Nate Kimball - Warrior’s Journey2012, TNC Recordings
22 Şubat 2013 Cuma
Nate Kimball - Warrior's Journey
To contact us Click HERE
Nate Kimball - Warrior’s Journey
2012, TNC Recordings
Nate Kimball - Warrior’s Journey2012, TNC Recordings
The Wildy's World Top-12 for 2012!
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I try to do a countdown each year of the best albums I've reviewed. The blog hasn't been as active in 2012, as I have been working on some other things. Nevertheless, there were some incredible albums I did get to cover this past year that deserve recognition. So without further adieu... the Wildy's World Top-12 of 2012.
12 - RobMorsberger – Ghosts Before Breakfast
Morsberger is stunningly personal, and prophetic, in an album that exploresmortality, legacy and all the emotions that swirl around these twoconcepts. Written before Morsberger’sdiagnosis with terminal brain cancer, GhostsBefore Breakfast transcends humanity and every day experience for simpletruths on deep and dark thoughts.
11 – Maraand the Bitter Suite – Unspoken
An actress/Broadway singer and a composer/musical director venturing intoalt/folk/rock would generally be an omen for disaster, but Mara and the BitterSuite find a bit of magic in Unspoken.
10 – MeghanCary – Building This House
Eight years might seem like too long to produce an album of songs, but forMeghan Cary it was apparently just right. Highly personal and evocative, Cary takes a craftsman’s approach to storytelling,weaving each scene and story to perfection against minimal yet strikingarrangements for a listening experience you won’t soon forget.
9 – TheHollyfelds – Title Stealers
The Hollyfelds might keep a low profile nationally, but they shine in theirhome market of Denver, Colorado. Infact, they shine so bright on TitleStealers it’s hard to imagine them staying just a regional band.
8 – SethGlier – Things I Should Let You Know
Seth Glier’s first album earned him a GRAMMY nomination. His second, Things I Should Let You Know, is even better. Glier is more nuanced and personal than ever,and maintains the intense musicality that has always made him such anintriguing listen.
7 – NateKimball – Warrior’s Journey
By far one of the best collections of classically oriented original jazzhave ever heard.
6. JodiShaw – In Waterland
Jodi Shaw writes from the heart and lays it all on the line. She lays out her stories and characters inwonderfully robust and ethereal musical arrangements. The imagery peppered throughout In Waterland is nothing short ofbrilliant.
5. TheDo Good Assassins – Rome
The Do Good Assassins are the latest outgrowth of Ron Hawkins’ personalmuse. This time out he is helped and supported by good friends in creating oneof the best and most divergent double albums of the last several years. Personal songwriting, amazing lyrics and anorganic feel make this a can’t miss listen.
4. CaraLuft – Darlingford
Cara Luft is one of the darlings of Canadian folk music. A former Wailin’ Jenny and Juno Awardnominee, Luft delivers one of the most compelling singer/songwriter turns of2012 with Darlingford.
3. Rob Morsberger –A Part Of You
Morsberger manages two albums in the top-12. A PartOf You is a song cycle written to Morsberger’s youngest son; a collectionof songs to see his son through the times when Morsberger anticipates not beingthere. This intimate collection is fullof laughter, hope and the joy of discovery. There is also a hidden sadness; a melancholy of the artist who isenvisioning all that he might miss out on. This is what songwriting is all about.
2. JasonPlumb and the Willing – All Is More Than Both
Jason Plumb takes his prodigious writing/singing talents and his crack backingband (The Willing) and puts them all to work under the watchful eye of Canadiansuper-producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda. The result is Plumb’s most soaring collection of songs since his dayswith The Waltons. In almost any otheryear this would be the winner.
1. DeltaRae – Carry The Fire
There are great albums, and then there are albums that transcend theirtime. These are the albums that peoplelook back on two or three decades later as benchmarks of their era. I fully believe that Carry The Fire is just such an album. From the alternating lead vocals of Eric andBrittany Hölljesto the alternative folk-rock arrangements that soar one moment and lie downbeside you and rock you to sleep the next, CarryThe Fire is the sort of debut album that only comes along once or twice ageneration.
