John's Reviews

 

"South Florida’s John Lariviere is a young singer of the “old school.” He croons, he belts, he has a voice of the gods and his hour show at the Club Plaza Cabaret is devoted to the Songs of Johnny Mercer, and it is a marriage made in musical heaven.  From his “Blues in the Night” (music: Harold Arlen) opener to the closing “Moon River” (music: Henry Mancini), Lariviere was in total control of the meaning of the song while, at the same time, hypnotizing the avid audience to listen, for a change, to the gorgeous lyrics. Mercer, first and foremost, considered himself a lyricist, and for good reason. Each song told a story and Lariviere masterly conveyed the emotion that lay between the lines. Highlights were a trio of “Dream,” “I Remember You” (music: Victor Schertzinger) and “I Thought About You” (music: Jimmy Van Heusen). His version of “Come Rain or Come Shine” (Arlen) should be sung by Lariviere at every future performance. Sensational.  Ably assisted by Musical Director Phil Hinton, the 22-song set was, primarily, an opportunity to bask in one of the most beautiful voices in the South Florida area. I, for one, am glad I went. I could have listened to Lariviere all night. At his finale, the appreciative, yet ravenous, audience gave him an immediate and well-deserved standing ovation. Bravo, John! What a talent."

Jeffrey Bruce, Cabaret Scenes

 

" Tonight the talent came all the way from south Florida; John Lariviere wears a smart tux and cummerbund, and delivered a practiced two dozen hits by Johnny Mercer. It’s all classic American Song Book stuff, and he certainly has the voice for it. Some of the acts passing though here are local favorites, and support them as they deserve, but this was a surprisingly entertaining hour with talent you may not see without a long ride on the turnpike."

- Carl F. Gauze   Archikulture Digest Orlando, FL