Search - Simavi :: Memories of You

Simavi - Memories of You

Amy Nesta | florida | 07/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can be wrong from Swing? Definitely nothing, well, at least for me. This is the genre that will never die. Swing ruled the music world through its golden eras, through some fantastic Big Bands and crooners. Even though it's not a ruling genre anymore, still swing has shown its strength passing the test of time. It still survives approaching the first decade of the millennium. Not only survive, swing miraculously evolved with the times and happy to say, Swing is still an influential genre today. No matter when, no matter how, it always fascinates me whenever I hear swing. Yes, it never fails once so ever. Never get tired of it. We are talking about a genre in which jazz had started to build its steps, still be around at this present time. If swing can still be alive today, that should be because of many great musicians and crooners/swaggers still have the passion to build their career in it. Some invented new styles, fusing swing with many other genres, spin it around, but some still take the classical and authentic swing style just like the good old days. One of the new crooners is Simavi.



First of all, allow me to introduce Simavi. Simavi was born in Turkey and moved to London at the age of five. His journey continued to New York City at the age twelve. He grew up by listening to the music of his parents. As a boy, Simavi's mother bought him a piano, and he started to learn by himself. Later he also learned a guitar. But above all, Simavi always wanted to sing. While Nat King Cole made him want to sing, Frank Sinatra made him want to be a singer. But he started in a jazz trio as a pianist and then as a singer when he was in college. Shortly after, he began performing as a solo artist.



Debuted his solo at United Nations, then continued his career from many clubs and venues like Eddie Condon's and Jily's, in front of the New York City mayors, Academy Award winning actors and television personalities live, to Lincoln Center, the Florence Gould Hall and The Lighthouse along with his 30-piece orchestra. This talented crooner who was subsequently labeled as "the new Frank Sinatra" by The New York Observer was also chosen to be the United States' representative at The Golden Butterfly International Festival in Europe.







Influenced by many legendary crooners when growing up, Simavi seemed to realize he could be one as well with the vocal quality that he's blessed with. Simavi has velvety baritone singing voice, really reminds me of Nat King Cole, crooning out heart melting melodies that for sure will make his fans swoon with love. He's achieved many things on stages, now the time has come for him to do it in recordings. So here's his debut album, taking the road of the swing style in Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra era and brought it to fit in the present time. Simavi's debut, Memories of You is a 23 track tour-de-force of timeless standards. He took some all time classics such as "Fly Me To The Moon", "Just The Way You Look Tonight", The Girl From Ipanema", "Moonlight in Vermont", but he also combined those with some beautiful songs that got lost in between the other well known hits of the artists, such as "Tell Her You Love Her" that once became a hit of Frank Sinatra, or the title track "Memories Of You", an ultimate love song that once made famous by Benny Goodman with Rosemary Clooney on vocal. Some tracks were also taken from Hollywood's Golden Age including "Again", a song sung twice by Ida Lupino in Road House (1948), also "This is My Song" the theme from Charlie Chaplin's last directed film, A Countess From Hong Kong sung by Petula Clark.

Combining the all time greatest and some quite forgotten but beautiful songs, bringing the songs that Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark, Doris Day, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Astrud Gilberto and many other legends have made famous, Simavi has done it brilliantly in his debut album. Simavi brings together old and new, classic and contemporary, that will easily be loved by both swing standard fans and newcomers alike. And look at how he respects these great songs by great jazz artists. He brought a huge 50 piece big band to back his orchestral arrangements. All the compositions are gorgeous, just as beautiful as how it was in the Golden Era. When these seriously stunning compositions blend with his velvety baritone crooning voice, what comes as the result is magic.



Taking timeless classics like this is not easy, because people might have remembered and loved the previous versions and left no room to accept any new ones. Simavi took the challenge and delivered it spectacularly. He's faithful to the beauty aspects that have made these songs big from the beginning, he has full respect doing each song, but he still gives his own style and signature to them. There's a unique flavor to each and every song contained in the album, of which Simavi delivered in simple, tell-it-like-it-is but stylishly elegant.