12 - RobMorsberger – Ghosts Before Breakfast
Morsberger is stunningly personal, and prophetic, in an album that exploresmortality, legacy and all the emotions that swirl around these twoconcepts. Written before Morsberger’sdiagnosis with terminal brain cancer, GhostsBefore Breakfast transcends humanity and every day experience for simpletruths on deep and dark thoughts.
11 – Maraand the Bitter Suite – Unspoken
An actress/Broadway singer and a composer/musical director venturing intoalt/folk/rock would generally be an omen for disaster, but Mara and the BitterSuite find a bit of magic in Unspoken.
10 – MeghanCary – Building This House
Eight years might seem like too long to produce an album of songs, but forMeghan Cary it was apparently just right. Highly personal and evocative, Cary takes a craftsman’s approach to storytelling,weaving each scene and story to perfection against minimal yet strikingarrangements for a listening experience you won’t soon forget.
9 – TheHollyfelds – Title Stealers
The Hollyfelds might keep a low profile nationally, but they shine in theirhome market of Denver, Colorado. Infact, they shine so bright on TitleStealers it’s hard to imagine them staying just a regional band.
8 – SethGlier – Things I Should Let You Know
Seth Glier’s first album earned him a GRAMMY nomination. His second, Things I Should Let You Know, is even better. Glier is more nuanced and personal than ever,and maintains the intense musicality that has always made him such anintriguing listen.
7 – NateKimball – Warrior’s Journey
By far one of the best collections of classically oriented original jazzhave ever heard.
6. JodiShaw – In Waterland
Jodi Shaw writes from the heart and lays it all on the line. She lays out her stories and characters inwonderfully robust and ethereal musical arrangements. The imagery peppered throughout In Waterland is nothing short ofbrilliant.
5. TheDo Good Assassins – Rome
The Do Good Assassins are the latest outgrowth of Ron Hawkins’ personalmuse. This time out he is helped and supported by good friends in creating oneof the best and most divergent double albums of the last several years. Personal songwriting, amazing lyrics and anorganic feel make this a can’t miss listen.
4. CaraLuft – Darlingford
Cara Luft is one of the darlings of Canadian folk music. A former Wailin’ Jenny and Juno Awardnominee, Luft delivers one of the most compelling singer/songwriter turns of2012 with Darlingford.
3. Rob Morsberger –A Part Of You
Morsberger manages two albums in the top-12. A PartOf You is a song cycle written to Morsberger’s youngest son; a collectionof songs to see his son through the times when Morsberger anticipates not beingthere. This intimate collection is fullof laughter, hope and the joy of discovery. There is also a hidden sadness; a melancholy of the artist who isenvisioning all that he might miss out on. This is what songwriting is all about.
2. JasonPlumb and the Willing – All Is More Than Both
Jason Plumb takes his prodigious writing/singing talents and his crack backingband (The Willing) and puts them all to work under the watchful eye of Canadiansuper-producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda. The result is Plumb’s most soaring collection of songs since his dayswith The Waltons. In almost any otheryear this would be the winner.
1. DeltaRae – Carry The Fire
There are great albums, and then there are albums that transcend theirtime. These are the albums that peoplelook back on two or three decades later as benchmarks of their era. I fully believe that Carry The Fire is just such an album. From the alternating lead vocals of Eric andBrittany Hölljesto the alternative folk-rock arrangements that soar one moment and lie downbeside you and rock you to sleep the next, CarryThe Fire is the sort of debut album that only comes along once or twice ageneration.
Red Jacket Mine - Someone Else's Cake
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Red Jacket Mine –Someone Else’s Cake
2013, Fin Records
Red Jacket Mine takes off with the delicious, synth-drivenpop/rock of “Amy”. Infectious hooks ands sneaky-catchy chorus make this one a charmer and a great opening track. “Nickel & Dine” is a catchy Americanarocker that sounds like a cross between Elvis Costello and Blue Rodeo. Red Jacket Mine builds a wonderfully catchyvibe here while discussing the human tendency to tear down anything that worksand the clash between optimism and pessimism. “Ron Nasty” is a bit generic, but “Engineer” rocks with a bluesyattitude. This is one of those tunes youjust can’t sit still for, and vocalist Lincoln Barr is in particularly fineform here.“Skint City” has a more melancholy feel, and carries a vocalharmony that’s reminiscent of a 1970’s Eagles record. It’s a solid album track with a quiet swingthat’s easy on the ears. “Listen Up (If theWorld Is Going to Hell)” pays homage to 1970’s R&B and pop styles. Barr sounds a bit strained in small momentshere, but it’s a solid effort overall. “Novelty’s Gone” walks the line between gentle rock and country, relyingon a metronomic rhythm to drive a maudlin number about the reality of arelationship setting in. There’s a rotefeel to this tune that carries over to the tacitly soulful “Better To Be BrokenThan Blind”. Both tunes are solidenough, but just don’t carry much energy or conviction.
