SEX WITHOUT BODIES introduces to the world at large a songwriter whose name belongs in the pantheon of greats like Randy Newman, Donald Fagen and Lyle Lovett. Like those writers, David Cantor, the songwriting, guitar-playing, goatee-wearing half of Dave's True Story (could they be the Eurythmics of the Cocktail Nation?) uses pop and jazz forms as a vehicle for literate, highly ironic, darkly humorous observations about the underbelly of the anima. His partner, vocalist Kelly Flint, makes the word into flesh with a cool sense of distance that allows Cantor's biting lyrics to hit their target with maximum efficiency. Flint's style leans toward the jazzy pop tradition of people like Astrud Gilberto, Keely Smith and Julie London.
With unadorned production by ace singer-songwriter Richard Julian and performances by top shelf NYC jazz musicians like Ben Monder, Jeff Berman and Crispin Cioe, Dave's True Story steps to the front of the neo-lounge line, showing up lesser acts like Squirrel Nut Zippers and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Cantor and Flint's relationship to such groups is roughly that of Nirvana to Bush, and the depth inherent in SEX WITHOUT BODIES bears this equation out admirably.
Recorded at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, New York, New York from October 20-23, 1997.
Personnel: David Cantor (vocals, guitar); Kelly Flint (vocals); Richard Julian, Ben Monder (guitar); Charlie Giordano (musette); Aaron Heick (tenor saxophone); Crispin Cioe, Jack Bashkow (baritone saxophone); Chris Botti (trumpet); Jeff Berman (vibraphone); Darren Solomon (upright bass); Kevin Hupp, Richard Crooks (drums); Emedin Rivera (percussion).
Recording information: St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Chelsea, New York, NY (10/20/1997-10/23/1997).
Editor: Nick Prout.
Photographer: Jay Strauss.
Dave's True Story: David Cantor (vocals, guitar); Kelly Flint (vocals).
Additional personnel: Ben Monder, Richard Julian (guitar); Aaron Heick, Rick DiPofi (tenor saxophone); Crispin Cioe, Jack Bashkow (baritone saxophone); Chris Botti (trumpet); Charlie Giordano (musette); Guyora Kats (Wurlitzer piano); Jeff Berman (vibraphone); Darren Solomon (acoustic bass); Richard Crooks, Kevin Hupp (drums); Emedin Rivera (percussion).
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