Gary Lynn Floyd Soars at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in North Hollywood

Review by Michael Sterling

Every once in a while, one has the unexpected pleasure to witness 'a happening,' 'an event;' 'an evening you just don't want to end;' the kind of evening that transports you to another place in time. In the case of When Gary Met Harry: The Music of Harry Warren, the concert and its matinee idol Gary Lynn Floyd were all these things and more. Beautifully presented Sunday, September 28, 2014 at LA hotspot Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood, the production was proof positive that music written by yesteryear tunesmiths like Warren - a three-time Academy Award/Best Song winner (Lullaby of Broadway, You'll Never Know, The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe) will forever prevail through the ages. Add to that the rare commodity of a Gary Lynn Floyd whose ingratiating personality, extraordinary sensibilities and brilliant vocals not only make even the music blush by the very mention of his name, but blush again and again by the very fact that it's being sung like it's never been sung before.

Under Floyd's captivating spell, Sunday's enthusiastic house swooned through a cavalcade of Warren's great American standards. Though, some better known than others, the 65 minute set opened with a lively rendition of "Lulu's Back in Town," followed by just the right dose of interesting and charming patter by the star who, with equal ease, put his personal spin on such memorable hits as "I Only Have Eyes for You, "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," the celebratory "At Last," "There Will Never be Another You," and "I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store"). But, perhaps, the most mesmerizing part of the evening came when Floyd gave a break to ace band members Nicolas DeGaulejac/Drums, Co-Musical Director Doug LeBow/Bass; and Robbie Gillman/Piano so that he, himself, could take a spin on the ivories to play and sing one of his own meticulously written compositions.. a ballad titled "A Simple Love Song," from his Then+Now CD which proved to be a delectable appetizer for the main course servings of Warren's "You'll Never Know," "The More I See You," and the hauntingly beautiful "Welcome to the Party." An innate showman in every sense of the word, Floyd is what performers should aspire to be. With nothing less than pure, unadulterated class, the evening closed with Floyd's wistful version of Warren's "Shoes with Wings On" from the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers motion picture The Berkleys of Broadway; followed by a quiet but emotionally charged encore of "An Affair to Remember" from the 1957 Cary Grant/Deobrah Kerr film of the same name. If you get wind of the fact that this tall Texan is bringing his remarkable talent to a stage near you, you best change into those 'shoes with wings on' and run like hell to get a ticket for, clearly, Gary Lynn Floyd is on the verge of marquee superstardom.

Gary Lynn Floyd: When Gary Met Harry: The Music of Harry Warren was presented Sunday, September 28, 2014 at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal. 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Sound: Josh Benton. Lighting: Matthew Shores and Nick Sartoris. Presented and Produced by Michael Sterling. For further information on upcoming performances at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal, call (818) 754-8700 or visit: www.msapr.net.

Kritizerland Records 50th - A Golden Anniversary - October 5; Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young An Evening for Friends October 13 and 14; Travis Leland Sparks of Influence - October 19; Mandy Kaplan's Miscast: Right Singer, Wrong Song - October 20, 2014.

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