@tony-adamo
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<p class="MsoNormal">Tony Adamo Reviewed by L.A. Jazz Scene’s Jim Santella<br /> UrbanzoneRecords<br /> Franki La Mantia</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo<br /> <br /> <br /> Pop songs with R&B horns make Tony Adamo’s STRAIGHT UP DEAL sizzle with excitement. He sings with the bold character of a man who knows how to entertain, recalling pop singers Tom Jones, David Clayton-Thomas and Brook Benton as well as jazz singers Al Jarreau and Mark Murphy. His program, however, goes well beyond the pop and R&B arena into Jazz interpretations of standards such as “Milestones,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” ”Stolen Moments,” “In the WineLight,” and “Speak Low.”<br /> <span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The band, which includes horns with guitars, bass, keyboards and drums, gives Adamo a solid foundation from which he wails soulfully. <span> </span>Several guests help to make the session come alive: trumpeter Eddie Henderson, tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts, guitarist Jerry Stucker, baritone saxophonist Doc Kupka, and alto saxophonist Melecio Magdaluyo.<br /> <span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Adamo swings up front on “Hey Lou” with persuasive jazz-talk, settles down for “Autumn Leaves” with a straightforward ballad approach, curls up with “ Lolita” in a romantic way, croons “Speak Low” with a delightful spin, cries “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” with funk dreams on his mind, and creates a lovely program rich in the jazz tradition and fun to be with.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jim Santella, L.A Jazz Scene – 12-1-08<br /> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /> <!--[endif]--></p>
