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Editorial Reviews
Vocalist-songwriter-pianist Spencer Day is an artistic vagabond, a modern-day musical nomad. Born in Utah, raised in rural Arizona, currently living in Los Angeles with extended residencies in New York and San Francisco, Day has called many places home. Along the way, he has wandered amid the expansive and diverse landscape of American music, developing an artistic sensibility that borrows from numerous sources: jazz, musical theater, cabaret, soul, folk, traditional pop and contemporary pop are just the tip of the iceberg. Day uses intuition and improvisation as his primary tools to craft a sound that is traditional and familiar, yet fresh and innovative at the same time, creating a blend too subtle to parse into neatly defined categories. Vagabond, his new release and his first on Concord Jazz, cements his reputation as a balladeer for the new century whose creative voice is distilled from the best elements of the previous one.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Following the critical reception of his previous albums, Spencer Day is back with "Vagabond", an eclectic collection of songs of differents styles and: folk, soul, jazz, cabaret and contemporary pop.
"I've drawn from the Great American Songbook quite a bit in the past, but I really wanted to infuse this album with a more contemporary aesthetic, and also draw on some influences from the early '60s, like Burt Bacharach, Roy Orbison and Dusty Springfield. I wanted to create a sound that could stand alone and not be easily put into one category, but at the same time appeal to a broad range of listeners".
And he has succeded.
One key element in Spencer Day's appeal, which has seen him hailed as a new jazz/crossover star to rival Norah Jones, was immediately apparent from the moment he sang on stage, while he was opening for Rufus Wainwright at the Napa Valley Opera House and at the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival.
Day's first album for the major label Concord Jazz is aimed fair and square at the middle-aged female demographic. Those women who still hanker after the singing legends of the Sixties such as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and Paul Anka.
Not to mention the immediate comparisons with the new generation of jazz crooners such as Michael Buble, Harry Connick,Jr., Peter Concotti and Jamie Cullum.
Besides his look and personality and performance style, it's the way that Day's uncontrived eagerness and evident enjoyment feed into his music that explains his rapid success, combining as they do with a thorough understanding of vintage jazz idioms and the great American songbook.
The album is is full of the kind of music that you were used used to listen to on radio shows, some thirty/fourty years ago or the stuff they played over the tannoys in old-fashioned department stores: big orchestra-backed ballads with lush production values and a smooth crooner up front.
On the disc, there is a small group of string players, a quartet on most occasions, and at times they echo the approach used by the string arrangements in old rock, soul, and even doo-wop records of the past, but it does not sound too retro.
The Utah-born nomadic singer-pianist-songwiter has a fine baritone tone, and the tracks are given an intensity they so rightly deserve.
His piano playing is excellent, the arrangements throughout the show involve different permutations of a strings, horns strong backing line-up, from the intimacy of a quartet to the splash of the full band.
Some of the tracks will sound haunting and soulful.
Spencer Day's original songwriting, in fact, extends his range still further towards the quality end of the pop/jazzy market, as with the beautiful "Joe", its folky lyricism building to a force- fully urgent climax, the country-tinged "Till You Come to Me" and the swinging "I Got a Mind to Tell You".
Without a doubt, Spencer Day can sing.
His warm, seductive voice is addictive and "Vagabond" Tonight is as good as an album of great songs can get.
Pick up "Vagabond" and the music will most definitely be "down in your soul".
So, for all you romantics out there, this one is an absolute must.
Highlights: "Out of My Hands", "Till You Come To Me", "Vagabond" and "Maybe ( Tuesdy Morning)".
Update.
The album debuts at # 11 of the Billboard Top Jazz Albums.
Issue date: September 26, 2009
"I've drawn from the Great American Songbook quite a bit in the past, but I really wanted to infuse this album with a more contemporary aesthetic, and also draw on some influences from the early '60s, like Burt Bacharach, Roy Orbison and Dusty Springfield. I wanted to create a sound that could stand alone and not be easily put into one category, but at the same time appeal to a broad range of listeners".
And he has succeded.
One key element in Spencer Day's appeal, which has seen him hailed as a new jazz/crossover star to rival Norah Jones, was immediately apparent from the moment he sang on stage, while he was opening for Rufus Wainwright at the Napa Valley Opera House and at the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival.
Day's first album for the major label Concord Jazz is aimed fair and square at the middle-aged female demographic. Those women who still hanker after the singing legends of the Sixties such as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and Paul Anka.
Not to mention the immediate comparisons with the new generation of jazz crooners such as Michael Buble, Harry Connick,Jr., Peter Concotti and Jamie Cullum.
Besides his look and personality and performance style, it's the way that Day's uncontrived eagerness and evident enjoyment feed into his music that explains his rapid success, combining as they do with a thorough understanding of vintage jazz idioms and the great American songbook.
The album is is full of the kind of music that you were used used to listen to on radio shows, some thirty/fourty years ago or the stuff they played over the tannoys in old-fashioned department stores: big orchestra-backed ballads with lush production values and a smooth crooner up front.
