Sweet Deliverance - You're My Rock

 Sweet Deliverance - You're My Rock
2011, Sweet Deliverance Ministries

Sweet Deliverance is a seven member a cappella group that has been singing the praises of Jesus Christ for over three decades.  What started out as an old style gospel vocal quartet has transitioned over the years in both sound and size.  Members have come, gone and returned, and Sweet Deliverance has transitioned to primarily original material as they continue to share their mission with all who will listen.  Sweet Deliverance's album You're My Rock was released in 2006, when the group was still a quartet.  Voiced by Bob Allsup (bass); Gary Ferguson (Tenor); David Morgan (Lead) and Kevin Percival (1st Tenor), You're My Rock displays a group that is comfortable in their sound and message, and inspired by faith.

Sweet Deliverance gets things rolling with the title track.  "You're My Rock" is pure a cappella gospel with a hint of 1980's classic rock triad-style harmonies.  Catchy and full of spirit, the song finds David Morgan ripping up the lead vocal line and having a ball with it.  Rare Earth's "I Just Want To Celebrate" gets the royal treatment in a funky version set to minimalist percussion.  Bob Allsup makes the lead line a soulful affair, and Sweet Deliverance comes off sounding a lot like their a cappella brethren The Blenders (before they changed into a pop band).  "Thank You" is presented almost as a 1960's vocal group number, with Allsup once again taking the lead vocal.

"It's Alright" finds Sweet Deliverance trading lightly on the vocal ground of Take 6.  While the foursome can't quite compete with Take 6 in fullness of sound, the vocalizations here take on an urgency and beauty that is surprising, and Morgan is spot-on in the lead.  "God Of Hope And Love" is a prayerful song of thanks and praise voiced again by Morgan.  The vocal harmonies here are as tight as can be.  Sweet Deliverances takes a bit of a detour through the uninspired "The Only Way" (Kevin Percival) and "We Sing Holy" (Gary Ferguson).  While both songs are obviously buoyed by faith, the energy heard both before and after is simply not here. 

Things get hopping again on "I Need You", with a quirky vocal arrangement that grabs your attention.  David Morgan shows the charisma of a true front man here, and Sweet Deliverance has a definite spiritual swagger going on with this tune.  "Broken Heart" (Gary Ferguson) features a gorgeous, compact vocal arrangement that's based in old-style, mixolydian harmony that's been brushed up with modern accoutrements.  Sweet Deliverance takes their leave with "Amazing Love Medley", stringing together "Think About His Love", "Show Me Your Ways" and "Amazing Love".  It's a solid closer that shows off the diversity of sounds the group can create with mostly just their voices.

Sweet Deliverance continues to grow in stature and size.  Since the recording of You're My Rock, former member Russ Wooten has returned to the fold.  Acappella alum Ken McAlpin has joined the group, as has David Morgan's younger brother Stephen.  Ever dynamic and full of spirit, Sweet Deliverance continues to sing praise and glory to God.  Their album "You're My Rock" is exceedingly accessible, whether you're in it for the Christian ideals behind the songs or the pure beauty of the voices assembled here. 

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Sweet Deliverance at www.sweetdeliverance.net or on Facebook.  You’re My Rock is available on CD and as a download through CDBaby.com.  Digital versions are also available via Amazon.com and iTunes.

Monica Mancini - I've Loved These Days

Monica Mancini - I've Loved These Days
2010, Concord Records

Even if you're talented in your own right, it never hurts to have a famous mom or dad. Monica Mancini has long since escaped the filial shadow, amassing an impressive body of work over the years between studio work and appearances on countless movie scores over the years, but she got her start in her dad's The Henry Mancini Chorus. Over the years Mancini has recorded with artists such as Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Placido Domingo, and she has sung with symphonies the world over. Mancini's latest studio effort, I've Loved These Days is a collection of highly refined cover songs and features guest appearances from Brian Wilson, Jackson Browne, Take 6, Stevie Wonder and Felix Cavaliere. With production by none other than Phil Ramone and Gregg Field, I've Loved These Days greets the world steeped in impeccable sound and taste.

