The holiday spirit came alive at The Paramount Theater Wednesday evening, as Leslie Odom Jr., Tony and Grammy Award-winning artist, took the stage for “The Christmas Tour.” Drawing from his two critically acclaimed Christmas albums, "Simply Christmas" and "The Christmas Album," Odom and his powerhouse of a band treated the audience to a festive musical experience that blended familiar favorites with some of his own originals.
A notable aspect of Odom’s Christmas Tour is how he shares the spotlight with his skilled musicians, comprising Steven Walker on guitar, Eric England on string bass and bass guitar, Chris Cadenhead on the keys and David Chiverton on drums. With their seamless interplay of musical interludes and improvisation, the ensemble performed as a cohesive unit to keep the sound alive throughout the entirety of the show.
Throughout the performance, Odom breathed new life into familiar tunes with his genre-bending interpretations and dynamic vocal techniques. The songs were not merely performed but reimagined with rock, soul, gospel and blues influence, exemplified during the evening in an electrifying take on Wham!’s “Last Christmas” and Odom’s own “Heaven & Earth.”
Audience member Wendy Morgan — a devoted fan of Odom’s since his breakout role as Aaron Burr in Broadway’s smash hit Hamilton in 2015 — has a particular affection for his musical prowess, noting that Odom’s Christmas albums are her personal favorites for the holidays.
“He's effortless. The way he sings is just effortless and beautiful and soulful,” Morgan said. “I love his interpretation of all the classics.”
The merry night of music commenced with a delicate and slow “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” a song steeped in nostalgia and warmth. Odom’s smooth vocals carried the melody with grace, creating a rich and intimate atmosphere in the theater. This was until the band steered the song in a different direction with a lively, jazz-infused twist on the classic. Their enthusiasm was palpable, making it clear they were not just playing together but genuinely reveling in the music as one.
Next, the stage lights suddenly focused on England, who provided a solo bass transition into a scat-heavy rendition of “My Favorite Things” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.” Odom was not afraid to add his own unique flair to the well-known tune, providing casual vocal opt-ups and playful scat improvisations that highlighted his impressive range.
Soulful renditions of “Jesus Gave Me Water” and “He’s So Wonderful” by Sam Cooke and The Soul Sisters came next, highlighting the spiritual foundations of Odom’s musical approach. Odom’s singing journey began at the Canaan Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where he first immersed himself in gospel music.
“First, it was singing in church — that’s my foundation,” Odom told Interview Magazine in 2015. “When [singing] feels the best, it feels like worship. There is a muse at work, there is an inspiration that is directly connected to church.”
“Jesus Gave Me Water” was a standout moment of the evening. The band set aside their respective instruments and formed a tight-knit circle around Odom at center stage to provide impressive baritone a cappella harmonies. The number was nothing short of mesmerizing, with the absence of instruments allowing for a simple yet emotionally powerful vocal performance by the five men.
Building on the soulful energy of the previous numbers, the group delivered a heartfelt rendition of Charles Brown's "Please Come Home for Christmas,” capturing the song's expression of deep longing for love and togetherness during the holiday season.
Cadenhead took over during the bridge of the song with a captivating solo that demonstrated his remarkable ability to manage the organ keyboard with one hand and piano with the other. His fingers danced across the keys with effortless grace to create a lush soundscape that added depth to the impressive arrangement.
The mood shifted when the band transformed a bittersweet pop classic into a high-energy rock ballad with Wham!’s “Last Christmas.” The theater lit up with flashing green and red lights, as Odom invited the audience to clap along to the infectious beat. This sense of camaraderie between Odom and the crowd was evident throughout the entire evening, creating a warm atmosphere of joy and collaboration.
Odom could not help but tap into his theater roots for a theatrical recitation of the classic poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” accompanied by a soft piano melody. Odom's rich voice painted pictures of sugar plums and prancing reindeer as he strode across the stage with gripping facial expressions and large hand gestures to bring the narrative to life. The unexpected interlude provided a delightful contrast to the musical numbers before leading into the final numbers of the evening.
The performance took on a deeply emotional tone with an acoustic delivery of “Ave Maria.” Bathed in soft backlighting, Odom sang with a reverent, sacred quality that highlighted his falsetto as it soared effortlessly through the haunting melody. Unlike the previous numbers that were met with loud audience cheers throughout, the room had remained quiet and entranced by Odom’s voice.
For the finale, Odom sang an original entitled “Heaven & Earth,” which he dedicated to all the mothers in the audience. In a tender and powerful performance, Odom blended soulful melodies with poignant lyrics of love, sacrifice and the profound bond between mother and child. The song’s warmth and vulnerability served as a fitting conclusion to the evening.
Odom and his band were showered with thunderous applause and cheers from the audience as they exited the stage, but the night was not quite over. The five of them quickly returned, this time sitting next to one another at the front of the stage, for an intimate encore that delighted many listeners in the audience.
“This isn’t a Christmas song,” Odom said with a smirk. “I hope you will forgive us.”
Odom and his band launched into a stirring rendition of “Wait For It,” his signature song from “Hamilton.” This unexpected treat not only highlighted the iconic role that catapulted Odom to stardom but showcased the collective artistry of the group. Odom would occasionally pause his singing and close his eyes to fully immerse himself in the music, his body swaying to the steady rhythm. Together, the ensemble infused the Broadway hit with a fresh sound that wove each performer’s part seamlessly into the arrangement.
As the closing instrumental melody of "Wait For It" faded, the crowd erupted in a standing ovation — their enthusiasm reflecting not just appreciation for the encore, but also appreciation for the entire magical evening of music that Odom and his gifted band had created.
Read More
Director Pedro Almodóvar makes English language debut with “The Room Next Door”
By Grace Traxler | 4 days agoThe strength of “The Room Next Door” comes from how it consistently balances both sadness and sweetness.
U2 dismantles their past in new album “How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb”
By Grace Scott | December 10, 2024For this new album, the band picked 10 tracks off the cutting room floor, uncovering archived songs that did not make the original record.
Are we having an all folk Revival?
By CC West | December 8, 2024In recent years, contemporary folk artists have seen a surge in their streaming numbers, with artists who turn to the acoustic and authentic lyrical appeals rocketing to the top of the charts.
