Seth MacFarlane: Swingin' in Concert

Seth MacFarlane is a multi-talented individual and that's a fact many people would no if he got half the credit he deserved. Because of his long-running, controversial programs like American Dad! and Family Guy, in addition to the love-it-or-hate-it Ted films, people assume MacFarlane's crass, pop-culture brand of humor is his only skill, which is why he has now created three Television programs with the same basic plot structure and main characters. If I were to tell you, however, that MacFarlane also serves as one of the few crooners we have in music today, would you believe me?

Anyone familiar with his animated programs knows that MacFarlane loves including musical numbers into his projects and, most of them, are performed by a character he voices. The musical numbers, typically found on your ordinary episode of Family Guy, are often well sung and provide a great deal of energy to most episodes. With Seth MacFarlane: Swingin' in Concert, a fifty-minute EPIX original special, MacFarlane shows his affinity for classic, swing ballads and the melodic crooner tunes of the 1930's and 1940's. Singing with his trademark baritone voice, accentuating a style similar to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, MacFarlane belts out a variety of songs throughout his special and is even accompanied on-stage by Sara Bareilles for their rendition of "Love Won't Let You Go Away."

From the moment he steps on stage, looking dapper in a full tuxedo and without his ability to make a dirty joke or a rapid-fire zinger, MacFarlane oozes personality, and just from the performance of his opening ballad "The Night They Invented Champagne," the overall effect makes you wants to go find your Sunday best. MacFarlane, accompanied by a full orchestra and performing before an audience, turns a spacious, decorated auditorium into a close-knit lounge with his ravishing vocals. He follows his opener with songs like "Anytime, Anywhere," which show his patient, reserved ways of singing and "Music is Better Than Words," a song that shows that some emotions can't adequately be communicated through words and conversations.

MacFarlane's personality carries on for a breezy but memorable fifty minutes. What's amazing is despite his voice and his crowded stage, MacFarlane is consistently understated here, never embellishing a note and never being too theatrical with his performance. His vocals are silky smooth, his appearance is handsome, and the entire mood Swingin' in Concert bears is inviting and personal, like a full-on lounge performance by one of the most underrated entertainers and singers working today.

Directed by: Mark Lucas.