Album Review #1: Seth MacFarlane
Lush Life: The Lost Sinatra Arrangements
I know what you’re thinking…Peter Griffin can sing?!
YES! The creator of Family Guy, Ted, American Dad etc… Seth MacFarlane, is actually an incredibly, talented singer. This overachiever has been recording albums for years when he’s not in a sound booth voicing the numerous characters he’s created or writing/producing/directing etc…
I’ve been following MacFarlane’s singing career for a while and I personally love his voice. His timbre is smooth, velvety and has excellent vocal phrasing. A natural crooner - Bublé definitely has some major competition.
His latest album, Lush Life, features twelve lost arrangements originally composed for “Chairman of the Board” Frank Sinatra.
With the assistance and blessing of Tina Sinatra (Sinatra’s dauhgter), MacFarlane was able to acquire the physical arrangers notes and handwritten scores of Don Costa, Nelson Riddle and Billy May from the Sinatra Estate.
MacFarlane collaborated with record producer/arranger, Joel McNeely, to bring Sinatra’s lost arrangements a new life.
All twelve songs are accompanied with a full 70-piece orchestra under the baton of John Wilson. - It's a rarity to have any non-classical recording feature an orchestra.
And this album spoils us! MacFarlane doesn’t just have a couple of backup singers on the harmony, but an entire choir! They sound absolutely angelic on “Who’s In Your Arms Tonight”.
From start to finish, you feel like you have stepped back in time to the 1940s/50s. Each song provides a luscious performance that is even mastered beautifully.
Slightly disappointed MacFarlane didn’t attempt to sing in Italian for “Arrivederci, Roma” - but, I get it! If you don’t feel comfortable with the language - don’t attempt to record it. :-)
I highly recommend this album!
