CD Review: Michael Dees - The Dream I Dreamed

(Review by Debra M.)

Michael Dees is a vocalist steeped in the tradition of the Great American Songbook, with a lifetime’s experience singing on TV and film soundtracks, as well as of live performance.  His voice may not be instantly recognisable like those of Tony Bennett, Matt Monroe or Frank Sinatra, but you've almost certainly heard him before.   
After decades recording other songwriters’ material, & composing & producing  commercial ‘jingles’, he has  finally got round to recording this album of 14 original songs.

Unapologetically sticking with the genre, & clearly inspired by it, the CD contains a selection of well written swinging tunes and thoughtful ballads.  The opening track is the sprightly, up-tempo  ‘In A Moment’ , but the highlight is ‘I Miss You’,  a heartfelt and beautifully penned ballad, with an immaculate understated  delivery, worthy of inclusion in the GAS book  Dees  so greatly admires.

The album features a band of extensively experienced West Coast musicians, with arrangements featuring the classic piano trio at the core, augmented by sympathetic horns, which are particularly sumptuous in ballads such as ‘Every Time You Touch Me’. 

The collection is definitely worth a listen for fans of the afore mentioned mature, male jazz vocalists, and for those young pretenders seeking to master the craft.
Available today - more details and samples.

Debra M.
Michael Dees – vocals; Terry Trotter – piano; Chuck Berghofer – bass; Steve Schaeffer – drums; Steve Huffsteter – trumpet & flugelhorn; Chuck Manning – tenor sax; Sal Marquez – trumpet;  Bob Shepperd – tenor sax & clarinet; Doug Webb – tenor sax; Don Williams – percussion.