Telarc
By Ric Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 5.3.07Buy CD: Last First Kiss
When I reviewed DeSare's first CD about a year ago, I predicted a great future, assuming he was managed properly.
This album is further proof that he's on track to stardom.
He has a great voice, plays more than adequate piano and (can't hurt!) is really good-looking. Given sufficient exposure, he should develop a huge fan base, both men and women.
While listening to this release, one of my first thoughts was, "This guy sounds like a male version of Diana Krall" (intended as a sincere complement). After reading the CD liner notes, I found a quote by DeSare in which he makes the same comparison.
We're both right: Krall plays better piano, but DeSare's voice and phrasing are on a par with hers. And, although he sounds a little like Harry Connick Jr., DeSare is a better vocalist.
This album contains a baker's dozen of tunes, four of which DeSare wrote: "Let's Just Stay In," "I'll Never Have Enough of You," "Lover's Lullaby" and "Last First Kiss." The rest of the tunes are standards, several arranged in a jazz format; pleasing examples include "Kiss," a Prince tune, and Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move."
The backup groups, ranging from trios to octets, are excellent. Bucky Pizzarelli (guitarist on most tracks) and a tasty rhythm section keep the arrangements moving ... always adding, never subtracting.
It can be hard for a vocalist to hold an audience's attention, because of the sameness of each arrangement: vocal chorus, one or two instrumental solos, then a closing chorus and out. DeSare uses several techniques to solve that problem: Each tune is short — three to four minutes — and the quality of his piano playing, and the talents of the other soloists, prevent any boredom.
This is an excellent album, and it's true jazz: a genuine delight.
Telarc
By Ric Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 3.15.07Buy CD: Want You
I almost didn't review this CD; it's borderline jazz, more like what you'd hear in a lounge than in a club or concert.
But since I've covered at least half a dozen female singers in recent months, I must be equally fair to this new male vocalist.
DeSare is well known in the New York area, where he attended college and formed his first trio. He's a vocalist who plays more than adequate piano, and he sounds a lot like Harry Connick Jr. — without the New Orleans accent — and strongly resembles John F. Kennedy Jr.
That combination guarantees a significant female fan base for starters, and DeSare's excellent performance level also should bring the guys on board.
DeSare's songwriting abilities, though, will ensure his breakthrough to the upper echelon. He wrote six of the tunes on this album, five teamed with bassist Mike Lee. The biggie he'll ride into fame is "If I Had Drew," from the movie "My Date With Drew."
DeSare augmented his normal trio for this recording, adding Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), John Swana (trumpet), Bob Howell (tenor sax), Vic Stevens and Brian Czach (drums) and Tedd Firth (piano). Lee plays bass on every track.
All the arrangement are tastefully done, and the few featured solos are quite good. DeSare uses the same gimmick that pianist Paul Smith has become famous for: Smith concludes every live set with a short, fast version of the Looney Tunes theme, while DeSare does the same with the tune "Five Foot Two," delivering various styles at a blazing tempo.
