Who's The Guy With the World on a String? It's Steve Tyrell!
Written: Jun 06 '01
Product Rating:
Pros: Every song is a well-loved classic, Tyrell has the voice, musicans top-notch.
Cons: He's only done one album, and I want more.
The Bottom Line: Steve Tyrell's versions of modern classics are sophisticated without being stuffy, perfect music when you want an elegant mood that's also joyful.
MsHooterville's Full Review: A New Standard by Steve Tyrell
Maybe you've heard that wonderful television commercial for the CNBC Financial Channel where a happy fella with a pleasantly raspy voice is singing that old classic I've Got The World On a String as the screen shows people with moving ticker tapes running across their chests, the masts of sailboats, on the sides of skyscrapers...yeah, you know the one!
And I'll bet you loved the music and wondered, "Who is that singer? I wonder if he has an album? Does he just sing commercials? Where have I heard that voice before?"
It's Steve Tyrell -- A Grownup Harry Connick, Jr.!
Fortunately for those of you who wondered who that singer was, the answer is YES! Steve Tyrell offers 17 classic standards on his A New Standard album, recorded in 1999. And if you saw the Steve Martin Father of The Bride movies, both parts I and II, you have heard Tyrell before. He contributed to those soundtracks with The Way You Look Tonight and Give Me The Simple Life. Happily, both of those songs are on this album, too.
In fact, every song is familiar. You've heard all of them before, somewhere. And probably for most of your life, since they're standards by Irving Berlin, the Gershwin brothers, Ellington, Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen, to name a few.
The only thing about this album that's not immediately familiar is Tyrell himself!
No Stranger to the Music Business
In an introduction written by Burt Bacharach, we learn that Tyrell ran record promotion at Scepter Records in New York City, where Bacharach first met him.
"The thing I remember about him the most was his niceness, with a smile as open and honest and wide as anyone I've ever known...Stevie, you've always made me feel good, now make a lot of other people feel the same way."
And Bacharach is on target, 100 percent. Tyrell's vocals really do have a way of making you feel good. Not only because of his upbeat style, but because of the pace of the entire album. Each musician stands out without overwhelming the others, and the listener can fully enjoy every sound and nuance. Tyrell is the star, but not at the expense of his fellow musicians.
Soloists: Joe Sample, "Toots" Thielemans, "Sweets" Edison
Tyrell was able to attract some of the best musicians in the business to help with this album. Harmonica solos by "Toots" Thielmans, piano by Joe Sample and trumpet solos by Harry "Sweets" Edison are highlights on several tracks, although the musicians who back Tyrell on most of the songs are equally pleasing and consistent.
Some of the Best Tracks -- Hard to Choose
Since I love all 17 songs (you can see the full list by seaching for Steve Tyrell in the Popular Music section of Amazon.com and hear samples, too), it's hard to choose.
But I've Got the World on a String was the tune that prompted me to buy the CD, which was supposed to be a Father's Day gift for my husband (too late, I opened it). It sounds even better on my stereo than it does on the CNBC commercial!
Tyrell updates the Roosevelt-era lyrics of I Can't Get Started from "I've been consulted by Franklin D, Greta Garbo's had me to tea.." to "I've been consulted by President C, you know Hillary's had me to tea..." Sample's piano solo is jazzy and smooth with an Errol Garner flair.
I'm In the Mood for Love is the slowest (but not too slow) and dreamiest track, and Tyrell delivers a ballad beautifully, without frills. The same holds true for other World War II ballads like I'll Be Seeing You. Tyrell is sentimental without being sappy.
If you love Louis Armstrong's version of A Kiss to Build a Dream On, you'll like Tyrell's as well. Their singing styles are not dissimilar in soulful style, even as Tyrell's voice is definitely unique.
This Album is a Great Gift for Everyone
Your dad would love these songs and the way Tyrell sings them. So would your aunt, your mother, your best friend, or anyone else who says "Kids today don't know what they're missing." Tyrell offers a modern and highly pleasing version of each cut on this selection.
There are so many more wonderful old songs, let's all hope that Tyrell decides to make a second album. He's too good to leave music lovers hanging with only one!
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