audience, experienced an evening of some of the smoothest and most spectacular vocals by Travis Cloer, making every song his own, a swinging/rocking/jazzy band, and some marvelous storytelling!
Time for a mild confession: Due to being swept into the fantastic evening of entertainment, this blogger forgot her notebook and pen, so I may be missing some of Travis’s marvelous lineup of songs, but honestly, every song Travis sang complimented his incredible voice! Travis and his topnotch band (which included JB Musical Director Keith Thompson on piano, along with a drummer, guitar player, bass player, and a horn section!) transported the audience back to another time–like the Rat Pack era–filled with sophistication, elegance, and showmanship.
Some of the highlights included Travis’s rendition of his Mom’s favorite song by the Skyliners, “Since I Don’t Have You.” Due to his Mom’s influence, Travis obviously has a knack for knowing a great tune and with such a powerful falsetto–it’s a rendition we won’t soon forget!
Other songs of the evening brought me back to my Dad’s love for Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, and Peggy Lee. “That’s All” was my absolute top choice for ballad of the evening–Chills, I’m tellin’ ya! And, Travis’s “Fever” definitely heated the showroom up in a hurry! One of the Tech Half’s favorites of the evening was Travis’s rendition of Paul McCartney’s “My Love.” Truth be told, Travis’s absolutely extraordinary interpretation of “My Love” gave Dale a new appreciation for a song that he had grown tired of over the years.
As the evening was wrapping up, Travis saluted the late, great Ray Charles with his magnificent version of “Georgia on My Mind.” So magnificent, in fact, that the audience gave him and his terrific band an extended standing ovation! The encore? We were treated to one more fantastic number, “My Funny Valentine”–followed by an even louder standing ovation #2!
The legendary late vocalists and composers must have been smiling down on Travis Cloer that night–all giving him their thumbs up! It’s hard to believe that a performer can take such well-known classics and make you feel as if you’re hearing them for the first time, but Travis did just that!
Oh man!!! I hope Travis is going to do his show again. Sounds like it’s not to be missed!! What a great review and I love every single one of those songs. It’s like Travis’ mom and mine were BFF’s. I listened to those songs growing up also.
Comment by Linda — March 8, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
I really regret missing this show, too! I hope he does another one.
Comment by Gary — March 8, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
I missed Travis’ show in Feb 2008 in NY and didn’t want to miss it again. I went to both shows and it was fabulous. I hope he does it again too.
Comment by Linda/Tiggerbelle — March 8, 2010 @ 10:48 pm