Jamie Davis: It’s a Good Thing

It seems like there are many artists reaching back to the past lately. Major stars and independent artists are getting into the act with great success. It is getting to the point now were it is on the brink of overkill, similar to the tribute album phase that we went through. Because of this, you have to do something special, record an album for the ages that people will be reaching for time after time for many years. The question is did Jamie Davis accomplish this on It’s A Good Thing.

This is a good album no doubt but is it as good as all the others you have heard recently? I would say with confidence that Davis has come up with something special here. He was the vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra, which is a fine credential to have on your resume. Because of those ties, he was able to gather all the various talents on this CD together in a studio in Los Angeles and record a beautiful testament to twelve great tracks of the past.

Davis sounds like a fine wine that has stood the test of time; he has that classy deep vibrato that Lou Rawls made so successful. I like the way Davis has one foot in the past and one in today. His approach is interesting. He makes sure that there are familiar pop tunes that many generations of listeners can relate to like the Beatles classic “Something” or the Stevie Wonder chart topper “Isn’t She Lovely.” The older folks can get all wispy and reminisce and the younger crowd can discover pop nuggets they have never heard before. When you hear “I’ve Got The World On A String”, the first person that comes to mind is old blue eyes, the chairman of the board, Frank Sinatra. Back in those days, swing and jazz were the pop of the day, then Elvis emerged and rock ‘n’ roll based on the blues became the foundation for pop and beyond, which in turn surpassed and outdated the music that was once popular. The one thing about change is that it is constant, but there is something magical about the past and it always comes back because we love to revisit it, particularly when it comes to music and all the great standards.

The accompanying DVD gives you some insight into the project. ‘The Making Of’ DVDs is a very popular addition that makes a complete musical package available to music lovers now. The listener gets the full multi-media treatment today. I love it. I find it very interesting listening to the people involved in the project, how it all came about, and what each individual has to say. The DVD was the icing on the cake for me, completing the circle, helping me to understand everything that went into this. From what I gleaned from the interviews and interaction of all the artists, this was a labor of love for all. After you have taken all of this in, you understand why it is so good. Jamie Davis has a great voice and there is nothing more pure and enjoyable than music produced by the great Count Basie Orchestra. This one is a real keeper.

Ã?© Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

01. Isn’t She Lovely (Stevie Wonder) (3:41)
02. Something (George Harrison) (3;59)
03. I’ve Got The World On A String (Ted Kohler, Harold Arlen) (3:27)
04. Night And Day (Cole Porter) (5:22)
05. Besame Mucho (Consuelo Valazquez) (5:22)
06. My Funny Valentine (Rogers and Hart) (5:55)
07. Straight No Chaser (Thelonious Monk) (4:37)
08. My Kinda Love (Jo Trent, Louis Alter) (4:30)
09. Another Star (Stevie Wonder) (4:54)
10. Every Day I Have The Blues (Memphis Slim) (3:02)
11. The Very Thought Of You (Ray Noble) (4:49)
12. Alright Okay You Win (Sid Wyche, Mayne Watts) (4:52)