ELISABETH CERNADAS & LES BANDITS— 2/28/10.

"Using mostly material from the 1960s, sung in French and English, Les Bandits’ show is fascinating and unusual—to say the least—in its musical accompaniment: all on the small cabaret stage, we have a glockenspiel, melodica, sax (these three all by Chris Shade) cello, bass, ukulele, drums, percussion. And a harp! Versatile, glowing and girlish, with lovely high tones, Elisabeth Cernadas does all the singing and spoken intros. Certainly this is an ensemble triumph. They appreciatively listen to each other and have a striking serenity. Intelligent, and a valentine to the music and era, joy radiates and the musicianship is as marvelous to drink in as to watch being played: struck, strummed, bowed, etc. Whatever they play and sing—Oscar Brown, Jr.’s “Forbidden Fruit,” a couple from The Beatles’ White album (“Rocky Raccoon,” “Blackbird”) and “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” (in French!!), their original “Uke Song,” French poetry, sweet innocence or knowing sophistication—it’s all smartly done, fresh, winsome, and unaffected. Fantastique." —Rob Lester Cabaret Scenes