Frank D’Rone: “Double Exposure”

Frank D’Rone: “Double Exposure” (Whaling City Sound). Great male jazz vocalists remain in desperately short supply, but a few are still battling to keep standards high. Chicagoan D’Rone ranks among them, his “Double Exposure” giving listeners the rare opportunity to hear him on record with a big band. Like his longtime peers Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, 80-year-old D’Rone conveys an authority born of decades in front of ensembles large and small. No vocalist shapes a melodic line quite like D’Rone, who brings surging rhythmic power to “When the Sun Comes Out,” a whimsical spirit to “Pick Yourself Up” and imperturbable swing rhythm to “The One I Love.” And then there’s D’Rone’s guitar playing, a beguiling touch on several cuts. Considering the durability of D’Rone’s career, the integrity of his art and the ambition of this recording, “Double Exposure” arrives as an important document, showing what a great American singer can achieve at an exalted age. - Chicago Tribune

Frank D’Rone    -   Double Exposure   3/3
O’s Notes: Frank is a cabaret-style balladeer equally at home in front of a large ensemble or solo, singing and playing guitar. In both cases D’Rone is in command and projecting strong vocals. The program alternates between the big band and vocal/guitar tracks all centered around Frank. Phil Kelly produced and arranged music. He also conducts the band. Our favorite is “Pick Yourself Up.” - D. Oscar Groomes/O’s Place Jazz Magazine

“…the new CD — “Double Exposure” — was recently recorded in a studio session and attests to his incredibly well-preserved voice. He sounds no different now than he did when he recorded for Mercury in the late 1950′s. The album is amazing, and beautifully arranged and conducted by our own Phil Kelly. Half of the tracks are with an orchestra, and the other half are just Frank singing and accompanying himself on guitar.

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Exposure-Frank-DRone/dp/B005LY46CI

I can’t imagine anyone not loving… D’Rone…unique, instantly recognizable voices.” ~ Frederick Stack

“The kind of performance that the Vegas gods are smiling down upon, D’Rone could teach contemporary singers a thing or tow about finding the meat of the lyric in the classic song bag and how to sell that song in even the simplistic settings. If you’re hip enough to dig real jazz vocal, this old dog still knows how to bury a bone! Check it out.” ~ Midwest Record

“We who remember D’Rone from years back are reminded that if had never sung a note, he’s a superb jazz guitarist. But, lucky for us, he sang then, and he’s still singing now. And how!” ~ George Fendel ~ Jazz Society of Oregon