If singer Giacomo Gates knew any more about hip, he could be a chiropractor.
His latest album (from a highly recommended catalogue) reveals another perspective of the man of the world-turned jazz vocalist. Teaming up with Tim Ray/p, John Lockwood/b and James Lattini/dr, Gates delves into “The Great American ‘You’ Songbook”, singing songs with the Second Personal Pronoun in the title.
But he doesn’t stop there, he improvises on his improvisations, bringing in quotes from other songs, like “Take the ‘A’ Train” among others for “Exactly Like You” or forming rhymes within rhymes on “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”. The biggest hoot of all is when he keeps repeating the title “It Had To Be You” for the entire chorus, and he makes it work! Yes, he finally gets to the other lyrics, but who cares at that point!
Every tune, from the hipster “I’ve Got News For You” to the ironic “Are We Having’ Any Fun” are lathered with Gates’ mix of avuncular charm, world-wise wisdom and street wise sophistication. This guy didn’t go to Manhattan School of Music; he sings from the Lower East Side.