#sam merrick

The Jungle Book by That Handsome Devil is Transgender!

Review: John Lloyd Young, Cafè Carlyle

I like the idea of approaching each performance with fresh eyes, the wonder of experiencing the musical collaboration as though it’s the first one I’ve seen. It’s a sort of great paradox, because while listening to the songs that are so wonderfully familiar, at times I catch myself floored by how significantly JLY has the capacity to add artistic nuance, a kind of subtlety that brings a new appreciation to the song as though you’re hearing it for the first time. There’s nothing quite like experiencing it with a friend who’s there for the first time, and there’s also something pretty fantastic about sharing it with old friends.

Last things first: I have a confession, I arrived a little early opening night, inadvertently overheard the sound check from out in the lobby, and listened as they ran “To make You Feel My Love” - JLY had previously posted a rough cut edition on his tumblr blog, a version so beautiful and heartfelt beyond any other version, but you know, hearing him perform this live essentially rendered me speechless. If I’m honest this is truly my favorite, (I have a lot of favorites) but this is the sort of song that sticks with you - it’s still playing in the back of my mind as I’m writing this.

JLY opened with “Stardust” and the audience LOVED the drum roll, and dramatic pause that ignited the song. This song is divine, and a spectacular way to begin this great set.

(Memory of the exact song order may be a bit skewed) JLY introduced the awesome group of musicians, Tommy Faragher, (Musical Director), John Putnam on guitar, Paul Socolow on bass and Sam Merrick “on skins.”

“Alright, let’s open up a vein,” and launched into “Hurt.” Lyrics and vocals just damn near shoot through the heart. More favorites to follow, Say No More, Ooh Baby Baby, Show and Tell, Unchained Melody, Ebb Tide and My Prayer. Oh. my. God. That’s all. (Except, RANGE!! Oh my god).

He spoke of how the set came about by various performances at Clint Eastwood’s private club, The White House (the “president’s private club” - haha!) and shared the story of his encounter with a teenage artist who had won an award for his poetry that resolved conflict with his father - (I think this is one of the most remarkable things of the Turnaround Arts program), and the discoveries he’d made/shared with the young artist - but what was so interesting was what he said about tweeting in his world - how 140 words doesn’t capture the essence of a valuable moment in life, or the fact that just because he doesn’t tweet about it doesn’t detract from the worthwhile things.

Sherry!!!

I love the idea that JLY purposefully included this song for fans who had never seen him perform in the stage musical of JB - he also sang Can’t Take My Eyes Off You - and you know, simply put, (no bias as I’m very appreciative of anyone who can sing these songs) - there just isn’t anyone who has his extraordinary range when he performs Sherry & Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. It’s possible I love Sherry more as a solo than the quartet. Ok, more than possible. Not sorry.

The first time I heard JLY sing in another language, it was back in 2013, in Spanish, and I recall not fully understanding all the lyrics - but I understood the beauty of the melody. It was the same sort of feeling with the interpretation of the Mandarin song “Ming Ri Tian Ya” (if tomorrow comes) and it’s a feeling of quiet appreciation of the considerable amount of work and precision that must have gone into learning/performing this song, I may not understand the lyrics, but I was transported to a place faraway that comprised agony, heartache and despair. The arrangement and delivery of this song goes beyond.

Just One Smile

Another confession. This is a favorite, but predominantly for a friend, and each time the melody begins, my heart skips, because I know she is about to be reduced to a puddle of tears - The next night, when he sang this, I fell in my own puddle of tears, (but really who doesn’t - this song evokes emotion beyond articulation).

New music, collaborative efforts by Adam Zelkind, Tommy Faragher and JLY. Alone Together, Almost There, and Slow Dawn Calling - holy wow - the raw energy is so palpable when they perform these songs, it leaves you yearning for a CD to recapture it all; what they perhaps experienced when they created it, and each time they perform it. Music truly transcends.

Maybe I’m Amazed

Ok, so how is it possible to have so many favorites? What’s so amazing, is artists have such a limited amount of time on stage, and what they choose to perform speaks volumes - JLY dedicates this to the unrelenting support he has from his fans, and I think it touched every soul there. We don’t support him with the expectation of gratitude or reciprocity - we support him because we simply want to. We support his music, because he has the capacity to capture the lyric of an old standard - and leave a prominently unique mark of his own; we support him because his song writing and collaborative works are dynamite, and we’re excited for where it’s all heading. We support him because his growth as an artist over the years is something to be inspired by. We support him because of the way he inspires others. And when he sings this song, you don’t expect it, but he supports us for supporting him.

Congrats to John Lloyd Young, production/creative teams on this awe inspiring collaboration at the Carlyle. Simply the best.

John Lloyd Young, performing “Stardust.”