Dave's True Story

Dave's True Story - Simple Twist Of Fate: DTS Does Dylan - 2005 - BePop Records

With only seven Bob Dylan covers (three are reprised as "radio edits," another is repeated as an "alternative mix"), and a closing original tune, this is more an EP than a full-length album. Regardless, Dave's True Story does right by Dylan, covering songs from the early part of his career, with two coming from Blood on the Tracks and two from Blonde on Blonde. Reinterpreting them in the DTS' lounge-core, tropicalia fashion works surprisingly well for the most part, emphasizing Dylan's edgy lyrics as singer Kelly Flint brings her languid, torchy sensuality to the mix. Hardcore Dylan fans might find these versions on the smooth side, but the arrangements, while easy-going, are not necessarily easy listening. Stripped down to just stand-up bass, brushed drums, predominantly unplugged guitars, and just a hint of organ emphasizes the unique chord changes that mark the best of Dylan's work. Unearthing New Morning's jazzy "If Dogs Run Free," with talk and sung vocals from David Cantor as Flint scats behind him, is a terrific and unexpected find. "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" is the only track here that doesn't translate as well to the DTS style, since the words are too cutting to be sung in such a relaxed fashion. Additionally, Flint changes notes from the original when she sings "blue" in the chorus, which is jarring. The second "alternative" stab at "You're a Big Girl Now" features reverbed, noir surf guitar, infusing a moody and dynamic twist to the song. "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" plays closest to the original, but Flint's direct approach misses Dylan's sly, understated humor. The lone new composition, "Blood and Bone," although a good-enough DTS track, doesn't belong here musically, and one wonders why the band could not have worked up a few more Dylan tunes to flesh out this otherwise excellent project. © Hal Horowitz © 2011 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/simple-twist-of-fate-r806500/review

"You can call it hip, call it clever, or even call it 'jazz noire.' The music of Dave's True Story both challenges and defies categorization. It swings with a refreshing literate charm of its own." Ken Franckling/UPI Arts & Entertainment - The Jazz Condition

Terry Teachout of The New York Times said that "Kelly Flint and David Cantor's act is hard to pigeonhole; imagine a weird and wonderful cross of Steely Dan and Stephen Sondheim." Jim Allen of Muze said this about David Cantor's music, "a songwriter whose name belongs in the pantheon of greats like Randy Newman, Donald Fagen and Lyle Lovett." (David Cantor is a great Steely Dan fan). Spencer Harrington of Jazziz noted that "The edgy genius of Dave's true Story - the trio of guitarist-songwriter David Cantor, vocalist Kelly Flint, and bassist Jeff Eyrich - is in its ability to fuse the vibe of jazz from the 1940s and 50s with a modernist lyric sensibility: witty, urbane, and anxiety-ridden... jazz songwriting for a new generation." All great descriptions. How about a cross between Matt Bianco and Michael Franks, or Everything but the Girl and Cole Porter. Why not put all these sounds together? DTS's music is not easy to describe but they are very, very talented with great lyrics, often with dark concepts embedded in them, beautiful jazzy melodic hooks, and a suave, cool and urbane jazz pop sound that is timeless. The music could possibly be described as retro cocktail jazz, but with a unique modern feel. Kelly Flint is the focus with a Peggy Lee/k.d. lang-styled voice, and she is backed by a brilliant band who play with economy and amazing expertise. DTS is another band who rise head and shoulders above the controlled commercial pop and rock "X Factor/Britain's Got Talent bands" masquerading as today's music sensations. When Dave's True Story was invited to play the annual DylanFest at a winery in upstate NY, the band members Kelly Flint, Dave Cantor, and Jeff Eyrich chose their favorite Dylan songs and played them in their unique cool jazzy lounge style. Just before going onstage Dave commented, “either we're going to be tarred, feathered and run out of town for taking liberties, or they're going to love it.” However, the concert was appreciated by the audience and DTS received many requests from people to buy the CD. The following week the band recorded the Dylan set at Bennett Studios in New Jersey. Dave's True Story interprets Dylan's great songs without losing their meaning, and the album is HR by A.O.O.F.C. Search this blog for more DTS/Kelly Flint releases

TRACKS

1 Simple Twist Of Fate 4:53
2 You're A Big Girl Now 4:38
3 Just Like A Woman 4:32
4 I Want You 4:11
5 If Dogs Run Free 3:40
6 It's All Over Now Baby Blue 5:00
7 You're A Big Girl Now (Alternate Mix) 4:40
8 Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues 3:56
9 Simple Twist Of Fate (Radio Edit) 4:00
10 You're A Big Girl Now (Radio Edit) 3:58
11 It's All Over Now Baby Blue (Radio Edit) 4:00
12 Blood & Bone (Bonus Track By Kelly Flint) 2:10