Red Jacket Mine comes fully awake for “Someone Else’s Cake”,a catchy kiss-off song of sorts. There’sa delicious edge to this number that underscores the Americana/Countrysound. “Have You Got A Permit To PreachOn This Corner” has more of a classic country sound, and takes to task someonewho professes their beliefs publicly. Red Jacket Mine closes with the catchy rocker “Bellar & Bawl”. An R&B backbeat drives the song,alongside an early rock & roll piano style and a band that is clicking onall eight cylinders. This is the perfectclose to the album, and a perfect song to close shows with as well.Red Jacket Mine certainly knows how to kick things into highgear when they want to, but SomeoneElse’s Cake shows a supple understanding of song craft that while notalways perfect in fruition, displays a distinctive understanding of melody,song structure and inspiration. Someone Else’s Cake is a complex albumthat finds lead singer/songwriter Lincoln Barr negotiating with his own variedmusical influences with varying degrees of success. It’s an intriguing listen from a band whopromises to keep growing and getting better with age.
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)Learn more at www.redjacketmine.net.
Red Jacket Mine –Someone Else’s Cake
2013, Fin Records
Red Jacket Mine takes off with the delicious, synth-drivenpop/rock of “Amy”. Infectious hooks ands sneaky-catchy chorus make this one a charmer and a great opening track. “Nickel & Dine” is a catchy Americanarocker that sounds like a cross between Elvis Costello and Blue Rodeo. Red Jacket Mine builds a wonderfully catchyvibe here while discussing the human tendency to tear down anything that worksand the clash between optimism and pessimism. “Ron Nasty” is a bit generic, but “Engineer” rocks with a bluesyattitude. This is one of those tunes youjust can’t sit still for, and vocalist Lincoln Barr is in particularly fineform here.“Skint City” has a more melancholy feel, and carries a vocalharmony that’s reminiscent of a 1970’s Eagles record. It’s a solid album track with a quiet swingthat’s easy on the ears. “Listen Up (If theWorld Is Going to Hell)” pays homage to 1970’s R&B and pop styles. Barr sounds a bit strained in small momentshere, but it’s a solid effort overall. “Novelty’s Gone” walks the line between gentle rock and country, relyingon a metronomic rhythm to drive a maudlin number about the reality of arelationship setting in. There’s a rotefeel to this tune that carries over to the tacitly soulful “Better To Be BrokenThan Blind”. Both tunes are solidenough, but just don’t carry much energy or conviction.
Red Jacket Mine comes fully awake for “Someone Else’s Cake”,a catchy kiss-off song of sorts. There’sa delicious edge to this number that underscores the Americana/Countrysound. “Have You Got A Permit To PreachOn This Corner” has more of a classic country sound, and takes to task someonewho professes their beliefs publicly. Red Jacket Mine closes with the catchy rocker “Bellar & Bawl”. An R&B backbeat drives the song,alongside an early rock & roll piano style and a band that is clicking onall eight cylinders. This is the perfectclose to the album, and a perfect song to close shows with as well.Red Jacket Mine certainly knows how to kick things into highgear when they want to, but SomeoneElse’s Cake shows a supple understanding of song craft that while notalways perfect in fruition, displays a distinctive understanding of melody,song structure and inspiration. Someone Else’s Cake is a complex albumthat finds lead singer/songwriter Lincoln Barr negotiating with his own variedmusical influences with varying degrees of success. It’s an intriguing listen from a band whopromises to keep growing and getting better with age.
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)Learn more at www.redjacketmine.net.
It's Raining Free Tickets: Congratulations To Latest SOB Contest Winner!
To contact us Click HERE
It's Raining Free Tickets: Congratulations To Latest SOB Contest Winner!
