Aussie Singer Karen Jacobsen Wows Cutting Room Crowd November 16, 2005 Written by Terry Malony

Outside the doors of The Cutting Room on W. 24th Street the rain poured down and the winds howled, but inside it was all sunny weather at singer/songwriter Karen Jacobsen's benefit concert for Refugees International. It was standing room only as the beautiful and talented Karen held the room of 200 in the palm of her lovely hand as she performed songs from her initial CD, Here in My Heart, as well as several new numbers from her next release.

Karen sings of love lost and found, of courage, of believing in yourself and of overcoming odds. And this exceptional woman is living proof of taking a chance and making a dream come true.

Opening with the upbeat The Best I Can, a song about long-distance relationships ("I'm gonna fly up there gonna see you any day now"), and London Town, about bouncing back from disappointment ("On the way to happy feelings"), Karen alternated between sitting at the piano and standing with mike in hand. In a gorgeous hand-sequined green dress by designer Nicole Coyle, she radiated an irresistable "girl next door" sex appeal, with the demanor of a confident performer who believes in her material and delivers it right from the heart.

The next three songs were from Karen's untitled second CD: the very catchy Merry Go Round, Take A Little Drive and the most poignant song of the evening, the soulful I Believe in This Man, dedicated by the newlywed to her husband Tom. Although she described it as "perfect for Patti LaBelle," I can't imagine anyone but Karen performing this song; the quiet passion of her lyrics and voice casting a spell over the room.

You're OK from Here in My Heart followed, with its cheery advice to "keep keeping the faith," then it was back to the new stuff including Where I WIll Make My Home, The River of Life and, my personal favorite from her next CD, the quirky Amazing/Crazy ("If I am so amazing why is everything so crazy?")

The final numbers were new material, including Melting Moments and Kissing Someone Else, but then it was back to the "oldies" with the title track from Here in My Heart, performed by the little girl from Mackay, Queensland for her folks back home. Karen ended the evening with what can be described as her signature song, the powerful anthem Strong Woman.

Terry Maloney and Karen Jacobsen

During a break, Sally Chin from Refugees International spoke movingly about the work of that incredible organization and funds were raised to support RI's work in Africa and other troubled areas.

Karen was backed by her very talented and rocking band, which includes Richard Hammond on bass, Joe Bonadio on drums, Josh Dodes on keyboards, Marcus Wolf on guitar and Jenny Bruce doing vocals.

Her opening act was blues/folk singer Taylor Brown.

Despite the stormy weather, this was one of those perfectly marvelous Manhattan evenings. Karen Jacobsen is a wonderful "gift from Down Under" to New Yorkers and to all music lovers--and lovers of all kinds!--by T. Maloney

(You can listen to Here in My Heart at Karen's website: www.karenjacobsen.com.)