MUSIC REVIEW

Men's chorus jives to '50s

How much you'll enjoy the River City Men's Chorus' season-opening concert depends a good deal on how nostalgic you are for 60-year-old-plus classic tunes.

But the men of the chorus, in snazzy yellow bow ties and cummerbunds, certainly performed the program, called "Heart and Soul: Music of the '50s," impeccably Sunday at Little Rock's Trinity United Methodist Church.

Several soloists contributed to the concert's top moments, including tenor Jerry Woods' vocal gymnastics in "Only You" (that must have been a fun audition). Guest soprano Dina Rail brought down the house, out-Reynoldsing Debbie in "Tammy."

Reed player Barry McVinney, part of a three-piece instrumental ensemble, kept things sax-y, on tenor in "Sway," on baritone behind "Blue Suede Shoes" and on alto atop "Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay."

Music Director David Glaze put his pianism on display, with a little help from "assistant pianist" Ben Gilbert, in "Heart and Soul." And just when you wondered why there was no choreography on Johnny Otis' "Willie and the Hand Jive," five choristers stepped out and did it, much to the crowd's delight.

Not everything was quite that successful: "Great Balls of Fire," "Get a Job" and "Mona Lisa" don't really work so well as choral numbers.

Glaze and the chorus will repeat the program at 7 p.m. today and Thursday at the church, 1101 N. Mississippi St. Admission is free; get there early (doors open one hour before "curtain") to snag a seat and a parking space. Call (501) 377-1080 or visit rivercitymenschorus.com.

Metro on 09/15/2014

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