Cabaret Scenes CD Review

I’ve been saying for years now that Spencer Day is the one of the most important standard com-posers for the modern era and there’s no better proof than Vagabond. Synthesizing the spec-trum of musical influences from country, folk, jazz, pop and swing, Day has created an eclectic sound that resonates with listeners from all generations. Lovers of swing and great pop vocalists (Anka, Darin, Sinatra, Tormé and more recently Harry Connick, Jr.) enjoy Day’s smooth baritone; movie theme enthusiasts can sink their teeth into his lush string orchestrations and pristine compositions; and romantics will love the tenderness his imagery invokes.

“Till You Come to Me,” a hip, urbane love song, and “Everybody Knows,” a quixotic tale of family secrets, are perfect examples of Day’s songwriting style. Strings swirl in and out of sleek contemporary jazz arrangements, all highlighting Day’s playful vocals. The time signatures are exciting and the lyrics intelligent. “Weeping Willow,” a contemplation on living in the moment, is sure to be heavily covered by jazz artists (Paula West comes to mind). A quiet, tender vocal overlays this interesting musical vignette, the string arrangement swaying like a willow in a soft breeze.

The title track weaves stories of travel and movement, both geographical and emotional. This could be a winsome ode to his busy concert schedule, while “Joe” weaves a tale of moving to California and “25” speaks to the challenges of aging. “Summer” and “Maybe (Tuesday Morning)” are instant classics cementing Day’s reputation as a powerful, accomplished songwriter with wisdom beyond his years. The songs on this CD, while rooted in a mélange of great influences, are uniquely Spencer Day. The creativity that abounds on the fourteen selections presented here is truly astounding. The great excitement that heralded troubadours like Jim Croce, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and now Rufus Wainwright is squarely focused on Spencer Day. With Vagabond, he proves he’s more than up to the challenge.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
September 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org



	Spencer Day Vagabond Concord Jazz
I’ve been saying for years now that Spencer Day is the one of the most important standard com-posers for the modern era and there’s no better proof than Vagabond. Synthesizing the spec-trum of musical influences from country, folk, jazz, pop and swing, Day has created an eclectic sound that resonates with listeners from all generations. Lovers of swing and great pop vocalists (Anka, Darin, Sinatra, Tormé and more recently Harry Connick, Jr.) enjoy Day’s smooth baritone; movie theme enthusiasts can sink their teeth into his lush string orchestrations and pristine compositions; and romantics will love the tenderness his imagery invokes. “Till You Come to Me,” a hip, urbane love song, and “Everybody Knows,” a quixotic tale of family secrets, are perfect examples of Day’s songwriting style. Strings swirl in and out of sleek contemporary jazz arrangements, all highlighting Day’s playful vocals. The time signatures are exciting and the lyrics intelligent. “Weeping Willow,” a contemplation on living in the moment, is sure to be heavily covered by jazz artists (Paula West comes to mind). A quiet, tender vocal overlays this interesting musical vignette, the string arrangement swaying like a willow in a soft breeze. The title track weaves stories of travel and movement, both geographical and emotional. This could be a winsome ode to his busy concert schedule, while “Joe” weaves a tale of moving to California and “25” speaks to the challenges of aging. “Summer” and “Maybe (Tuesday Morning)” are instant classics cementing Day’s reputation as a powerful, accomplished songwriter with wisdom beyond his years. The songs on this CD, while rooted in a mélange of great influences, are uniquely Spencer Day. The creativity that abounds on the fourteen selections presented here is truly astounding. The great excitement that heralded troubadours like Jim Croce, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and now Rufus Wainwright is squarely focused on Spencer Day. With Vagabond, he proves he’s more than up to the challenge. Steve Murray Cabaret Scenes September 2009 www.cabaretscenes.org

Spencer Day

Vagabond

Concord Jazz