Donny Most, best known as Ralph, class funnyman on the popular television show Happy Days and worked with Garry Marshall and Ron Howard, arrived in the local scene and wildly impressed those present on opening night at A ct 2 Entertainment Main Stage in Puerto Vallarta. He started at the age of thirteen discovering Big Band music, learned and sang the classic sounds of this era. Then, television became his forte but recently he has returned to his roots which are solid and strong. His particular love is the music of Bobby Darin and he was influenced greatly by Frank Sinatra.
What a kickoff to the music of the Big Band but Frank Sinatra’s “Almost Like Being in Love”. He had the room swinging immediately with everyone realizing they were in for a treat of hearing and seeing this man as he would be directly in front of a fine orchestra. His tracks were recorded in the studio or on stage and many tunes are included in his new CD “Mostly Swinging”. Rear videos played his orchestra with horn and guitar solos. He introduced them as My Band, a la Count Basie. “Lady Is a Tramp” sent him sailing through the airwaves of a bygone era. His voice was full and able to give a rich version of this classic song.
“Blue Skies” is the perfect song for Doony’s voice. The rendition was slow, soft and dreamy. He bought several to their feet and shouts from various areas of the crowd. “I Got it Bad [And That Ain’t Good]” brought down the mood, nearly eliciting tears. But then Donny turned more upward reaching with his gorgeous “It Had to be You”. Alos, he is particularly fond of the play/movie “Pal Joey”. His musical interpretations and creative arrangements made the evening very special. A top singer was before the crowd and many listeners were in awe of his deep talent.
As a child, Donny wanted to be an entertainer, especially a singer of Big Band music. Before his time, but with the aid of recordings the music, he became absorbed by this genre and on stage presented these classics as he desired, but television entered into the picture and he shifted careers into acting and comedy. After the success of Happy Days, Donny has appeared in numerous television and film roles and musicals. He said it wasn’t until fairly recently that he turned his attention back to his first love, the standards/swing/big band style of music and has played with terrific orchestras nationwide. He stated, “Look where I ended up!”, which is in the theatrical community of Puerto Vallarta. Also, he has performed recently at Feinstein’s 54 Below and the Iridium Jazz Club in New York.
The masterpiece of a show continued with a fantastic interpretation of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”. Always known for being a supremely great song, Donny took it under his wings and sent it flying through the air. He gave a stunning impression. “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered was one more example of songs written by the Best of the Best like Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn, Harold Arlen, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jimmy Van Heusen and Irving Berlin, among others. He then slid into a slinky “[Love is] The Tender Trap”.
If there was one singular standout is was “Mack the Knife”. It was difficult to picture a singer giving a better performance than Donny gave to the lucky members of the attendees. His swinging and silky sliding over the notes separate him from the pack. This impressive creation led to an inevitable encore, “One for my Baby [and One More for the Road]”.
This review written by Puerto Vallarta local Gary Beck. For more of Beck’s Best: Theater, Cabaret and More visit:
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