If you are looking for any interpretational subtlety here: like, for example, shouting “Fire!” in a packed theater—stop searching, you won’t find it. That said, let’s back up and start from the beginning again.

Robert Davi actually has quite a clean, clear and pleasant voice: one that could be accurately described as, to use a well-worn phrase, easy listening. Comfortably produced, no force, no strain. But the CD title tells the whole story: Davi Sings Sinatra.

The uptempo cuts are wall-to-wall orange shag (luckily the ‘60s are having a hot retro resurgence right now), the ballads are phrased, or more succinctly, templated, to Sinatra specs.

Mr. Davi lends his masculine, two-fisted persona—which has served him successfully on screens big and small (the latter offering his film debut with Ol’ Blue Eyes himself)—to his performance, and, as suggested, his vocals are sure, direct and more than decently keyed. Hearing Davi sing Davi might be easier—more interesting—listening still, and perhaps more satisfying for him as well. The full orchestrations, arranged and conducted by Nick Tenbroek are big and lush back-up, and production by powerhouse Phil Ramone packs a punch that—wait for it—couldn’t hurt.

But, to reiterate, the CD title tells the whole story: Davi Sings Sinatra.

For the many fans—“Nice ‘n’ Easy,” “All the Way,” “Witchcraft,” “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” ”Summer Wind,” etc.—faithful, virtual, rubber-stamped renditions of a broadly tipped hat to His Frankieness.

Noah Tree
Cabaret Scenes
January/February 2012
www.cabaretscenes.org