Remember how much I told you I loved Rain - A Tribute To The Beatles?
Today, I'm thrilled to send a lucky Steve On Broadway reader to see the show. Congratulations to Eleah Burman from New York, New York, who has just won two free tickets to see Rain - A Tribute To The Beatles at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre!
Eligible entries for this SOB Contest needed to subscribe to this blog, follow me on Twitter (and then retweet one of my contest messages) and follow me on Facebook.
Congratulations again, Eleah!
Thank you to everyone who entered the contest. By subscribing to Steve On Broadway, you'll automatically be entered in all future contests!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. However, in conjunction with SpotCo, two tickets for Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles will be given away to one lucky reader. http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
Remember how much I told you I loved Rain - A Tribute To The Beatles?
Today, I'm thrilled to send a lucky Steve On Broadway reader to see the show. Congratulations to Eleah Burman from New York, New York, who has just won two free tickets to see Rain - A Tribute To The Beatles at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre!
Eligible entries for this SOB Contest needed to subscribe to this blog, follow me on Twitter (and then retweet one of my contest messages) and follow me on Facebook.
Congratulations again, Eleah!
Thank you to everyone who entered the contest. By subscribing to Steve On Broadway, you'll automatically be entered in all future contests!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. However, in conjunction with SpotCo, two tickets for Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles will be given away to one lucky reader. http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
Hard To Imagine It's Been Thirty Years
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Hard To Imagine It's Been Thirty Years
It really is incredibly hard to believe it was 30 years ago today that John Lennon was murdered.
Millions of us were shocked to learn the tragic news in this highly surreal fashion. The evening of December 8, 1980, hit virtually everyone around the world so extraordinarily hard. Suddenly that evening, it didn't matter if you were a fan of The Beatles or Lennon. The idea that such a creative genius who espoused peace could be gunned down so violently broke our collective hearts.
Lennon's untimely death marked the end of an era, even as he had just attempted to begin a new one for himself.
The musical icon had just emerged from a self-imposed "exile" to help raise his young son Sean. On November 17, 1980, just three short weeks prior to his murder, he and his wife Yoko Ono released the incredibly hopeful "Double Fantasy," his first studio recording in five long years.
While the recording would quickly climb to number one on the Billboard charts and go on to earn him a posthumous Grammy for 1981 Album of the Year, for those of us who purchased the recording, we were haunted by the back cover image showing Lennon and Ono outside the Dakota Apartments, just steps from where this man of profound peace met his violent end.
Rest in peace, John Lennon. Thirty years later, we're still trying to imagine the type of world you envisioned.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
It really is incredibly hard to believe it was 30 years ago today that John Lennon was murdered.
Millions of us were shocked to learn the tragic news in this highly surreal fashion. The evening of December 8, 1980, hit virtually everyone around the world so extraordinarily hard. Suddenly that evening, it didn't matter if you were a fan of The Beatles or Lennon. The idea that such a creative genius who espoused peace could be gunned down so violently broke our collective hearts.
Lennon's untimely death marked the end of an era, even as he had just attempted to begin a new one for himself. The musical icon had just emerged from a self-imposed "exile" to help raise his young son Sean. On November 17, 1980, just three short weeks prior to his murder, he and his wife Yoko Ono released the incredibly hopeful "Double Fantasy," his first studio recording in five long years.
While the recording would quickly climb to number one on the Billboard charts and go on to earn him a posthumous Grammy for 1981 Album of the Year, for those of us who purchased the recording, we were haunted by the back cover image showing Lennon and Ono outside the Dakota Apartments, just steps from where this man of profound peace met his violent end.Rest in peace, John Lennon. Thirty years later, we're still trying to imagine the type of world you envisioned.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
21 Şubat 2013 Perşembe
cd review THE MIDTOWN MEN - "Sixties Hits"
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As cover albums go you could do a lot worse than the one The Midtown Men recently released that is entirely composed of hit songs from the sixties. It helps that the "men" are former co-stars from the original cast of Broadway's Jersey Boys, the smash hit musical that covers the rise and turbulent times behind Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and that every song has the same harmony inspired arrangements that the best of the Four Seasons songs had. It also helps that the four men who make up the group spent plenty of time together originating their roles in that Broadway show and re-creating the harmonies that made The Four Season so successful.