I've Loved These Days opens with Jackson Browne's "These Days", with Browne sitting in on vocals and guitar. Mancini offers up an interpretation that is both honest and reserved, like a quiet conversation with an old friend. Mancini's is one of those voices that wraps itself around you and welcomes you like family; not flashy but warm and full of life. Brian Wilson and Take 6 sit in on the Beach Boys' classic "God Only Knows". Mancini is superb, but the true highlight is when all of the voices merge in harmony, creating some heavenly atmospherics in the process. Mancini's take on Paul Simon's "American Tune" (the first of two Simon tunes on the album) is inspired; her mildly understated delivery dovetailing perfectly with the highly thoughtful poetry Simon provides.

Stevie Wonder sits in on harmonica for "Blame It On The Sun", a song he wrote and originally performed with Syreeta Wright. Mancini's take here is genuine and fresh, full of a wistfulness that is palpable. "Without Him" (Harry Nilsson) finds Mancini opening up the dynamic range a tad, showing flashes of the performer she is on stage. Felix Cavaliere sits in on Hammond B-3 for his "How Can I Be Sure", a song full of trepidation and a solid mix of love and on-going heartbreak. Mancini shows more of her dramatic side here, getting inside of the song like it came from her own heart. The Beatles classic "I'll Follow The Sun" is presented in Muzak format, and Mancini does justice to the vocal line, but Shelly Berg's arrangement is just too passive to match the song's heart.

On "Ballad Of The Sad Young Men", Mancini sounds more like a classic chanteuse, offering up a sleepy but heartfelt lullaby for all who have seen better days. "Something So Right" (Paul Simon) finds Mancini at her best; quiet and reserved but with real energy that speaks of emotion and intellect. You might guess that Mancini connects with Simon's work on a personal level from the two selections offered here. Mancini's take on Billy Joel's "I've Loved These Days" comes off sounding like a quiet soliloquy from a Broadway show. Where Joel's original is a reminiscence from someone who started at the bottom and made it to the top, Mancini's is a bit too refined to be believable in the same context. Nevertheless, Mancini quietly bowls you over with her vocal performance, and the song works in spite of the dichotomy. Mancini closes with Janis Ian's "Joy", a thoroughly heartfelt rendition that even the most severe Ian fan would approve of.

From the airbrushed cover photo right down to the last meticulously crafted and produced note, I've Loved These Days has been perfected and polished to immaculate proportions. This turns out to be the one complaint about the album. Everything here is so finely crafted that you lose sight of what a great performer Mancini really is. I've Loved These Days is exceptional, most likely a Grammy nominee before all is said and done, but it would be nice to have heard Mancini tackle these songs in a less scripted recording environment. Considering some of the people involved in this project, and the wonderful textures and nuances of Mancini's voice, what is highly refined and polished might have become magical.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Monica Mancini at http://www.monicamancini.com/. I've Loved These Days drops on June 15, 2010. You can pre-order a copy through Amazon.

Review: Abby Parks - The Homeplace

Abby Parks - The Homeplace
2009, Abby Parks

Abby Parks is ready for the next level. The Durham, North Carolina born singer-songwriter is currently based in Alabama, but has traveled all over the world in pursuit of her dream. Fueled by an intense talent for songwriting and a voice full of earthy warmth and beauty, Parks crafts songs in the vein of Shawn Colvin or even Caroline Aiken. Parks' sophomore album, The Homeplace, was recorded at Huntsville, Alabama's Sound Cell Recordings with Doug Jansen Smith (Take 6, Willie Nelson, Phil Collins, Brian McNight), and features an expansion in both imagination and instrumentation over Parks' 2005 debut album, Moving On.

Parks opens with Homeplace; a song about children going to look for money at their old home that their dying father has said was left behind. In the process of searching, the adult children become lost in reverie and forget why they came in the first place. It's about the power of love and memories; a positive song with a positive message. Parks writes masterfully, and her voice puts you in a mindset to listen. End Of A Year talks about all of the personal highs and lows a relationship can go through in a year. The song also expresses Parks' profound faith in God, referring to a lifetime of bad decisions being cured in one moment of Salvation. Wild Dogs is a wonderful story song about the troubles facing those living on the western frontier in early America. This particular story has a sad ending, but is very well told. The melody and Parks' voice are perfect here. In The Observer, Parks discusses the difficulties of dating in a society that is so self-obsessed that personal details are broadcast on the net for people's own self-gratification. Well told, well written and well sung; listeners will find details here that are familiar either from their own lives or from those of someone they know.

