morgan jay

Aside from his high pitched golden pipes and soothing guitar picking all while being able to seamless switch between earnest dramedy songs and crowd work, Morgan Jay really has a masterful knack in connecting with an audience. His latest hour special, Morgan Jay – Live at the Village, puts on a clinic with having the crowd so much on the same wavelength with him that it’s not awkward that they cut to them so often (crowd shots feel shoehorned-in, at best, in most comedy specials these days). This might be the most fun that call-and-response has ever been in a hour of comedy.

Singing your crowd work is something special and unique to Morgan and the way he croons to audience members is kind of irresistible. Jay handily utilizes his ability to hit those high notes that only some other comedians save for a single song in their hour or a tiny impression of some pop diva, but pairs it with a low key, often sultry R&B vibe. This gives the perfect comedic canvas for his satiric, yet heartfelt love songs.

Throughout Live at the Village, Jay possesses such a rambunctious (and often prurient) energy that the ride through his performance is something between going through the Tunnel of Love and Space Mountain. Jay even goes so far as explicitly wanting the crowd to make sure to engage in sexual congress, but there is an air of silliness that keeps things from getting too horny. That dynamic is made even more ironic with the fact that this special is taped at The Village, a legendary recording studio that’s hosted such a star-crossed band as Fleetwood Mac.

Morgan Jay: Live at the Village is streaming now on YouTube, at your convenience. Go watch, sing along, and enjoy it here.