The four men who make up The Midtown Men are Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer and Daniel Reichard, three of the original leads in Jersey Boys along with Michael Longoria who was in the original cast in a smaller role and in the ensemble and later took over in the Frankie Valli role. These four guys have spent a lot of time together ensuring that their harmonies are perfectly in tune and this recording shows off their polished voices in fine form.
The songs selected for this cd are ones that are well suited to the vocal abilities of the four men. While none of the songs will replace the original songs from the original artists, which include The Beatles, The Mamas and the Papas, Marvin Gaye, The Drifters, The Turtles and The Zombies, each one is a chance to re-visit the songs either you or your parents grew up listening to.
The joy the four have in singing these songs, songs that I can't imagine any of the four guys are old enough to have heard when they were first released, comes across very clearly on this cd. I also like the fact that they trade off on who sings the melody, without one of them also singing lead on each of the songs, unlike most of the Four Seasons hits where Frankie Valli would sing the melody. Some highlights: "Can't Buy Me Love" receives a lovely jazzy rendition with lilting harmonies that is a fresh update on The Beatles classic tune; "Happy Together" with its great arrangement and the guys expertly harmonizing and "Up on the Roof" with its lush yet gentle and driving arrangement. I also like the guys take on "California Dreamin" though the harmonies for this song most closely match the ones on the original Mamas and Papas hit, instead of being created specifically for the Men like it seems most of the other tracks on the cd receive. "Time of the Season" also more closely matches the original Zombies arrangement but is still perfectly matched for the harmonies these guys are capable of.
While the upbeat songs are given a highly polished production there are still some quibbles, including that about half of the songs included here, beyond the ones I mentoned above, are Four Seaons hits that these guys performed in Jersey Boys and which you can hear three of the four "men" sing on the original cast recording of that show. And, running just over 30 minutes, it would seem like the "Men" could have included other songs that they perform in their concerts to make the run time more in line with other vocal recordings.
The Midtown Men are currently in the middle of a national tour with dates in just about every city and state you can imagine. A complete list of dates can be found on their website.
Official website of The Midtown Men
"Time of the Season"
"Happy Together"
As cover albums go you could do a lot worse than the one The Midtown Men recently released that is entirely composed of hit songs from the sixties. It helps that the "men" are former co-stars from the original cast of Broadway's Jersey Boys, the smash hit musical that covers the rise and turbulent times behind Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and that every song has the same harmony inspired arrangements that the best of the Four Seasons songs had. It also helps that the four men who make up the group spent plenty of time together originating their roles in that Broadway show and re-creating the harmonies that made The Four Season so successful.The four men who make up The Midtown Men are Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer and Daniel Reichard, three of the original leads in Jersey Boys along with Michael Longoria who was in the original cast in a smaller role and in the ensemble and later took over in the Frankie Valli role. These four guys have spent a lot of time together ensuring that their harmonies are perfectly in tune and this recording shows off their polished voices in fine form.
The songs selected for this cd are ones that are well suited to the vocal abilities of the four men. While none of the songs will replace the original songs from the original artists, which include The Beatles, The Mamas and the Papas, Marvin Gaye, The Drifters, The Turtles and The Zombies, each one is a chance to re-visit the songs either you or your parents grew up listening to.
The joy the four have in singing these songs, songs that I can't imagine any of the four guys are old enough to have heard when they were first released, comes across very clearly on this cd. I also like the fact that they trade off on who sings the melody, without one of them also singing lead on each of the songs, unlike most of the Four Seasons hits where Frankie Valli would sing the melody. Some highlights: "Can't Buy Me Love" receives a lovely jazzy rendition with lilting harmonies that is a fresh update on The Beatles classic tune; "Happy Together" with its great arrangement and the guys expertly harmonizing and "Up on the Roof" with its lush yet gentle and driving arrangement. I also like the guys take on "California Dreamin" though the harmonies for this song most closely match the ones on the original Mamas and Papas hit, instead of being created specifically for the Men like it seems most of the other tracks on the cd receive. "Time of the Season" also more closely matches the original Zombies arrangement but is still perfectly matched for the harmonies these guys are capable of.