On the disc, there is a small group of string players, a quartet on most occasions, and at times they echo the approach used by the string arrangements in old rock, soul, and even doo-wop records of the past, but it does not sound too retro.
The Utah-born nomadic singer-pianist-songwiter has a fine baritone tone, and the tracks are given an intensity they so rightly deserve.
His piano playing is excellent, the arrangements throughout the show involve different permutations of a strings, horns strong backing line-up, from the intimacy of a quartet to the splash of the full band.
Some of the tracks will sound haunting and soulful.
Spencer Day's original songwriting, in fact, extends his range still further towards the quality end of the pop/jazzy market, as with the beautiful "Joe", its folky lyricism building to a force- fully urgent climax, the country-tinged "Till You Come to Me" and the swinging "I Got a Mind to Tell You".
Without a doubt, Spencer Day can sing.
His warm, seductive voice is addictive and "Vagabond" Tonight is as good as an album of great songs can get.
Pick up "Vagabond" and the music will most definitely be "down in your soul".
So, for all you romantics out there, this one is an absolute must.
Highlights: "Out of My Hands", "Till You Come To Me", "Vagabond" and "Maybe ( Tuesdy Morning)".
Update.
The album debuts at # 11 of the Billboard Top Jazz Albums.
Issue date: September 26, 2009
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a wonderful album by a most gifted musician! It's worth listening to any of Spencer Day's songs for the beauty of his voice, alone -- rich, mellow, clear, wide range. His interpretations of songs written by others are heartfelt and lovely. But listen to the quality of the lyrics and arrangements of Spencer's own work (some jointly written with colleagues). His lyrics are clever, poignant, whimsical, profound, and melancholy. His arrangements are unique, beautiful, playful, and haunting. I'd first heard of Spencer from reading a very positive review of him in The San Francisco Chronicle, when he performed here a year ago. I researched him on the internet, and immediately bought his first two albums, enjoying each one. Then I saw Spencer in concert this past July in Napa, where he was debuting this new album prior to its national release -- he is a most delightful and engaging performer. His accompanying musicians included violins, cello, electric guitar, percusion, and bass -- each contributed uniquely to his melodies and arrangements. I loved each of the songs he performed from his new album, plus every other song he played, whether already released or in the pipeline. There was no question about getting his new album. I never tire of listening to Spencer's voice, music, or lyrics. He's currently performing in S.F. again, and this time I'm taking my sister, visiting from out of town. Check out his website -- spencerday.com -- for more information about his artistry and performances. Catch him live, if you can -- he's that much better in person!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Just caught his show in Portland after not having seen him for five years, and like a fine wine he was amazing. I was captivated from the moment he opened his mouth. Original songs and a voice like warm butter generously drizzled over a warm stack of pancakes. Don't miss him. He's going to be huge.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Amazing vocals
My heart sung as there is such a completeness to Spencer Day's vocals. I was amazed. As to the songs included in this album, some are better than others, but they are all sung very... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Penmouse
Good CD
I had never heard of this guy until a local station started playing some songs. I thought it might be Michael Buble so it took me a while to track it down. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Elizabeth Brooks
Suze
Wonderful album. Jazzy, sexy and relaxing. Not just one song on this album but every song. You won't be disappointed.
Published 10 months ago by Suze
HE,S MY NEW LOVE.
HE,S FANTASTIC, I LOVE HIS VOICE, HE,S SO COMFORTABLE. THERE JUST ISN,T ANYTHING BAD ABOUT HIM. WOULD LOVE TO SEE DO A SHOW OF HIS OWN.
Published 18 months ago by PHYLREW
SPENCER DAY - A GREAT NEW SINGER-MUSICIAN
A friend gave me his CD and I fell in love with the music and his voice. Then went to see him perform at a Winery in Temecula and really loved that. Read more
Published 18 months ago by April L. Ingle
Vagabond
WOW! do I love this cd! Spencer's voice is like wrapping you in a warm blanket, so comforting. His voice is soft with a touch of New Orleans jazz lilt. Read more
Published 21 months ago by C. Phelps
Great songs!
I loved this CD and it has some of the best songwriting I've heard in a long while.
Published 21 months ago by California mom
Spencer Day- A Day Brightener
I have been playing this album nearly every day since I purchased it. The melodies are catchy. The lyrics thoughtful and poignant, espcially "Joe", "Vagabond" and "Weeping Willow". Read more
Published 21 months ago by Lisa L. Selby
Great CD!
This CD is wonderful! You know how you buy a CD for a specific song and then are disappointed with the rest .....well that won't happen with this one ... Read more
Published 21 months ago by jazz listener
Sexy Harry Connick Jr.!
I do not usually do reviews, but I love this CD! I always browse CDs based on the cd cover(which surprisingly never steers me wrong!) and discovered Spencer Day. Read more
Published 22 months ago by M. Klueber
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