Contributor Scott Redman goes on a trip down memory lane with a little help from Broadway star Jarrod Spector.
Jarrod Spector, fresh from his knockout performance as Barry Mann in the Broadway show, Beautiful, bursts onto the cabaret scene with the CD release of his solo act, “A Little Help From My Friends.” Due to popular demand, Studio 54 has added an encore performance on April 9, featuring special guest Barry Mann himself.
Spector’s spin on the evening is a blast-from-the-past crash course in the evolution of music styles focusing on the trajectory of rock and roll. He pulls from a vast pool of music icons including Paul McCartney, Little Richard, Freddie Mercury, Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel.
Jarrod Spector and Anika Larsen in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” (photo: Joan Marcus) via The Broadway Blog.
The swooner has the voice of a velvet jet, it is clear, textured and seductive. Spector’s rendition of “Sweet Home Chicago” is a great example of the artist’s vulnerable rock sensibility. He lures the listener with soft but deliberate vibrato. He continues to seduce with the crowd favorite, “Unchained Melody”, giving the song life and depth. The other side of Spector’s voice showcases a high-octange rocket ship energy. “Good Golly Miss Molly” has him riffing to the rafters.
Spector’s voice—one that echoes the past yet is distinctly its own—is like a vintage suit that has been tailored for the modern world. His greatest asset is his falsetto rock tenor timbre. “Don’t You Worry About a Thing” and “Maybe I’m Amazed” sounds as if he was born singing these songs. His performance contains an engine-like energy that keeps on going, never feeling forced but rather natural and inviting.
“A Little Help From My Friends” is available on Amazon.com and iTunes.