Dec: 31: John Lloyd Young: Feinstein’s at the Regency
John Lloyd Young
December 31 at 7:30 & 10:30 pm
Feinstein’s at the Nikko
222 Mason Street, San Francisco, California 94102
http://www.hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins.aspx
John Lloyd Young, Tony Award winner for his role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, rings in the New Year with two shows at Feinstein’s. Here’s what our Elizabeth Ahlfors had to say about his show at NYC’s Café Carlyle:
John Lloyd Young, 38,… with his popular ’50s and ’60s songbook, proves he has more to offer vocally than an impressive tenor and striking falsetto technique highlighted in “Hey, There, Lonely Girl” (Leon Carr & Earl Shuman) and Smokey Robinson’s “Who’s Lovin’ You.” Moving on to unleash the passion, he includes the ultra-romantic “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” (Harry Noble) and “Unchained Melody” (Hy Zaret and Alex North) and he later illustrates a convincing melancholia, lowering the tone for “A House Is Not a Home” (Burt Bacharach/Hal David).
Young’s Carlyle show opens with one of the Valli’s standards, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio and Artie Schroeck, his eyes never leaving the audience. He scans the room, connecting closely with the loyal audience. Potent breath control and an immaculate tone help recreate the era and its memories with “You Belong to Me” (Pee Wee King, Chilton Price and Redd Stewart), Buddy Johnson’s “Since I Fell for You” and Fred Parris’s “I Remember” (“In the Still of the Night).” He performs Randy Newman’s lovely ballad “Just One Smile,” and the break-up of “Say No More” (George Teren and Tom Shapiro). Also included is Carl Sigman and Robert Maxwell’s often recorded “Ebb Tide,” but, while it is skillfully delivered, the song does not add much flavor to the mix.
Young has a lot going for him as an entertainer. He’s good looking, amiable, has a great belt and is consistently delivering more depth in his songs. A downside is his limited patter. He can also use work on his microphone technique. His mic is kept close to his mouth, occasionally causing a vocal muddle as the five-piece band, faithful to the original arrangements, plays at top volume. With Young’s robust vocal chops and his high-grade instrumentalists, the volume could easily be toned down, presenting the songs with energy but more clarity. His musical director is Tommy Faragher on keyboard, Sarah Geller on violin, John Putnam on guitar, Paul Socolow on bass and Eric Kalb on drums.
Category: Pick of the Week, Regional, San Francisco, San Francisco Pick of The Week
