Jazz in the Charts, Volume 89: 1948

by Various Artists

Kevin Spacey harbored a longtime fascination with Bobby Darin that ultimately pushed him to direct and star in BEYOND THE SEA, a biopic about the singer. Taking things a step further, Spacey--known as a talented mimic--sang a host of Darin classics in the film, as captured on the soundtrack album. While Spacey's vocal impression isn't exactly blindfold-test material (his tone isn't as big and brassy as Darin's), he does a far more impressive job than anyone might have expected. The authentically recreated arrangements match Spacey step for step, from the rock & roll of "Splish Splash" to the swinging staple "Mack the Knife" to the folk-rock of the Tim Hardin-penned "If I Were a Carpenter." The latter is an especially interesting study in pop-cultural evolution, as Darin's original version was virtually a carbon copy of Hardin's, and Spacey engages in some third-party meta-interpretation. Ultimately, the goal here seems to be that of paying tribute to Darin, and Spacey comes across as a completely earnest acolyte of the late, chameleonic vocalist.