From chatty, informal patter to knock ‘em dead power ballads, cabaret singer Vandana Bali charms and astounds her audience. In her recent show titled The Power of Love at the Empire Plush Room, she offered an incredible variety of approaches to that powerfully irrational, yet irresistible, emotion. And what a glorious ride!
Entering in a form-fitting dress of dusky rose, the svelte Bali takes command instantly. Opening with “Love Changes Everything (Andrew Lloyd Webber), she reveals a voice that maintains strength within a whisper and then so much more as the song builds. With her well-rounded tones, she subtly softens the anthem-like number. She then really lets out the stops with the power ballad titled “The Power of Love.” Switching gears again, she renders a sweet profession of love in Hoagy Carmichael’s “The Nearness of You.” Truly seeking variety, she sings a country-western tune titled “Greatest Love” (Austin Castillo, present at the show), an unpretentious profession of life-long devotion. Following “Someone to Watch Over Me” (Gershwin) and “As If We Never Said Goodbye” (Webber), she sings “An Ordinary Day” (Dennis Livingston) which details beauty and appreciation in the commonplace, with lyrics that weave a vividly visual tapestry.

Our hearts beat a bit faster when she rendered a soulful “When He Shines.” This highlight was followed by another as she sang “Summertime” (Gershwin) a capella. Flawless. Some surprising rhythm variations came with Sondheim’s “Being Alive” and “Not While I’m Around,” and the beautiful “Meadowlark” (Stephen Schwartz) tells an exquisite story of loyalty. She finished her set with Schwartz’s beautiful “With You” from Pippin. Her encore song, which she hopes to sing one day at her own wedding, was the power ballad “Then You Look at Me.” Brava!

Singer Bali makes it all look so simple and fun. Born in India and raised in NY, she began singing at age six and hasn’t stopped since. She goes from whisper to belt in about 1 second and always organically from the music. This classically-trained vocalist with a 3-octave range hits all the right notes with confidence and strength, and her tight vibrato is used sparingly. Her sense of dynamics and diction are flawless, and she can make the most surprising phrasing seem sublime.

Bali’s between-song, high-energy patter is an absolute joy. Counterpointing her exotic beauty, she is delightfully accessible. Eager to communicate face-to-face with her audience, she mingles amongst the crowd, quizzing them on various subjects. Incredibly articulate, she flies from topic to topic with masterful ease. She talks of her friends in the audience who are about to be married, a singing stint in prison, her adorable sister (present at the show), and much more. By the end of the evening, it feels like time well spent with a good friend.

Musical director Victoria Theodore also accompanies on piano. Her consistently strong playing is especially highlighted in “God Bless the Child” (Billie Holiday) where she really lets out the stops.

Though Bali’s The Power of Love was a one-night-only event, the Bay Area and cabaret audiences will certainly see and hear more of this formidable talent. Hopefully, much more!

For Vandana Bali ‘s calendar of upcoming performances, go to www.vandana.net .