ISABELthe savvy multitalented modern diva...

by maximillien de lafayette, syndicated columnist

 

She is not the greatest singer in New York City but, as long as she is on stage, nobody would leave the room. For, her stage presence imposes respect upon the audience, draws you to her magnetic charisma, and creates a friendly and extremely pleasant ambiance around you. She is not the sweetest woman you will meet in your life, in a club or at the work place, but her sincerity, the tenderness and truthfulness of her singing  surround you with a rainbow of  cozy, comfy, pleasant, friendly and warm vibes. She loves her craft and she excels in delivering her songs with discipline, nonchalant theatrical structure and permissible authority. She might forget some lines, a fraction of a refrain, as it happened quite frequently with many stage and concerts  giants. But she is so witty, clever and honest about it. She admits it. She jokes about it. Yep! when she misses a line or two, she smiles with grace, sensually turns in the direction of  her pianist/arranger and asks him  "Where are we" and the audience does not mind. Because, Isabel Rose is so good on stage. Because the "Rose" has already electrified the audience, the band, the curious, the fans and gave them the best time of their lives. Either you like this woman or you don't. With Isabel Rose, there is no TAO middle path. Fortunately or unfortunately, Isabel Rose the "entertainer" ( As she preferred to be called) is NOT the same Isabel Rose you meet in a sidewalk-cafe, at Barnes & Noble or the powerful singer who has just finished her act and on her way out, does not return your hello. On stage, Isabel Rose is TOTALLY a different woman, a divergent personality and a mirage of a reality. And this renders her enigmatic, femme fatale without drama and danger, and an artist who forces you to redefine your priorities in life and where you are. Too much substance and too much intensity this woman brings to her surrounding. Add, a savvy New Yorker mannerism with an attitude...An extreme generosity with sense of protocol and gratitude, and blend the whole damned ingredients altogether with "uncalculated class" and multidimensional talents and you get the formula or elixir of a SUPERB NIGHTCLUB ENTERTAINER; the middle name of Ms. Rose. Her superb stage presence is more formidable than her singing talent.

Rose will have hard time singing with a big orchestra led by a stubborn and pompous conductor, for she will "over-ride him". Her passion on stage, her ad infinitum love for her singing career and Herculean belief in what she does as a singer and an artist will tip the balance and create new "measuring scale" if confronted by a Prima Dona conductor. She is powerful with a very very very strong persona and artistic presence. I felt it while listening to her on stage. But, I did not feel this "delightful threat"  while interviewing her. You sense the drama on her face, in her voice but, you don't feel it in her musical projection. This is a very clever and talented performer. She reminds me of the superb talent of a Bolchoi lead ballerina who effortlessly and gracefully draws and throws in the air splashes of mesmerizing choreographies and hypnotic theatrical acrobatics without showing any sign of fatigue and muscular discomfort. In showbiz, we call it "Perfect Showmanship". In Rose's case, it becomes "Perfect Show-womanship" at its best. Isabel Rose has all the qualities, the prerequisites, the pluses and the minuses of an international star. This woman is on her way to a global stardom. One single major break in her career, and Isabel Rose will shine brighter than all the fireworks of the 4th of July and the lights of Times Square. However, Rose strongly believes that a multifaceted-talented artist without defined persona and style could and would  succeed in showbiz. Ironically enough, I hate to disagree with Ms. Rose. Nevertheless, her tenacious conviction seems to work for her. However, this strong artistic belief and personal conviction in immeasurably autonomous esthetic and undefined artistic cache might halt Rose's fast ascension to the throne of stardom. I hope, I am wrong. And I hope Ms. Rose will excuse my impertinence. But Ms. Rose's abundant and varied talents in many areas, imposing intelligence, high level of education, remarkably flavored culture and overwhelming artistic creativity will easily secure her a place of honor in the world of performing arts, theater and music. Most certainly, you will enjoy the performances of Ms Rose. No doubt, you will have a most enchanted and delightful time listening to this captivating diva and watching her on stage, metamorphosing from a 1940's silver screen star to a flashy-dashy entertainer from Manhattan to a sophisticated torch singer on world stage, BUT, you will never fully absorb the depth, the strength, the noble soul, and sometimes "pinching, rebellious" nature of Isabel Rose until you talk to her. Or, until, you say Hello to her and Isabel Rose does not return the greeting. She is complicated but, her "complication" is tempered with apparent warmth and integrity. She is demanding and forceful but, her sense of duty and accomplishments are tolerated, for her talent is larger than the world you live in. I met with Ms. Rose on two occasions. I meant to say I met with so many "Roses" blooming"  in "One Fabulous Rose". To know more about this remarkable woman and defying artist, read the interview on the following pages. Her answers are self-explanatory.

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