Album Review: A New Standard by Steve Tyrell

Just as actors often have burning desires to direct, music producers frequently long to be behind the microphone, and Steve Tyrell is no exception. Having contributed to the Father of the Bride soundtracks, Tyrell has decided to try his hand at a full length project, A New Standard, composed entirely of jazz standards (doubling, naturally, on producing duties). The execution is something fairly uneven. While works penned by Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern can never be truly faulted, Tyrell doesn't possess the vocal versatility to make them twinkle with true allure. "Give Me the Simple Life" caters to his scratchy vocals, but "On The Sunny Side of the Street," with its octave-plus range, proves to be a sufficient enough challenge that when he hits the upper register, it's enough to make you wince a little.

However, these faults are made tolerable because Tyrell has surrounded himself with some distinguished sidemen. Venerable trumpeters Clark Terry and the late "Sweets" Edison adorn "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" with raunchy and sweet touches, while Robbyn Kirmss acquits herself well with slightly tortured expressions on "The Very Thought of You." But while Tyrell's renditions are competent, intimate and become more endearing with time, there's nothing to make your heart, well, sing. B