John Lloyd Young
Yours Truly
Café Carlyle, NYC, February 10, 2016
Reviewed by Elizabeth Ahlfors for Cabaret Scenes
John Lloyd Young, in black leather and dark glasses, returns to the Café Carlyle with Yours Truly, compelling with the depth and passion we’ve learned to expect in his music, and more. The 2005 Tony Award winner for his performance in Jersey Boys continues to offer the familiar melodic tenor sound with his repertoire of romantic drama. However, this songbook extends past the ’50s and ’60s pop tunes that brought him fame. He opens with the Hoagy Carmichael/Mitchell Parish standard, “Star Dust,” includes an impressive rendition of “Ebb Tide” (Carl Sigman/Robert Maxwell) and offers the room a hit tune from China, “Ming Ri Tian Ya” (“If Tomorrow Comes”) that he delivers in Mandarin.
His coterie of devoted fans are gathered and their boy can do no wrong, whether he is wearing a tux or black leather with purple nail polish. Vocally, Young is secure in breath control and impressive for his famed crystalline falsetto that still hits the money notes in rock ‘n’ roll landmark songs like “Sherry”(Bob Gaudio) and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (Gaudio & Bob Crewe). Young conveys the musical quirks of mid-century American pop songs, conveying the innocence of young love in “My Prayer,” and he gives “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” (Harry Noble) its heightened passion. He delivers the unique structure and style of the Roy Orbison sound with “Say No More,” and includes Randy Newman’s soulful “Just One Smile.”
Outstanding is his rendition of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” and he pulled out all the drama stops for Bob Dylan’s “(To) Make You Feel My Love.” Newer additions to his songbook also include originals that Young wrote with his musical director and pianist, Tommy Faragher. These, like “Alone Together” and “Slow Dawn Calling,” have a sharper edge and delve deeper into the emotions of love.
Providing vibrant but not overpowering support is Faragher, with guitarist John Putnam, Paul Socolow on bass and Sam Merrick on drums.