Photo: David Andrako
Most women are loath to tell their age. Not Mary Wilson, the former Supreme now holding court at the Café Carlyle. When you see her, as you absolutely must, you will understand why 75 is a point of pride. Sassy and smart, sublime and simply gorgeous, she commands the stage, singing songs you know. When she forgets the lyrics to the 1966 hit, “My World is Empty Without You,” she’ll tell you, I was too busy doing my “oohs, ahs, and baby babies” behind Diana Ross (also 75, by the way) to actually say those words. And the audience, eating it up, helps her out, even as she segues into “Fever.” We are all backups for the night.
In a way, the Supremes are classic, but a distant memory. Motown itself is celebrating its 60th year. At the Carlyle, Wilson pays homage to favorites, singing “Stormy Weather” for Lena Horne, “When October Goes” for Nancy Wilson. She doesn’t shy away from the next generation with Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why.” “Smile,” “I Remember You,” “The Girl from Ipanema,” “The Look of Love,” are all highlights of her repertoire backed by an excellent band: Eugene Perez on bass, Paul Livant on guitar, Donzell Davis on drums, and Mark Zier on piano. And did I say she’s funny? “Dreamgirls,” she says, “wasn’t about us. They would have paid me.”
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