BWW Reviews: Singer JOHN LLOYD YOUNG Brings An Evening for Friends to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal

Actor/singer John Lloyd Young, best known for his Tony-winning portrayal of Frankie Valli in the original Broadway Jersey Boys and for his performance in the 2014 film, has performed three cabaret concerts at the Cafe Carlyle in New York since 2013. He felt it was high time to bring the act home to California, and so on Monday October 13 and Tuesday October 14, Young, backed by a dynamite five-piece band, presented An Evening for Friends at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in NoHo.

It was a sold-out engagement with screaming fans who had flown in from all over the world. It was my first time experiencing the talent of this young artist, and hopefully not my last. If you have never heard his angelic tenor voice that glides smoothly and effortlessly into high-octave falsetto, you are missing a rare treat. He has a one.of.a.kind style that sets him apart from every male singer on the music scene today with a quiet, personable charisma and stellar stage presence that keep you hanging on to every note, every phrase. At the end of the 60-minute set, he left us wanting more; true artist that he is, Young knows when the party's over.

With fine musical direction from Tommy Faragher at the piano, who also supervised Young's CD My Turn, the set was pretty much the CD with one rarely performed song added - "Say No More" sung originally in 1969 by Roy Orbison. Young was also backed by violin, drums, bass and guitar by the same excellent musicians who were a part of the CD recording. He did very little talking, but when he did it was to extol the music of the 60s and to relate how much it means to him to turn many of these great tunes into standards that will live forever. His passion reminded me of an Italian don whose gentle power and resourcefulness are instantly recognized and communicated on and off the stage... never taking it too seriously, though. At one point he said "I like all of you, but I need some privacy", put on a pair of shades and wore them through a couple of numbers. Fun touch and a sweet sense of humor!

Highlights of the evening included: his opener from Jersey Boys, which will probably become his signature tune like it was for Valli: "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", which he began at the back of the space and delivered walking slowly through the audience onto the stage. Other beautiful moments came with love songs "My Prayer", 1952's "Only You", "Ebb Tide", and then one break-up tune "Hurt So Bad". Young amusingly told his fans, "Now, we'll break up. It's only one song. Get over it!" There followed "Since I Fell For You", Earl Schuman's "Hey There Lonely Girl", "Unchained Melody", Mel Carter's "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" and a gorgeously arranged "A House Is Not a Home".

John Lloyd Young is an incredible talent with a unique voice and warm, infectious style that will keep you listening. Don't miss him if you get the chance to see him perform live; if not, buy the CD, put it on the stereo, put your feet up, close your eyes and allow yourself to be transported to paradise.

(performance photography: Aimee Curameng)