John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
ruprecht
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/16/05
#0John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:24am
Shame on JLY 
He has a Sardi's caricature and everything!!!
-----------------------------------------
ADDED SEASONING
by MICHAEL RIEDEL
AS Frankie Valli in the smash musical "Jersey Boys," John Lloyd Young regularly blows the roof off the August Wilson Theatre singing such Four Seasons classics as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You."
Audiences and critics have been knocked out by his powerful falsetto voice, which, like the real Frankie Valli's, seems to encompass three octaves.
It turns out, though, that Young has been getting a little help with his upper register.
Production sources tell The Post that the actor's voice is enhanced at every performance by two cast members who, standing in the wings, sing along, occasionally hitting the high notes for him.
The cast members are Michael Longoria and Sara Schmidt (the Fifth and Sixth Seasons, I guess)....
#1re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:33amI wonder why they are doing that? To save his voice.
#2re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:37amJust because Riedel reported it, it doesn't mean it's necessarily true.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
#3re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:48amthats true.
FosterChild
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/03
#4re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:51amI've heard that before. Hmm--why didn't they just let Longoria play the part?
#5re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:51amIt's not out of the question, and I certainly thing Riedel is probably correct.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
FosterChild
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/03
#6re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:53am
It's hard to imagine how John Lloyd Young could face the fans after receiving all that acclaim, mostly directed towards his voice.
Updated On: 4/14/06 at 02:53 AM
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#7re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:57amHm...there goes his Tony win.
#8re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:59amNot at all. His performance gained raves for more than just his ability to sing falsetto.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#9re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 3:01amI'm sure he's great in it, but I dunno, I feel sorta let down. It just seems sorta like a cop out. But again, it might not be true.
#10re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 3:15am
Well, is The Post really that reliable? Yeah.. it's a newspaper.. but I hear it doesn't have that great a reputation.
And you know, considering he does this show all week, I can't blame them for having people off-stage to help. And the article says *OCCASIONALLY* hitting the high notes for him. Probably when his voice is tired. I know mine would get tired real quick hitting notes like that all the time.
Having seen Jersey Boys and seen how amazing John's performance is - physically and vocally - I'm not let down at all. Things happen. :) Oh well. Not the end of my world.
Legibus
Chorus Member Joined: 10/14/05
#11re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 3:24am
Before this whole issue gets totally blown out of proportion and is completely distorted and a very talented actor/singer is unfairly dragged through the mud (and his second understudy unduely praised), I think you all shoud reread the Riedel article and particularly the explanation from the play's producer.
Whoever plays the role of Frankie Valli will have certain parts of certain songs (note the word certain, and keep in mind it does not say "all") enhanced to more closely duplicate the exact method used in the original Frankie Valli recording of that same song. a method of recording that helped establish the "unique" sound of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and made them famous throughout the World.
This applies to both understudies Michael Longonia and Dominic Nelfi (?) when they perform the Frankie Valli role. It DOES NOT mean each and every one of them, as well as JLY, is not fully capable of singing all the high notes right on the mark and in tune...which all reports from people associated with the Show indicate they are completely able to do,
In the desire to replicate the true "sound" and use the same method used to record the original hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the same enhancement techique is used on stage as was used in the recording studio years ago when these songs were first recorded....dialogue in the Play mentions this..the Riedel article says nothing more than what is mentioned on-stage.
Lets keep all the facts in mind and not jump to improper conclusions about the talent and ability of any of the actor's playing the role of Frankie Valli...they ALL have a special talent and any enhancement is NOT to used to cover up any shortcomings they might have, but instead to have the songs sound exactly as they were originally recorded. After all, Jersey Boys" IS a true. tell-all story
Updated On: 4/14/06 at 03:24 AM
toomeytwopiece
Featured Actor Joined: 1/30/06
#12re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 3:24am
Tony awards should be based on acting... singing in a musical is important, but he's a great performer and if the Tony voters want to nominate him, they should.
#13re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 3:50am
Legibus, you're my hero. :) LOL
Edit: Since I just checked.. nice to see where they got their info.
https://www.johnlloydyoung.com/blog.htm
Here's some interesting history on the sound of the Four Seasons and some behind-the-scenes info on how JERSEY BOYS re-creates that sound:
The signature sound of the Four Seasons, originally called "The Four Seasons, featuring the sound of Frankie Valli" was created by having Valli record his vocal part twice and then running them back together. If you listen to the original recording of "Sherry" you will hear TWO Frankie Vallis! This technique was called "doubling," and the Four Seasons were one of its earliest pioneers, using it on some of their most famous songs.
