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News > The Reno Philharmonic's Pops on the River with singer Lynn Roberts is as good as it gets
The Reno Philharmonic's Pops on the River with singer Lynn Roberts is as good as it gets July 11, 2005 When big-band singer Lynn Roberts sings "Sunny Side of the Street" she might just as well be singing about her look, vitality and youthful singing voice. Miss Roberts is clearly on the sunny side of whatever age she wants to be. Let's say she's on the sunny side of 70, she was born in 1935, but looks and sounds and has the vitality of performers more than half her age. Lynn Roberts was the star of this year's Reno Philharmonic "Pops on the River" Saturday night (7/9/2005) played out before a gusto crowd of thousands (at least three). Miss Roberts, who has an impressive professional resume - she's sung with a pile of greats including the Dorseys (Tommy and Jimmy) - is nothing less than sensational. She made this year's tenth anniversary "Pops on the River" (for those who don't know, the Truckee River flows with speed and grace through downtown Reno) as memorable an evening as Reno has had since the heyday of the great star singers who once regularly adorned Reno casino showrooms. The Reno Philharmonic was reconfigured by conductor Barry Jekowsky to look and sound more like those great house orchestras Reno and Las Vegas used to love having and audiences used to love hearing. With a big-band sax section, brasses and percussion (anchored by the fabulous drumming of Tony Savage), plus the strings of a symphony orchestra the sounds were there for a thrilling evening of music. And thrill it did. Miss Roberts worked her way through a tribute to Doris Day that would have shaken the rafters, if the concert had been indoors. Instead it was the most wonderful "Shakin' the Blues Away" under the soft glow of a gorgeous Reno evening, along with superb vocal renderings of "Lullaby of Broadway," "Goodnight Baby," "I'll See You in My Dreams," "Love Me or Leave Me," and many more songs the great Doris Day made her own and Lynn Roberts now makes her own. I can't leave the Lynn Roberts' portion of this review without mentioning the affinity the singer has for the fabulous Judy Garland. "You Made Me Love You," with soulful trumpeting by Paul Lenz, and a poignant "Over The Rainbow" made me think how much I've missed Garland's handling of a song and how terrific it is to be in the company of a singer, Lynn Roberts, who too knows how to reach deep down into a song and make it something very special. Thanks for the memories Miss Roberts. You, too, are very special. The remainder of the program was also topnotch and heavily in touch with nostalgia. Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing" with Tony Savage doing the drumming honors with a strong assist from Maestro Jekowsky - no slouch himself in the drumming business - was given a knockout performance. As a march back in time to showcase important Reno Phil workers, the orchestra played Leopold Mozart's Toy Symphony with those all-important workers chiming in with the toys Leopold Mozart may or may not have had in mind. It was a charming moment of fun with music and entirely appropriate for the occasion. And what would a parks pops concert be without hoopla and fire works? A dazzling arrangement of "God Bless America" - the song written by Mr. And Mrs. Mackay's son-in-law (of Mackay Mines and Stadium fame), the legendary Irving Berlin - ended the program in the grand fashion and high style the entire program had been played. Bravo to all involved for a thrilling tenth anniversary "Pops on the River." For information regarding upcoming Reno Philharmonic concerts and events call 775-323-6393. For Jack Neal's Reno-Sparks on-air entertainment commentary and reviews tune into KUNR-FM (88.7) Fridays at 5:30 p.m. |
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