Jay Armstrong Johnson sings "Goodbye"
#1Jay Armstrong Johnson sings "Goodbye"
Posted: 8/14/11 at 2:01pm
Here's a video of Jay Armstrong Johnson singing "Goodbye" from CMIYC, live from LaGuardia Airport.
...Maybe this will satisfy Jay's fanbase for now!
"Goodbye" - Jay A. Johnson
#2Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 2:27pm
He has an undeniably fantastic voice, but even just standing there singing the song at a promotional appearance, he doesn't have the least bit of presence or magnetism.
Say what you want about Tveit, but he's proven in both NEXT TO NORMAL and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN that he has electric charisma on stage like no other. You can't teach it.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#3Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 2:31pmAgreed. He performs as if he's in a boy band.
littlebutterfly10
Understudy Joined: 5/3/09
#4Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 2:31pmI agree with you, somethingwicked, both about Tveit and the video of Jay. However, keep in mind that Jay's never performed the song in the context of the show, in front of an audience at least. Realizing that makes me want to see him perform the role in its entirety even more than I already did.
KirbyCat
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/23/08
#5Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 2:35pmAt least he doesn't sing the last note flat guys... Every time I hear/see Tveit do it, I grit my teeth and wait for the last note.
#6Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 2:37pmThe song doesn't do anyone any favors, though. It could possibly be the most boring 11 o'clock number ever written.
#7Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 3:21pmwhatever about Tveit. Atleast Johnson doesn't sing that last note 8 cents flat
#8Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 3:37pm
That's at JFK (sorry, had to get that out there.)
I'm not sure what I think, he definitely appears to be more age appropriate (how old is he?)... I don't know, I would like to see him somewhere that isn't so... unnatural.
#9Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 3:41pmJay is 23 (his 24th birthday is at the end of the month). I really don't see the marked age difference between him and Tveit that others seem to.
#10Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 3:43pm
Tveit's been singing that score eight times a week for five months, while Johnson's been sitting on the sidelines. Pardon my speculative train of thought, but I think it's slightly understandable if one shows more vocal fatigue than the other.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#11Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 3:45pmAnd when I saw the show a few weeks ago, Tveit was in spectacular voice. No flat notes, nothing off-key...he sounded as fresh as ever.
#12Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 3:50pmYeah he sounded great when I saw it a few weeks ago too and I was prepared for a rough sounding last note but it didn't happen.
#13Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 9:17pm
He's got a good enough voice, but like someone else mentioned, not an ounce of charisma or presence.
And what was with the wild arm movements?
Updated On: 8/14/11 at 09:17 PM
#14Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 9:25pmJust out of curiosity--is the music canned?
#15Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/14/11 at 10:04pmBeautiful. Updated On: 12/3/11 at 10:04 PM
#16Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/15/11 at 9:56amI've been hearing lots from Jay's fanbase, so I was curious to hear him sing "Goodbye." I have to say, I wasn't impressed. Watching Jay perform it just proves why Aaron is the one starring in Catch Me. The stage presence is the biggest difference- just watch a video of Aaron performing it: his facial expressions are perfect- but I also didn't love Jay's voice. I agree with what some have said about Aaron being flat on the last note, but most times I've heard it it has been in the context of a Youtube recording of some press event. I've seen him do it live in the show twice and the last note sounded perfect to me both times.
#17Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/15/11 at 12:15pmI get annoyed with Tveit's performance and bored with Armstrong's. However, that's the best I've ever heard the Bb sound.
kidbroadway2
Leading Actor Joined: 3/26/10
#18Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/15/11 at 12:55pmOff topic, but the guy who understudies Norbert was dreadful. I've never seen something so bland and forced. To be fair though, the number was specifically designed made for Norbert. It's obvious watching.
#19Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/15/11 at 5:44pm
Off topic, but the guy who understudies Norbert was dreadful. I've never seen something so bland and forced. To be fair though, the number was specifically designed made for Norbert. It's obvious watching.
Having seen Joe Cassidy play the role onstage in its entirety, I can tell you he's really very, very good (and I happened to see his first performance). He's not Norbert, but he was excellent nonetheless. I was very pleasantly surprised by his performance.
#20Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/15/11 at 10:14pmI still think that Aaron Tveit is better. Like you guys said, Jay doesn't exude any charisma or presence in his performance.
#21Jay Armstrong Johnson sings 'Goodbye'
Posted: 8/15/11 at 10:20pm
"At least he doesn't sing the last note flat guys... Every time I hear/see Tveit do it, I grit my teeth and wait for the last note."
I've never heard him do it flat live, and I've seen the show three times. Video recordings seem to show him going flat, but I was at Bryant Park and he was totally on pitch.
That said - JAJ's performance is nowhere near Aaron's. He has no stage presence, no charisma, his voice is weak... frankly, I'm not sure how he got the gig in the first place.
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