TransVocalizers — David de Alba Sings

David de Alba

One of the definitions of the word “gregarious” is sociable. The more common usage refers to an individual who has an extremely outgoing personality. I’m going to contact the publishers of the dictionary I use and suggest the next edition has a photo of David de Alba next to the word gregarious.

TransVocalizers ran a two part interview with David in March and May of this year. When I did the initial phone interview for the interview, David sang the old Charlie Chaplin song Smile over the phone to me. Now that’s definitely an outgoing personality–singing over the phone to someone you’ve never met in person.

While the interview was quite extensive (hence the two installments), one thing that could not be presented was David’s actual voice. Okay, so that’s the case with practically any interview, but after hearing him sing just that one short old song, and watching a couple of videos, I wanted to see if any recordings were available for review. David does have extensive recording career, but practically all of his work is either out of print or very difficult to find. He did, however, send me some recordings as downloads, some from live shows, some from studio recordings. This column does do CD reviews from time to time, but this will be first time that individual songs will be reviewed.

Macarena 1 is an excellent example of the live recordings that were usually made from a cassette machine placed backstage during David’s Finocchio’s performances. On this particular tune, which is sung in Spanish, David’s voice is perfect. Since the tape was not mixed, the live drums from the club band are as prominent as David’s voice, but nonetheless, his delivery is very energetic. In spite of the quality and age of the tape, you can tell that David was an incredibly engaging performer while at Finnochio’s, and the audience was obviously really into what they were seeing as well as hearing.

By contrast, another Finocchio’s archive song, Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries, has David singing in a more powerful voice than usual. Written by Ray Henderson, Buddy G. DeSylva, and Lew Brown, the song was originally introduced by Ethel Merman in 1931. David perfectly captures Merman’s power and her enunciation.

[quicktime]http://tgforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/cherries-de-alba.mov[/quicktime]

“What’s priceless about these song samples”, David said, “…is that then at Finocchio’s if I would have not brought that little stereo cassette tape recorder and [the] club’s emcee, the late Carroll Wallace helped me put that tape recorder by the wings . . . we would have nothing now from that period.

The only drawback is that the tape picked up the sounds from two bouncing speakers that were set up by the audience, so it is never like a professional recording, where the mikes are put in the right place . . . in those days, we had to work at the club in very primitive conditions and if we survived it at all was because of our good talent and because some of us tried very hard to succeed in what we did on stage.”

David also included several of his Spanish language songs among the downloads he sent. Esto es Felicidad is a studio recording. It’s sung in a higher register and is very energetic. Other Spanish pieces are La Tombala (studio recording); Cantemos (studio); and Comparsa (live recording, in a medium range with trumpet accompaniment.)

[quicktime]http://tgforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/esto-es-felicidad.mov[/quicktime]

[quicktime]http://tgforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Cantemos.mov[/quicktime]

[quicktime]http://tgforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/comparsa.mov[/quicktime]

A very good example of David’s vocal control is the old school I Hate Myself In The Morning. While it’s done with tracks, the vocal is mid range and very controlled.

David also has several videos on YouTube, taken from various performances over the years. In my humble opinion, on the best examples of David’s skill as a female impersonator is found in his video as Liza Minelli singing New York, New York. Truly classic stuff.

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As stated earlier, the albums that David has released over the years are hard to find. But, if you ever come across on these titles, snatch ‘em up: A Loving Tribute To Olga And Tony (Vol. 1&2); Upon Request; David de Alba Sings Classic Pop; Still In The Groove; Live At Finocchio’s (Vol. 1&2); Songs Worth Remembering; Then And Now; and Carousel Dreams. There is also a DVD, Tribute To Judy Garland.

David de Alba is a true living legend, and the only member of the Finocchio’s cast from his era who still performs. He recently did a very well received stint at The Onyx Theater in Las Vegas, and will be back at that venue in November, with a tribute to Judy Garland entitled Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

For more information on David de Alba, including dates and links to other videos and songs, please check out his website.

ALSO THIS MONTH

Cyndi Lauper is involved with a musical stage production entitled Kinky Boots. There is also a remix disc for one of the songs from the show, Sex Is In The Heel, which has just been released.

Lauper wrote the music and lyrics to accompany the book written by veteran actor Harvey Fierstein. Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, the show will have a pre-Broadway world premier in Chicago this fall at the Bank Of America Theater. There are plans to open on Broadway in 2013.

In the story of Kinky Boots, Charlie Price is forced to step in and save his family’s shoe factory in Northern England after the death of his father. He is helped by the fabulous drag performer, Lola. As the business begins to turn around, “…this improbable duo…turns into the men their fathers always dreamed they would become.”

For tickets in Chicago, visit BroadwayInChicago.com. Also, please check out The Kinky Boots Musical site, and Cyndi Lauper’s website.

Tags: featured, History, impersonation, music

Category: Music