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Kenny Rankin

 ((Catalina Bar & Grill, Hollywood; 105 seats; $ 15))

By PHIL GALLO

Presented inhouse. Band: Rankin, Mike Wofford, Brian Bromberg, Roy McCurdy. Reviewed June 28, 1995. The long-lost pop-folkie from the '70s re-emerges with a collection of standards ("Professional Dreamer" on Private Music) and, despite an astute backup trio, it's far too clear how Kenny Rankin hasn't grown up with these songs the way jazz singers have. The disc strongly suggests a vocalist inspired by the great femme warblers -- Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan -- and in concert he embellishes on that source by tossing in some Chet Bakerisms -- high quivers, a dash of distanced remorse, narrowing what is already a thin though appealing vocal range.
 

He turns his ignorance about the songs' composers into humorous bits -- it's the lyrics, he says, that appeal to him, not who wrote what -- but it comes off as arrogant disrespect.

The man should know who wrote "Love Is Here to Stay" and "Blame It on My Youth."

That's not to say his hour-plus opening set didn't have its moments. He supplied a tremendous bounce to "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" and showed his sensuous ease with a ballad on "I Fall in Love Too Easily" and "Don't Explain."

Bassist Brian Bromberg had far too many solo turns, but the band was a perfect enhancement to Rankin, though it could use a second lead instrument for extra flavor. And pianist Mike Wofford's romantic touches were kept too much in check.

Perhaps a history course and development of a greater sense of dynamics could add heft to this show. Rankin's act contains too little novelty to make it stand out in a growing field that still has a master -- Tony Bennett -- setting the standard. He needs to add a major dose of personality to his act and spend more nights in clubs to develop the serenity of jazz and eliminate the traces of a supper club/lounge singer.