REVIEW BY JOHN BERGER / jberger@staradvertiser.com
‘Love Is Everything’
Richard Natto (Rdmusic Firmbizness)
Richard Natto has been a player on the local music scene since the mid-1970′s, first as one-half of Toma/Natto with guitarist Dave Toma, then as a solo artist and a member of the Society Of Seven-Las Vegas.
He’s a versatile guy who can rock and improv, follow the strict scripting required in showroom entertainment, or croon contemporary love songs.
Remember the soft-pop “slow jams” format popular here in the mid-90s? Natto is bringing the jams back with his work here.
The album is a one-man showcase. Natto wrote all but one song, and he performs all the vocal parts and plays all the instruments. His strength as a guitarist ensures that guitar is the most prominent instrument overall, but his arrangements utilize many other instruments.
There’s some nice work on piano, and, yes, the extensive use of various old-style faux-string section synth programs accents the retro local-pop sound of the project.
Natto gives his romantic side full rein with his singing. His lyrics capture the magic of being in love and the poignancy of searching for love. His delivery — soft and emotional, occasionally soaring into falsetto — seals the deal.
Natto’s “Love” expresses the feelings of romantics of all ages.
———
John Berger has been a mainstay in the local entertainment scene for more than 40 years. Contact him via email at jberger@staradvertiser.com.