Now That’s Amore – Frank Lamphere’s new CD
January 10, 2022 – Retro jazz crooner & occasional songwriter Frank Lamphere has released his fourth CD “Now That’s Amore”. The album contains fourteen songs, four of which are originals. Of these originals, Do You Like What You See? is an energetic bluesy pop ala 1967 as is I’d Like to Come Back to You Think. Both songs feature Hammond organ accompaniment, adding to their retro authentic sound. Think Happy is a heavy swinger whose message speaks of thinking positive. Frank does another take on his baseball song The Cubs Go All the Way. Of the remaining covers, the title track That’s Amore, originally from the 1953 Martin and Lewis movie “The Caddy” received a makeover and was made into a jazz waltz, but still with plenty of Italian flavorings. High aspirations are also held for the Love Theme From the Godfather now a full-fledged swinger, in English and an alternate take sung in Italian. Two Henry Mancini tunes: the up-tempo Charade and the slow Slow Hot Wind found a place on the album along with God Bless America, Bacharach’s Look of Love, a Buddy Greco flavored Around the World and the 1934 ballad For All We Know. This album was recorded over two primary sessions in 2020 and 2021.
Frank Lamphere has been a professional singer in the specialized genre often referred to as traditional pop and straight-ahead jazz. Lamphere has been honing his swinging style for 25 years. A style which has borrowed from the gods of popular music prior to 1970: Ol’ Blue Eyes, Dino, Jack Jones, Buddy Greco, Tony Bennett and a few others.
Frank's musical journey began at a young age, singing along to the records he played, on his "record player". While in his late-teens and early 20s opportunities to sit-in with local bar bands and mini sets with a wedding band were a great introduction to performing in front of a live audience. Later, jazz took on a profound role in his musical direction when he "found" pianist Billy Pierce and also began frequenting several jazz jam sessions. A lucky break around 1997 earned him steady club work with the popular Johnny Gabor Trio, Shortly after, he began successfully taking on his own gigs, not only in the Chicago area but all over the country. Over the years, Lamphere has retained a day-job. Deck contractor and owner of A-Affordable Decks, which will attain 30 years in business in 2022.
In 2002 Lamphere released a thirteen-track tribute to lyricist Sammy Cahn who had been a friend and frequent collaborator of Frank Sinatra. The album “Ain’t Love a Kick” attracted positive national attention. Concentrating on his live performances and a new family, it was ten years until Frank put out his next release, a five song EP of original songs entitled "Frank Swings". In January 2021 “America the Beautiful, Swinging” a seven-song disc was released. This one featured his original Las Vegas recorded with nine horns.
Career highlights include singing for radio and television commercials, headlining numerous Rat Pack themed shows across the Midwest, corporate gigs from Las Vegas to New York, even a couple of jazz clubs in Milan, Italy. The song I Never Forgot from his CD "Frank Swings" was featured prominently in the award-winning independent film Theresa Is a Mother. Frank continues to be hired across the U.S. to perform his specialty "Rat Pack Jazz" when “the music needs to be right”. He has more album projects coming soon, including a jazzy Frank Sinatra tribute that has already been recorded. Lamphere is married and has two children.
