Where Do I Go from You?

Though this was released about 50 to 70 years later than the period of the songs honored by Philip A. Chaffin on his release Where Do I Go From You?, they have not lost one iota of their charm. These songs from the '30s, '40s, and one from the '50s have met the sternest test of all — time. They form the bulk of the music played by jazz artists, cabaret performers, and big band-type singers such as Chaffin, who is joined by a huge orchestra conducted by Eric Stern with fresh, vibrant, dynamic, and animated orchestrations prepared by a bevy of individuals expert at their craft. A wide range of music is covered here. Chaffin's mellifluous-toned tenor fits this music like a form-fitting suede glove. Most but not all of the songs are familiar. There's a swinging "I Hear Music" and a lilting Glenn Miller tune, "At Last," with a come-hither trumpet opening. There are some that are revived probably for the first time in years, such as Johnny Mercer's "Can't Teach My Old Heart New Tricks" and Frank Loesser's "I Wake up in the Morning Feeling Fine." But whatever the vintage or the tempo, Chaffin's maple-syrup tenor squeezes every bit of feeling from each of them. And he does so seemingly without any effort at all, like honey running off the tongue. This album has everything going for it: attractive, familiar music; well-constructed charts; and a top-flight orchestra to play them all in support of a singer with a highly engaging voice who clearly loves what he is doing on this album. Recommended.