In Good Companyby Anonymous
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January 10, 2006:
I discovered this CD on a B&N feature wall and by the third clip I knew it was great. Three elements combine to make this CD outstanding. First, Lessack's baritone voice features warm, rich sound while maintaining the ability to float, never over-singing. Second, the CD possesses an exemplary collection of songs. The two recently written songs, "Sweet Mystery" and "Here's to You," match the quality of the more familiar selections. Third, Lessack's choice of duet partners in relation to the selected songs is perfect. Each partner adds to the specific song on which they join Lessack. For example, Brian Lane Green's vocals on the Journey rock ballad "Open Arms" lend the song authenticity. Nita Whitaker's vocals on "First Time Ever I Saw..." blend perfectly with Lessack's and capture the lyric's essential warmth. The addition of different duet partners for each selection make each song on the CD unique, yet the album maintains a beautiful coherence. Other stand out tracks include: "The Look of Love," "Never Saw Blue Like That," "For Good," "Let It Be Me," "The Rose," and "May I Suggest." This is the best CD I've purchased in several months. It deserves a wide audience.
In Good Companyby Anonymous
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October 06, 2005:
On his new CD, Lee Lessack finds himself in phenomenal company. And this, from someone who was a little disappointed with the idea of a CD of duets -- I didn't want other singers intruding on Lee's music -- I wanted another CD of "pure Lee." I should have known that my reservations were unfounded. I know that when Lee Lessack does anything, it's done flawlessly, and this CD is certainly no exception. Lee's voice -- which I think is currently the best male voice in any genre -- is exceptional, and blends amazingly with all seventeen of his duet partners. The roster of names that sing with him is almost as ecclectic as the list of song choices, but all combined, and woven together with Johnny Rodgers' wonderful arrangements, the CD is truly a masterpiece. I could rave about every single song, but I'll limit myself to my very favorites, which are the a-MA-zing "Never Saw Blue Like That" with Mary Jo Mundy (probably my favorite from the CD), "Sweet Mystery" with Jon Philip Alman, a surprisingly wonderful revisiting of "Bring Back Romance" with Ann Hampton Callaway, "Vincero Perdero" with Franc D'Ambrosio, "For Good" with Stephen Schwartz, and "Vincent" with Ken Page. This is definitely a must-have CD.
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