"Congratulations on another album replete with fantastic vocals, world-class musicianship, and top notch, hard swinging arrangements! This album is as good as anything out there" - Ben Dockery
Released in January 2021 America the Beautiful Swinging was crooner Frank Lamphere's long-time coming, followup recording project to Frank Swings (2012).
Preview the tracks on "America The Beautiful Swinging" - You Tube
"Congratulations on another album replete with fantastic vocals, world-class musicianship, and top notch, hard swinging arrangements! This album is as good as anything out there" - Ben Dockery
America the Beautiful Swinging Frank Lamphere CD rear cover
ALBUM REVIEW
America The Beautiful, Swinging features Lamphere singing four standards (including one that he performs in two different languages) and two of his originals with a top-notch band consisting of pianist Larry Harris, Andy Brown or Dan McIntyre on guitar, bassist Dennis Carroll, drummer George Fludas, and a horn section with trombonist Russ Philips, Eric Schneider on alto and tenor, and trumpeter Mark Olen.
The opening selection is a highpoint, one of the most swinging versions ever of “America the Beautiful.” The song, which would have made a great national anthem, always had great chord changes and a memorable theme with lyrics that celebrates the country’s natural beauty. Lamphere clearly has a great time interacting with the rhythm section which has pianist Harris sounding a bit like Oscar Peterson.
The singer’s “Las Vegas,” after a quiet verse, becomes a cooker featuring Lamphere’s always-friendly voice, colorful lyrics, and a short but sweet alto solo. On “This Guy’s in Love With You,” Lamphere gives the standard a thoughtful and almost conversational interpretation, showing that he has a fresh approach to ballads. In contrast, “Born Free” is taken as an assertive strut with joyful singing and fine spots for guitar and alto.
A charming version of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Meditation” has a strong contribution by trombonist Phillips. The original “The Cubs Go All The Way” is a happy romp celebrating the beloved baseball team. The enjoyable outing concludes with “Un Ragazzo Che ti Ama” which is an effective version of “This Guy’s In Love With You” taken in Italian.
Frank Lamphere’s America The Beautiful, Swinging is a joy and easily recommended to anyone who enjoys first class singing and superior tunes.
-Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian
Frank Lamphere wrote two of the songs on his CD :America the Beautiful, Swinging"
Drummer George Fludas ready to perform for Frank Lamphere's session March 09 2020.
Between takes at Frank Lamphere's recording session March 09 2020 (L-R) Dan McIntyre, Larry Harris and Dennis Carroll. Among others the group recorded "The Cubs Go All the Way"
The "America The Beautiful Swinging" rhythm section and vocalist on June 04 2019 (Larry Harris, Frank Lamphere, George Fludas, Dennis Carroll, Andy Brown (photo by Bill Klewitz)
Jim Massoth (Crystall Recorders Studio) recording engineer for the "America the Beautiful, Swinging" sessions
Jim Massoth and Larry Harris during the recording of Las Vegas. Las Vegas is the third track on "America the Beautiful Swinging"
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