‘Young Americans’ — A Salute to David Bowie

A review by Spotlight Central. Photos by Love Imagery

Anthony D’Amato, artistic director at The Strand Theater, Lakewood, NJ, created a unique tribute to the infamous David Bowie sharing the talents of the Jersey Shore musical community and giving them an opportunity to share their hearts and souls in a “Salute to David Bowie” concert on January 29, 2016. D’Amato knows how to find just the right musicians, sound, and crew members to put together a show that ebbs and flows, carrying the audience on a not-to-be-forgotten musical journey in a house that feels like a home.

This till-the-wee-hours-of-the morning event featured 35 interpretations by dozens of artists sharing their stories of Bowie’s effect on their lives by interpreting his music. As an image of Bowie’s handsome face watched over them, these “Young Americans,” the artists of today, performed Bowie songs and made them their own.

The performers ranged in age from 16 to 69 and each brought his or her own vibe to this music. Some performed their songs traditionally, whereas others changed-up the style and transformed their songs into something new and different. As the performers shared their art, it became apparent what a tremendous influence Bowie had on these talented musicians. Many even spoke of the personal connections they felt with Bowie through his words and music.

The performances were taken in by — for what seemed to be the most part — a very sophisticated Bowie assembly. As D’Amato read letters written by celebrities about their personal experiences with David, audience members throughout the house murmured the name of the celebrities even before Anthony did, thus demonstrating their depth of rock-knowledge Bowieness.

Some of the songs were recognizable from the first chords and had the audience singing, dancing, and clapping along. Others were interpretative, commanding silence from the audience members who were entranced by the words and music played in a new style, often with just simple instrumentation. Some artists even seemed surprised to hear the audience singing along with songs they ostensibly assumed were more obscure.

True to Bowie’s message and example of acceptance, the performers enjoyed the freedom to express their true selves not only in music, but as members of society: young and old, female and male, husbands and wives, fathers and sons, friends, partners, white, black, brown, straight, gay, lesbian, transgender, Christian, Buddist, Jewish, Muslim, atheist, agnostic, spacemen……..the list is endless because the invitation to “be who you are” and the freedom to “accept and be accepted” was Bowie’s ultimate message.

Although most of the audience members seemed to be Bowie fans, it was clear the performers in this show were poised to educate any non-believers in the crowd and convert them through Bowie’s message, voiced in terms of personal recollections by the artists themselves: “I am thankful to him for embracing music and people of all types”… “If you thought you were weird growing up, Bowie said it’s OK to be that person”… “Be true to yourself — unapologetically.”

The show ended with D’Amato, in the guise of his stage persona, Remember Jones, bringing the entire cast and crew on stage to perform Bowie’s classics, “All the Young Dudes,” and, finally, “Young Americans.” A current of communal energy ran through the theater from the stage to the balcony. With Bowie’s gaze watching over the congregation, everyone there knew they were experiencing something unique and different as we joined in singing, knowing these talented musical artists — whatever their age — are currently the “Young Americans” of the Jersey Shore’s thriving music scene — fearless to be themselves and to express themselves. David Bowie’s music was a major influence in the lives of all Americans at The Strand Theaterthat night, and, as audience members, we were all Young Americans experiencing Bowie’s powerful music through new voices.

For upcoming don’t-miss performances at The Strand, including NOW That’s What I Call Music LIVE! Vol. 2, on Friday, April 8, 2016 — created and produced by Anthony D’Amato — please go to strand.org