SATURDAY LETTERS : Davis Gaines: What a Show at Universal!

I am totally dismayed by the mean-spirited review of the Davis Gaines concert at the Universal Amphitheatre (“Gaines’ Beautiful, Empty Sound,” Sept. 20).

True, the starting time was delayed, but there are a myriad of possible reasons. Why blame Gaines? Certainly it was not a perfect concert, at times almost amateur, but always the deficiencies seemed technical.

I found it hard to fault Gaines’ somewhat brave choices of some rather obscure, although deserving, songs, and his delivery is phenomenal. Did critic Don Heckman hear all the approving murmurings from the audience?

Gaines has a magnificent voice, and I personally can’t wait for his Orange County concerts.

ADRIANNE ROSS

Huntington Beach

*

We all left Gaines’ concert on a high note, agreeing that it was a rare and unforgettable experience. Obviously, Heckman’s review came as an ugly jolt. Unbelievable!

It is not true that “Davis Gaines kept his audience waiting. . . .” A female voice over the loudspeaker informed the waiting audience that “due to technical difficulties” the performance was delayed. “Please bear with us . . . and thank you for your patience.”

If critics had the ability to listen to audience response, rather than relying on their own arrogant reaction to a performance, they more often might present readers with a valid and trusted review. It is the paying audience of hundreds of people who will give the valid response.

In New York, critics can make or break a show. Fortunately, in Southern California, we make up our own minds.

LAURIE E. DEATS

Pacific Palisades

*

I was sitting directly behind the audio/visual control board and could hear everything firsthand as to what was going on. There truly were technical difficulties. The delay was not a case of an artistic “snit.”

The comment regarding Gaines not revealing any sensitivity to his listeners because he did not sing “Music of the Night” when they first asked for it is ludicrous. Greats such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett would never have sung their “My Way” or “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” too early in the concert. They know that if they did, everything would be downhill from there.

An inability “to connect with the inner life of a song,” Heckman says? Gaines has so much sensitivity and emotion in his voice that I found many women sighing, oohing, aahing and, yes, crying around me.

I believe Heckman owes Gaines another look.

MARY LEE KLAPP

Carson

*

Gaines not only produces a “beautiful sound” but truly “connects with the inner life of a song.” He turned the simple and traditionally lackluster soft shoe of “Tea for Two” into a poignant love song. Fortunately, he failed to produce an evening of musical-theater cliches with songs overly familiar and tiresome. His choices were refreshing and original.

JO WILEY

Van Nuys

*

Regarding Gaines not “telling a musical story”: Who cares? We went to listen to him sing without the mask on . He did a magnificent job of it and more than pleased everyone in the audience--except the reviewer. What is “the inner life of a song” anyway? Was Heckman expecting the Lee Strasberg method of interpreting songs?

JUDY TRAINER

AND FAMILY

Anaheim Hills

*

As for having to wait for a second encore to hear Gaines sing “The Music of the Night,” the energy that exploded after he did sing it was overwhelming. I feel that Gaines’ performance was magnificent, and I look forward to another concert.

SUSAN CHANTRY

Ontario

*

What I saw was thousands of people on their feet, screaming for more from Gaines. As dramatic as he was in “Phantom,” this is how charming and personable he was onstage as himself.

When Gaines did begin the strains of the “Phantom” numbers, the orchestra was literally brought to a halt waiting for the screams of delight to die down.

We finally have a young singer who is getting kids (and adults) interested in good music, and I would hate to see The Times hinder this via Heckman’s review.

MELISSA DALEY

Burbank

*

Heckman’s statement that Gaines’ focus on beautiful sound was a “flaw” is as ridiculous as saying that Baryshnikov’s focus on dance spoils the ballet! Gaines’ voice and interpretations were exquisite! Heckman must have only listened with his ears, unlike the rest of us who also heard with our hearts!

JANIS SARTIN

Castaic

*

Not only has Gaines’ budding and promising career been callously trashed but the opportunity for Times readers to be well-informed about an up-and-coming talent is lost.

The Times has a duty to present the public with unbiased and accurate information, and I feel that The Times, in the guise of Heckman, has fallen far short. It is a shame that, even if you wanted to, you cannot retract the damage that has been done.

JEFFREY F. HALLOCK

Pacific Palisades

*

“Empty” is the only word for Heckman’s review of a spectacular concert that had thousands of people on their feet for half an hour and thrilled for the other two. Did Heckman not hear a song for every possible ear and musical taste delivered with perfection by a performer with a range like nobody else’s? Heckman was the only person there who wasn’t transported by Gaines.

THE WILLIAM WEST FAMILY

Pacific Palisades

*

At show beginning, Gaines told the audience that he was just going to sing some of his favorite songs, if that was all right. And it was all right: We were not there to be told a story or audition him for a role; we were there to be entertained.

While Heckman and others may require some meaning or program behind music to enjoy it, most of us simply want to hear good music sung well, leaving the analysis to the directors, voice coaches and critics. Gaines sings good music magnificently. JULIE A. DuVALL

Upland

*

The geniuses that manage the parking situation at the Amphitheatre allowed a massive traffic jam to occur. Had the start of the concert not been delayed, there would have been a large number of livid people.

I loved the concert. I could happily listen to Gaines sing every day. And should he open “The Phantom of the Opera” in San Francisco as expected, I’ll be there.

SHARON JOHNSON

Valley Village

*

Gaines tells a “musical story” beautifully. The emotion in his voice and expressions always touch me. After hearing Gaines perform a song, he’s spoiled me. Others just don’t touch me in the same way.

On a final note, I have never been to a concert at the Universal Amphitheatre that started on time.

TINA LARSEN

Burbank

*

Gaines’ choice in music was a delight: from a swing version of “Night and Day” to a very sensual orchestration of “Begin the Beguine” to the always rousing “The Life That Late That I Led.” All of his songs met with great audience enthusiasm. Three standing ovations must count for something.

Gaines’ special guest star was Roslyn Kind. Why, why must every critic always include in Kind’s description that she is the half-sister of Barbra Streisand? Let Kind’s merit stand on its own!

NEAL BAKKE

Burbank