Actor and cabaret artist Kim David Smith will release his new album, Mostly Marlene, on digital and streaming platforms March 21. The work celebrates the music associated with German-American artist Marlene Dietrich, along with additional selections from Smith's repertoire. Before the album's release, get a first listen to Smith's German-language rendition of the title song from Cabaret in the video above.
Mostly Marlene was recorded live at Joe's Pub, and Smith will return to the venue to celebrate the album's release with a concert March 21. Click for tickets.
The album features guest vocalists Bright Light Bright Light and Sidney Myer, as well as studio duets with Charles Busch, Joey Arias, Ali McGregor, and Smith's mother Linda Randall. Music director Tracy Stark accompanies Smith on piano with Matt Podd on accordion, Skip Ward on bass, and David Silliman on drums.
鈥�Mostly Marlene is a 21-track behemoth of joyous gay sensibilities; Minnelli, Minogue, and of course, Marlene, are manifested not only in the idolatry practice of queer worship (arguably an art form in and of itself), but also as a musical tableau against which I exist in my gayest form: as an internationally fame-ish cabaret nuisance," Smith said in a statement. "Releasing this record in 2025 feels akin to an act of protest, in fact, I declare it as such: wreathing myself in the music of one of the world鈥檚 most celebrated bisexuals, I pronounce myself QUEER with every whispered aside, and every belted show tune alike, and in the listening of Mostly Marlene, I invite my audience to celebrate queer existence as resistance.鈥�
Highlights of the track list include selections performed by Dietrich throughout her film career, such as "Falling in Love Again," "The Boys in the Back Room," and more, along with songs she performed in concert and recorded in-studio. Smith also offers his rendition of Kylie Minogue's "Padam Padam" in an original French translation by Gay Marshall.
Mostly Marlene debuted at Club Cumming in New York City's East Village. Smith then brought the album to the 2021 Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Provincetown's Post Office Cafe虂, while frequently returning to New York with performances at Club Cumming, Pangea, and Cafe虂 Sabarsky at the Neue Galerie.
