Joshua Warr: Love & Warr
Joshua Warr
Love & Warr
54 Below, NYC, August 20, 2015
Reviewed by Joel Benjamin for Cabaret Scenes
Joshua Warr comes on like a whirlwind, all spiffy clothes and gay affectation, occasionally stopping long enough to approximate introspection. Introspection is what he needs more of. Right now, he is a brilliant showman with a fine sense of camp. His perfectly chosen group of like-minded musicians supports him in his outrageousness.
His program Love & Warr was ostensibly about his inability to love and be loved in any sustained way. The songs all danced superficially around this theme, beginning with his strutting through the audience in a full-length black coat singing “Down with Love” (Harold Arlen/Yip Harburg) segueing into a multi-song “Mama Said” medley. “Don’t Wish Too Hard” (Peter Allen/Caroel Bayer Sager), a song about getting what you want and regretting it, had an angry edge which was softened by a quiet, if not totally smooth, rendition of “Where or When” (Rodgers & Hart).
Throughout the set, vocalists Rob Langeder and Samantha Northart provided harmonic support, enriching Musical Director Jason Wynn’s witty arrangements. They went from cool jazz to ’60s girl-group close harmony, in addition to jiggling and wiggling along with the star.
“She Drives Me Crazy” (Roland Gift/David Steele) was given an unusually quiet treatment. As Northart arrayed herself artfully atop the piano, Warr sang “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t (Ma’ Baby”) (Louis Jordan/Billy Austin). His “You Broke My Heart” (Stephen Andrew Booker/Niara Arain Scarlett) was as close to a lament as he got, followed immediately by “I Won’t Give Up” (Michael Natter/Jason Mraz), a gooey love song with a slight country-western feel.
His “Non, je ne regrette rien” (Charles Dumont/Michel Vaucaire) came out of left field after some light patter, even though he mentioned a proficiency in French. His interpretation didn’t eclipse Piaf’s, but he pushed gallantly through this anthem of love and life.
Warr is a handsome young man with a rough-edged, but expressive voice who clearly loves being over-the-top. Even the most outrageous singers (Bette Midler, Peter Allen, etc.) took time to mine their songs for honest emotions and he should take a hint. But, he’s young and will continue to develop his obvious talents.
Anthony Quirk on drums, Jake Silver on bass and guitar Jess Hryniewicki on guitar were all given show-off solos throughout the show.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
