Search - Matt Belsante :: Blame It on My Youth

Five Stars For The Next Big Star

Scottie | 09/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once again, Matt Belsante teams up with Chris McDonald to produce one of the best works I've had the pleasure of listening to in a long time.



The album features an impressive blend of swinging big band numbers, classic pop and soul hits with a contemporary twist. Songs include: "Beyond The Sea"; "Brazil"; "Never My Love"; "I Saw Her Standing There", "Witchcraft" and "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" among others.



Personal favourites include a more upbeat, Laitin-influenced arrangement of "Brazil", which is set noticeably apart from Sinatra's version and quite frankly puts it to shame. A softer, orchestral rendition of Stevie Wonder's ballad "All Is Fair In Love" works well accompanied with Matt's super-smooth vocals and is every bit as soulful. Another winning track is Matt's self-penned original "Haven't Got Much", which contains some of the most beautiful lyrics I've ever heard and proves that Matt not only sings great songs, but writes them as well.



You'll never tire of hearing this album. In a word - AWESOME!"

This new crooner means business even if he's not home free j

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/07/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Blame It On My Youth lets Matt Belsante show off his strong ability to sing out a tune with the best of them! His voice is manly yet there's just a hint of vulnerability that may well endear him to his fans now and in the future. This young artist is just taking off for a spectacular flight; he performs very good covers of several songs on this CD. I believe in Matt Belsante; he will only get better with time and that's exciting. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is thoughtfully laid out.



The album begins with one of Bobby Darin's signature songs, "Beyond The Sea." "Beyond The Sea" has a traditional big band style approach that reminds me of that 1960s Vegas sound and it holds its own very well. Matt has the ability to sing words so well that it enhances his performance and just one listen proves it! "Brazil" is a lovely tune that Matt delivers with great sensitivity; he makes this classic number really shine and he handles the tempo changes like a pro. I'm impressed; and the musical arrangement for "Brazil" is just right without stealing the show away from Matt.



"At Last" stuns me with its beauty; it's one of my favorite songs on this album. I wonder what Etta James would have to say about Matt's rendition? Etta certainly didn't appreciate it when Beyoncé performed "At Last" at an inaugural ball for the new president. Anyway, I think Matt's version of "At Last" is pretty good. In addition, "I Saw Her Standing There" rearranges a Beatles tune by giving it a big band style arrangement. The brass sparkles and Matt's voice conveys every nuance of emotion as he belts out "I Saw Her Standing There." I think Paul and Ringo would approve. "I Saw Her Standing There" is another highlight of this album.



"Blame It On My Youth," the title track for this album, gets a most elegant arrangement and that's all right by me! "Blame It On My Youth" is very pretty. "Witchcraft" isn't quite what Frank Sinatra could make of it--sorry, Matt! However, I do like "I Get A Kick Out Of You." "I Get A Kick Out Of You" has that peppy tempo and a piano arrangement that perfectly complements Matt's vocals; Matt Belsante sings this one up right and I love it!



"All In Love Is Fair" features Matt squarely front and center; it moves me deeply with its beauty even though it's not really the happiest of songs. "All In Love Is Fair" is a heartrending ballad if there ever was one; and I think Stevie Wonder would like Matt's delivery even though it's quite similar to Stevie's way of singing it. The CD ends with Matt Belsante performing "Never My Love;" "Never My Love" is beautiful and Matt does great justice to this ballad. "Never My Love" gives this album a strong ending.



Matt Belsante may not be Frank Sinatra; but I wouldn't discount him--not by a long shot. I think he has a bright future; it's just that he's getting started a bit slower than I would like. I recommend this CD for fans of Matt Belsante. People who enjoy classic pop vocals and even the newer "instant classics" will enjoy this album also.

"

Heat Too Intense

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 12/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Four sax players get a hardy workout on Matt's lovely croon on the classic "At Last." There's so much punch in the arrangement and play with the vocalist that it makes this a memorable track. The swing arrangement of "I Saw Her Standing There" is pure delight from the misleading strings in the first few bars before the band blasts with Matt's great vocals making this early Beatles' hit seem totally at home transplanted to jazz. "Witchcraft" also unfolds delightfully with Belsante playing with the romantic lyric, "I've got no defense for it; The heat is too intense for it; What good would common sense for it do?" "Haven't Got Much" is the lone track penned by Belsante and fits well with the classic songs. "Never My Love" is a lovely song that I've been playing recently; so Matt's version is welcome albeit the slow tempo seems to sap some of the energy of other versions like the Association's hit. Other tracks like "Beyond the Sea" & "I Get a Kick Out of You" are also gems. This is a strong freshman outing. Enjoy!"