Review of Skokie Theatre Performance _Cathy Hodson on Darinfans.com

Dennis Tufano: As Long As I'm Singing

Have you ever spent an evening you never wanted to end? Such was the case on Saturday, October 27 at the Skokie Theatre in Skokie, Ill. Dennis Tufano, former lead singer of the 1960s rock group The Buckinghams, gave a warm, glowing tribute to one of his idols, the multitalented singer, songwriter, actor Bobby Darin.

Growing up on the "Nort'west" side of Chicago, Tufano spoke of hearing Darin's music in high school and being inspired by it. He covered many of Darin's hits, including the title song to his show, "As Long As I'm Singing," "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square," "Dream Lover," "Splish Splash," "Queen of the Hop," "My Funny Valentine," "If I Were a Carpenter," "You're the Reason I'm Living," "18 Yellow Roses," "Simple Song of Freedom," "Two of a Kind," (a cute duet with local comedian Tim Walkoe taking Johnny Mercer's vocals) "Up A Lazy River," "Beyond the Sea," "Mack the Knife," "That's All," and "A Curtain Falls."

Tufano was backed by Michael Acosta's nine-piece band (a pianist, electric guitarist, drummer and six piece horn section), who were a little cramped on the small, intimate stage, but tight musically and very talented. Three backup singers also accompanied the program, adding emphasis without overpowering Tufano or the band.

Tufano was mesmerizing, engaging, and faithful to Darin's recorded material. Often closing his eyes to concentrate, Tufano's vocals were flawless and paid respectful tribute to a talented man who left this world all too soon. Like Darin, Tufano realizes the importance of his fan base, and came out to the lobby after each performance to sign autographs and have photos taken with the fans.

The final encore of the night was "a gift back to you," for The Buckingham fans in the audience. It was evident that many hometown friends were present, and "Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song)," "Don't You Care," and "Kind of a Drag" nearly brought down the house, so enthusiastic was the response.

Local DJ Scott MacKay, who spoke at the beginning of the show, said they were taping the performance for a possible CD and DVD. One could only hope!

As Long As He's Singing
Music from the Heart, Children's Heart Foundation Benefit Concert
May 17, 2009 ~ Reviewed by Reina Riley

It was a finger-snapping, swinging Dennis Tufano who stepped on to Las Vegas’ South Point Casino stage for the occasion of a Bobby Darin Tribute Concert to benefit the Children’s Heart Foundation of Nevada.  Bill McCubbin and Terry Kellman, both former Bobby Darin band members, led a rocking band of the best musicians Las Vegas has to offer.  Darin’s original big band arrangements were the inspired backing for Tufano’s excellent performance.  Dressed to the nines, Tufano came out swinging with the Darin penned “As Long As I’m Singing.”  Using a combination of trademark Darin moves and Tufano’s own, it was easy to see that Bobby Darin’s legacy was in good hands. 

For the past three years, Dennis Tufano, former lead singer of the great 60’s band The Buckinghams, has paid musical tribute to the late, great Bobby Darin as part of his act.  Fans and critics have all received his efforts with praise.  Totally comfortable in rocker mode, Tufano next chose to do another Darin original as well as a big hit, the royal “Queen of the Hop.”  Dennis has fun with it giving a high energy performance and entertaining dance moves.

Introducing Tufano as a great guy from Chicago, Billy Mc Cubbin moved to a big band sound to back Dennis’ next selection, another big Darin hit, “Lazy River.”  His first chorus is whisper soft, and then he ups the excitement with a rollicking second chorus.  Darin was famous for adding tag lines to his early recordings and this one had a good one.  Supposedly aimed at Frank Sinatra, Dennis repeats the Darin challenge by ending the song with, “I ain’t going your way.  Stay outta my way.”

The segment ended with one of Darin’s most admired vocals, “The Curtain Falls.”  Dennis introduced the song as “an old show-biz tune,” and he proceeded to give a beautiful rendition of this moving ballad.  The band provided gorgeous harmonies to move the song along its sentimental way.  Dennis said that he found everything about Bobby Darin to be inspiring.  “The Curtain Falls” was a memorable example of that inspiration.

Later in the program, Dennis pleased the audience by singing a trio of Buckingham hits that made it high on the charts.  “Don’t You Care,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” and “Kind of Drag” were all great fun and zestfully sung.  This reviewer remembers buying all of them when they were new hits back in the day.  I was a jazz fan in those days, and I liked the brassy, swing/rock approach, and the Buckingham harmonies were always musical, tight and in-tune.

Tufano returned to the stage to do one more solo number, the much-loved, eternally popular, still commercial after all these years, “Beyond The Sea.”  In this song, the pianist gave Dennis a sparkling accompaniment, while Tufano sang in an easy swing mode that was punctuated by the famous Darin percussive ho’s and grunts.  The tribute concert came to an end when all singers returned to the stage to perform a rousing rendition of one of the twentieth century’s greatest and most enduring hits, the ever-popular “Mack The Knife.”

It was a pleasure for me to see and enjoy the talented Dennis Tufano on stage.  I wish him well in the future and continued success with his career choices.  In his mature years he has evolved into a singer who is successful in all genres and styles.  Should he ever come to the Boston area, I will definitely be there in the audience.  As I said earlier, in Dennis Tufano’s hands the music of Bobby Darin is well served indeed.

Reina Riley_ Darinfans.com

HEY BABY! The Buckinghams, Jon Poulos, Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb, Nick Fortuna and Carl Giamarese, have been INDUCTED into the 2009 Hit Parade Hall of Fame as of Jan.28, 2010 along with:

America, the Ames Brothers, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass,Louis Armstrong, Frankie Avalon, Brook Benton, Buckinghams, Glen Campbell, Chordettes, Petula Clark, Sam Cooke, Dave Clark Five, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Buddy Holly & the Crickets, Sammy Davis, Jr., Doors, Drifters, Tommy Edwards, 5th Dimension, Eddie Fisher, Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Horton, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Four Aces, Four Lads, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Lesley Gore, Michael Jackson & the Jackson Five, Joni James, Sonny James, Billy Joel, George Jones, Kitty Kallen, KC & the Sunshine Band, Andy Kim, Carole King, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Little Richard, Barry Manilow, Al Martino, Mamas & The Papas, McGuire Sisters, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Peter, Paul & Mary, Gene Pitney, Platters, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Helen Reddy, Marty Robbins, Rolling Stones, Jimmie Rodgers, Bobby Rydell, Del Shannon, Simon & Garfunkel, Jo Stafford, Barbra Streisand, Temptations, Three Dog Night, Bobby Vee, Bobby Vinton, Dionne Warwick and Andy Williams   I AM VERY PROUD TO HAVE  BEEN INCLUDED WITH SO MANY GREAT ARTISTS. THANK YOU TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND THE FANS FOR THEIR VOTES. WHAT A GAS!!!!!! –Dennis