The album opens up with "To the Ends of the Earth". This is a song came from Nat King Cole's 1956 album that time forgot, "Night Lights". Simavi delivered it in the 50's Hollywood style, just like how it was by Cole. "Moonlight in Vermont" is the next. This is one of the prettiest songs, telling about the prettiest states. This is a popular song focusing on the beautiful scenery of Vermont countryside, published first in 1943 and made famous through the likes of Jo Stafford, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Earl Grand and also Jane Monheit. "Fly Me To The Moon" is one of the all time standard song written by Bart Howard in 1954. Hundreds of artists have put their signatures in this song that mostly known by Quincy Jones` arrangement. Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra (by himself and duet with Antonio Carlos Jobim), Patti Page, Tony Bennett until the younger generation such as Westlife. Simavi presented it cheerfully just as how it's meant to be. "Love Looks So Well on You" is a very romantic ballad and most overlooked song written by the multiple Emmy winners Lew Spence, Marilyn Keith and Alan Bergman. Frank Sinatra sang it in his 1962 album, "Sinatra Sings and Love and Things". It's wonderful to see this song finally reborn by Simavi. "The Way You Look Tonight" is a swing standard that featured in Fred Astaire movie, "Swing Time". This song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936. This is another classics that already been brought by so many stars. Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Art Tatum, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, to Rod Stewart and of course Michael Bublé. Just like "Fly Me to the Moon", Simavi delivered it in swaggering fun. Then it's time for a ballad. "I Wish You Love" is a famous heartbreaking song that originally written in French.



Remember the movie Mondo Cane? Mondo Cane is a controversial shock exploitation movie from 1962, also labelled One Of "The Most Unique Films Ever Made". The theme song, entitled "More" was lovely though, it was nominated for Oscar in 1963. Simavi brings it light in average tempo. Another all time classic is the next. The legendary bossa nova standard "The Girl From Ipanema" turns into swing. This Antonio Carlos Jobim/Vinicius de Moraes masterpiece appears sweetly in new outfit. One of the songs from legendary Cole Porter songbook is the next. "I Love Paris" has popularized by many jazz singers and also appeared in Frank Sinatra & Shirley MacLaine's 1960 movie entitled "Can-Can". Simavi has it in foxtrot/swingy ballroom style. Nat King Cole classic, "Non Dimenticar" follows. This is a lovely song that originally written in Italian, and used for the 1951 Anna movie. Famously known by Cole and later his daughter Natalie Cole included it in her seven platinum and Grammy Award winning album "Unforgettable with Love". Another Cole Porter masterpiece from 1937, "In the Still of the Night" (not to be mistaken with the doo wop classic with the same title from 1956) appears fresh.







"Tell Her You Love Her" is a truly stellar song with important reminder to express our love before it's too late that once brought famous by Frank Sinatra resurrected again in this album. Another example of clever pick by Simavi, bringing a beautiful but forgotten song to life again, "I Get A Kick of You", is also taken from Cole Porter songbook and also made famous by Sinatra. This time Simavi "kicks" it well. "Summer Wind" is the next one written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mayer that originally came from Danish song. Some famous version of this one recorded by Frank Sinatra and later became one of Michael Bublé,'s biggest hit. Simavi's brought it pleasantly calmer and slower. "Let Me Be the One" is another song that few might remember, written by the incomparable Hildegarde and Bernard "Bernie" Bierman. Simavi resurrected this song and use it to expose his romantic side. Who could forget the cute "L-O-V-E" song? This song remains as one of Nat King Cole's monumental classic, taking from the very last album he recorded before his death. Both his version and his daughter, Natalie Cole became classic, and now listen to Simavi's nice rendition of it. Continue with "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing", a timeless ballad that brought famous by stars such as The Four Aces, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams.



