It is great to have Tony and Gloria Nazarro back in town. When it comes to guitar, Tony has few peers. Chris Burchard and Tim McAlpine ae in that exhalted league, but even they might not have mastered some of Tony's accomplishments. Tony plays lead, rhythm, and bass simultaneously. He uses an electronic gadget to double his low string an octave lower, giving him a wonderful bass sound. Chet Atkins did it by actually using a bass string on his guitar. When it comes to vocalizing the only comparisons for Gloria Nazarro are Roberta Flack and Karen Carpenter. She's that good and that smooth with more rannge than either. She's also a beautiful human being.
Tony Nazarro also sings in a gordon Lightfoot type voice, big, strong and lovely. His Italian is very classy. The first song was a request for "The Girl From Ipenema". Even on this chestnut the duo sound was marvelous.
Next came a favorite island song, Steven Bishop's "On and On". This one had a couple dancing, a subtle drum machine keeping the beat. Next I was thrilled to hear my favorite standard, a choice I share with piano great Johnny O'Neal, Cole Porter's wonderful "I Concentrate On You". Tony's intro is pure magic. Gloria begins it recitative, then slides into rhythm. This is the song on which she shines brightest, a hard call, because Gloria shines on everything she sings. Tony's guitar solo is sublime. I see other guitarists come in to listen to his amazing technique and sensitivity.
It is a Dusty Springfield hit that puts Gloria into a pop bag, There's no style this woman cannot sing. But an Italian song? That;s Tony's forte. "Astate Vicina Me" shows off Tony's marvelous voice and his beautiful Italian. One suspects he could just as easily have made a career in singing. The crowd loves it. "Green Dolphin Street" always does me in.
It's one I love to play with Betty Saint. We hear Gloria's sexy lows and gorgeous highs both on this one. Both voices are seamless throughout their ranges. Now we are treated to Gloria's excellent French on "Autumn Leaves".
Did you now Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyric? Once again Tony knocks us out with his guitar playing.
On Bob Dylan's classic "Knocking On Heaven's Door", done with a sort of slow reggae beat we hear some divine vocal harmony. A club guest, Lester plays a very nice harp solo. More people are dancing now, well, swaying to the music. A high energy Brazillian tune shows off Gloria's gift for languages. They announce that today is their eighteenth weding anniversary.
Gloria dedicates the next song, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" to 'her valentine', Tony. This tune is pure emotion. If you want to find great music with all the class you could ask for in an equally classy environment, watch Now Playing for Tony and Gloria's next appearance at Virgilio's. Ona happy note, they may be moving back to Key West soon! We certainly hope so.
Stay cool.