John Philip: Oceans of Love and Life

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John Philip

Oceans of Love and Life

Don’t Tell Mama, NYC, November 17, 2024

Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

John Philip

With confident nonchalance, John Philip delivered an afternoon of carefully curated songs that were at times confessional, cautionary, instructive, and informative. He gave his audience much more than a pleasant hour of music. His ability to make each song seem relevant to the listener was almost uncanny. He delivered the songs in an almost conversational, Rex Harrison-ish style that was really effective.

Philip grouped his selections into medleys, which helped to keep the audience be aware of the messages he was sending. He opened with a medley that began with “Today I Love Everybody” (Harold Arlen/Dorothy Fields) and ended with “Old Friends” (Stephen Sondheim). Next he stressed the need to “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” (Arlen/Johnny Mercer), after which he said he was “jealous of those who aren’t afraid to try”—a valuable maxim for people of any age.

His easy charm and expressive face made it almost impossible not to believe everything he was singing and saying. He managed to go from his patter to the lyrics with a natural facility and grace, and throughout he made the song’s rhythm work for him. Some songs, such as “Charade” (Henry Mancini/Johnny Mercer) were elevated to the level of a poem being recited to a musical background. Philip delivered every lyric clearly and most poignantly in the trenchant line at the close of “Sail Away” (Noël Coward): “But when soon or late you recognize your fate that will be your great, great day.”

Philip is a lawyer by profession, and cabaret performing is his passion, which was evident in every moment of the show. This show was intelligent without being preachy or show-offy, and I, for one, was completely won over. Perhaps the magic was best expressed in the way Philip served the lyrics and made the music serve him. He knows his limitations, and by being true to his strengths, he provided a memorable afternoon of music.

Philip was supported in this delightful endeavor by David Pearl at the piano, Tom Hubbard on bass, and Dan Gross on drums. Special lyrics, as well as the format and structure of the show, were all provided by the magnificent Marilyn Maye, whose delicate touches were present throughout.

John Philip will be back on Don’t Tell Mama on December 16 at 7 pm when you can catch some of that magic for yourself!

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Jacqueline Parker

Like Ethel Merman, lifelong New Yorker Jacqueline Parker began her career as a stenographer. She spent more than two decades at the city's premier public agency, progressing through positions of increased responsibility after earning her BA in English from New York University (3.5 GPA/Dean’s List). She won national awards for her work in public relations and communication and had the privilege of working in the House of Commons for Stephen Ross, later Lord Ross of Newport. In the second half of her career, Jacqueline brought her innate organizational skills and creative talents to a variety of positions. While distinguishing herself in executive search, she also gave her talents to publishing, politics, writing, radio broadcasting and Delmonico's Restaurant. Most recently, she hosted Anything Goes! a radio show that paid homage to Cole Porter and by extension the world of Broadway musicals and the Great American Songbook. Other features of the show were New York living, classical music, books, restaurants, architecture and politics. This show highlighted the current Broadway scene, both in New York and around the country through performances and interviews with luminaries including Len Cariou, Charles Strouse, Laura Osnes, Steve Ross and Joan Copeland. Her pandemic project was immersion into the life, times and work of Alfred Hitchcock, about whom she has written a soon-to-be-published article. Jacqueline has been involved in a myriad of charitable causes, most notably the Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sisters of Life, York Theatre, and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud Founder of Hidden Water. Her greatest accomplishment is the parenting of her son, a lawyer specializing in mediation. She has many pretend grandchildren, nieces and nephews, on whom she dotes shamelessly, as well as a large circle of friends to whom she is devoted. Her interests in addition to theater and cabaret are cooking, entertaining, reading, and spending time on Queen Mary 2.