Ronan Tynan
Feinstein’s/54 Below, NYC, August 1, 2016
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
As a Mets fan attending a game at Yankee Stadium, very often the highlight of my visit has been hearing the National Anthem or “God Bless America” by the truly incredible voice of Irish tenor Ronan Tynan. I have never heard it performed better.
His appearance at Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency in 2006 was extraordinarily memorable to me. Ten years later, his voice has lost none of its power, glory and beauty. From his opening number to his encore, every song was a thrilling experience. His ability to move gracefully on stage, despite two artificial legs, is inspirational, and his witty and amiable persona is enhanced by the charming Irish lilt in his voice. The numbers performed are an eclectic mix of Irish, Irish-American, Great American Songbook, Broadway and even a rock song. Musical Director Bill Lewis is an important addition on piano and with his own vocals done in a beautiful light Irish tenor.
The first notes of the opening number, “Without a Song,” caused my wife to whisper to me, “Now you know what a real singer sounds like.” Tynan then performed a softer but equally moving “Moon River.” Jokingly remarking that he would be singing a song for the Italians in the audience, he performed “Danny Boy” as only a true Irish tenor can. In addition to his amazing vocal skills, he is an accomplished songwriter, as displayed by the performance of his composition “Atlantic Sky,” about an Irishman leaving Ireland to come to America. Lewis performed three numbers, when Tynan took breaks, including a delightfully performed “Someday I’ll Know.
” A story about getting a request while performing on a military base led into the closing number “Over the Rainbow,” with an ending as powerful as any I have heard. An anecdote about Frank Sinatra preceded the encore, “All the Way.”