All songs by Bob Dylan except "Blood & Bone" composed by Kelly Flint

MUSICIANS

David Cantor - Guitar, Vocals
Steve Cardenas - Guitar [Guest]
Carmen Yates - Guitar, Background Vocals [Guest]
Michael King Ross - Guitar, Organ [Guest]
Jeff Eyrich - Upright Bass, Background Vocals
Rich "Dusty Chopmeat" Zukor - Drums, Percussion [Guest]
Kelly Flint - Vocals, Background Vocals

ABOUT THE BAND

The story behind the band, Dave’s True Story, is every bit as interesting as Dave Cantor’s lyrics. Dave Cantor, singer/songwriter and the Dave of Dave’s True Story, grew up in New York, (Long Island to be exact), and had a dream of wanting to become a novelist out of college. The novel didn’t work out, nor did the playwriting, so instead he turned to writing songs, where his lyrics are like mini-scripts with dramatic monologues. Kelly Flint grew up in the mid-west, (Michigan City, Indiana) came to New York with $400, a suitcase and like so many people that come to New York, with a dream of becoming an actress or a singer. It was something that she desperately wanted, but she put off going to a club called the Speakeasy for their Open Mike night for a few years, because she said that she knew once she went it would change her life, and it did. She became involved with the Fast Folk Musical Group, which is where she met Dave in 1989. Friends encouraged Kelly to sing Dave’s songs, since she needed material and was not a prolific writer herself, but Kelly didn’t really “get” Dave, and didn’t like his style of jazz. Over drinks one night, Dave taught Kelly one of his songs, and when she sang it, she “got” it, and went on to learn a few more of his songs. Fast-forward, Dave and Kelly went to a Folk Festival that Jack Hardy put on with 33 performers. Although Dave and Kelly were not on the line-up to perform, at the third from the last of the performers, they decided to sing one song, and the audience loved them. At the end of the concert, the audience cheered Dave and Kelly to come back on and sing another song. Ironically, the only other Dave’s song that Kelly knew was a Christmas song, which they performed, so what that it was July! Encouraged by their reception at the concert, they went on to do a couple of gigs. In 1994 they formed Dave’s True Story, released an album, and in 1995 they won the prestigious Kerrville New Music Award. The story gets even better; in 1994 Kelly met Southern California Surfer/bassist, Jeff Eyrich, who was living in Malibu, in an Internet chat session called the Surf Lounge Tijuana Brass Cocktail. Encouraged by their chats, Kelly sent Jeff their album so that he could try to generate some interest for it on the West Coast. When he heard the album, coupled with his growing online relationship with Kelly, he moved to New York and joined Dave’s True Story in 1998. Their first release together was Dave’s True Story (1994, re-released in 2002), Sex without Bodies (1998), followed by Unauthorized (2000), which is when I first became a fan of Dave’s True Story. Their latest release, Nature, from BePop Records was just released on April 19, 2005. The story gets even better! Their song, Crazy Eyes, was featured in the film Kissing Jessica Stein, and the second track, Dog’s Life, from the Nature release is in the documentary, Dog’s Life: A Dogmentary, from Emmy award winning television producer Gayle Kirschenbaum. On June 3, 2005 Edward F. Nesta and I, along with our friend, Tim Garrabrandt, had the opportunity to listen to Dave’s True Story perform at the club, Satalla, in New York, and to interview them to get their “story”. When I asked what inspired Dave, Kelly quickly responded, “he gets his inspiration from Kelly”, to which Dave added, “or else.” Actually, he grew up liking (surprise!) music, which was definitely off the beaten track, which included The Mothers (Frank Zappa) and Captain Beefheart. He also admitted that he was a Steely Dan fan. Jeff was inspired by the Southern California surfer instrumental pipeline music. He said that sometimes people say that he plays “surf guitar.” Hearing Dave’s True Story perform live is about as good as it gets. Joined by drummer, Richard Zukor, the band clearly was in their element. Although Dave may not have written a bestselling novel, his lyrics are clearly bestselling stories; and it appears that Kelly didn’t have to choose between acting or singing, as she captures the audience with her mesmerizing voice and sassy attitude; and as for Jeff, this cool California surfer plays his bass with the ease of a champion surfer coming out of a long pipeline. I can’t wait to hear the next story from Dave’s True Story, as the stories just keep getting better and better. Written & © by Debra C. Argen © August 2005. Luxury Experience. www.luxuryexperience.com All rights reserved. http://luxuryexperience.com/music_scene/interviews/daves_true_story_interview.html

SHORT BIO

The duo Dave's True Story formed in Manhattan, when songwriter/guitarist David Cantor and singer Kelly Flint met through connections in the New York music scene; Flint showed an affinity for singing Cantor's witty, often risqué songs written in the style of Porter and Gershwin. The duo released their self-titled debut on their own BePop label in 1996 and built a following by performing frequently at New York clubs and touring the Northeast. Their second album, Sex Without Bodies, appeared in 1998, followed in early 2000 by Unauthorized. © Steve Huey © 2010 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:k9fwxqlhldfe