Frank Swings is a vocal album of original, jazz-influenced songs by Frank Lamphere. The five swingin' new tunes include: "I Never Forgot" (featured in the motion picture Theresa Is a Mother), "Chicago Is For Me" the unofficial theme song of the city of Chicago, "I Like Your Smell" with its exuberant Louis Prima type arrangement, the jazzy "Be Happy" that features solos by Eric Schneider and Jim Ryan and "That's How Our Story Ends" a pop-blues number that sounds very 60s (That's Life part 2)
There's no orchestra to hide behind here. Frank Lamphere sings his own tunes, out front, strong, clear, in-tune and quite in-the-groove. Recorded with an exceptional piano led trio and a pair of highly regarded soloists from the Chicago jazz scene. A winner!
"Frank Swings" the way great jazz recordings used to be made. A real singer, singing his butt off and band swinging hard; without all the fake extra "stuff".
"Frank Swings" Five cool new songs for swingin' occasions by crooner Frank Lamphere.
(Back cover) "Frank Swings" Five cool new songs for swingin' occasions by crooner Frank Lamphere.
Frank Swings was recorded at Studiomedia Recording in Evanston in November-December 2010. The session musicians were Eric Schneider reeds, Art Davis trumpet tracks 1 & 4, Jim Ryan Yamaha grand piano, Jim Cox upright bass and Bob Rummage drums. Engineering, mixing and mastering Scott Steinman
"Writing original music that tells a good story and swings is a lost art form. However, with his latest release, Frank Swings, Lamphere draws the listener in with his original lyrics, composition, phrasing and unique sound that I believe distinguishes him from most of his contemporaries and sets a new standard for the 21st century crooner." - Mike Jeffers, CEO Chicago Jazz Publishing and Entertainment
"He seems more modeled on the casual Dean Martin manner, especially in lazy,slow tempo where he slurs and sloshes some vowel sounds" - Rob Lester, Talkin' Broadway
"His voice, now more than ever before, is a wonderful blend of masculine strength and smooth, rounded edges. Rather than sounding like someone who is hesitant, Frank’s style embodies bridled strength"- Ben Dockery jazz writer-pianist