While the upbeat songs are given a highly polished production there are still some quibbles, including that about half of the songs included here, beyond the ones I mentoned above, are Four Seaons hits that these guys performed in Jersey Boys and which you can hear three of the four "men" sing on the original cast recording of that show. And, running just over 30 minutes, it would seem like the "Men" could have included other songs that they perform in their concerts to make the run time more in line with other vocal recordings.
The Midtown Men are currently in the middle of a national tour with dates in just about every city and state you can imagine. A complete list of dates can be found on their website.
Official website of The Midtown Men
"Time of the Season"
"Happy Together"
concert review, ALFIE BOE, Bergen Arts Center, January 31
To contact us Click HERE
Who knew that inside opera singer turned musical theatre/recording artist and PBS pledge drive star Alfie Boe was a budding rock star? Boe is the "crossover" sensation that came to fame due to his performance as Jean Valjean in the 25th Anniversary concert production of Les Miserables that was seen on PBS in the US during many pledge break weeks.
Backed by his five piece band, Boe rocked out at the Bergen Arts Center last Thursday night on classic pop rock hits including ones by The Doobie Brothers, Elvis and the Allman Brothers as well as some traditional folk songs and musical theatre hits. And while it might have been a little bit of a shock to those in the audience who came to see Boe sing familiar songs from Les Miserables or Phantom of the Opera, or even an opera selection or two since that is where he got his start, Boe pretty much made every song work with his powerful, soaring tenor voice. He did include a couple of musical theatre songs as well but it definitely wasn't the focus of the evening.
Featuring many songs from his recording "Alfie" (which I reviewed here when it was released last Summer) and a few tunes from his latest release "Storyteller" (review coming soon) the concert was an eclectic mix of pop, rock, blues, classical and Broadway. And while Alfie's powerful voice wasn't always a perfect fit for every song, the joy he brings to each tune was evident throughout. You can tell these songs are some of his favorite ones as well and when combined with a powerful band they made the whole evening into a rocking event.
A somewhat meandering "Song of the Siren" got the concert off to a little bit of a rocky start but Boe quickly turned things around with performances of several songs off his "Alfie" cd. These included a touching and personal performance of "In My Daughter's Eyes," a smooth, slow and sexy "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" as well as three musical theatre songs, a fast and jazzy "Being Alive," a soaring "Bring Him Home" and a rousing "Wheels of A Dream" that ended the first act.
The second act featured several traditional Italian and Spanish folk songs that included a pairing of "O Sole Mio" and the Elvis classic "It's Now or Never." It was an interesting combination that on paper would seem very odd but Alfie managed to combine the two songs into something greater than you'd expect. Another Elvis hit "That's All Right" got the audience moving in their seats. He also included several pop/rock classics including The Doobie Brother's "Listen to the Music" as well as The Allman Brother's Band "Midnight Rider" where he got about twenty young kids from the audience up on the stage with him to dance along to the music.
As well presented and performed as these songs were it was three story songs that I believe fared best. All three of these are emotional and spiritual and have an uplifting theme even though they are fairly depressing songs on the surface. Two of these songs are very old songs as well. The first, "Wayfaring Stranger" is an early American folk song telling the story of a man's journey to the promised land and "Rank Strangers to Me" which tells the story of a man returning from fighting in the Civil War and not knowing how to fit back into society. Both of these songs had stirring arrangements with Alfie's voice soaring to the rafters throughout. He ended the concert with an extended version of "Angel From Montgomery," a song from the early 1970's by John Prine that many folk and country singers have covered, including Bonnie Raitt. This song tells the story of a woman who is tired of her life and wants an angel to come and take her away so she can be free. Alfe's voice pierced through the lyrics of the chorus, "Just give me one thing that I can hold on to, to believe in this living is just a hard way to go" that are repeated throughout and perfectly capture the image of this woman who just wants a better life.
Throughout the concert Alfie had a lovely connection with the audience, including several moments when he came out into the crowd to either jokingly harass latecomers or to find a man who was singing along on "O Sole Mio" to let him have a few seconds in the spotlight. He obviously enjoys singing these songs and sharing his love for these songs with an audience. I also especially liked how Alfie didn't seem to want the concert to end and how when he took his final bow he pulled his band mates close to him and took a bow with all of them instead of just a solo one by himself.
