Mama's Big Ones with Amy Armstrong - The Life and Music of Cass Elliot Gary R. Beck - Beck's Best
March 18, 2016

Theater-goers are aware that Amy has one strong, bold and clear voice. This show is very appropriate for her talents. So, the anticipation in the crowd was palpable. There was a buzz, a nervousness and excited hum. But there was no fear we would be disappointed by this star our town is blessed to receive and enjoy yearly. A different side of Amy and her super talent was being seen tonight. She stood alone with accompanying piano. This allowed the audience to hear Amy at the forefront with light background music, placing her strong voice at the forefront.

Jean-Guy has become known as a leading accompanist as has Bob Bruneau. His mastery of the keyboard is astounding. In discussions with Amy, he revealed he taught music to young children for dozens of years in Canada and has lived here full-time for over 13 years.

Amy grew to love several facets about Mama Cass, who preferred to be known as Cass Elliot. Her vocal depth and range enthralled Amy as did her choice of lyrics, having meaning in her songs, not merely sing-song tunes or uptempo dance beats. The result was turning that love and respect into a tribute to this legendary singer of The Mamas and The Papas, who enjoyed hit singles only from 1965-1968, but through their marvelous blending of voices became enormously beloved worldwide and are now deemed a classic rock n' roll group.

Cass expressed her desire to sing with performances at cabarets. Her music was soft and bluesy-jazzy with fine renditions of torch songs included in her repertoire. Whether she sang bold harmonies with other group members or solo in very impressive songs, she became a force in the realm of music. Amy kicked off the beautiful evening with "Don't Call Me Mama Anymore" from 1973.
The song was born out of Elliot's frustration with being identified as "Mama Cass". Amy continued with a smoothly floating love song "Ain't Nobody Else Like You". Amy caressed the notes, gliding from the low ones to the upper regions.

She expressed optimistic hope in "I'm Coming to the Best Part of my Life". Many of the guests sat in awe of Amy's abilities and her possession of a voice which could be on any stage in the world. Through eleven seasons performing locally, her fan base has grown steadily with word of mouth directing music lovers to her shows. Her visits here have grown happily from a solitary week to a full four months each season, much to the delight of so very many locals and visitors alike.

Amy cited Cass' fame with the world-class group by offering a soft, romantic rendition of "California Dreamin'" She was literally stunning. "Music is a beautiful part of life" said Amy and we could not agree more. "Different" expressed thoughts Cass had been experiencing: "It's not so bad to be different, to do your own thing and do it with heart. Different is heartache. Different is pain. But I'd rather be different than be the same" Amy added real feelings to these lyrics and we grew to understand this woman all the more. "New World Coming" was delivered with great hope by Amy just as Cass might have hoped with the social upheaval of the 60's into the 70's.

Reflecting on Cass' beginnings in country-wide cabarets, Amy rendered "Wild Women [Don't Get the Blues]", 1924 vaudeville-style blues song made popular by icons Bessie Smith and Francine Reed. At that time, Cass was with The Big 3, followed by The Mugwumps.

Act Two brought Amy on stage as flower child Cass of the 60's. Although she said the long dark wig was hot, she certainly looked the part. She credited Miss Conception for laboring on the wig and Paco Ojeda for his film and video clips which were projected on the backdrop screen. The artistic community of Puerto Vallarta is tight, friendly and helpful and those people who attend shows often gain from their camaraderie. "Make Your Own Kind of Music" illustrated Cass' artistic desires which she fulfilled and Amy accommodated. Cass Elliot was a force not a joke, as Amy described. "Dream a Little Dream of Me" illustrated this point, starting slow and delicate then building up to a driving vocal presentation. Amy Armstrong is an accomplished entertainer and takes the listeners on her journey filled with love and respect of Cass.

"I Can Dream, Can't I" expressed Cass' frustrations with loving a man who did not love her back. Our hearts ached for her as Amy delivered this fine song in her own special way. Enriched by and educated about this woman, the audience slowly vacated the room. Amy also continues her run with our Argentine sweethearts, Bohemia Viva, in Spanglish II through April 3. The show is all-new and a terrific night not to be missed.

To learn more about the life of Cass Elliot visit www.casselliot.com.

Mama's Big Ones with Amy Armstrong will be performed at The Palm Cabaret with 7:00 shows on March 21, 24, 28 and 29.

Tickets may be purchased at the Palm Cabaret Box Office, Olas Altas 508 in Old Town Vallarta (opens daily at 10:00 am), telephone is (322) 222-0200, or you may purchase tickets online at Vallarta Tickets.