Critics Rave for 'Davi Sings Sinatra'

The press loves to smack down actors who break into song.

Don Johnson, Eddie Murphy, and William Shatner are just a few big name stars stung by reporters for daring to add the word “singer” to their résumés. But music critics are lining up to sing the praises of actor Robert Davi’s new disc, ‘Davi Sings Sinatra: On the Road to Romance.’

The actor, whose impressive career includes roles in ‘Die Hard,’ ‘Goonies,’ and ‘License to Kill,’ started out as a trained singer before Hollywood came calling. Now, he’s reclaimed his musical legacy, and several major publications like USA Today appear glad he did. Here’s another rave, the kind that must make the Sinatra fan in Davi light up:

“Listening to it, you just know Sinatra would have smiled, given Davi a light tap on the cheek, and said, ‘Nice job, kid.'”

JazzTimes.com fell for Davi’s decision to find inspiration from Sinatra without resorting to an unwise imitation:

“The results are, indeed, uniformly impressive. A solid swinger and equally capable balladeer …”

Bill Miller of National Radio Syndicators called the new album a “winner.”

“This guy has the chops that translate into great listening.”

Davi’s way with a melody isn’t restricted to recorded music. Consider this review of a recent live appearance covering material from the just-released album:

By the time he’d finished his second number – “Nice ‘n’ Easy” – and was swinging smoothly through “At Long Last Love,” it was apparent that he was clearly in touch with the content, the details and the spirit of Sinatra’s way with a song.

Davi’s acting gigs often play up his intimidating side, but it’s the way he cradles Sinatra songbook that’s wooing otherwise skeptical scribes.