By Sandi Durell
Rita Wilson is not only the real thing, but a delightful presence to listen to and behold at the Café Carlyle. She’s like your best girlfriend – easy to be with, fun and funny, and tells it like it is. Celebrating the upcoming release of her second CD, Rita Wilson, the room was packed with fans, friends and her loving and supportive husband Tom Hanks. And, she’s celebrating more than this CD: also a recently won battle with breast cancer and a double mastectomy while she was on Broadway in 2015’s Fish in the Dark.
Wilson’s new CD features her collaborations of self-penned songs that fit easily into her pop-rock-folksy voice, that can be a mixture of Joan Baez, Sheryl Crow, Judy Collins – revealing songs about life and love. She’s got an easy, comfortable style that invites you into her world and a great sense of humor.
“Lucky Girl” relates how she’d almost given up on finding a mate who would love her as she loves him, as she frequently acknowledged her beaming husband from the stage; a ballad of forgiveness – “Forgiving Me, Forgiving You;” a look at contemporary life – her take on the Weekend song “Can’t Feel My Face” (it’s all about Botox) and the delivery couldn’t be more on target and comical. A highlight tune called “Girls Nite In” – something all the girlfriends would have a blast singing.
Her terrific supportive musicians include Steve Fekete, on guitar and backup vocals, Lee Nadel on bass, Rob Mounsey on keys and Rich Mercurio on drums.
Rita Wilson will be holding court at Café Carlyle thru March 5th (35 East 76 St. ) 212 744-1600 www.thecafecarlyle.com
Photos: David Andrako for Cafe Carlyle
