A Portrait of Howard

Of course there’s no better way to remember the late, great Howard Tate than by playing his 1967 debut, Get It While You Can—but hearing him here backed by The Steve Weisberg Orchestra is a pretty awesome listening experience as well. He opens with a soulful reworking of Randy Newman’s “I'll Be Home” with backing female gospel singers, who help the tune sound almost as timeless as those 1967 recordings (save for a crisp and modern production). The orchestral arrangements fare better on the following cover of Burt Bacharach’s “Close to You,” which was tailor-made for such lavish accompaniment. By the time Tate takes on Nick Lowe’s “Homewrecker” with palpable tension in his voice, it’s evident that he not only sings good music; he knows good music. For another case in point of the man’s stellar taste, check out his artful take on Lou Reed’s “How Do You Think It Feels” (replete with droning guitar distortion) or his simmering serving of Carla Bley’s spiritual anthem “The Lord Is Listenin’ to Ya, Hallelujah.”