John Lloyd Young Isn't Singing High Notes - Riedel

I wonder why they are doing that? To save his voice.

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Updated On: 4/14/06 at 02:33 AM

thats true.

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Updated On: 4/14/06 at 02:48 AM

It's not out of the question, and I certainly thing Riedel is probably correct.

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Hm...there goes his Tony win.

I'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.

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

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

Legibus = the voice of reason

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Not to burst anyone's bubble, but this kind of doubling happens in many shows. And has been for a while now.

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

Didja... just read ANYTHING at all in this thread, jo?

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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.