Terrific debut CD
Francis M. Hough Jr. | Charlotte, NC USA | 08/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The enigmatic Guy Haines, once a world class tennis player and now would-be vocalist, gets his first solo CD courtesy of his close friend, record producer Bruce Kimmel, and the results are as classy and listenable as could be expected.Anyone who has had the great good fortune to stumble across the mysterious Mr. Haines popping up here and there in Varese Saraband (now Fynsworth Alley)'s legendary series of show music samplers knows that his voice is a silky, effortless baritone, lyrical and engaging with a nice bottom range and lots of personality. (It's not the five or six notes his producer continually kids him about having).The selections here more than display his silken style despite a tiny bit of roughness around the edges explained in the liner notes as a bout with flu during the making of the CD. My favorites include "She Likes Basketball" and "Fallin'," both from musicals that deserve more modern-day attention, the amusingly melancholy "Chinese Food in Bed" penned by producer/friend Kimmel, and the deliriously manic "Pitiful Penniless Bums" in duet with the wonderful Brent Barrett.The CD also allows Guy to permit a tiny peep into his secretive world as he describes why he chose each selection, and there's a treasurable photo of him and producer Bruce Kimmel taken in the studio to dispell any rumors the two might have some sort of uncommon bond.For a debut CD featuring a singer with a very small show biz career up to now, this recording is something of a wonder. By all means get it."
Fun crooning from enigmatic star
efrex | New York, NY USA | 01/17/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Who is Guy Haines? This mystery has permeated the conciousness of fans of Bruce Kimmel's CDs since the enigmatic performer (whose face has apparently never been photographed) first appeared on a Varese Sarabande album. While this album, Haines's solo debut, does little to answer that fundamental mystery, the Haines fan will at least pick up some clues to the enigma's personality from this collection of songs. If Haines is accurate about only being able to sing five notes, he's proven the maxim of "it ain't what you have, it's what you do with it." Without resorting to hystrionics, Haines brings a deliberate, deceptively subtle interpretation to songs ranging from the uptempo "Pitiful Penniless Bums" to the slow "Marie." Producer Bruce Kimmel gets one of his own compositions, the wry "Chinese Food in Bed" performed with a well-suited laid back weariness. Haines manages to hold his own with several excellent performers, most notably Alice Ripley, who combines with Guy on an incredibly catchy take on the Dolly Parton hit "Here You Come Again." Many of the songs are obscure (including a couple of songs from shows which were never recorded), but they more than match the quality of the established hits. A particular favorite is the gorgeously simple "Sweetest of Nights and the Finest of Days" which has become a minor cabaret standard. Haines's take is, as with all the songs, to let his voice carry the composer's intention, and this sweet number just plain works. So does this album."
Tennis Tapper Tries Tunes
J. Earles | Mooresville, INDIANA United States | 03/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well Mr Guy Haines under the guidance of Bruce Kimmel (The First Nudie Musical) moves from the tennis court to the recording studio in this his first solo CD (he has been a featured vocalist on other Kimmel projects). And Haines scores another ace!The tune selections, arrangements, guest stars, and even the notes raise this CD to cult status. The enigmatic Haines has a pleasant and pleasing voice and a way with a lyric that will make this a "repeat" listen.Highlights for me included "Pitiful Penniless Bums" from SUGAR - a duet with Brent Barrett, "Fallin'" the lovely ballad from THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, and "Chinese Food In Bed" a Kimmel original.The notes explain to us why certain songs were chosen. Other nearly forgotten gems unearthed here are "If I Had My Druthers' from LIL'ABNER" and a great rendition of "Pick Yourself Up".A couple of Broadway ladies show up to duet with Haines: Susan Egan on "Two Lost Souls" from DAMN YANKEES, and Alice Ripley on Dolly Parton's pop tune "Here You Come Again."Get this CD if you can. Producer Kimmel is no longer at Fynsworth Alley and this CD may soon go out of print. Hopefully the rumor mill is correct and he will soon start up his own CD label. He recently produced JEEPERS CREEPERS for the Red Circle Label."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1