Nylons singer Micah Barnes is nostalgically romantic on his latest album – as a bonus for fans, he even made a mixtape of covers of tunes by the likes of Smokey Robinson, Etta James and Cole Porter that inspired him.
New York Stories itself, a collection of originals, plays out like the score to a musical theatre production about a New York-based love affair, with some cabaret flair and for the most part stripped-down production. The record works best when it sounds effortless and lighthearted – Barnes can pull off cute on tunes like After The Romance (The Rent), with its witty piano playing and his trio’s casually sweet backup vocals.
He goes astray when he piles on the mood, like on Harlem Moon. Still, New York Stories, full of mostly musical references to that city, captures some especially great piano playing and singing, touching on blues and stride piano.
Top track: La Rouge Ou Le Noir (The Roulette Wheel)
Micah Barnes plays Jazz Bistro on Sunday (June 14), 21 and 28 and the Toronto Jazz Festival on June 27 at the Old Mill Inn.
