ANTHONY STRONG

AND THEN WE KISS

Guaranteed! Records

Anthony Strong, vocals/piano/percussion/programming/arrangements.

Anthony Strong has a voice as smooth as oil on glass.  During this “And Then We Kiss” album, he draws his repertoire from Broadway, the Great American Songbook and includes classic pop songs.  Each one is sung with great emotion and awesome orchestration.  On tunes like “While We’re Young” Brandon Allen soars on his tenor saxophone solo. Strong himself sings like a horn, extending notes with riffs you would hear a saxophone play. This vocalist has a very strong style and charisma. It is particularly evident in his presentation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein tune, “Where is Love.” The tender guitar solo by Nick Fitch is moving and emotional.

Anthony Strong has a wonderful way of delivering a ballad, but he’s also quite competent at ‘swinging’ a tune. When he performs the pop classic, “It’s Not Unusual” he shows off his ability to swing along with his band. Again, Allen’s tenor saxophone is king during this arrangement. Joel Barford walks his bass and locks into the rhythm section. Strong scats his way out of the song, smooth as silk on the fade.

He also ‘swings’ the famed “Pennies From Heaven” tune, comfortably accompanied by himself on piano throughout this recording. His piano solo on this tune shows his mastery of the instrument.  Anthony also scats over the rhythm section with energy and ease.

The familiar “My Favorite Things” is produced as a jazz waltz with awesome orchestration.  This tune should get lots of airplay during the holiday season. As each new song unfolds, I grow more and more impressed with Anthony Strong. I respect that he has his own style and tone. He’s not trying to sound like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra or Elvis.  This album seems to say, “Hey – Meet Mr. Anthony Strong, a vocalist with his own personality, multi-talents, tone and charisma.”

THE BAND: Anthony Strong, vocals/piano/percussion/programming/arranger; Nick Fitch, guitar; Joel Barford, drums; Spencer Brown, bass; Brandon Allen, tenor saxophone; Pamina Beroff, guest vocalist. STRING ORCHESTRA: VIOLINS: Tom Kemp, (leader), Thom Gould, Tina Jacobs-Lim, Anne-Marie Curran, Marcy Buta, Raj Halder, Una Palliser, Penny Aimscow, Litsa Tunnah, & Tom Piggott-Smith. VIOLA: Rachel Robson, Cress Wislocki & Sarah McKenna. CELLO: Jocasta Whippy, Kirsten Jenson & Olivia Da Costa.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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