Search - Johnny Favourite :: Tonight Album

Holiday Romance was brilliant. What's with this?

D. Lee | California | 05/14/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Ska, 50's 60's Be-Bop, Bubble Gum Pop with an attitude, a handful of other styles sprinkled in every once in a while? It just doesn't work for me. This album tries to be cleaver, but misses it's mark by a mile. If you're looking for something at all resembling the brilliance of the Holiday Romance album, you will be disappointed. And what's up with the lyrics on the first track? Way too clunky. It wasn't until the 4th track until I found anything I wouldn't be embarrassed to play at a gathering. I kind of liked track #9, which sounds like something the Cure would do. Finally, the second to last track, "Tonight" got it right. It could have fit right in with "Holiday Romance." Listening to this album is like watching someone try on a bunch of outfits that don't quite fit.



Hey Johnny, are you listening? Holiday Romance is my favorite of all among the neo-swing genre. Unlike some of the flashier stuff, it is smooth and never tiring to the ear. It hit the sweet spot, neither being too mellowed out in sound, nor too glaring. It was one of those albums I find myself leaving in my CD player and listening to over and over. It is simply the most cleaver and enjoyable swing album I know of. Also, the recording quality, tone, and mix is exceptional. Speaking of quality, your voice is simply perfect for the swing genre. Hey how about bringing in some big song-writing and production guns and doing another album as brilliant as Holiday Romance? Have you considered doing a Latin-esque album? You know, Cha-Cha and Tango stuff. If so, please keep it on the smooth side as I find much of the Latin music to be too glaring and lacking in tone and subtly. You know, the kind of stuff that makes you want to raise your eyebrows toward your partner in that way that says, "well hello there you sexy lady, how about dancing a little closer." Have you listened to Pink Martini's "Sympathique" album? Check out tracks 1 - 2, and 6 - 9. Do an entire album in that kind of style and you will have a another real winner. Perhaps you may even want to consider partnering up your production people and musicians with theirs. Do it right and market it right, and the album will be a huge hit."