Tony Messina

Tony Messina: This is What I Am

by AAJ Staff
January 20, 2003

Consisting of new and old entries in the Great American Songbook, vocalist Tony Messina’s debut spans a range of styles. It catches the subtle spice of Jobim's “One Note Samba" (including a clever piano sampling of “The Summer Knows"), mellows into the Gershwins' remorseful “Isn't It a Pity," changes tempo for “Come Rain or Come Shine," swings into a bouncy take on Van Morrison's romantic plead “Moondance" and takes a fiery jungle tour through Harold Arlen's “Old Black Magic" (complete ...