Caves is a character piece of sorts, looking through the eyes of someone or something who has been preserved forever inside of a cave. Recollections of the past are mixed with hopelessness for the future based on the entrapment. It's an intriguing song written in the first person that requires some suspension of disbelief but hits on some similar themes to James Taylor's The Frozen Man. The Only One Who Knows is a country tune written from the perspective of a strong woman with a man who seems to fail at everything he tries. The song is well-paced with a quiet intensity. Parks is the consummate story teller here. Lambert Road is a tragic story-song that appears at first to be about the death of a husband and soldier but turns into the death of love and trust. Cowardice is contrasted with strength and dedication in a touching musical painting done in stark contrasts. Parks closes out with He's Risen, a musical celebration of the Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead after Crucifixion. The song is well written, with an arrangement that includes subtle orchestration and a dramatic sense that calls to mind a Broadway diva rather than a Folk/Pop singer.

Abby Parks mixes secular and religious themes on The Homeplace, blending them with strong songwriting, an earthy voice that is intriguing and comforting and a story-telling style that is appealing and accessible. Where Faith is an issue on The Homeplace, it's simply an honest expression of Parks as she is rather than attempt to proselytize; the honesty and unassuming grace is refreshing. Musically, the album is highly crafted and perfectly presented. Abby Parks is a distinctive talent. If you like pure singer/songwriter and Folk material, then The Homeplace is definitely for you.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Abby Parks at www.myspace.com/abbyparks, or http://www.abbyparks.com/, where you can purchase a copy of The Homeplace.

Review: Al Jarreau - Christmas

Al Jarreau – Christmas
2008, Rhino Records

Seven-time Grammy Award winner Al Jarreau has a legendary reputation. He’s won Grammys in four separate decades, and is the only artist in history to win Grammys in three separate musical genres (Pop, Jazz and R&B.) Jarreau is known in jazz circles for his scat singing and his ability to emulate the sounds of various musical instruments. In the popular realm he may be most remembered for writing/recording the theme of the Bruce Willis/Cybil Sheppard TV Hit Moonlighting. For the holidays in 2008, Al Jarreau has released a CD entitled, simply, Christmas.

There aren’t many in the business with smoother sound than Jarreau. He’s an old school crooner with a voice like velvet. The arrangements on Christmas reflect the various musical hats he’s worn over the years as well. Winter Wonderland is done in a 1970’s jazz/soul style that is fitting. Hark The Herald Angels Sing I wasn’t as thrilled with. It’s done as a Calypso that just doesn’t fit with the song for me. Jarreau’s version of White Christmas is gorgeous and touching. Carol Of The Bells has a great progressive jazz vibe that you just have to hear.

The Christmas Song is handled in a jazz ensemble arrangement that works very well and really highlights Jarreau’s pipes. I’ll Be Home For Christmas is arranged in the depths of beautiful harmonies provided by Take 6. This is the highlight recording of the disc, as Jarreau and Take 6 fit together like milk and cookies. Gloria In Excelsis is given the full Gospel send-up and works very well. Other notable tracks are Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Some Children See Him and The Little Christmas Tree.

What can you say about Al Jarreau? The man can still sing rings around many of the young bucks currently climbing the charts in the Pop, R&B and Jazz worlds. His Christmas CD is faithful enough to tradition to appeal to the mass market and new and fresh enough to keep songs you hear hundreds of times each December interesting and fun. I’m not 100% on board with a couple of the stylistic choices here, but too bad for me. It’s an excellent album and definitely a top choice for the Christmas season.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Al Jarreau at http://www.aljarreau.com/. You can purchase a copy of Christmas at Amazon.com or wherever holiday music is sold.