Search - Hubbell Pierce, William Roy :: Cole Porter: Sung by Hubbell Pierce

Rare Porter, Superbly delivered

judygarlandheartbreaker.com | New York | 11/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hubbell Pierce's voice is scratchy, ravaged by second-hand smoke inhaled in a hundred clubs where he played and

sang. Doesn't matter. On a dozen Porter tunes, his delivery is knowing and intelligent, and you'll hear selections you'll probably be hearing for the first time (Cozy Li'l Corner in the Ritz, for example).

The highlight, for me on this CD, is William Roy's superb piano accompaniment: he has a touch that combines strength and legerity, his sensitivity to the material is non-pareil, and his chord substitutions are so tasty and original you'll replay the selections again and again. He was Bill Charlap before Bill, in a show style. Added to the CD are five bonus tracks of Roy playing brilliant Porter obscurities such as When Love Comes Your Way and Dream Dancing.

Clearly a labor of love, Pierce gave himself this album as a present for his 50th birthday.

If you want to hear Porter down-to-the-bone, sexy and fragrant, do yourself a favor and get this CD.

John Meyer, NYC."