John Vance - Dreamsville

[GA Russell]

Late in his life Frank Sinatra said that there were only three "saloon singers" left - himself, Tony Bennett and Mel Torme.

For the past three weeks I have been really enjoying a new album by a singer who fits that bill. His name is John Vance, and the CD is called Dreamsville.

There are 13 songs, 12 standards and one original. Vance sings them all straight - no scatting or other improvising. The backup band is a piano trio led by the album's arranger Jeff Collela (who was Lou Rawls' musical director) which is occasionally augmented by trumpet or guitar.

Vance's singing is perfectly effortless, just the way I like it. He sings like a hip Julie London. His second-tenor voice is clear, and he has excellent diction.

This is Vance's second album. He is also an actor, and played Malcolm's teacher in Malcolm in the Middle.

CDBaby sells this for $12.97. I've noticed that the prices of the new records I'm liking are coming down from the $18.99 watermark of not long ago.

Highly recommended if you like the effortless style like I do. 4 1/2 stars.

You can listen to the songs here:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/johnvance2