Julian Yeo at the Underground Lounge

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Vocalist Julian Yeo led an impressive sextet at the Underground Lounge on August 30, 2007.  Julian is a charming and easygoing bandleader.  For this occasion, only two of its regular members were present:  Doug Largent on bass and Nick Russo on guitar.

The Underground is an interesting place to hear live music - it has a relaxed atmosphere, no cover charge, and one can have the choice of three rooms to sit in (the bar, the coffee and tea room, or the cozy lounge).  Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, it's perfect for Columbia University students in addition to its regular New York audience.

Julian Yeo recently released his debut CD, titled "Old New Borrowed Blue," which is reminiscent of the old-fashioned jazz of the 1920s through the 1950s.  I heard one of the tunes from the CD at the Underground - Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things," and felt like I was in a 30's speakeasy.

An Australian of Asian descent, Julian Yeo has an appealing accent.  Singing in a relaxed manner, he never belts or forces his voice.  Julian knows a lot of material from the Great American Songbook, and the set I heard included such tunes as "I'm Putting all my Eggs in One Basket," "Lullaby of Birdland," "Night and Day," "What is this Thing Called Love," and by special request, "Autumn Leaves."  I found his crooning style of singing most effective during slow ballads, and my favorite, "What is this Thing Called Love" was a perfect example.

Halfway through the set, Julian performed his version of Ella Fitzgerald's "A Tisket, A Tasket."  Sung as a novelty number, the audience was pleasantly surprised when the band members participated in the famous call and response: "Was it Red?  No, no, no, no.  Was it Blue?  No, no, no, no."  What fun - who does that nowadays?

There were several female vocalists in the audience (Kristen Sergeant and Gabrielle Stravelli), and Julian was very generous to invite them up to sing.  Kristen did a beautiful upbeat swing of "Stars Fell on Alabama," while Gabrielle toned things down with "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most."

I was also impressed with Julian's creative instrumentation: a clarinetist instead of a saxophonist; a violinist who doubled on something that looked like a mandolin but with 4 strings, called a "mandola;" a washboard player (substituting for a drummer) who played with thimbles on his fingers; and an upright bass player who used no amp!

As song stylist, Julian Yeo makes a great bandleader, and I applaud his creative imagination.  His romantic expression, combined with straightforward delivery, was simply endearing, and I definitely want to hear more of Julian Yeo.