GREAT REVIEW OF THE ALBUM BY JOHN HOGLUND! CABARET SCENES September / October 2014 Who is Jesse Luttrell? What is the fuss about? With the release of this self-titled debut E.P., recalling those of other openly gay performers, the public is about to find out. It’s already a hot seller on CD Baby. The hugely popular Luttrell describes himself as a modern-day vaudevillian. He just happens to have a flair for Fire Island and the gay circuit. But, he also has legitimate theatre credits, including the Emcee in CABARET, Frank N. Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, as well as being in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, CATS, and his popular, ongoing cabaret/concert act called BAWDY!, which has played around since 2009. He is a cult-like hero to his fans and packs them in wherever he performs. With a penchant for belting out show tunes surrounded by fine musicians, led by the embarrassingly great Fred Barton here, Luttrell has released this debut recording. It is noteworthy for many reasons, not the least of which is that it was the last album recorded at Jim Czak’s storied Nola Studios (which recently closed its doors after 75 legendary years.) In a ferociously clear-toned belt, Luttrell opens with a rousing version of Cy Coleman/Michael Stewart’s “Hey There, Good Times” (I LOVE MY WIFE) that fuses the eclectic likes of Shirley Bassey at her peak, Al Jolson and, yes, Judy Garland. That Garland influence seems obvious. Clearly, this is a showman of the first order at a time when such a bawdy, old-fashioned style is not in fashion with kids who idolize vacuous, mindless pop demons who dominate the industry now. For that reason alone, this album might be worthy of a Grammy nod (in some category). And, more seriously, for the talent and professionalism that went into this project with only six cuts on it. (Is it a teaser for more to some?) First of all, the orchestrations by Barton are as...
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:43:49 +0000
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