Billy Recce
Songs I Wrote (and Songs I Wish I Wrote)
The Duplex, NYC, October 6, 2018
Reviewed by Chris Struck for Cabaret Scenes
Billy Recce’s comedic material brought a light-hearted atmosphere to The Duplex. His patter between songs was sharp, too, as he introduced songs with a slight sense of foreboding for the potential dourness that a ballad might bring. Despite the part of the title of his show that referred to songs he wished he had written, he kept the vast majority of his set to his originals. This was a good choice because his funny, insightful lyrics commented on larger, uncomfortable societal issues with a hefty layer of sarcasm. Keeping a distance from difficult issues makes them seem not quite as serious, yet they are still brought into the substance of the song. Whatever their intention, his thoughtful lyrics are creatively relevant.
One of the best examples of this is his song about the recent Supreme Court justice nomination in which he stated that the testimony might have been better addressed to the theater community and delivered “Brett’s Beer Song.” It certainly made it relatable when he repeatedly chimed, “I like beer.
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” A critical perspective seems to be a major component of his music as he also commented that his New York version of La La Land’s opening number would focus on the fact that it is basically “hipsters who love black history.” My favorite of the evening was the epic tale of his relationship with his grandmother, who urged him to “Go into Finance.” As always, there is some truth to what hits the page, but I sincerely hope that those weren’t her last words to him.
Regardless of the content, Recce’s material remained funny and topical throughout. His calm stage presence spoke volumes about his maturity, despite his being in the early stage of his career. Perhaps he may dream up a comedy that allows his wit to flourish through a series of songs rather than a set of one-offs, but only time will tell. If you see Recce’s name appearing on a club’s schedule, go. You’ll be in for some gems.
