Andy Wahlberg - Sun Moon Star Sky (2007)

Tracklist

01. Blue Moon
02. Swinging On A Star
03. Stardust
04. Skylark
05. East of the Sun
06. Paper Moon
07. How High Is The Sky
08. Stars Fell On Alabama
09. Ole Buttermilk Sky
10. Fly Me To The Moon
11. Moonglow
12. Got The Sun In The Morning
13. Stella By Starlight
14. Blue Skies
15. When Sunny Gets Blue
16. Sunny Side Of The Street

"Sun Moon Star Sky" represents a bit of a departure for Florida-reared, harp-guitarist wizard Andy Wahlberg. This 16-song collection revolves around pop standards from the 1920s, '30s, '40s and '50s whose titles contain some mention of the words in his CD's title. Hence, "Blue Moon, " "Swinging on a Star," "Sunny Side of the Street," "Blue Skies" -- you get the idea. It's surprising how many such songs exist, which makes this effort at the very least a thematic success. Wahlberg ably revisits the familiar -- Irving Berlin's "Got the Sun in the Morning" from "Annie Get Your Gun" is pure fun -- as well as the somewhat less traveled, such as Hoagy Carmichael's campy "Ole Buttermilk Sky" and a thoughtful reading of Brooks Bowman's "East of the Sun." The revelation within is this: Wahberg's a serviceable crooner, and plays it straight, for the most part. His guitar, a visual piece of artistry, largely serves to showcase the stellar compositions . . . he coaxes such a wonderful tone from his guitar, with inventive (but not intrusive) arrangements that feature walking bass lines, rhythm, and lead virtually all at once. As if that's not enough, he plays harmonica, whistles, and occasionally brings out his "lip trumpet." It all makes for a nice, laid-back package...

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]