Simavi raises the tempo again with Johnny Mercer and Rube Bloom's 1939 classic, "Day In Day Out", a very uplifting song that is presented in the glamorous Broadway style. Simavi keeps the soaring melodic line wonderfully. Then it's time to hear one of the sweetest songs ever written, "This Is My Song". Charlie Chaplin wrote this one for Petula Clark for his directed movie, the 1967 "A Countess from Hong Kong". As how beautiful the song was in that movie featured Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando, Simavi presents it just as charming. Another lovely classic song from the movie soundtrack follows. This time taken from "Road House" (1948) titled "Again". Close to the end, Simavi presents an alternate version of "The Way You Look Tonight" in a slower pace. Both version works for me though. Simavi closed the album remarkably with an ultimate love song written by Eubie Blake and Andy Razaf in 1945, "Memories of You". This is the most beautiful one in the album presented in Simavi's vocal only accompanied by a piano. For me, this is the song that explains the whole concept of the album. Both the famous standards and the lost forgotten ones are all timeless and deserve to be remembered as beautiful memories.







A set of 23 sweetest songs in the century were carefully picked by Simavi. He treated them all respectfully and delivered each one honestly from his heart. The stunning 50-piece big band is just fantastic. Whether this album released half a century earlier or today, this album will always find its way to be remembered as a beauty. Simavi prepared everything, from the glamorous Broadway style, grand ballroom style to the most romantic full moonlight romance. All are here for us to enjoy. Through Simavi's debut album "Memories of You", he wants to share 23 wonderful songs that mean the world to him. "Thanks for listening, folks" he said in the very end of the album, showing how much he appreciates whoever accept his invitation to take a long walk with him through the history of swing and pop standard in its golden era. A gorgeous album served grand in the classic big band style. In Simavi words, "I wanted to make this very special CD, something so special that, while listening to it, it would take us to "another world" where we could dream of wonderful things and beyond! This is something that would live and stand the test of time." The beauty is everywhere in this album. Simavi keeps all the beauty aspects but also breathes freshness into this lounge theme. Each song wrapped in lush orchestral arrangement, you'll find yourself mesmerized in every moment. Whether you are preparing a nice candle light dinner with your loved ones or you just want to have a relaxing moment, this album will surely make you smile and filled with love.



Singer: Simavi



Musicians:



Violins: David Steinberg (concertmaster), Mary Barton, Cenovia Cummins, Fong Fong, Wayne Graham, Joyce Hammann, Rebecca Harris, Sue Laurentsen, Mary Ann Meade, Karen Milne, Heidi Modr-Weimar, Kate O'Brien, Ragnhildur Petursdottir, Myra Segal, Andy Stein, Barney Stevens, Wolfgang Tsoutsouris, Brenda Vincent, Peter Weimar, Paul Woodiel, Michelle Zanky

Violas: David Cerrutti, Lydia Leizman, Ina Litera, Sally Shumway, Katherine Sinsabaugh

Cellos: Tara Chambers, Phil Ewell, Matt Goeke, Jennifer Green, Michael Meade

Trumpets: Marc Osterer (lead), Vinnie Cutro, Tanya Darby, Bruce Staelens

Flugelhorn: Marc Osterer

Trombones: Elizabeth Dotson Westphalen, Sean Mahoney, Chris Washburne

Alto Saxophones/Flutes: Mitch Endick, Bob Magnuson

Tenor Saxophones/Clarinet: Mitch Endick, Howie Leshaw

Baritone Saxophones/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet: Mitch Endick, Ed Covi, Claire Daly, Steve Elson

French Horns: Lori Taylor, Jill Van Nostrand

Piano: Dunhill Hilton

Guitar: Jeff Ausfahl, Mike Coon

Mandolin: Adam Niles

Bass: David Dunaway

Drums: Brian Grice

Vibraphone: Tim Collins, Marc Wagnon

Percussion: Lou Grassi

Background vocals: John Smith, Todd Vernon, Ashley Hunt, Paul Johnson



Tracklistings:



