Back in Town

Matt Dusk

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2007)
• Original Release Date: June 20, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000NA273A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,082 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Go big or go home. That might've been Matt Dusk's mantra as he contemplated the making of his second album. With impeccable taste to match his formidable talent, Dusk knows that style and sophistication--in everything from song selections and studio choices--are important factors that contribute to successful recordings. The 27-year-old crooner already had a sensational major-label debut under his belt with 2004's Two Shots, which was partially recorded at London's famous Abbey Road Studios with a 42-piece string section from the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

With Back in Town, the Toronto-born Dusk pulled out all the stops. First, he recorded much of the album in Los Angeles, at the fabled Capitol Studio in Studio A--where the walls have resonated with the voices of singers such as Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Ella Fitzgerald. Then, as if that magical setting wasn't enough, several renowned arrangers including Patrick Williams and Sammy Nestico were brought in to provide original arrangements for classic numbers like "More" and "As Time Goes By." On top of that, the legendary Al Schmitt, winner of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards, recorded and mixed all of the album's big band tracks. "I wanted this album to have the best of everything," explains Dusk, who produced Back in Town with Terry Sawchuk. "We approached it like it's our last big record, with the best arrangers, best musicians and best studios. We didn't want there to be any regrets or excuses in the future!" Indeed, Back in Town has all the ingredients to catapult the Juno Award nominated singer well into the pop stratosphere: timeless songs, stylish arrangements, cutting-edge production and powerhouse vocals. Quite simply, Dusk has never sounded better, and it's the album's combination of classic and original songs that has clearly brought out the best in him. Along with big-band material, drawn from the American Songbook, Back in Town features such contemporary pop numbers as the inspirational "All About Me" and the forceful title track. Both were given the chart-topping treatment from Chris Lord-Alge; one of the world's best mixing engineers with credits ranging from Madonna to Green Day. "Chris has a way of finding these frequencies that make your speakers blow up," says Dusk. "But his mother was a jazz singer, so he understands that genre too. After I heard Chris' first mix I was like, `Oh my God, this is huge.' I knew immediately that he'd found the sound both Terry and I were looking for that was radio compatible." Several tracks on Back in Town, including "Learnin' The Blues," "As Time Goes By" and "The Best is Yet to Come," are songs associated with Frank Sinatra, but Dusk was adamant about putting a fresh spin on that material. "I didn't want to perform stock arrangements of those songs," he says, "...like the classic Nelson Riddle and Billy May charts used for Sinatra. Been there, done that... so why not try something new? I won't deny that I'm a fan of Sinatra and that I definitely learned from him, but I want to put my own stamp on this genre."

Working with a full big-band orchestra and strings, plus arrangements from Williams, Nestico and Vince Mendoza, Dusk and Sawchuk took those songs in new directions, from the Latin tinge of "More" to the playful phrasing of "As Time Goes By." Similarly, "Who's Got the Action," once popularized by Dean Martin, gets the big, brassy treatment, while "Get Me to the Church On Time" and "On the Street Where You Live," two of Dusk's favorites from My Fair Lady, are nicely updated. Dusk says Nestico's arrangement for "Get Me to the Church On Time," in particular, blew him away. "Sammy, who's best known for his work with Count Basie, sent over his chart with a big yellow post-it note on it saying, `This is one of my best charts--please don't change a thing,'" recalls Dusk. "I was like `you've got to be kidding--I wouldn't touch it.' It was that good." Meanwhile, Dusk was able to bring some first-hand experience to "Get Me to the Church On Time"--not that he's married. "I used to sing at a ton of weddings," says Dusk, who studied at Toronto's famed St. Michael's Choir School before attending the city's York University taking master classes with Oscar Peterson in the jazz program. "I'd get invited to all the stags and see how the grooms were hell bent on sowing their wild oats and having their last hurrah. So I can totally relate to that scene." Although he refrains from divulging many details, Dusk's personal life has helped to shape both Back in Town and its predecessor. "The songs on Two Shots were more on the sad side because I was going through a rough time at that point in my life," he explains. "Most of the songs were about lost love and self discovery. On this album, it's the exact opposite. The majority of these songs are more about finding love, being happy and laughing, because the pendulum's definitely swingin' the other way."

Swinging is one way to describe Back in Town, which puts Dusk firmly back in the pack of young crooners like Michael Bublé and Dusk's label mate Jamie Cullum. "We've all got our own approaches to this genre," says Dusk, about his colleagues. "Me? I'm not here to change the world. You could say my goal is to bring jazz a little more into the mainstream. But basically, at the end of the day, all I really want to do is entertain people." With the big, bold and defiantly upbeat Back in Town, Dusk is doing just that

Product Description
Along with big-band material drawn from the American Songbook, Back in Town features such contemporary pop numbers as the inspirational "All About Me" and the forceful title track, both given the chart-topping treatment from Chris Lord-Alge, one of the best mix engineers in the world, with credits ranging from Madonna to Green Day. The big band material truly breaks new ground amongst the young crooners on the scene today. Much of the album was recorded in Los Angeles at the fabled Capitol Studios in Studio A--where the walls have resonated with the voices of such iconic singers as Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Dean Martin. As if that magical setting wasn't enough, several renowned arrangers including Patrick Williams, Vince Mendoza and Sammy Nestico were brought in to provide new, original charts for classic numbers. On top of that, the legendary Al Schmitt, winner of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards, recorded and mixed all of the album's big band orchestral tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars give this guy a spotlight !!!, June 1, 2008

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Matt Dusk came out with this great album, Back In Town, in 2006 and I have always enjoyed it. Matt's style is excellent; and the sound quality on this recording shows it all off very well. The artwork is very nicely done, too.

