Piano/vocal man David Anthony Zee turns in a sublimely rendered set of old-school covers on his latest album AfterTime. Employing a delightfully simple piano-vocal-upright-drums format, Zee takes songs from the 1920s to the 1950s and skillfully crafts new versions full of understated mood, melody, and rhythm.
AfterTime was produced by Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary fame, who was the one who steered Zee towards doing a project like this. Stookey suggested the songs, brought in the talents of bassist Mike Burd and drummer Josh Fournier to accompany Zee, and helped the three musicians cut everything you hear live with no overdubs. The resulting record is a study in quiet coolness that makes you want to lean in closer and dig the vibes.
The set opens with the Frank Sinatra classic “It Had To Be You” recast in a New Orleans/Fats Domino boogie style that allows Zee to display his mastery of vintage piano techniques. His vocals are laidback but expressive and the whole thing positively explodes with fun and frolic. Right away, Zee establishes the tone of the album and invites us all in to listen.
Official Music Video for ‘It Had To Be You’ by David Anthony Zee
“Baby Face” by Benny Davis and Harry Akst is given a smooth treatment that suggests what The Carpenters might have done with this 20th Century gem. Zee’s piano work holds the pocket together and his voice keeps the sound easy and melodic. Another outstanding moment is Zee’s take on the 1920s blues standard “Everybody Loves My Baby.” The bass hits just so perfectly to set the tone. Blues music was a relatively new sound on the American scene when this one came out and 100 years has done little to diminish its appeal and feeling of freshness.
AfterTime is a wonderfully human record that brings listeners back to a more civilized era when people still smiled at each other. It contains none of the meanness that’s so prevalent in modern music and instead leaves you with a wide-eyed hopefulness that will only improve your day. David Anthony Zee will absolutely lift your spirit with these classic older songs. And let’s face it, we could all do with some of this magic.
Explore more of the huge musical catalog of David Anthony Zee HERE.
