Customer Reviews

I Know You By Heart

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Lee Lessack Is one of the finest singers in cabaret today. His CD stays in my player and always will. He combines ability with heart and this is truly an unusual and winning combination!

Lee Lessack is one of the best male cabaret performers, and his new cd will certainly convince you of that. His rich tenor voice is perfectly suited for the selection of songs he has chosen as a follow up to his debut cd. The tribute song to Nancy LaMott ("I'll Imagine You a Song"), by the talented songwriters Carol Hall and Steven Lutvak, is deeply touching. Lee brings a new and refreshing interpretation to "Storybook", one of the most popular choices among cabaret artists today. He works magic with "Endless Night" from The Lion King, wrapping his crystal clear voice around every lyric. Each song showcases Lee's rich, passion-filled voice. "Perfect" by Ann Hampton Calloway is another standout, as well as the title track. The talent of John Boswell, Lee's musical arranger and pianist, is apparent in every selection. You will play this cd over and over and never grow tired of it. If there is only one cd you buy this year, this should be it. And do not pass up the opportunity to see Lee perform in person.

I discovered this CD as I was tracking down covers of John Bucchino's songs. Lee Lessack does a fine job with "It Feels Like Home," which is a gorgeous, soul-stirring work (although I think the best version is by Daisy Prince on "Grateful: The Songs of John Bucchino").

I'm very happy to discover Lee Lessack. This collection offers an interesting assortment-- "I Know You By Heart" (also covered by Eva Cassidy, beautifully); When October Goes (timely!); "Endless Night" (sparse, stirring); "I Can See It" (gorgeous harmonies thanks to Brian Lane Green and John Boswell); Jimmy Webb's "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress."

Producer and pianist John Boswell deserves much credit for making this CD such a delight. Unlike some reviewers here, I fell the arrangements and accompaniment complement Lessack's voice perfectly. As to his voice: I think it is marvelous-- clear, crisp, powerful, poignant. It is "theatrical" in the most glowing connotations of that word.

If you are a fan of cabaret, great voices, and/or moving music, this CD is for you.

This is a total listening pleasure. I listen to the music on a constant basis. His choice of material from the seldom heard song "Dreamers" to "Perfect" by fellow Cabaret artist Ann Hampton Callaway. He is joined by Brian Lane Green and John Boswell for the haunting "I Can See It" Some of my other favorite tracks include "Storybook" (From the musical The Scarlett Pimpernell),"Dreamscape"(by film and Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz), "It Feels Like Home" (a popular cabaret standard) and the medly of "Right As Rain/Soon It's Gonna Rain". Lee Lessack's I Know You By Heart deserves a permament palce in your cd collectionThis is a total listening pleasure. I listen to the music on a constant basis. His choice of material from the seldom heard song "Dreamers" to "Perfect" by fellow Cabaret artist Ann Hampton Callaway. He is joined by Brian Lane Green and John Boswell for the haunting "I Can See It" Some of my other favorite tracks include "Storybook" (From the musical The Scarlet Pimpernel), "Dreamscape" (By film and Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz), "It Feels Like Home" (a popular cabaret standard) and the medley of "Right As Rain/Soon It's Gonna Rain." Lee Lessack's I Know You By Heart deserves a permanent place in your CD collection

This album is beautiful in every way. The orchestrations and arrangements are so wonderful and fresh, the songs are rich in story and sentiment, and Lee is no less than brilliant. Mr. Lessack connects with each song and entrances me when I listen to him. Bravo!

Another breathtaking album from Lee Lessack. I was almost frightened to listen to this, given the perfection of his first album...but my fears proved groundless. His voice is even more beautiful, and his choice of material excellent. I particularly love "Dreamscape" Please buy this, you owe it to yourself!

I was fortunate enough to see Lee in concert earlier this year, and found out from him that he had a new cd on the way. Obviously I eagerly awaited the arrival of the new material, and I can say that I was not disappointed. I went to dinner with Lee and Joanne O'Brien. I mentioned a song I'd seen on a show honoring Johnny Mercer. The song was "I'll Imagine You A Song," written by Stephen Lutvak and Carol Hall. It is a beautiful song that any cabaret fan should enjoy. Lee also did and excellent job on Frank Wildhorn's song "Storybook, as well as Marvin Hamlisch's song "Dreamers." Lee is as nice a person as he is a great singer, so I encourage everyone to buy this cd as well as his first two. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Lee Lessack is one of the best singers around. His voice is warm and tender, His delivery is heartfelt and honest. My favorite tracks are "The Moon IS A Harsh Mistress", "when October Goes","I'll Imagine You A Song" & "Perfect". I only hope to hear much more from Lee. You're the best! Thanks.

"I Know You By Heart" is truly a CD of songs for the Dreamer in all of us!.....Lee's voice, his presentation of these songs is SPECTACULAR...! This man is truly brilliant and everyone needs to hear his voice at least once. But then again...once is not enough....you will play his music from here to the end of eternity!

I have played this CD and find myself singing, dancing and crying from the beautiful touching words.....Lee's voice pulls you in once again, his voice hugs you and you never want him to let go....He makes you feel like a close personal friend...someone he is singing too while expressing heartfelt emotions through a voice that is second to none!....The passion and love in his voice cannot be missed....This man has it...it is part of his DNA!

I am overwhelmed by his artistry on a daily basis....Lee's voice commands you to sit still and listen...for each word will enter your soul....and remain there.....He shares his feelings so deeply through these songs....this man is gifted beyond words...

Powerful songs, sung with an overwhelming feeling of love, joy and happiness.

Lee....You are am amazing artist...your voice feels like the softness of velvet....so perfectly smooth. A picture is worth a thousand words they say, and the cover photo says it all....for I smile just listening to these tracks...I can only imagine the joy you had in your heart while making this CD....

Again chills up and down my spine.....

"I Just Believe in Music!" and so will everyone who hears this CD....this voice....the pure MAGIC!

Love, Maureen

Not only does Lee Lessack have the best voice around today, his heart must be bigger than all outdoors. That's the only way I can explain how he managed to take three of my favorite songs by three immensely talented singer-songwriters and record, what in my opinion are the definitive versions of all three songs - "When October Goes," with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and music by Barry Manilow, "Much At All" by Susan Werner, and "Perfect" by Ann Hampton Callaway. How often do you find a singer that can seemingly take a song to a completely different level -- I hesitate to say "better" -- than the person who wrote it? From my years of listening to and loving music, I would say it almost never occurs. It is because of the song, "Perfect," that I found Mr. Lessack's recording in the first place. I love that song so much I was looking for sheet music for it, and stumbled across Lee's recording. I am eternally grateful that I did.

I don't understand why some other reviewers find fault with the orchestration on this CD - I love it and find it complements Lee's voice perfectly. But like all reviews - just my opinion. And it's my opinion that he's the best singer around in any genre. I don't think I've ever heard a singer who can move me so, and with whose music I feel such a connection. This CD - as are all of Lee's recordings - is truly a joy to hear.