Kenny White will be playing a Saturday-night residency at the Café Carlyle
Café Carlyle
35 East 76th St. at Madison Ave.
Saturdays, February 19 – March 12, general seating $40, bar $30, 10:45
212-744-1600
www.myspace.com/kennywhitemusic
www.thecarlyle.com
In the liner notes to his fourth full-length solo album, 2010’s COMFORT IN THE STATIC, Kenny White explains, “There are days when you play the lead character in your life, but as an observer.” Although he was referring specifically to “Out of My Element,” the first song written but last recorded for the disc, he could have been talking about his professional career. He started writing songs when he was eight and has spent much of his life as a writer and producer of pop tunes and commercials for other artists, ranging from Gladys Knight, Linda Ronstadt, and Dwight Yoakam to Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn, and Peter Wolf. He released his first solo album, UNINVITED GUEST, in 2001, and followed that up with 2005’s SYMPHONY IN 16 BARS and 2006’s NEVER LIKE THIS. On February 19, he’ll begin a four-week Saturday-night residency at the Café Carlyle, where he’ll play his ironic, cynical, highly engaging songs at a venue where performers such as Barbara Cook, Barbara Carroll, the late Bobby Short, and Woody Allen & the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band usually rely on familiar standards. But White will be in good company on those nights, following Judy Collins, who will be at the Carlyle February 15 – March 12, playing Tuesdays through Saturdays with musical director Russell Walden; Collins is the founder of Wildfllower Records, White’s label since 2005. White discussed Collins, the Carlyle, playing out of his element, and Palookaville in our latest twi-ny talk.
twi-ny: Last summer you played one of Levon Helm’s Midnight Rambles. What was that experience like?
Kenny White: Any time you can get to share a stage with one of the architects of rock & roll, it’s a memorable occasion. The event itself shows that the magnetic pull of intimate, organic soul music is still plenty powerful, despite obituaries to the contrary. And to be a part of that experience . . . that’s just icing on the cake. Right down to singing the first verse of “The Weight” directly in front of the man who gave the song its heart. Then the added bonus of having Donald Fagen on the other side of the stage. A deeply fulfilling evening for me and my band.
twi-ny: The Café Carlyle on the Upper East Side is very different from the Midnight Ramble in Woodstock. How do you think your unique brand of ironic, cynical songwriting, particularly on COMFORT IN THE STATIC, will go over in a venue used to more traditional cabaret and jazz?
Kenny White will be featuring songs from his latest album, 2010's COMFORT IN THE STATIC, at the Carlyle
Kenny White: I guess we’re going to find out! My songs, even though not widely known, seem to resonate with folks who are looking for lyrics to which they can relate. People who have been around the block once or twice can be satisfied with “unrequited love” or “poor me” songs for just so long. The Café Carlyle has long been a watering hole for the worldly and discerning. And I believe what they’re looking for does not need to be defined by musical genre. If it’s good, they’ll like it. If it’s not . . . Palookaville!
twi-ny: Since 2005, you’ve been part of the Judy Collins Wildflower family, which also includes such artists as Amy Speace, Wes Charlton, and Ralston Bowles. What has that meant to your career?
Kenny White: It means a support system for what could otherwise be a very isolated line of work. Wildflower Records was established by an artist, which, right away, gives it a head start. All the above artists are in touch with each other and are always mutually encouraging and inspiring. And Judy, along with [label president] Katherine DePaul, has an innate understanding of the temperament of the artist. Especially one that started out a couple of minutes past what might be considered the “video friendly” hour.