And
while we're on the subject of Chicago, here's a singer based in that
city. He's made a splash in Chicago, and is starting to get better
known elsewhere, too. This CD should do the trick at long last.
From Chicago comes Tony Andriacchi, a compelling and sincere vocalist
who can also stir things up with a lively uptempo turn. This is his
second album. The first, Old Friends, was a piano-and-voice collection
of tender ballads. Long-lined, sincere love songs are, I think, his
strong suit as he has a soothing, romantic sound that can be almost
hypnotic. His pure and high tones are attractive, but he has vocal
power to call on when melody and emotion build. Thus, a medley of
two unabashedly sentimental and love-drenched journeys by Michel Legrand
with lyrics by Marilyn and Alan Bergman is glorious. It's a combination
of the hopeful invitation to long-lasting love, "What Are You
Doing the Rest of Your Life?," and the mourning of its loss,
"Once You've Been in Love," that works well. Tony's velvety
legato glide through "Maybe September" (a Percy Faith/ Jay
Livingston/ Ray Evans song from the film The Oscar) is likewise dreamy
with a sense of melancholia he can inhabit especially well.
It's
movie songs Tony favors here, with some pop items, but there's one
tune that began on Broadway in 1938, a lively spin through Cole Porter's
"At Long Last Love." It opens the album, prefaced intriguingly
by a bit of "As Long As I'm Singing," sung beautifully a
capella. This Bobby Darin memento bookends the CD, as a swingin' uptempo
version presents the full song at long last, at the end. Tony powerfully
holds the note on the word "song" for an eyebrow-raising
impressively long time at the end of two of the choruses. That adds
to the joy, as does the opportunity to actually use the instruments
mentioned in the lyric in the orchestration. Only "Nice To Be
Around" doesn't win me over, as I think its lyric is better suited
to a slower, more heartfelt treatment.
The
moods, both reflective and lighthearted, are greatly enhanced by a
full orchestra, including a large string section. Carey Deadman is
the versatile arranger, orchestrator and producer (he also plays flugelhorn
solos and is one of five trumpet players - this is a major and lush
production). The singer is credited as having come up with the musical
concepts and as executive producer.
I
look forward to hearing Tony in person for the first time on Tuesday
when he sings a couple of songs in the New York Cabaret Convention
at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater. Then he goes back to Chicago (the
city, not the musical) for another appearance, according to his website.
www.tonyasings.com. Impressive work!
Rob
Lester - Talkin' Broadway