Dreamer with a Penny is Los Angeles vocalist Mark Miller's debut CD. Together with three seasoned pianists - Page Cavanaugh, Joyce Collins and Jane Getz - he embarks on his personal journey of interpretations from the Great American Songbook. Miller is the resident musician at Los Angeles Chaya Brasserie and maybe it is this "food connection" that got me in the mood of listening to this album over a quiet candle light dinner at home. Miller's tone is warm and mellow and perfect for "that romantic mood." Vocalist/pianist Michael Feinstein commented that Miller's "interpretations are joyful, swinging, and a pleasure to hear." I agree with this assessment and my personal favorites are "Stars Fell On Alabama" (Page Cavanaugh accompanies on this track) and the sensitively arranged Dave Frishberg/Johnny Mandel tune "You Are There" which rounds out the selection. When checking out this CD, take a second look also at the cover art: the abstract painting titled "Like Sunlight on Water" was done by multi-talented Mark Miller as well.
By Kate Kaiser