Let There Be Love
With his boyish croon and hollow-body guitar, John Pizzarelli cuts a dashing figure and has the lineage and skill to give his multiple talents real credence. But withLet There Be Love, Pizzarelli seems caught looking to cash in on his good looks and rugged, honeyed vocals, albeit with a cast of fine musicians on board for the ride. In 15 mellow tracks that swing just enough to keep your feet from growing cold, Pizzarelli salutes all the lovers out there with monotone fireplace ditties. Pictured barefoot on some Fire Island getaway, and in an urbane suit gazing into the eyes of a femme fatale, John Pizzarelli warms bodies and melts hearts, as always, with good, if monochromatic, musical taste. An impeccable repertoire of familiar songs, such as "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket," "These Foolish Things," and "Stompin' at the Savoy," finds Pizzarelli simply executing everything in a polite midtempo style that grows sleepy. Then there's Jessica Molasky's "Da Vinci's Eyes," a song so sappy it makesBlossom Deariesound likeAretha Franklin. Pizzarelli's own songs fare better, especially the shuffling "All I Saw Was You" and "Our Little Secret." But mostly,Let There Be Loveis all too smooth, too warm, too much. Capturing the nostalgic mood of the 1940s and '50s classics is laudable, but this 54 minutes of gentle strumming and sweet sounds is the equivalent of milk and cookies at midnight.--Ken Micallef