The statement Alfie made at the end of the concert pretty much sums up the message he is trying to get out there - "We've tried to show you there is no division between music, from classical to blues to rock to soul to musical theatre to country. It's just one big happy world."
Alfie's official site
Alfie performs "Angel from Montgomery":
"Wayfaring Stranger"
"Bring Him Home" with the Mormom Tabernacle Choir:
"O Sole Mio" and "It's Now Or Never"
and the song that put him on the map..."Bring Him Home" from the 25th Anniversary Les Mis concert:
Who knew that inside opera singer turned musical theatre/recording artist and PBS pledge drive star Alfie Boe was a budding rock star? Boe is the "crossover" sensation that came to fame due to his performance as Jean Valjean in the 25th Anniversary concert production of Les Miserables that was seen on PBS in the US during many pledge break weeks. Backed by his five piece band, Boe rocked out at the Bergen Arts Center last Thursday night on classic pop rock hits including ones by The Doobie Brothers, Elvis and the Allman Brothers as well as some traditional folk songs and musical theatre hits. And while it might have been a little bit of a shock to those in the audience who came to see Boe sing familiar songs from Les Miserables or Phantom of the Opera, or even an opera selection or two since that is where he got his start, Boe pretty much made every song work with his powerful, soaring tenor voice. He did include a couple of musical theatre songs as well but it definitely wasn't the focus of the evening.
Featuring many songs from his recording "Alfie" (which I reviewed here when it was released last Summer) and a few tunes from his latest release "Storyteller" (review coming soon) the concert was an eclectic mix of pop, rock, blues, classical and Broadway. And while Alfie's powerful voice wasn't always a perfect fit for every song, the joy he brings to each tune was evident throughout. You can tell these songs are some of his favorite ones as well and when combined with a powerful band they made the whole evening into a rocking event.
 |
| Alfie performing in Les Miserables in London |
The second act featured several traditional Italian and Spanish folk songs that included a pairing of "O Sole Mio" and the Elvis classic "It's Now or Never." It was an interesting combination that on paper would seem very odd but Alfie managed to combine the two songs into something greater than you'd expect. Another Elvis hit "That's All Right" got the audience moving in their seats. He also included several pop/rock classics including The Doobie Brother's "Listen to the Music" as well as The Allman Brother's Band "Midnight Rider" where he got about twenty young kids from the audience up on the stage with him to dance along to the music.
As well presented and performed as these songs were it was three story songs that I believe fared best. All three of these are emotional and spiritual and have an uplifting theme even though they are fairly depressing songs on the surface. Two of these songs are very old songs as well. The first, "Wayfaring Stranger" is an early American folk song telling the story of a man's journey to the promised land and "Rank Strangers to Me" which tells the story of a man returning from fighting in the Civil War and not knowing how to fit back into society. Both of these songs had stirring arrangements with Alfie's voice soaring to the rafters throughout. He ended the concert with an extended version of "Angel From Montgomery," a song from the early 1970's by John Prine that many folk and country singers have covered, including Bonnie Raitt. This song tells the story of a woman who is tired of her life and wants an angel to come and take her away so she can be free. Alfe's voice pierced through the lyrics of the chorus, "Just give me one thing that I can hold on to, to believe in this living is just a hard way to go" that are repeated throughout and perfectly capture the image of this woman who just wants a better life.
Throughout the concert Alfie had a lovely connection with the audience, including several moments when he came out into the crowd to either jokingly harass latecomers or to find a man who was singing along on "O Sole Mio" to let him have a few seconds in the spotlight. He obviously enjoys singing these songs and sharing his love for these songs with an audience. I also especially liked how Alfie didn't seem to want the concert to end and how when he took his final bow he pulled his band mates close to him and took a bow with all of them instead of just a solo one by himself.
The statement Alfie made at the end of the concert pretty much sums up the message he is trying to get out there - "We've tried to show you there is no division between music, from classical to blues to rock to soul to musical theatre to country. It's just one big happy world."
Alfie's official site
Alfie performs "Angel from Montgomery":
"Wayfaring Stranger"
"Bring Him Home" with the Mormom Tabernacle Choir:
"O Sole Mio" and "It's Now Or Never"
and the song that put him on the map..."Bring Him Home" from the 25th Anniversary Les Mis concert:
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