Album Notes

Paul Austin Kelly performs a program of American standards (as well as a few original songs) with the Kenny Clayton Trio. It is hard to review because it is really a groundbreaking album, not easily categorized. It combines the talents of Kelly, a world renowned tenor in the “ bel canto” repertoire (who was a rock musician before embarking on his operatic career), with the jazz-oriented Kenny Clayton Trio (with Kenny Clayton having a classical background). What emerges is an uncommonly well sung jazz album. Kelly successfully reigns in his voice, avoiding the overblown “operatic” sound of others who have attempted similar “crossovers”, while bringing uncommon ease and sweetness to the upper range of these numbers, impeccable diction, and a smooth burnished sound to the lower range. An album for those who like standards really sung, without being oversung. It’s really hard to think of a male comparison – though old-timers might find some similarity to the jazz albums of Eileen Farrell.

Though the CD contains some of the favorite songs of the “standards” repertoire, the most successful cut may well be an original song by Kelly – “Settle Down with You”. An obviously very personal song, it successfully toes the thin line between being “old fashioned” and self-consciously hip. Given a heart-felt performance by Kelly it is one of those songs that I think everyone can identify with, if not in the details, in the overall theme of dealing with life’s choices and finding happiness in the choices one has made. It suggests that of Mr. Kelly’s many talents, song writing may be the most notable.


Mike Begley, Ebay Store––Historic Classical and Opera