1971 - 1987 Volume One
Review by Billy Tweedie from billytweedie.com
"Impressive body of work from an underappreciated genius!" ~ Billy Tweedie
Only one other CD retrospect release did I anticipate with such hope that my favorite songs would be included. I was standing at the door to find the answer to that question the day "Live at Finocchio Club 1971-1987" was released. I was not disappointed by what had been left out. As any DIVA! lover would know, these are all foundation songs to their career. Plus they deserve to be on compact disc. However, how wonderful to have 28 tracks on disc, after all these years of waiting. (David's first album was still a bit of a mystery to me. The album was foreign sounding, so I hadn't listened to it often as I would have liked to.) However here I am in my glory! The inclusion of "Hello Bluebird", "Something" and "I Want To Hate Myself In The Morning", (written FOR Judy Garland, but made famous by Shirley Bassey) make the CD worth the money. These early songs are his most introspective and soulful. His yearnings and conflicts are universal, and sung by a songbird. The poignant and superb versions of "The Man That Got Away/Over The Rainbow" are included on this volume.
That was a step in the right direction. All his music deserves to be on disc. Many will be available this year, the next album: VOLUME 2 are the tracks that will hook me on David's soulful and silken voice and lyrics. I have collected all of them and I'm happy to say they are all of the highest quality, with almost all of David's songs of significance on them. Kind of ironic that this American-Cuban artist is so much more appreciated in various circles. I suggest any lover of Female Illusionists to purchase this collection and keep searching the internet for the others on David's own site. Very much worth the effort. This album is a great overview of his work, although it should have been a 2-disc set. (Instead of two volumes released at different times, just a personal thing with me I guess!). It contains obvious selections, big hits but also some very good, lesser known songs......there are backstage memoirs that include anecdotes from his run at Finocchio's in San Francisco, CA, narrated by David in English.
David and Paul's (his producer) choice in songs are solid. At least four of them could have been top 40 hits if we lived in a perfect world and real music was the 'In' thing! For me these would be, "This Is My Life", "Something", "Never Will I Marry" and the wonderful "Carnival Medley". The message of this one really catches on after several listens. "Hello Bluebird" truly has wings. Both the lyrics and the arrangements soar. His voice never sounded better and more sincere.v "La Virgen de la Macarena" is one of those melodies that you can't get out of your head. (I believe I recently heard it in the background of some so-so movie.) David sounds very happy and in-love in this one. "What Now My Love" is another one with some thoughtful and introspective lyrics. The more you play this one the more you appreciate its reason for being on this CD. David's version of "Something" beats Shirley Bassey's version, and that says a great deal. "This Is My Life" closes this CD on a perfect note. The CD has a central theme. David sings about love, loss and hope as he always does. However, now we have a more mature perspective. The song that Liza Minnelli is famous for: "Cabaret" shows us that David can still be sassy. This collection is pure pleasure, and a must for any DIVA lover!
Another Great man in our Art, Culture & Entertainment!
That is the Unique David de Alba!
Contact Alba/Ryner Ltd. to order CD(s) at david-heri@earthlink.net David will personally autograph your CD upon request.
Billy Tweedie, Billy's Entertainment World.
What people are saying about David's new CD
I have been listening to David de Alba's "Live at Finocchio's Club, Vol. 1 Memoirs" and I am very happy that I purchased this collection of this Legendary Entertainer. This CD is Mr. De Alba's best work yet. From the stories he shares at the beginning of his songs to his lovely voice and his very fine impressions it is truly a work of art. A pure delight.
Fashion Designer Laura Ryner from New York
I received the CDs with no problems. I'm enjoying them very much. I'm very impressed with all the care and work you put into them. I like the narration and stories in between songs. It makes me feel that I'm right there and easy to imagine you singing up on the stage! I sent the second set to my mother this week.
Entertainer Thomas Lynch aka Anita Mann from New Jersey
The loving tribute CD is a step ahead for the dance enthusiast of today and tomorrow. An enjoyable CD.
"Live at Finocchio's 1971-1987"
Volume one and two of the backstage Memoirs & Rare Recordings is a first. A look back at a talented, gifted performer, and his fond memories of his associates. I listened as if I was there at Finocchio's taking a front row seat. I applaud and tell David to accept his accolades. A beautiful reflection of time. Bravo!!!
"Then and Now"
A rare look back to the characters David brings to the stage....beautifully orchestrated and delivered.
