[Reviewed at Lincoln Center] Actually, it's quite a lot besides the blues, which is the problem with this great idea / so-so execution of a revue, whose Tony nomination and good word of mouth have assured it a move out of Lincoln Center and into the Ambassador for the autumn.
Creators Charles Bevel, Lita Gaithers, Randal Myler, Ron Taylor and Dan Wheetman earn points for simplicity. The concept: put a talented cast on stage and let them sing three dozen classic, bluesy tunes, including ballads, rave-ups, down n' dirty swamp ditties and gospel rousers. As such, we get a knock-out rendition of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You," given a feminist twist by Eloise Laws; a sly "Candy Man," courtesy of Dan Wheetman, and a thumpingly good "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man" from Ron Taylor, who, alas, suffered a stroke a few weeks into the show but is expected back by late summer. (Ken Page has taken over during the recuperation period.)
The serious flaw of It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues, aside from its shrill over-miking (hey, that's standard for all musicals these days, isn't it?), is its over-inclusiveness. So desperate are the creators to show how country, folk and pop were influenced by the blues, they throw in songs with only peripheral blues connections, such as "Good Night, Irene" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." Great songs they may be, but they water down the concept and unduly lengthen the evening. It's just a little patronizing to think Mississippi John Hurt, Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson, Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King and Muddy Waters can't carry a show all by their lonesome.
