Diandra Reviews It All

Photos By David Andrako

When Sophie B Hawkins discussed her role as Janis Joplin in Gigi Gaston’s Room 105: The Highs And Lows Of Janis Joplin, suddenly, everything came full circle for me. The songstress voice goes beyond raspy into porous territory; where it seams as if every vocal note latches and leaks through the sponge rock she calls a vocal box. The result is a cabaret show with one of the most deliciously distinctive voices you will ever hear.

Hawkins IS a performer. She bounces around, grabs a bongo for a riff, and puts forward grated and gritted vocal notes as if her emotions were carving knives; not one key leaves her without being slashed and shaped by a sentimental dagger. Hence, when she sang songs like, “I Can’t Replace You” and “Better Off Without You”, her voice and star quality radiated. These songs were my favorites, and also new releases. As she went on the piano, she became the human embodiment of a fractured heart. Hawkins’ voice know hows to evoke how basically horrible it is to love someone and not be loved back. We all can hear 100 beautiful ballads about how our heart was spread and cooked by a scornful lover, but Hawkins has a voice that IS the ballad. Her lyrics may be poetic in how they describe the way life can go wrong from day to day, but her voice shows how wrong “wrong” can feel unlike any other singer. Hence, the dynamism of her barefoot stomps and hair tosses enrapture the crowd who wonder if she is singing to release love’s ills and darker spirits like, in her Janis Joplin covers “Piece Of My Heart/ Ball And Chain”. Of course, not every song was about pain. “You Are My Balloon” was a beautiful dedication to her baby girl, and the re-discovery of love in her arms. Moreover, Hawkins has a dry wit that makes you laugh out loud. Now onto the food!

With every show, comes the meals of the night:

Appetizer: Butternut Squash.

Succulent, creamy, and with a slight sweetness, it was given to us in a small cup but a little was a lot. Truthfully, it felt like vegetable soup version of warm cocoa, and we loved it.

Main Course: Poached Salmon.

Blessed with a wine and butter broth, this salmon was the equivalent of tenderness. For me, it was seasoned just right, although my date for the night, claimed it needed a tad bit more salt. Like most of Carlyle platters, they really lean more on how the foods natural flavors combine together to create a taste palette, then on seasonings, which is why in both price and literal culinary choices it is not for everyone. I always find Cafe Carlyle’s food to feel healthy and taste light, which is really good for people that suffer digestive ailments or stomach issues.

The Salmon was accompanied with roasted vegetable, of which I agreed were not seasoned at all, but the salmon came with just a little extra broth to dip a cauliflower. Once again, it was cooked to perfection, but not bursting with flavor.

Dessert: New York Cheesecake With Passion Fruit

The dessert is the only time Carlyle really allowed itself to decadent. Slices are small and thin because, one bite, and, suddenly you are in the tropics. Passion Fruit is one of my FAVORITE flavors in the word. Its combination of sugary, tartness dripping over that salty, cheesy foundation gave some breathe into the night’s debate: to season more or let the flavor stand.

On Sophie B. Hawkins Run Until June 29 At The Cafe Carlyle Click Here.