Matt Munisteri & Brock Mumford – Love Story
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Matt Munisteris debut straddles several genres with honesty and conviction. Jazz, swing and cabaret are found embedded in the songs themselves, as well as in the playing and arrangements.
With his warm and flexible voice, combined with considerable six-string chops, Munisteri leads his curiously-named combo (accordion/piano/organ, bass, drums, and trumpet) through fourteen songs, mostly originals. Some were clearly written with this instrumentation in mind (Sign Me Up, Picciaridu), while others could easily switch gears and please a pub-goer wanting a bit more kick. A few numbers feel like theyre included because they showcase Munisteris post-Django guitar prowess and make their impact primarily in that regard, with the songs being too genre-specific to resonate very long after the fact.
The set ends with a pair of covers. First is Dylans Dont Think Twice, Its All Right, which pays homage to Bob Doroughs jazz reading of this song three decades ago. Closing the disc is the gorgeously evocative and subtly complex Van Dyke Parks jewel Orange Crate Art. Munisteris guitar adaptation of this originally piano based piece is perfectly rendered, with Will Holshousers accordian stepping in for orchestral color and expanse.