Finally, something original. Tony DeSare’s ambitious new non-traditional CD, Radio Show on Telarc, is a brilliant concept album spanning decades of American song, blending traditional swing, jazz and pop with his original material, all presented in a nostalgia-flavored radio format, complete with an announcer/DJ. Multi-voiced actor/comic Joe Piscopo serves as miscellaneous mellow-toned radio announcers on what may be DeSare’s breakthrough release. An exceptional disc by an artist who has paid some dues and is set to make big waves, Tony DeSare is the most compelling new singer/pianist to come along since Harry Connick, Jr.

The album makes musical statements from the 1920s to the 1980s. At times recalling a young Sinatra, who is an influence, the handsome singer naturally wraps each song in vocal magic. His musical sensibilities are totally in command with this material whether swinging a big band standard like “Get Happy” or a rousing “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” or on a beautiful reading of a passionate ballad like “Dreaming My Life Away,” one of the album’s best cuts. A swinging bossa beat infuses “Bizarre Love Triangle,” originally recorded by New Order in 1986, in a thrilling duet with Jane Monheit in English and Portuguese. This one’s a winner!

John Hoglund
Cabaret Scenes
January/February 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org