CD Review: Ben Cassara, "What A Way To Go"

 

New York based Vocalist Ben Cassara released his new album, "What A Way To Go" in late December of 2022.  Ben is a cabaret and Jazz club singer whose singing will bring you back to when Jazz clubs in both NYC and LA were having their finest hour.  His voice and his interpretion of Lyric and Music is exceptionally good in my opinion.  No noise here, just pure understanding of lyrics performed in a traditional Jazz method.  Cassara sounds cool and calm on his CD and he brings along some of the finest musicians to support him.  The Arrangements from Josh Richman and Ronny Whyte are refreshingly good.

The Playlist Cassara put together for his CD are classic Jazz vocalist examples of cool music.  He draws heavily on the lyrics of Dave Frishberg while including two terrific songs from Jobim.  I have attached a "YouTube" of Cassara singing Jobim's "Living On Dreams" which includes English lyrics by Susannah McCorkel.  

It is so wonderful that gentle Jazz voices like Ben Cassara's can find small and intimate Jazz clubs in which to perform in major cities across the country.  He understands the messages that great songs have and he sings like he is telling a story to his audience.  Sadly, today there are not a lot of Vocalists who can pull off singing lyrics that are sensitive and tell a story.  Ben Cassara is a shining example of what makes Jazz cabaret singing so wonderful, and I am happy to support him and get the word out to my Jazz friends.

Playlist:

1. I Just Found Out About Love

2. Living On Dreams

3. What A Way To Go

4.  The Party Upstairs

5. Zanzibar

6. Fotographia

7. Let's Eat Home

8. Throw Me A Word

9. Secret Love

10. I Wish I Knew

11. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

12. Wheelers And Dealers

13. Linger Awhile

14. I Think I fell In Love Today

Players:

Ben Cassara- Vocals

Josh Richman- Piano & Arrangements

Ronny Whyte- Piano & Arrangements

Harry Allen- Saxophone

Boots Maleson- Bass

Tim Horner- Drums

  

                                                                  " Living On Dreams"    

                            

                                                           "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart"