With a full orchestra backing him and all tracks recorded live, like all CDs should be, Michael Lington offers up his fifth CD and his second for the Rendezvous Music label.  A Song For You, released September 26th, is a CD of cover tunes.  These tracks, though, remind me of the efforts that David Sanborn gives – songs that are not commonly covered and done in a way to make them sound new and fresh.

The CD opens with “All in Love is Fair,” a Stevie Wonder tune.  Michael brings this classic back to life with new texture and phrasing.  Billy Joel’s, “She’s Always A Woman,” has the basic melody that many of us grew up with, but it is expanded on with the orchestration.  The title track, “A Song For You,” is a complete remake of this amazing Leon Russell hit.  Michael puts his whole soul into it and the orchestra strings fill in where Michael’s voice doesn’t reach.  This is one of the best covers of this tune ever heard.

The James Taylor song, “You’ve Got A Friend,” is up next and Michael uses a very gentle approach to convey this instrumental message.  It is not overdone, but done with feeling and emotion.  My absolute favorite track on this CD is “Tell Me All About It,” a Michael Franks tune from quite some time ago.  Michael on his alto sax is joined in a duet with Dave Koz on the soprano.  The tune is bouncy and fun, and the combination of these two saxmen is a real treat.  The strings and piano round out the melody and the mood.  “Still Crazy After All These Years” is another song not regularly covered.  Michael takes this Paul Simon song and stretches it. His sax comes across powerful and fluid, while never losing the core of the tune.

The first single released is the classic Carol King song, “It’s Too Late.”  I heard Michael play this live recently and he really makes it his own.  It’s a tune that we all know and love, and he knows just how to add flavor and character to it to make it memorable but fresh. If you love piano, there is a great solo in the middle.  “Nobody Does It Better” is driven by Michael’s sax, but the orchestra completely takes the lead mid-song.  At times the song is barely recognizable, but done beautifully.  “Both Sides Now” is a terrific version of the Joni Mitchell song.  The piano and strings again push the tempo along, but Michael’s sax is definitely leading the way and taking the tune to beyond the limits of the original.  A cover of a Sting song?  Well, Michael takes “Fragile” and really puts feeling into it.  The opening guitar sets the mood with the quiet strings playing behind it.  Michael’s sax starts out dark and moody, but playful when needed.  This is a really great take on this tune.  Closing this CD is “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word,” an emotional ballad from Elton John.  Michael’s sax tone keeps that same emotional tie, and the piano and strings create a somber mood. 

While most people are downplaying the idea of covers, which seem to be overtaking the airwaves, it is refreshing to find a CD with different covers – ones that are not regularly done.  And Michael Lington has offered up not only a terrific selection, but a completely different approach, using full orchestration.  This is definitely a must have CD.

- Bonnie Schendell