Reviewing an evening of cabaret given recently by Barbara Cook at the Cafe Carlyle, New York Times writer Stephen Holden, praising Cook to the skies, lamented the general downturn in the culture at large as regards the effective and artful singing of songs.

"Let's not kid ourselves: the ascendance of "American Idol," and its turning of music into sports, signals the end of American popular song as we know it. Its ritual slaughter of songs allows no message to be carried, no wisdom to be communicated, other than the screamed and belted song of the self."

For those who agree with that assessment and would like to hear something classy, Barbara Cook will be performing at the Carlyle through May 27. (By Scott Rose)