If you are not aware of the dulcet tones of Matt Dusk then you are a ninny and a fool to yourself :D It's probably not the best way to entice you to try out an artist you may be unaware of, but sometimes I feel it is best to be upfront about these things :P Anyhoo, as many of you probably do know, Matt Dusk is the fine purveyor of a mix of self penned jazz-tinged, big band numbers and delightful classics. His Live from Las Vegas CD/DVD is a real treat that showcases what a consumate, witty performer he is, injecting his own style into the standards and demonstrating how effortlessly his own compositions hold up against such impossibly high quality (Indeed, his own compositions often work incredibly well alongside massive pop hits - I did a lovely piano medley of Wouldn't Change A Thing with Bruno Mars' Marry You for my parents 50th anniversary). And you should certainly be refreshing yourselves with the memory of his last full studio album back in 2009 - the entirely glorious Good News. Read my thoughts here...
Matt has returned with a brand new album and although I'm a bit late in reviewing it, that is in no way indicative of any poor quality. Rather it's an elegant, exquisitely constructed collection of songs graced with truly beautiful musical arrangements that reward the listener with each successive listen. Each time I thought I had enough to write about it, I would hear something new and hidden layers would reveal themselves. Matt brings alive the music of the incredibly talented jazz musician Chet Baker with such style and aplomb that it's like the songs were created just for Matt to sing them. While it may not be as pop infused as the aforementioned Good News, there is a dignity and beauty to the proceedings that just shines brightly in each tune - whether it be through delicate romantic intention or devastatingly tender heartache. Matt adjusts to the tale of each song showcasing his versatility as a consumate performer. The album commences with the title track, My Funny Valentine. Set to a sweeping and enchanting strings-led instrumental over that enticing c-minor tonic, when Matt's voice comes in at 40 seconds it's instantly engaging and seductive. Indeed, he's not so much a gatekeeper of other people's songs (though he's always reverent and respectful of the original material) rather a master interpreter, finding nuance & new meaning in the words and music of others. He's playful with the more teasing lyrics, but ultimately the romance & desire of the song shine through with his resonant tones uncovering hidden layers of the tune. It's quite the accomplishment to do this with such a universally well known (& oft-covered) musical gem. But that's Matt Dusk for you - dapper chappy, gorgeous expressive voice and ability to make something familiar sound entirely new. It's the most engaging of openings and shows that the Chet Baker songs are in safe hands. The track is one of three collaborations with ace trumpeteer Arturo Sandoval. The second song comes straight after and is a truly sensational version of Time After Time. Of course you will know the rather lovely and touching version that featured in the classic film It Happened In Brooklyn (and if not, why not?! Rectify that instantly. I'll wait!) The elegiac strings sweetly underscoring that sumptuous trumpet conjour up images of a smoky bar, Mad Men style, while Matt gently croons his declaration of love and dedication. His voice is imbued with a charming, sincere quality that's hard to resist - part of that seems to be reflecting his joy in singing the tune as well as channelling the lyrics (as discussed above). I love how as the pace picks up after that dreamy middle 8, so does the glee in Matt's voice as it turns into a celebration of a relationship that continues to endure. Utterly delightful. (Their third pairing comes much later in the album - Let's Get Lost is a peppy ode to being jubilant at just being in your paramour's company. What you might not know is that it is also the title track to a 1988 documentary about Chet Baker himself. The trumpet solo in the song is so entirely seductive that it is given equal time & billing as Matt himself. And frankly, it would be very hard indeed to say "no" if Matt sang in such cheeky, vivacious style "let's get lost" to you!)
Angel Eyes has an instrumental opening so dramatic and powerful, that I half expected Matt to come in James Bond style (perhaps it would work well in some yet to be written James Bond The Musical. Fella certainly is savoire faire enough to carry off the role!) His laissez-faire take on the vocals plays in perfect juxtaposition to the accompanying drama - the nonchalance actually works in his favour, giving him an 1920s film star vibe dripping in the confidence he needs to pursue his chosen loved one. So by the time you get to Embraceable You (duetting with Emilie Clare-Barlow), the passion and tempered desire positively drips from the speakers. The song comes alive and it's almost a visual feast of them ballroom dancing so elegantly in perfect time to the music. Emilie's voice is a giddy treat - so perfectly smooth and resonant (note how teasingly playful she is on just one line, when she sings about bringing out the gypsy in her. It's a delicious example of how an artist can bring a lyric into vivid focus with just the tiniest of personality). Their voices blend together just wonderfully, creating something that endures beyond trends and fashions. Entirely timeless - it fair bought a tear to my eye. Elsewhere on the album is All The Way in it's solo form - however, a bit of you tube searching reveals that Matt has re-recorded this as a duet with Polish star Edyta Gorniak. It acts as further irrefutable proof that Matt has the uncanny knack of being able to share the limelight without any of the focus detracting from his engaging vocals. Here, Edyta is the most lovely accompaniment - her resolute vocal is restrained & refined, representing for the both of them how sure the love they sing of is. No need to go over the top, it's a love that speaks loudly enough for both vocalists. Stunning.
I was mostly familiar with Come Rain or Come Shine from when Bette Midler sang it in the 1991 film, For The Boys. Matt delivers an emphatic denouement of love that is as much about the lyrics as it is how he sings the lyrics. You believe that good times or bad are irrelevant because Matt has you convinced that love is the only thing that matters. And once again, his voice brings evocative visualisations – you can see him singing this to a singular person in a crowded concert hall, where the rest of the world fades away until the spotlight is just on him and his honey. And without skipping a beat, he transitions from wise ranconteur of love to playful, flirtatious dude (can you use the word dude when talking about such quality jazz music? Would “cat” be better?) on That Old Feeling. A deliriously seductive bass and tinkling piano paint the perfect canvas for Matt to work with – his voice anchors the melody to the song in the most dazzling, mellifluous way. What Matt weaves into the song so seamlessly is an element of surprise in his voice that beautifully mirrors the lyrics – meaning the song positively effervesces with emotion of how feelings can creep up on you before you even know they are there (or still there in this case).
The album comes to a close with two grandiose readings of well known standards. Someone To Watch Over Me is a tender, yearning, plea for love that highlights a gentle, vulnerable side of Matt’s vocal. The little magical musical twinkle at the end of the song is a stroke of genius – it gives the song an optimistic, hopeful finish; almost like the song was a spell, Matt’s voice a siren’s call and it all worked to bring about a happy ending. I Fall In Love Too Easily is the most gorgeous way to end the project – duetting with Ryan Ahlwardt ensures that the layered vocals and rhythmic finger clicks make the production sound like the classiest boy band song ever produced! Matt’s voice is tinged with wistful regret and the two vocals together are a musical alchemy whose chemistry can’t be denied. Perfect.
So ultimately, Matt is a playboy, a seducer, a lover, a romantic, a wise sage and the most skilled of ranconteurs. He makes these songs his own through respectful reverence perfectly balanced with his own emotive personality. Genuinely an amazing collection of tunes. I’m smitten all over again…
(Buy the album here)
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