November 5, 2004

Cabaret Guide

selective listing by critics of The Times: New or noteworthy cabaret shows in Manhattan this weekend. * denotes a highly recommended show. Full reviews of recent cabaret shows: nytimes.com/music.

BARBARA CARROLL, Oak Room, Algonquin Hotel, 59 West 44th Street, (212) 419-9331. The Lady of a Thousand Songs is back in the Oak Room for Sunday brunch and evening performances. This elegant, red-headed pianist and singer is a poised entertainer whose impeccable pianism belongs to the school of jazz that maintains a sense of classical decorum at the keyboard. Even when swinging out, she remains an impressionist with special affinities for Thelonious Monk and bossa nova. Vocally, she belongs to the conversational tradition of Mabel Mercer with a style that's blasé but never cold. Sunday at 2 and 8 p.m. Cover: $55 at 2, including brunch at noon; $80 at 8, with dinner served at 6:30.   STEPHEN HOLDEN

MELISSA MANCHESTER, Feinstein's at the Regency, Regency Hotel, 540 Park Avenue, at 61st Street, (212) 339-4095. The one-time reigning diva of Arista Records has adopted a back-to-basics approach to her music, toning down her brassiness to reach back to her early days as a smoky voiced singer-songwriter. Old hits like "Come In From the Rain" and "Don't Cry Out Loud" are revisited in a quieter mode. Her voice, unfortunately, is considerably the worse for wear. And new songs that aspire to take a longer, deeper view of life and love are marred by lyrics that reduce honest sentiments to greeting-card banalities. Tonight and tomorrow night at 8:30 and 11. Cover: $60; $40 minimum at the early shows, $30 for the late shows.   HOLDEN

BOBBY SHORT, Cafe Carlyle, Carlyle Hotel, 35 East 76th Street, (212) 570-7189. After announcing his semi-retirement last year from performing at the Cafe Carlyle, this legendary singer and pianist changed his mind and is back in action for another season. Mr. Short never fails to conjure ebullient party spirits and has impeccable taste in songs. Expect to hear at least one of his three signature songs, "Guess Who's in Town?," "Just One of Those Things" and "Romance in the Dark," along with something by one of the two Dukes (Ellington and Vernon). Tonight and tomorrow night at 8:45 and 10:45. Cover: $95.   HOLDEN

* PAULA WEST AND THE ERIC REED TRIO, Oak Room, Algonquin Hotel, 59 West 44th Street, (212) 419-9331. This San Francisco jazz singer has always relished transgressing stylistic conventions. Her new show includes a folk-jazz-rap version of Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues," which she turns into a slurred mouthful of pure jazz rhythm. Her mischievous streak also asserts itself in slyly updated versions of Cole Porter's "At Long Last Love" and "Anything Goes," that mention phenomena like nonfat creamer, the Hilton sisters and reality television. Her thoughtful renditions of "Stormy Weather" and "Black and Blue" find her emerging as a heavyweight balladeer. Tonight and tomorrow night at 9 and 11:30. Cover: $50; $40 prix fixe dinner at the early shows, $20 minimum at the late shows.   HOLDEN