In a style (and voice) that, at times, oddly recalls Mandy Patinkin (sans the brittle falsetto). wonderful cabaret/theater singer Anthony Santelmo Jr lends his legit lyric baritone/tenor to the melancholic love songs of composer Ford Winter on this surprise offering: Anthony Santelmo Jr Seeks Out Wintersongs.

The album is abund-ant with lyrical kitsch and pastiche that can be found throughout, starting with the nostalgic titles: “The Same Old Me,” “It Will Never Be the Same,” “When I First Loved You,” “Just for a Moment,” etc. All are lushly sung and orchestrated under Barry Levitt’s sublime guidance and well worth the listen. The songs are all sweet but never corny, and tug at the heart with such simple honesty that one can’t help remembering young or mature love all over again.

As Santelmo says in his liner notes, it’s all “an homage to a bygone era.” That perfectly sums up this endearing collection that offers amusing and heartfelt takes on matters of the heart. Even the funny ones have a personalized stamp on them written by one who has lived it.

Mr. Ford’s lyrics speak of a simplicity on a keel with Irving Berlin at times. This was particularly so on a well-sung “The Man I Used to Be,” about a romantic who is facing age with dignity. In another era, Ford’s songs might be sung by the likes of Perry Como, Doris Day and Tony Bennett. Hopefully, today’s singers looking for quality songs with a purpose will find this collection. It’s refreshing to hear such songs in an age where what passes for music on the airwaves or downloads is often a shallow embarrassment. Bravo to Mr. Ford for his honest songs and kudos to Santelmo for a truly beautiful job with his lush, well-trained voice. Like “The Good Old Days” says, “... The forties and the fifties—Gee, they were so nifty, back in the good old days.” That's just the way it was.

Hopefully, the ones who hand out awards will not pass this one by.

John Hoglund
Cabaret Scenes
December 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org