Trading in the tux for leathers, John Lloyd Young used aviator glasses to hide his prom date good looks, but this makeover did not deter his devoted fans on opening night of his set, “Yours Truly,” at the Café Carlyle. Yes, there was no shortage of Jersey Boys hits with “Sherry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” but first he opened with a warbling “Stardust,” then to “My Prayer,” before he talked tough to his music director and keyboard man Tommy Faragher, “Let’s open a vein,” he said, leading to “Hurts So Bad” and channeling Roy Orbison for “Say No More.” 

He’s been performing for President Obama and Clint Eastwood, he said, but now he’s preparing for a special delegation to Cuba, also featuring Smokey Robinson; that announcement called for Smokey’s tune with Pete Moore, “OOO Baby Baby.” Other pop standards included “Unchained Melody,” “Show and Tell,” Randy Newman’s “Just One Smile,” famously covered by Gene Pitney and Dusty Springfield, and a song he claimed was as well known as any, “Ming Ri Tian Ya (If Tomorrow Comes),” from a movie with a “Love Story” theme. He sang it—beautifully– in Mandarin. 

Tommy Faragher is not only a sideman, along with John Putnam on guitar, Paul Socolaw on bass and Sam Merrick on drums, but Faragher is also a writing partner, and the ensemble performed his “Almost There,” and their tunes “Alone Together,” and “Slow Dawn Calling,” before closing the swoon-worthy set with Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” and Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Feel My Love.” 

No amount of leather could hide Young’s dimpled chin. He must get this a lot: A woman, unable to contain herself, shouted out “So adorable!” Casting a rueful eye in her direction, he quieted: “Calm down.” That would be hard to do at this Valentine’s Day ready show.

Regina Weinreich

Graphic Design: Salpeter Ventura