Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano
Painting the Town
(Human Child Records)
January 26, 2025
Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker
Around the middle of the past century, record albums entitled Music to _____ By (fill in the blank as you will) or some variation of that, seemed to be everywhere. Eric Comstock’s and Barbara Fasano’s Painting the Town could be called Music to Light a Candle, Pour a Cocktail, and Enjoy a Memorable Romantic Journey By.
This cabaret couple, who have a two-decade marriage, share a love of the music from the American Songbook. This, their first CD together, is a testament to how their union benefits everyone who loves thoughtful interpretations of beautiful songs. As a whole, it could be the soundtrack of their relationship.
The album begins with a contemporary love song, “I Cannot Hear the City” (Marvin Hamlisch/Craig Carnelia from Sweet Smell of Success), and changes pace with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” (Carole King/Gerry Goffin). When one is accustomed to the version of this song by the Shirelles, the surprise of having it slowed down so that the sadness of the lyrics emerges strongly is powerful. This technique is used a few times in this recording, and each time is revelatory. The soulful accents of Houston Person’s saxophone were much appreciated here.
While several of these offerings were duets, or even partial duets, they each had their solo moments. Fasano imparted all the hopefulness of Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies.” She continued with a rarely heard and thoughtfully rendered Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh number “Little What If.” With a bit of seasoning from Person, they jazzed it up a bit with “Broadway” (Teddy McRae/Wilbur H. Bird/Henri Woode) before Fasano highlighted every emotional nuance in Joni Mitchell’s “Marcie.” Comstock, who plays the piano throughout, catches that mood with his masterful interpretation of Cole Porter’s “Just One of Those Things.” By slowing down a song that usually has a rather jaunty beat and adding just a pinch of irony he puts the focus on just how heartbreaking the end of an affair can be. He does the same with “Tonight” (Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim) with great effect.
A highlight is their duet on “Old Friends” by Paul Simon, who just happened to be in the studio when they were recording it! Their version is a haunting and unforgettable one. Jim Lowe’s “The Hamptons” provides a touch of comic relief, and Billy Strayhorn’s “Still in Love” is the perfect way to end this peek into the love affair between these two cabaret stars. Special kudos to Houston Person on tenor sax, Sean Smith on bass, and Vito Lesczak on drums for helping make this CD the wonder that it is.