SPACEY TAKES HIS DARIN ACT TO THE CONCERT STAGE.Byline: Fred Shuster Music Critic Noun 1. music critic - a critic of musical performances critic - a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art Kevin Spacey spac·ey adj. Slang Variant of spacy. Adj. 1. spacey - stupefied by (or as if by) some narcotic drug spaced-out, spacy unconventional - not conventional or conformist; "unconventional life styles" is undoubtedly the only Oscar winner to pluck a harmonica harmonica. 1 The simplest of the musical instruments employing free reeds, known also as the mouth organ or French harp. It was probably invented in 1829 by Friedrich Buschmann of Berlin, who called his instrument the Mundäoline. out of his tuxedo pocket and give it some traction on stage at the Wiltern LG. Bob Dylan Noun 1. Bob Dylan - United States songwriter noted for his protest songs (born in 1941) Dylan has nothing to worry about. But Bobby Darin Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert "Bobby" Cassotto, May 14 1936 – December 20, 1973) was one of the most popular American big band performers and rock and roll teen idols of the late 1950s. , in whose service Spacey's harmonica and singing voice were put to use Monday, might've had a little competition on covers of ``Mack the Knife'' and ``Beyond the Sea'' had he lived. Darin, however, pulled the best career move - dying young, and Spacey has assumed the mantle of the splashy splash·y adj. splash·i·er, splash·i·est 1. Making or likely to make splashes. 2. Covered with splashes of color. 3. Showy; ostentatious. See Synonyms at showy. crooner in a forthcoming biopic bi·o·pic n. A film or television biography, often with fictionalized episodes. biopic Noun Informal a film based on the life of a famous person [bio(graphical) + pic(ture)] and current promotional singing tour. While the actor acquitted himself well, thanks to an obvious love for Darin's work and the fluid musical arrangements of a top-flight orchestra (directed by veteran studio pianist Roger Kellaway), it was difficult to see Kevin behind the veil of Bobby, except on heartfelt renditions of Tim Hardin's ``If I Were a Carpenter'' and ``That's All,'' both of which were recorded by Darin. Among the best moments of the 90-minute set (with no intermission) came when Spacey was joined by young standards singer Peter Cincotti, who not coincidentally has a bit part in ``Beyond the Sea,'' which opens Dec. 17 (Spacey sings the entire soundtrack, now in stores). Monday, Cincotti dueted with Spacey and tickled the ivories on lively readings of ``Just One of Those Things'' and Darin's first hit, ``Splish Splash.'' Some of the crowd were apparently drawn by the novelty of seeing a Hollywood movie star in a strange mix of vaudeville and karaoke. Others, including stalls packed with Spacey's friends and business associates, found the enterprise equally irresistible. In mostly effective segments, the ``American Beauty'' trophy winner perched on a bar stool bar stool n → Barhocker m in black tux and perfectly channeled an oily lounge lizard, spicing tunes with Rat Pack-style asides and brief impersonations of Marlon Brando, Jerry Lewis and even Katharine Hepburn (Darin himself mimicked James Cagney, Clark Gable and Robert Mitchum in similar fashion). ``This is the closest I get to feeling like a rock star,'' a delighted Spacey said at one point. The star dropped the curtain a bit on Darin's own ``Simple Song of Freedom,'' revealing a hint of genuine emotion during the moving folk melody, while Frankie Valli's ``Can't Take My Eyes Off You'' helped bring the evening to a touching close. Fred Shuster, (818) 713-3676 fred.shuster(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Kevin Spacey plunges into ``Mack the Knife,'' and a host of other Bobby Darin hits. Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer |
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