"Gee Whiz" by Bernadette Peters

Song#:  0105
Date:  03/29/1980
Debut:  88
Peak:  31
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  A Broadway legend, Peters began her career in the theater and on TV as a kid and had roles on Broadway in the 60s. She stopped the stage work in the 70s and worked primarily in TV and films - most notably in "The Jerk" with Steve Martin. Peters returned to Broadway in the 80s where she remained a fixture and cemented her status as one of the greats of the medium, in addition to being considered the best interpreter of Stephen Sondheim's work. Along the way she was nominated for seven Tony awards, winning two. In the early 80s she released a pair of pop albums with the first self-titled one generating this Top 40 single.

ReduxReview:  As much as I love Ms. Peters, this retro-Stax soul song pales in comparison to the original (see below). It's not bad at all, but Peters voice does not suit interpreting early soul/R&B songs. It kind of sounds like an outtake from the "Grease" soundtrack but a little less doo-wop-ee. It's a dish of soul served up a little cold and bland.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Soul/R&B singer Carla Thomas wrote this song and took it to #10 in 1961. She was often referred to as the Queen of Memphis Soul.

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