I love to dress up for Max Raabe. I’ve seen him perform at Carnegie Hall twice with his Palast Orchester, the first time – a year ago – during the Berlin In Lights Festival and again this year on March 4th. There is just no performer quite like him. He is a small man – tiny from where I was sitting – but his voice is larger than life. Not only does it fill Carnegie Hall but it sweeps  each audience member up in pure music. His melodies, that is, the melodies of Germany’s 1920′s and 30′s, and every note that he hits with such nonchalance and elegance, seem to sweep you up and pierce your soul. And yes, I do include my favorite song “Mein Gorilla hat ‘ne Villa im Zoo” (translation: My Gorilla Has A Villa in the Zoo) in this analogy.

©Sarah Girner