Marcus Goldhaber With Jon Davis Trio - Take Me Anywhere (2008)

Marcus Goldhaber's new CD comes on like a plate full of comfort food. This collection of 17 songs (almost half of which are original and the rest familiar standards) is done straightforwardly with the Jon Davis Trio (Davis on piano, Martin Wind on bass and Marcello Pellitteri on drums with drummer Lieven Venken on one track). Goldhaber's soft, warm voice and lyric-driven laid back style tells each story effortlessly. He also takes a couple of tired chestnuts ("With Plenty Of Money And You" and "When I Take My Sugar To Tea") and gives them a fresh new approach with changes of tempo and new rhythm patterns. And just to let you know where his heart is, Goldhaber does two numbers "I Fall In Love Too Easily" (done as a waltz) and "A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening" strongly associated with Sinatra.

Since Goldhaber works mostly with the Jon Davis Trio, they all read each other well. The piano work is just enough to allow the vocal to take the spotlight, but also shines with solos on most of the tracks. Wind's wonderfully lyrical arco bass is captured on the original "A Walk" and the aforementioned "When I Take My Sugar To Tea". Also worth mentioning is Pellittieri's intricate tempo changes on "I've Never Been In Love Before" and Venken's performance on "Look For The Silver Lining". A surprise visit by Hendrik Meurkens' harmonica adds seasoning to the original "Take Me". This CD bears witness to the fact that Goldhaber is a hopeless romantic, that old-fashioned breed of singer called a crooner. In a climate which pushes reality and actuality, it's nice to find something that bespeaks of light, both moon and candle. ~ Marcia Hillman

Personnel: Marcus Goldhaber: vocals; Jon Davis: piano; Martin Wind: bass; Marcello Pellitterri: drums and percussion (4, 6); Lieven Venken: drums (16); Hendrik Meurkens: harmonica (3).