Meet: Johnny Showcase

I’m doing an album review. I don’t score albums from 1-10, 1-5, or even give two thumbs up. I rate everything on a binary scale. That’s not the norm for music websites. Johnny Showcase isn’t the norm for a musician. So I guess this is all appropriate.

Now, Johnny Showcase not being normal is a good thing. A very good thing. I was alerted about this artist/cabaret show a month or so by a friend and I got to perusing the website. Johnny runs a live cabaret show with original songs, dancers, skits, magicians, and a drag queen named Martha Graham Cracker. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

Well Mr. Showcase just came out with a new album that is up on iTunes, with the physical release coming in October. I’ve listened through the album a few times now and I enjoy it. Thus, it receives the coveted “1” rating on the binary scale I mentioned earlier.

The album is filled with funk, some dancier tunes, some ballads, and lots of clever and witty lyrics. While I am writing this “Push That Rock” is playing in the background and I am loving the live horns. The overall sound reminds me of something that would have happened in the 70s. It’s not hard to picture Johnny doing his thing as the musical guest during one of the early seasons of Saturday Night Live, performing his songs as well as holding his own in some sketches. Actually, that’s not a bad premise for a music video. Make it happen, Johnny.

So until the physical release happens, which Johnny guarantees will be oh so physical, you can purchase and enjoy the album digitally here. Oh and before I forget, I got permission to share one track with you for free. I’ve decided to go with Sensual Pts. 1 & 2 – Johnny Showcase because the premise and lyrics make me laugh. Set to a track that sounds similar to Sexual Healing, Johnny lets a female know that they have to be sensual, but not sexual, because he is married. Listen to it, then go buy the album. Also, see the live show. It’s pure art.