“My Original Plan Unplugged” with Joannie Pallatto Brought a Tasty Slice of Chicago to the Big Apple

By Marilyn Lester***A fresh breeze from the Windy City blew gracefully into Pangea with singer-songwriter Joannie Pallatto and company. The singer was celebrating her latest CD in My Original Plan Unplugged with guitarist Fareed Haque and pianist-composer Bradley Parker-Sparrow, with special guests dancer Tânia Daley (who made interpretive dance appearances from time to time in the show), and actor-vocalist Bill Nolte. In truth, the set list did reach back into other classic Pallatto works in addition to compositions featured in her new CD My Original Plan (Southport Records), but that made the evening all the richer. In their collective work, Pallatto’s troupe added a mighty tasty slice of Chicago to the Big Apple.

Although the set included two numbers with accompaniment by Sparrow, the singer’s collaborator and husband, the bulk of it was by guitar virtuoso Haque, whose artistry complemented Pallatto’s harmonically and empathically. The richness of the former’s guitar blended in a most pleasing way with the timbre of the latter’s smooth alto. The result, apparent from the opener, “Apart” (Pallatto, music and lyrics) was also a revelation in Pallatto’s capacity as a lyric writer. With other numbers, such as “Do Butterflies Cry?” (Pallatto music and lyrics; Sparrow, lyrics) it was easy to understand she lives her writing; they are a part of her fabric. As the set progressed, it became even more apparent that her ability setting a story is akin to other philosopher-poet lyricists of song. Joni Mitchell comes to mind, as does Susan Vega, Leonard Cohen and others who have the capacity to deepen words with meaning. Her manner, generally upbeat and cheerful, appropriately morphs to match the intention of her lyric—the hallmark of a great storyteller.

A little after the halfway mark of the set, Haque played a solo medley of two original numbers, “Manresa” and “Elvizan,” showing the full range of his talent. Haque is a Chicago native, born of a Pakistani father and Chilean mother whose frequent world travels included their son. The guitarist’s ethos is steeped in these traditions, informed by training in classical guitar and subsequent experience in the pop and jazz worlds. His “Manresa” was a revelation, bearing hints of the artistry of the Spanish classical guitar legend, Andrés Segovia (1893-1987).

Accomplished and personable actor Bill Nolte has been a friend of Pallatto’s since their university days together. During the evening he acted as congenial emcee and participated in a few numbers, including the witty “The Confessional” (Pallatto music and lyrics) in which he played “The Priest.” The title song of album and show, “My Original Plan” (Pallatto music and lyrics) was a melodic, toe-tapping finale featuring all cast members. Pallatto et. al. in My Original Plan Unplugged served up a generous slice or two of prime Chicago talent for Apple audiences. It’s an artistic serving that deserves a return from the Windy City. New York awaits.