Frankie Valli - A Touch of Jazz (2021)

I've always liked The Four Seasons and Frankie Valli's solo work. I even went to see Jersey Boys on Broadway and enjoyed it immensely.

The famous 60s quartet - whose initial success coincided with The Beatles' earliest chart hits in America - hinted that they possessed a taste in music that was more sophisticated than their early doo wop influenced rock hits would indicate. Their version of Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin" (#9 in 1966) - covered by many and made a standard by Frank Sinatra - and Frankie Valli's solo hit, "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" (#2 in 1967), were a testament to that so it's not totally surprising that Valli, now 87 years old, has recorded a vocal jazz album. 
 
The Four Seasons' cover of Porter's great tune worked extremely well because they remained true to themselves. However, Valli's vocals on this new record are incongruous with the Great American Songbook. The hall-of-fame tenor doesn't possess the smoothness of Sinatra or Michael Bublé nor the soulfulness needed for R&B numbers like "Try a Little Tenderness." While listening to "How High the Moon" a listener mistook him for a woman even without Valli employing his famous falsetto. All of this is unfortunate because the band behind him plays exquisite jazz. Sadly, because his voice is the centerpiece of the album it is ultimately unsatisfying.

You would think that Valli would be better suited to record these songs than someone like Willie Nelson who, with assistance from producer Booker T. Jones, easily delivered the goods while reworking much loved jazz and big band standards on his classic Stardust album. The mega-star's record was a hit because - instead of trying to be a jazzman - he sang these songs in his usual, comfortable, laid-back, country style.

Your fans still love you Mr. Valli, but if you want to make another album please record a set of high quality pop songs that are more appropriate for you.

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