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Cover photo of Make Like a Prince CD

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Make Like a Prince is a debut collection of songs written by Paul James Frantz. Built on a jazz / cabaret foundation, the songs on this sampler CD branch out into a variety of styles. The topics range from traditional torch songs to politics, mortality, dysfunctional relationships and the absurdity of modern life. Paul's wry humor shines throughout. There are songs about both gay and straight relationships. The message comes through that at the end of the day, it's all the same.

Most of the songs on the CD feature Paul's vocals. Chavé Alexander performs "C'mon Santa" (track 5) and "Taking Charge of My Dream" (track 13). Shannon Koon joins Paul for a duet on "Slidin' Scale" (track 4). The singers perform with a jazz trio.


Track List

An uptempo jazz ditty about insecurity and taking the first steps in a new relationship.

The tag line, "Make like a prince or jump back in the pond," says it all in this song where the singer tells his partner it's time to shape up or ship out. The style is jazzy, uptempo and swinging. When sung by a man, as on Paul's "Make Like a Prince" CD, the song has a gay perspective. The song works equally well as a straight song when sung by a woman.

A relaxed, bluesy swing number sung by a sinner who plans to schmooze his way past Saint Peter into heaven.

This low-down bluesy song takes a wry look at how business is conducted in a strip joint. The first part of the song is sung by the stripper, the next part by the customer and the final part is a duet. On the "Make Like a Prince" CD, both parts are sung by men, which sets the song in a gay club. When sung by a man and a woman, it's a straight song.

In the same spirit as "Santa Baby," "C'mon Santa" swings gently as the singer cajoles Santa into filling her stocking.

A funny, rollicking boogie-woogie song about how history shows us that it always takes a couple of tries to get things right.

Taking inspiration from the Brokeback Mountain story, this song is sung by a gay man to the woman he married in order to conceal his true nature . It's a slow, sad and haunting song. The bitterness and pain in it are lightened just a little by a rueful appreciation of how absurd life can be.

A bitingly satirical song ridiculing the prejudice of the opponents of gay marriage. The style goes back and forth between a sweet, lyrical waltz and low-down dirty blues.

A gentle jazz shuffle with a Parisian feel, where the singer anticipates the delights of an
upcoming trip to Paris.

The singer laments being in love with someone who is his polar opposite. It's uptempo, and it really swings

This slow jazz ballad has a classic torch song feel, lamenting a lost love.

A quiet, pensive ballad about a relationship where one lover is much more deeply in love than the other.

Inspired by the movie Dreamgirls, this song is a big, loud declaration of independence. It opens with a gospel feel then builds to a driving R&B beat.

 

Musicians

Paul James Frantz Vocals
Chavé Alexander Vocals on "C'mon Santa" and "Taking Charge of My Dream"
Shannon Koon Vocal duet with Paul on "Slidin' Scale"
Sean Bart Piano, Keyboards
Josh Srabo Bass
Taylor Still Percussion
Annelise Zamula Tenor sax, flute, soprano sax
Dave Miotke Accordion

 

Recording

The CD was recorded in 2008 at Laughing Tiger Studio in San Rafael by recording engineers Matt Cohen and Rick Vargas. It was mixed by Matt Cohen and mastered by Mike Bemesderfer. Production was by Paul James Frantz and Candace Forest. Sean Bart was the music director. Make Like a Prince is published by Baker Beach Music.

 

Graphic Design

The cover art, disc art and packaging were created by Deb Lehman of Hopping Media.

The cover art incorporates an image used with permission of Jupiterimages Corporation.

 

Music, Lyrics and Recordings
Copyright 2009 Paul James Frantz / Baker Beach Music (ASCAP)