BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE
Caesar the Balladeer: A Friend Destined For the Stars
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But on that particular morning, as I strolled awash in the lush sounds of Bird, Dexter Gordon, Lorez Alexandria, and Sarah Vaughan, I began to hear the faint sounds of a voice that I’d never heard before, as it caressed the opening chorus of the beautifully haunting "I wish You Love." The tune itself was always one of my favorites. It had previously been done to exquisite perfection by the late Gloria Lynne, but this voice . . . this voice that I was only now hearing for the first time, could only be described as . . . breathtaking.
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It expressed the type of excellence, attention to detail, and depth of feeling that I assumed had died with the great artists of the past. While it celebrated the suave sophistication, perfect diction, and round velvet baritone sonance of Nat King Cole, it was deeper, more in the range of Arthur Prysock or Billy Eckstine, yet, with the intimate Earthiness and modern appeal of Luther Vandross. But that said, there was absolutely no doubt who had influenced this voice. It represented a vibrant and passionate tribute to the life, times, and artistry, of the fabulous Nat King Cole. Just to hear it put the chill of reminiscence in the air.
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Caesar was born, Irvin R. Caesar, in Chicago, Il. He's a graduate of Southern University, and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He began his professional music career at the very top, opening for such people as George Duke, Stanley Clark, Al Jareau, Lou Rawls and Herbie Hancock.
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Later he auditioned for Julio Iglesias at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Naturally, he nailed the audition to become the only baritone vocalist to perform with Iglesias - the world renowned romantic icon who has sold over 300 million records - on his Tango World Tour, and with good reason. Caesar’s soulfully romantic baritone voice has the capacity to turn some of the greatest ballads ever written into pure honey that he then pours with abundance at his audiences’ feet. So Caesar is not just another crooner, he’s a world-class masseur who specializes in turning the soul of the listener to putty in his well-forged and expert hands, and this CD is graphic evidence of that fact.
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As promised, the current CD is Caesar’s rendering of some of the most timelessly beautiful ballads that has ever been written, and done only as Caesar can. They include, I wish you Love, Autumn Leaves, Mona Lisa, My Funny Valentine, Nature Boy, Quiet Nights, the Very thought of You, and many more - and Caesar literally owns every note and nuance on every tune.
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The most pervasive quality that characterizes this entire effort, aside from the flawless musicianship and arrangements throughout, is how perfectly they’ve managed to blend the old with the new. Virtually every tune on the CD has long since been established as a timeless standard, and their stature in the annals of jazz has been meticulously respected. But Caesar and his cohorts were not the least bit timid about slapping on a new coat of paint to make them glisten like new.
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In addition, the project has a pronounced international sophistication to it, because Caesar is an international personality. Prior to launching his musical career, and upon obtaining his degree in Business Management from Southern University, Caesar went on to work as a Procurement Officer, and then Operations Manager, for American Manufactures in Houston, Texas. They provided humanitarian assistance to over 40 countries around the world. Then he went to Islamabad, Pakistan as a contractor for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He worked to provided humanitarian assistance to Afghan rebels, who were then at war with the Soviet Union. So Caesar sings in several languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Japanese.
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"Autumn Leaves" is a perfect example of the cross-cultural flare of this magnificent crew. The tune begins with Peter White’s winsome, and beautifully ethereal caress of his classical guitar. He sets the stage perfectly. You can literally see him in your mind’s eye, casually leaning back on the veranda of some exotic location, lovingly strumming his guitar under a starlit sky. Then Caesar makes his entrance with a soft, airy hush, reminiscent of Luther Vandross. He starts the song at the bridge, softly singing in Japanese. Then when they reach the first chorus, the band slips into a slow and laid-back Bossa nova, Caesar transitions into English, and then they escort us on a journey that makes the heart soar.
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The CD is very much like that throughout, taking us on one romantic journey after another. Thus, this is not just a good musical effort - it’s a GREAT one. With this project we may very well be witnessing the birth of a voice that will speak to the ages. So when you listen to it, listen with reverence - and remember the moment, and what you were doing, when you heard first it, because you're sure to be discussing it with others in years to come.
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Eric L. Wattree
Http://wattree.blogspot.com
Ewattree@Gmail.com
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