When five good looking guys take the stage, our expectations rise. We are not disappointed as Uptown Express celebrates the release of their first CD Walk Like A Man. It’s a full house as they open with Frankie Valli’s “Who Loves You.” Their close harmonic blend is joyful; they are at ease coming from an early morning appearance on the Today Show in celebration of Gay Pride Week. Under the direction of James Followell, the group has been concertizing worldwide for many years as part of the NYCGMC and the Big Apple Performing Arts. All monies from CD sales benefit BAPA and its organizations.

But let us return to the music at hand and Aldrin Arche, Chris Caswell, John DePalma, Alex Goro and Brad Parks, the five talented singers who are Uptown Express. In 1968 the chart topper for the Lettermen was “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” and Uptown Express shares the jubilation eagerly on this as well as the segue “Goin’ Out of My Head.”  Jersey Boys  - - - move over ‘cause you’ve got BIG competition! If the aisles were wider, the audience would have been dancing in them. 

In a throwback to 1945, Frank Loesser’s “Slow Boat To China” is a borrowed arrangement from Alex Rybeck and Liz Callaway’s recording opening as a ballad moving into a fast swing. It’s enhanced by the fine vocal blend of five.

The CD and show also feature an Icon Medley as solos saluting the celebrity performer/songwriters: Melissa Etheridge “Come to My Window” sung by Chris Caswell;  Elton John’s “I Want Love” sung by John DePalma; kd Lang “Constant Craving” sung by Alex Goro. The highlight of this medley is Brad Parks in falsetto pitch singing “Never Can Say Goodbye,” recorded originally in 1971 by the Jackson 5. Group rendition and title of the CD “Walk Like A Man” also features Brad’s high tenor vocals.

Guest performer Lina Koutrakos accurately commented, as she took center stage, “No problem, I can follow that!”  Well, maybe it was a tie, as she showcased not only her fine talents as a singer, but also as a top songwriter. Co-written with Dan Gross, she opened with “What Am I Gonna Do” followed by “Southern Rain,” and the heart wrenching duet with John, “For Now.”  From the Mills Brothers, 1952, “Glow Worm” was performed in a high-spirited arrangement that would have made Johnny Mercer smile, especially with lyrical change “I’ve got a guy who I love so…”

"Love Grows Here,” written by Dan Gross, Lina Koutrakos and JP Perreaux, closed the evening with positive empowerment. The fine arrangements were all by James Followell on piano (except for “Slow Boat to China”) backed by Tony Ventura on bass, Kevin Kuhn on guitar and Dan Gross, drums and percussion.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
June 26, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org