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Editorial Reviews

Last First Kiss builds nicely upon vocalist/pianist Tony DeSare's superb 2005 debut album, Want You. A charming presence on the microphone with classic silver-screen good looks and a singer/songwriter's soul, DeSare not only updates such classic American popular song standards here as "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You" and "How Deep Is the Ocean?," but also reinterprets such modern-day hits as "Kiss," turning Prince's iconic funk track into a slowed-down organ-driven shuffle. Similarly invigorating, DeSare dims the lights on Carole King's usually upbeat "I Feel the Earth Move" and delivers instead a brooding, Miles Davis-influenced afterglow version. It's just this kind of postmodern niftiness that stops Last First Kiss from being yet another solid yet predictable neo-crooner outing and turns it into a truly surprising listen. Also a pleasant surprise is DeSare's own songwriting, and here he showcases his knack for both classic jazz standard-influenced songcraft, as on the poignant "I'll Never Have Enough of You," as well as more contemporary rock-influenced writing, as evidenced by the sweetly melodic and bittersweet title track. Of course, at his core DeSare is a supremely gifted interpreter of jazz standards, and his softly melodic, straight-ahead take on "There Will Never Be Another You" mainlines heartbreak to your soul. Throw in a stellar backing ensemble, including bassist and co-writer Mike Lee, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, and Last First Kiss enters the race as an early contender for one of the best releases of 2007. Matt Collar, All Music Guide

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