Search - Dane Vannatter :: Here's to Life

Magnificent debut album

Michael Sassella | CANBERRA, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | 04/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was Dane Vannatter's first album. Jazz-influenced singing with excellent articulation - every word clearly heard - grace a magnificent effort. Structured like a 60-minute cabaret set, the CD opens with two joyous songs, the standard, "Let's Get Lost" and Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed". These feature rapturous, warm, sensuous vocals. Dane's voice may have some echoes of greats like Mel Tormé but it is unique with some of the timbre of a clarinet. It is light, clear and husky - a beautiful instrument. In "Overjoyed" he goes into a high register at the end which is full-voiced, not falsetto - a great finale. The jazz quartet backing, especially on "Let's Get Lost", is piquant and lovely. A change of pace comes with "Wild Is The Wind", a dramatic, darker effort with thunder from the percussion. The vocal power is finely controlled as the singer entices the object of the song into a "Wuthering Heights"-type "wild" love affair. "A Time For Love" is next - rivers of strong melody with a subtle, intricate backdrop. This is a happy song, a long vocal and instrumental workout. Also extended is "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home", a shuffling jazz-blues song running eight minutes. A story song about a footloose wanderer whose ways are borrowed from his observations of the birds he sees. Again the extended workouts by the players are a highlight. "Who Needs You?", a Billie Holliday song, a kiss-off for an inattentive lover, again features jazz and blues with the interest coming from the interpretation rather than vocal gymnastics. Piano and keyboards shine here. The mood lightens with a fast, jazzy, partly scat sung, "Blue Skies". The singing is light and ecstatic, the piano, bass and percussion are fine indeed. "House Of Flowers" is a sensitive and sensuous ballad that refers to winds and spring showers. The "house" is open to nature, a place of romantic trysts and the singer pleads with his lover to share it with him. That segues into "Midnight Sun", a love song in which the two see the midnight sun on a special night, but she leaves, the singer left with her impression. This is all very atmospheric, a fascinating story. We then have seven minutes of "The Nearness Of You", a standard rescued from cliché by its boss nova beat. The vocal is relaxed, direct and warm. The quartet, notably the violin, do wonders. This track is like a good massage - any cares melt away and relaxation takes over. Another intelligent interpretation follows in "I Wished On The Moon" in which no one loves the singer, though he is supported by a truly warm bass line. He is singing to one who arrived via a wish he made on the moon; he is happy, aided by some joyous violin playing. The title track follows, "Here's To Life". This is a strong, epic ballad with a European feel, much as Shirley Bassey or Edith Piaf might attempt. In contemplation the singer seems to be considering a life in which he has chased his dreams, placed his bets, been satisfied but is still "hungry". He says that "All you give is what you get - give it all you've got". He would "do it all again" and his "tomorrow is unknown". The synthesizer and piano add immeasurably to the dramatic effect of this fascinating song which is delivered passionately and sensitively. The "show" ends with the standard, "That's All" but, as with the earlier standards, this is a fresh take on an old song. A relaxed, positive ending to a great show with terrific instrumentation. Dane Vannatter is too little known and appreciated for the great vocalist and stylist he is. This is a flawless debut album."