Doug Ferony: It Had To Be You: The Lovers CD (2010)

C. MICHAEL BAILEY,

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: November 16, 2010

Doug Ferony: It Had To Be You: The Lovers CD

Track review of "S'Wonderful"

Vocalist Doug Ferony belongs in the same company as Roger Cairns and Tom Culver. These are durable male vocalists, conservative in their performance and interpretation approach, with distinctive voices in their own right. They are modern keepers-of-the-flame out of the Frank Sinatra/Tony Bennett tradition. Jazz singers? Maybe. Song Stylists? Absolutely. Ferony has made a career singing standards. He has released eight recordings previous to It Had To Be You: The Lovers CD, all replete with the safety of The Great American Songbook.

Ferony duets with pianist/vocalist Dena DeRose on It Had To Be You: The Lovers CD, in a pairing that, if it does not light fires, would certainly make a cover of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" desirable. Ferony's confident silk and satin mixes well with DeRose's clarion, if reserved, alto. DeRose's piano is delicate and appropriate as always, guiding the trio in this familiar territory. Bassist Steve Laspina provides an understated solo chorus before returning the piece to Ferony and DeRose. The two harmonize well. Now, about that "Baby, It's Cold Outside..."

Personnel: Doug Ferony: vocals; Dena DeRose: piano, vocals; Steve Laspina: bass; Tim Horner: drums.

Record Label: Self Produced
Style: Big Band