Dave's True Story:Unauthorized CD

Dave's True Story: Kelly Flint (vocals); Dave Cantor (guitar).
Additional personnel: Mark Calley (guitar); Michael Hess (viola); Elizabeth (cello); Greg Wall (clarinet, soprano saxophone); Jim Jedeiken (saxophone);
Steve Gluzband (trumpet); J. Walter Hawkes (trombone); Andy Ezrin (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, Wurlitzer organ); Tom Beckham (vibraphone); Jeff Eyrich (bass); Robbie Rodriquez (drums); Doriane Elliot, Daryl Tookes, Paul Ammendola (background vocals).
Recorded at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, New York, New York on June 14-18, 1999.
This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.
Unlike most contractually obligated recordings, this was released contrary to the band's objections. The music is quaintly derived, charming and wittily sung by Kelly Flint, who has a sweet innocence in her voice, not at all affected or warbling, but open, honest and pure. The "Dave" is guitarist Dave Cantor, who leads groups of different-sized complement, from big band to small and mid-sized combos, all with swing on their mind. This may be a neo-revivalist band, but the lyrics are so fresh and the playing so authentic that they cannot be linked with Squirrel Nut Zippers and their more posed ilk. Flint's stories, all penned by Cantor, are at times jaundiced with the uncertainty of love and the fickleness of trusted partners. "Dear Miss Lucy" is a letter of warning that "he" is still "mine" over an old-timey swing, "Kathmandu" is a query-laden, slowly ticking time bomb of doubt, and "Baby Who Are You?" combines the two themes as if she's caught him red-handed. All are typical of this lot/genre of old-fashioned rhythm and emotionalism. Observing others' travails, Flint dotes on a lady friend's complex life during "Misery," bluesily concludes another is "Far Worse Off Than I," and laments of lost passion during the most typical straight love ballad, "Still I Adore You." There's the tale of the oriental playboy "Won Gon Du," flavored with whimsical clarinet from Greg Wall, and the prison reference on the slooooow ballad "Florida Time," with trumpeter Steve Gluzband ensuring the sentence will agonizingly pass with his "I told you so" lead and solo. Also added are the light calypso with hidden-meaning lyrics "Lilly-110-140," the spy/stealth bossa "Voletta's," and the noir ballad of remorse and regret "When Kafka Was the Rage." Cantor takes the vocal chair on the male talking blues about "Chicks," while Flint and Dave's guitar alone tell of a journey with "Slow Boat" references on "China Tour." This is a quite delightful and entertaining recording, nothing to be ashamed of, and far less derivative than other, much kitschier bands hovering on the perimeter of swing or jump blues these days. We'd recommend it, despite the group's misgivings. ~ Michael G. Nastos
Those who rhapsodize about the gifts of great American songwriters such as Cole Porter and the Gershwin brothers, while bemoaning the current state of popular song, would do well to investigate the work of David Cantor, guitarist and songwriter for Dave's True Story. While the group, which revolves around Cantor and cool postmodern chanteuse Kelly Flint, is often lumped in with the neo-lounge movement, their work is more complex than that categorization would suggest.
UNAUTHORIZED is a great leap forward from the group's previous release SEX WITHOUT BODIES, the main reason being the expanded production/arrangements of bassist/producer Jeff Eyrich. Eyrich uses a wide array of complementary tonal colors, from vibes to a horn section, to frame Cantor's witty, sophisticated songs, and Flint's melodious but deadpan singing style. While there's an abundance of humor in Cantor's compositions, there are no cheap laughs. Rather, he's an ironist in the best sense, on a par with Randy Newman or Steely Dan. Anyone with an interest in great modern songwriting will relish hearing Flint breathe sweet life into Cantor's quirky, inventive creations.

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