The four CDs should be boxed together and sold as a set. One performer's dream has been born. David, much success to you! I enjoyed the CDs and will listen to them time and again.
Entertainer Ron Paradis aka Miss Kitty from Maine
I am Ron Paradis and was a female impersonator and entertainer for many years from the mid-60's thru the 90's. I worked under the name of Miss Kitty and worked in places like Finocchio's, The 82 Club in New York, Merry-Go-Round & Ledo de Paris in Paris, Punch Bowl in Boston, Le Girls in Australia, Caberia in Germany, just to name a few.
I have never had the pleasure of working with David but because of his hard work, we the people can hear the recordings of days gone by behind stage and enjoy the real live performances of David as Judy and Liza and the most important as David [as Boy-Chic]. You can hear the sounds and almost smell the make-up and if you close your eyes see the glitter and feathers of a time gone by. This is a once in a lifetime chance to do and hear something that will never return. I have enjoyed all four of the CDs over and over and I am sure you will too.
Thanks David for bringing back so many lost pleasures and memories.Accountant Colette McNiff from So. California
Wow! David de Alba scores a big HIT once again! The two-volume "Backstage Memoirs and Rare Recordings" is definitely a collector's album for lovers of the female impersonator genre. It is a peerless, beautiful and nostalgic production that takes you down memory lane to the stage of the Finocchio Club in San Francisco during its heydays. The body of work is flawless; the songs, peppered with amusing anecdotes, transport us backstage with the performers and give us an insight of their lives, personalities and peculiarities. It literally gives the listener the illusion of being right there, where it all happened.
David de Alba, in top form, displaying his great vocal talent, delivers his songs with the feeling, tenderness and passion that only an accomplished singer can provide. De Alba's caressing and tantalizing rendition of each selection makes these CDs a delightful surprise. His singing alone, including pop songs and lyrical ballads, gives these albums a universal appeal.
"Backstage Memoirs and Rare Recordings" is not just a collector's item for FI enthusiasts, but truly a MUST HAVE for all music lovers. It is indeed, an intriguing trip to the world of FIs, and as such, an invaluable treasure. For this reason, since no other album about the Finocchio Club has been released to date, these albums are unique and special. As an experienced musician and expert connoisseur of the great FI performers of past and present, I must give it two thumbs up!
The famous Finocchio Club in San Francisco closed in 1999. Those who did not have the opportunity to attend one of their performances can now catch a glimpse of how it was, thanks to David's CDs, "Backstage Memoirs & Rare Recordings, Vols. 1 & 2", that have historical value as they are the only existing live recordings from Finocchio's.
Alternating with the narration of some amusing and some bittersweet memories on his FI colleagues, (more about them on the "Loving Tribute" and the "Celebrity Interviews" pages on this Web site) we can listen to samples of David's wonderful vocal talent with a varied selection of songs: Judy Garland ("Hello Bluebird", a great "Over the Rainbow" and "Hate Myself in the Morning"), Liza Minnelli ("Cabaret"), Spanish/Latin American ("La Macarena", and David's trademark song "La Tómbola"). Also included are several medleys like Carnival Medley, South Pacific Medley, French Medley and more. David shows his versatility also with Schubert's "Ave María" and the Roy Roger's song "Happy Trails". Both CDs are very enjoyable and the service is very good (fast international shipment).
David's voice has the firey quality of Spanish Gypsy music. I particularly liked his rendition of "La Macarena". (Knocked my socks off !)
I waited, with great anticipation, to receive my copies of David de Alba's "Live at Finocchio Club" CDs - Volume One and Two. I received them promptly and ran to my CD player to listen. For the next few hours I was at Finocchio's! I was very surprised. I understood that the recordings were made on a small recorder at Finocchio's and expected the quality of the CDs to be less than they were. I was able to get the feel of Finocchio's and to hear David performing much better than I had anticipated.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed David's singing, I found the comments by David throughout the CDs to be very insightful and entertaining as well. He gives you a complete story through his beautiful performances and narrations. I have not seen this on any other CD I have purchased. I will not give away all of the details, as these CDs are a "must have". I will say that, at one point, the narration by David along with the song that followed brought me to tears. I was thoroughly entertained, moved and finally at Finocchio's. When I heard the applause for David I felt I was one of the members of the audience. Thank you David, for memories I only wish I could have had. You are truly - La Leyenda Cubana!
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