Norm Drubner
It’s a Blue World —Songs of Lost Love
April 28, 2024
Review by Betsyann Faiella
While listening to Norm Drubner’s new recording It’s a Blue World— Songs of Lost
Love, I was occasionally reminded of Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg. Drubner’s clipped phrasing delivers matter-of-fact messages, which, despite their economy, are not lacking in feeling. He also sounds a lot like the trumpeter/singer Chet Baker. I found this recording completely charming.
Norm has great taste, and he has chosen a dozen songs about lost love from the Great American Songbook that he delivers pretty much on the beat. But he occasionally plays with the rhythm and the melody, testing the jazz waters while he is being beautifully accompanied by a stellar band playing arrangements by pianist Nick Bariluk. The band is featured prominently throughout the recording and is given breaks in every song. The fine work of Tony Kadleck and Chris Morrison on guitar are some of my favorite sounds. Both are featured on “I’m a Fool to You Want You” (Jack Wolf/Joel Herron/Frank Sinatra), on which Drubner sings most of the song freely, backed by guitar, and the instrumental break features the trumpet to give an atmospheric feel.
After having heard dramatic readings by other artists of some of these songs through the years, it was fun for me to hear a straight-ahead delivery of the lyrics. Among the other tracks are “This Love of Mine” (Sol Parker/Hank Sanicola/Frank Sinatra), “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” (Rube Bloom/Ted Koehler), and “You’ve Changed” (Bill Carey/Carl Fischer).
Drubner’s understated quality is enhanced by the bright and simple and very satisfying arrangements. It’s a Blue World—Songs of Lost Love is a winner!