1. To The Ends Of The Earth

2. Moonlight In Vermont

3. Fly Me To The Moon

4. Love Looks So Well On You

5. The Way You Look Tonight

6. I Wish You Love

7. More

8. The Girl From Ipanema

9. I Love Paris

10. Non Dimenticar

11. In The Still Of The Night

12. Tell Her You Love Her

13. I Get A Kick Out Of You

14. Summer Wind

15. At Long Last Love

16. Let Me Be The One

17. L-O-V-E

18. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

19. Day In, Day Out

20. This Is My Song

21. Again

22. The Way You Look Tonight - Alternate Version

23. Memories Of You



* Enhanced video bonus - Simavi performing To The Ends Of The Earth live on stage



Log on to Simavi's official myspace and website



Buy and read more reviews on "Simavi - Memories of You" from Amazon.com or CD [...]

Reviewed by: Riandy Kurniawan



Special thanks to :

Alhenri Wijaya

Memories of You"

Bloggers love it!

Ktz | 05/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Andrea Guy of Mossip had this to say about Simavi's album:

If one word could be used to describe Simavi and Memories of You it would have to be Smooth. It almost seems like he was born to sign these songs. A rather odd thing, considering Simavi was born in Istanbul, Turkey, though by 12 he was living in London. His parents however were fans of music, his father, in particular was a huge fan of Johnny Mathis.

Very few artists have voices that can compare to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Those are voices of long ago and yet many people try to emulate them, few succeed. Simavi is one that does. On his debut album Memories of You he tackles the songs of all the great singers and he sounds great. In fact, with one listen you might think that the Rat Pack has returned.

How did he manage such a feat?

No one knows for sure, but perhaps having a 50 piece band backing him on the songs helped.

Listening to this album is like going to Vegas in the 1950s and hanging out in one of the famous lounges, only there you don't get the orchestra, at least you didn't back then. Now, anything goes!

Simavi does classics like Fly Me To The Moon, I Get A Kick Out Of You and The Girl From Ipanema and even lesser known tunes like Tell Her You Love Her on Memories Of You. These are the songs that made the Rat Packer's famous and have been recorded many times since, but none so beautiful as Simavi, especially Fly Me To The Moon.

Picking out a favorite on this record is difficult. The Ruby Bloom/Johnny Mercer tune Day In/Day Out is definitely one. Another stunning track is The Way You Look Tonight. Then there is the fun, L-O-V-E. With so many great old songs its hard to pick one that's better than an other, especially with a swoon inducing voice like Simavi's

Unlike most artists that venture into the genre of Swing, Simavi doesn't try to take modern pop tunes over into this genre. I applaud him for that. Leave that for the likes of Michael Buble and Matt Belsante. Simavi sticks to the songs he knows and loves and he treats them like a lover, with a little bit of tenderness and a lot of passion.

This album is what romance is all about. It makes girls want to get dressed to the nines and guys want to grab those girls and sway them about a dance floor. Not up to dancing? Play this album in front of the fire and sip on a chilled glass of champagne. If you decide to go that route, you definitely want to have Moonlight In Vermont playing in the background.

Memories Of You is an album for fans of swing and the Rat Pack, but anyone who has an appreciation for good jazzy tunes will want to give the album a listen. Simavi is here and once you hear him sing, you likely won't forget him any time soon.

Web Mention

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Quality Performer!

Edward W. Ovett | Lake Worth, Florida | 04/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Simavi's "To The End of the Earth" is but only one of his excellent tracks from his "Memories of You" CD. I encountered Simavi thanks to Ariel Publicity and requested him to do a personalized intro for the above mentioned song for my podcast, Ed's Mixed Bag. I found Simavi to be very cooperative and and responsive in a timely fashion, besides being a great talent. If you love the classic crooners, you'll love and definitely want to purchase Simavi's CD's."