Relaxed toned vocalist Gary Brumburgh brings out the hip in us on this suavely swinging collection of tunes with all stars Jamieson Trotter-TerrY Trotter/p, Gabe Davis/b, Conor Malloy-Chrisitan Euman/dr, Pat Kelley-Larry Koonse/g and Bob Sheppard/sax. His mood and delivery bring thoughts of Kenny Rankin and Michael Franks, so it makes sense he would take on the latter’s pleasant “Eggplant” and the former on a snappy “Haven’t We Met.” He makes it hip to be hep on a swinging take of The Beatles’ “Day Tripper” and gets soulful with Sheppard’s tenor on “Moonlight” and the nimble “Dig/Sweet Georgia Brown.” He glows like a full moon on “What’ll I Do” and the glorious “Wichita Lineman,” showing depth of interpretation of a lonely lyric. Any LA gigs coming?
Andrew Weller gives a tribute to vintage years of Frank Sinatra by using Blue Eyes’ favorite partner, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra as the backdrop for classic material. Weller has a comfy sound and a cozy vibrato to his delivery, and the brassy charts on “All the Way” and “World on a String” are delightful. The sections deliver wanderlust for “Old Devil Moon” and come on bright and bold for “Come Dance With Me.” Upbeat with a smile.