Tom Loncaric & His Orchestra featuring Paul King

I’m Crazy ‘bout My Baby
2002 TL Records
SQ Issue:  Spring 2003, Volume 13, Issue 2

The Band:
Kyle Neely – Guitar; Dave Roof – Bass; Peter Klaver – Tenor Sax; Paul King – Vocals; Tom Loncaric – Piano; Andy Conlin – Drums.  Guests:  Paul Keller – Bass; Paul Klinger – Coronet; Paul Finkbeiner – Trumpet.

“In May 2002 the band and crooner Paul King, released a full length phonograph record, "I'm Crazy 'bout My Baby," featuring songs from the "Great American Songbook."  You will find it is one of the best sound recordings made in the last year. “Sexy.” “Savvy.” “Sophisticated.” “Irresistible.” “Cocktail with an undeniable kick.” – Band Website

This is a unique album in that it actually IS an album.  When you purchase this, you get an LP along with a CD.  It is a neat concept that is explained on the LP jacket as well as the band’s website, so I will go straight to the music.

The musicianship on this CD is top notch.  Throughout the entire CD you are going to hear tight, swingin’ sounds.  Paul King, the vocalist included.  His vocals are very much a big part of the high praise I am giving this CD.  His phrasing is marvelous and compliments the band.  The solos you hear from the sax, trumpet, drums, piano and bass are all top shelf, never overplaying their bandmates but still taking time to shine on their respective instrument.

The tempos vary from as slow as 70 beats per minute (bpm) to 228 bpm.  I really enjoyed I Get a Kick Out of You (132 bpm), Mama Don’t Want No Peas an’ Rice an’ Cocoanut Oil (207 bpm) and Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone (170 bpm).  Each of these songs display excellent musicianship.  King’s phrasing on “Kick” are fabulous; stretching out phrases of the lyrics to compliment musical phrasings.  “Mama” is a fun song with silly lyrics.  “Please…” is just a great tune.  Nothing silly, just a great version of a classic song.

Some ballads that were nice to listen to are What’s The Matter with Love and Body and Soul.  Both are very elegant.

There really isn’t much to complain about.  If I had to, I would say that He Ain’t Got Rhythm seemed to have a different sound technically.  It didn’t seem to be as well recorded as the other songs.  However, the song itself is fantastic.  It just had a different sound quality that didn’t seem as up to snuff as the other songs on this CD.  That should not be enough for you to be deterred from adding this CD to your library, though!

You’ll enjoy this CD both from a listening and a dancing viewpoint.  You may even want to dust off your old turntable and give the vinyl version a spin!

Bottom Line:  To buy or not to buy….. Buy!  Here’s how: www.tomloncaric.com.