Christmas Home (AJD Entertainment)
Tony DeSare
Released in 2016
DownBeat Four-Stars Review
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nfuYz0md6DhUR9PAU5zXuxjwV4FszR51o
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6hxjle6Ilh1QWHOogR1eAG?si=TKsd1UqZTGO7jrYDHFT4iQ
About:
Inspired by America’s most popular mid-century vocalists like Frank Sinatra, DeSare set out to recreate a more intimate sound and spirit of the 1950’s and channel it into a new, old-fashioned Christmas album. Writing for a small studio orchestra as Sinatra used on his Close to You and More album rather than a large big band, DeSare’s collaborators on the orchestrations were Fred Barton and Tedd Firth. The recording sessions were also captured on camera; each song on the album has a corresponding video that will be released on DeSare’s YouTube channel throughout the holiday season. Christmas Home features several of the most beloved Christmas classics, including I ll Be Home for Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and It s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, as well as two original compositions.
Track Listing:
1. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Kim Gannon / Walter Kent / Buck Ram) 3:56
2. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (Meredith Wilson) 2:45
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Hugh Martin / Ralph Blane) 3:59
4. Family Christmas Home (Tony DeSare) 3:14
5. Oh Holy Night (Adolphe Adam) 4:08
6. White Christmas (Irving Berlin) 3:13
7. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky) 2:01
8. The Christmas Song (Robert Wells / Mel Torme) 3:26
9. Silent Night (Franz Gruber / Joseph Mohr) 3:06 Bonus Tracks
10. Christmas For You and Me (Tony DeSare) 4:35
11. 18 Versions of Jingle Bells (Live) 7:35
Personnel:
Tony DeSare: vocals, piano (7, 10, 11)
Michael Ludwig: violin
Rachael Ludwig; violin
Gjilberta Lucaj: cello
Peter Kiral: viola
Mimi Jones: bass
Michael Klopp: drums
Edward Decker: guitar
Kristi Shade: harp
Alexandra Sopp: flute
Alexandra Knoll: oboe
Michael P. Atkinson: french horn
Tedd Firth: piano (5)
Recorded at Southpaw Studios, Peekskill, USA
Produced, Conducted and Mixed by Tony DeSare
Engineer: Bill Moss
Mastered and Additional Mixing by Sabino Cannone
Photography: Bill Westmoreland
Artwork Design by Robbie Vicencio
Review:
From the opening bars of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” to the close of “Silent Night,” singer and pianist Tony DeSare’s Christmas Home conveys the joy this talented artist feels for the season. His rich, full voice walks a fine line between heartfelt drama and bathos, but, we’re glad to say, it lands on the right side. DeSare is supported by a small orchestra that includes violins, viola, cello, harp, French horn and more. Think of him as a noble progenitor of Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and other crooners. DeSare is a gifted pianist, getting just the right combination of delight and skillful touch on a solo version of “Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy.” The two bonus tracks are hardly throwaways. The wickedly clever “18 Versions Of Jingle Bells” is a seven-minute concert performance in which DeSare mimics assorted singers and musical styles. His vocals on the captivating original tune “Christmas For You And Me” showcase an ease of delivery while communicating how deeply he cares about New York during the Christmas season.
Frank-John Hadley (DownBeat)
