Norm Drubner - Let's Fall In Love (2014)

With his warm, breathy voice, Norm Drubner can reflect the emotional pulse of even the most familiar of jazz standards. Suddenly, what once seemed to be so engrained in the consciousness that new feelings were muted becomes fresh and alive once again. On his latest album Let’s Fall in Love, Drubner doesn’t do the usual, which is a paint-by-numbers rendition of classic material, so often the case with other artists. Instead, Drubner offers his own interpretation of them, letting his personal affection and experiences for each song drive every performance.

Drubner’s ability to communicate real feelings into these tunes is a huge key to his success. On “My Funny Valentine,” the gentle romanticism in Drubner’s vocals pierces the heart; his lovely singing is perfectly balanced with the sublime piano playing. Together, they light the candles of amore. On “You’ll Never Know,” Drubner’s voice is in front of the mix, giving it heightened intimacy; it almost sounds like he’s whispering it to your ear. The strong production values and tasteful instrumentation on Let’s Fall in Love further complement Drubner’s vocal strengths. The sweetly melodic piano of “The Day Isn’t Strong Enough” and the sweeping beauty of “Too Marvelous for Words” create a blissful listening experience, especially on these simmering spring afternoons. ~allaboutjazz.com