The CD starts with the title track, "Back In Time;" this snazzy number has great key modulations and Matt does this one up right! Matt's voice is great; and his excellent diction enhances his performance even further. Matt is in total control on this upbeat and catchy number and that's grand. "All About Me" slows down the pace but Matt's vocals are still excellent; the keyboard work is terrific and the rest of the music that accompanies Matt fits in perfectly with Mat's vocals. This is anything but elevator music; and it really draws in the listener quite naturally.

"The Best Is Yet To Come" gets a much more traditional arrangement and Matt Dusk delivers this with lots of style and grace. The strings work wonders for this ballad and Matt sings this all without a superfluous note! The overall arrangement is very sophisticated. Similarly, "The Way You Look Tonight" features Matt Dusk squarely in the spotlight--right where he belongs--and that's OK by me! Matt swings brightly to make this a great tune; and the big band arrangement sounds great on "The Way You Look Tonight."

"More" has a fine arrangement; and the slight Latin twist to the music makes this shine even brighter! Matt sings this with all his heart and soul and it makes "More" a major highlight of this CD. Matt Dusk was born to sing songs like these!

"As Time Goes By" was first featured in the movie Casablanca and Dooley Wilson sang it; and when Matt Dusk sings it Dooley would be very proud indeed! Matt plays a bit with the tempo and he adds a few key changes to place his own mark on this timeless ballad; and it comes out very well. "As Time Goes By" is another major highlight of this album. In addition, "Get Me To The Church" is a show tune from My Fair Lady; and Matt's interpretation is very fine and jazzy as well. "Get Me To The Church" has a strong musical arrangement but very wisely they never drown out Matt; his vocals stay front can center.

"On The Street Where You Live" is another show tune from My Fair Lady; and Matt outdoes even himself on this tune. Matt's rendition is THE definitive rendition of this ballad. "On The Street Where You Live" charms me and I won't tire of hearing Matt sing this anytime soon." "Million Kisses" is a song about a love that didn't work out well; and Matt sings this with great sensitivity. The album ends well with Matt Dusk performing ""Where Were You When;" "Where Were You When" shines bright and Matt makes this a solid ending for his album.

Matt Dusk is a very talented man; and he certainly should be getting more recognition that he currently receives. I recommend this CD for fans of classic pop vocals and even show tunes; you won't be disappointed.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining., April 26, 2008

By	Mr. R. J. Davidson (Edinburgh, Scotland. UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

More than two years after the release of Two Shots, Matt Dusk gives us "Back In Town", a mix of new songs and big band classics ( "The Best Is Yet To Come", "As Time Goes By"...).
I get hook from the very first song "Back In Town" which is a mix of swing and pop, and I am able to notice the quality of the work done on this album.
Toronto born Matt Dusk worked with some of the most talented people in the music industry, recording in the best studios, and we are able to notice these facts.
I appreciate Matt Dusk's rich and powerful voice, and the remarquable arrangements, wether he sings romantic ballads or up-beat songs.
Several tracks on "Back in Town", including "Learnin' The Blues", "As Time Goes By" and "The Best is Yet to Come" are songs associated with Frank Sinatra, but Matt puts a new flavour and his own signature on that material.
Swinging is one way to describe "Back in Town", which puts Matt firmly back in the pack of young crooners like Michael Bublé and label-mate Jamie Cullum.
On his second full-length -- a mix of the new and old -- that's a pretty entertaining listen, he does just that, with stylish big band songs that swing like he's aiming for the bleachers, along with jazzier numbers such as the title track, slower, more filmic fare, and adult contemporary tracks, such as the vaguely Bond-like "All About Me".
The songs on "Two Shots" were more on the sad side, on this album, it's the exact opposite. The majority of the songs are more about finding love, being happy and laughing, because the pendulum's definitely swingin' the other way in Matt's personal life.
"We've all got our own approaches to this genre," he says. "Me? I'm not here to change the world. You could say my goal is to bring jazz a little more into the mainstream. But basically, at the end of the day, all I really want to do is entertain people."
One track "A Million Kisses Late" is excellent for...sing-a-long and romance...
All in all, the album is tastefully and slickly done, with Matt establishing even further he's a gifted vocal talent, who's surrounded by musicians and producers who know what to do with him.
Enjoy !

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to listen, October 11, 2007

By	Loo "loo" (Malaysia) - See all my reviews

OK I am not a JAZZ fan. I find Micheal Buble too soothing (read sleepy when listening on the car) and Laura Fygi too technical. OK this one balances pop and jazz.. the first 2 tracks are very radio friendly while tracks like Take Me To Church In Time is technically jazz. Buy it if you are not a Jazznocrat this is very Poppy Jazz