When we recorded the JERSEY BOYS cast album, we were able to do exactly the same thing in the studio. If you listen to the JERSEY BOYS CD carefully you'll hear TWO John Lloyd Youngs on some of the signature up-tempo Seasons songs (for instance, track #5, "Sherry"). Other vocal parts are doubled, as well, just as in any choral arrangement.
To recreate that sound live, onstage, we did the following. Here's how the producers of JERSEY BOYS explain it:
"The authors of JERSEY BOYS require any actor playing Frankie Valli (not specifically John Lloyd Young) and other featured actors in the show to have a second voice accompany them at certain moments during the show to recreate the authentic sound of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
The multiple voice technique was pioneered on the original Four Seasons records, and is talked about and explained in the show as part of the story of JERSEY BOYS!
Everything in JERSEY BOYS is sung live. Everyone who appears to be singing on-stage is singing live. There are no tapes or click tracks. Accompanying vocals are performed by members of the cast singing on or off stage."
Though it's a lot of hard work to sing the lead vocals for 27 songs, live onstage each performance, it's very rewarding to know the authentic signature Four Seasons studio sound we all remember is being delivered every night to the audiences of JERSEY BOYS.
Thanks for the info, John. 
Updated On: 4/14/06 at 03:50 AM
#14re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 4:47am
Thank you, thespian geek! 
There is a curious paradox that no one can explain;
Who understands the secret of the reaping of the grain,
Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain,
Or why we all must die a bit before we grow again.
-from "The Fantasticks"
#15re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 7:32am
Legibus = the voice of reason
"You ask four guys, you get four different versions" ~ Tommy DeVito, Jersey Boys
#16re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 8:19am
There goes Michael Reidel again. Half-truths and gossip-spreading. It's his real journalistic style, folks.
And I quote the line in question,
Bob Crewe: "The sound is great. I love the sound. And I know exactly what to do with it. We're not just gonna make a record, we're gonna make an experience! How? We're gonna double Frankie's voice. It's gonna explode right off the radio."
*~* Every time you double-post, God kills a kitten. *~*
Updated On: 4/14/06 at 08:19 AM
Kay, the Thread-Jacking Jedi
Quando omni flunkus moritati (When all else fails, play dead...)
"... chasin' the music. Trying to get home."
Peter Gregus: "Where are my house right ladies?!"
(love you, girls! - 6/13/06)
jerseygurl
Understudy Joined: 6/7/05
#17re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 8:35amNot to burst anyone's bubble, but this kind of doubling happens in many shows. And has been for a while now.
Bruce Memblagh!
Featured Actor Joined: 3/27/06
#18re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 8:39amIt does indeed but Reidel (once again) just likes to stir things and aim for the shock 'journalistic' (in the loosest sense of the word) way.
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#19re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 8:43am
i wouldnt blame him for being dubbed over sometimes- doing falsetto 8 shows a week for months now must be vocally tiring, i mean, i cant even do falsetto for 30 seconds!
also, pertaining to what jerseygurl said, i read some of the higher notes in POTO which are supposed to be sung by Christine are just a recording (like the last note of "phantom of the opera" song), so doubling does happen a lot
jo
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#20re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 8:44am
What happens if the actor with the background vocal support wins a TONY - he shares the honors with the other singers ??? :rolleyes:
I have always been proud that theatre performers give the audience the best of their natural gifts and honed talents - this is a bit of a letdown.
Updated On: 4/14/06 at 08:44 AM
#21re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 8:58amDidja... just read ANYTHING at all in this thread, jo?
*~* Every time you double-post, God kills a kitten. *~*
Kay, the Thread-Jacking Jedi
Quando omni flunkus moritati (When all else fails, play dead...)
"... chasin' the music. Trying to get home."
Peter Gregus: "Where are my house right ladies?!"
(love you, girls! - 6/13/06)
jo
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#22re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 9:02amI've read the article and all the comments - can't help but feel that way!
popular_elphie
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/3/05
#23re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 9:13am
The voice is doubled, and as DreamFlyer22 said, it's touched on in the show.
JLY can sing the falsetto - after one of the record execs says, "No, the Four Seasons is a colored group!" listen to the answer - he demonstrates that he can pull that falsetto out of thin air.
And watch his Today Show performance - they enter twice with acapella songs. Try and see if anyone's helping him out there. They aren't.
Stupid drama.
FosterChild
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/03
#24re: John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel
Posted: 4/14/06 at 9:14amThat John Lloyd Young blog entry sounds like it was written by a politician. I wish he came off a little more personable and less political.
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