Review: Ted Garber - American Rail

Ted Garber - American Rail
2010, Ted Garber

Ted Garber cut his teeth on the street corners of New Orleans, busking while a student at Tulane University, but performing has always been in his blood. Garber's father was a long-time regular on the Washington D.C. folk scene, and Garber grew up with a desire to be on stage. Garber's mix of Folk, Blues and New Orleans style R&B captivates audiences with both its refreshing honesty and musicality, drawing collaborators from bands such as Eddie From Ohio, Junkyard Saints and Last Train Home. Garber's latest album, American Rail displays the everyman grit of early Springsteen and a musical creativity that is both intriguing and surprising.

American Rail opens with It's About Time, a raucous mix of Blues, Soul and Rock N Roll that's highly danceable. Garber has an eccentric baritone voice that is engaging and pleasant to listen to. Break Me Down is an energetically mellow tune about losing yourself in another while setting boundaries to keep that from happening. Garber hits on a vibrant samba beat with virtuosic Latin guitar riffs on Montevideo, sounding like he's having a ball with the song. I should note that the entire band behind Garber sounds engaged at a high level; this is one tight unit that enjoys playing together.

Strike It Up is a solid blend of Rock N Roll and Soul, complete with Stax-style horns and a chorus that you can't help but sing along to. Strike It Up is the sort of song that gets a crowd moving, and Garber sounds at his very best here. Giving Tree comes back to a mix of Funk, Soul, Blues and Jazz that you could only be from New Orleans. Garber and band mix it up here with delicious results, guaranteeing dancing feet in any crowd. Waste Some Time is another highly catchy Rocker with Soul and Blues in its lineage. Garber seems to have a talent for these catchy tunes you just can't get out of your head. Live shows have to be absolutely insane.

March Of The Working Class Hero is in much the same vein: Great rhythm, catchy arrangement, high speed lyrical flow (ala Jason Mraz) and an insane need to dance/sing along. A Lot Like Me is a song about looking back at the follies of our own youth; with the realization that things work out alright in the end. It's an incredibly tuneful and catchy tune and will resonate with anyone who's old enough to share its perspective. Garber closes with Another Monday, an energetic Rock N Soul tune about getting through the weekend.

If you could splice the DNA of Dave Matthews with that of Rob Thomas, adding in a dose of Taylor Hicks and Jack Johnson, you'd end up with an artist not entirely unlike Ted Garber. Smart, tuneful songwriting combined with a memorable voice and a band as tight as the gates at Fort Knox make for highly enjoyable listening on American Rail. This is music you can listen to with friends, and it might just turn into a party.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Ted Garber at http://www.tedgarber.com/. You can purchase American Rail as either a CD or Download via CDBaby.com.

Review: Elliott Yamin - Fight For Love

Elliott Yamin - Fight For Love
2009, Hickory Records

American Idol fans will remember Elliott Yamin from his 3rd place finish in Season 5 of American Idol, coming in behind Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee. Yamin’s self-titled debut album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart in 2007 and reached #3 on the list of top 200 albums at one point that year. Yamin’s latest album, Fight For Love is available as of today, May 5, 2009.

Fight For Love opens with Let Love Be, an electronic based R&B jam that showcases Yamin's impressive voice over a forgettable arrangement. The net effect is to make Yamin look very good as he carries a sub par song further than it has any business going. Know Better runs much the same path, with an arrangement that is passable but a strong showing from Yamin on vocals. The title track, Fight For Love, finds Yamin sounding like late Peter Cetera Chicago if they'd been performing in a 21st Century R&B style (and perhaps an octave lower). Listen to the harmonies and the chorus in particular and you'll hear what I'm talking about.

You is an interesting entry on Fight For Love. The melody and structure are more engaging than the material that comes before, and Yamin sounds a bit earthier here. You is a potential big time ballad, although it does sound like some effects were added to the lead vocal, which is always a bit disturbing; particularly from a vocalist with a voice like Yamin's. Much of the album is pedestrian R&B/Pop, where the more dance oriented Don't Be Afraid and You Say or the slower jams Apart From Me or How Do I Know. Cold Heart stands out as highly enjoyable with its funk base and vibrant vocal line. Yamin sounds like he had fun with this one, and the energy is a bit infectious. This Step Alone is also a standout track as Yamin commits heart and soul to the message. The album closes out with Someday, a commercially consumable but not highly memorable pop tune that sums up the general vibe of the album.

I was disappointed with this album, but not with Elliott Yamin's performance. The former American Idol contestant gives all he's got vocally on material that just isn't up to his level. Some of the songs presented here have real promise, but the production relies on cookie-cutter R&B/Pop arrangements cooked up in an electronic kitchen. I have no doubt Elliott Yamin will chart a few songs from Fight For Love and move some units, particular amongst Idol fans, but with a voice like his you're right to expect a bit more. Yamin's performance here is consistent with the excellence of his voice, but the material leaves a lot to be desired.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Elliott Yamin at http://www.officialelliottyamin.com/ or www.myspace.com/elliottyamin. You can purchase a copy of Fight For Love at Amazon.com or wherever music is sold. The album can also be downloaded through iTunes.

Review: Melinda Doolittle - Coming Back To You

Melinda Doolittle - Coming Back To You

2009, Genius Products (TVN)

We last saw Melinda Doolittle in Season six of American Idol, bounced from the show by fans who value youth and gimmicks to talent and an ability to perform. Rather than run right to market to capitalize on her exposure with a collection of pre-packaged hits that wouldn't do her justice as an artist, Doolittle has chosen to take her time and put together a recording that befits her talent. The result, coming on February 3, 2009, is Coming Back To You. Most American Idol alumni have managed to disappoint, leaving behind the sounds they developed on the show for slick, pop-oriented sounds that are more production value than talent. Doolittle has stayed true to herself, delivering 13 songs steeped in classic R&B and Soul.

Opening with Fundamental Things, Melinda Doolittle sends the message that she is invested in old school sounds. Doolittle shines in a market of vocalists who have traded singing for coloratura runs and performance for posing. It's Your Love sounds like something that might have come out back when Ike and Tina were still together. Moving out in front has done wonderful things for Doolittle, and her voice on Coming Back To You appears to have grown in stature and soul since her Idol days. Coming Back To You is a classic R&B ballad, and likely a single, but may not be the strongest song on the CD.

Declaration Of Love, on the other hand, is the highlight of the disc. Doolittle opens up like a flower on this one and belts her way to musical glory. Melinda Doolittle has that rare double of being able to sing a song to life as well as being able to sell it on personality alone. When the two aspects of her personality and talent come together Doolittle lights up a stage like a bonfire, and this song is likely to be a concert favorite for years to come. Wonderful has a great soul groove to it. Doolittle finds the pop heart of this song without selling it out; giving a nuanced and personal performance that will touch listeners.

Dust My Broom has that touch of theatrical wonder that only a seasoned performer can master. Melinda Doolittle has the ability to reach out through the speakers and connect with listeners in a way that some artists struggle to do even in a live environment. Her voice here is at its absolutely best. The music industry just hasn't heard this kind of explosive voice in a while. Aretha and Tina are still around of course, but Melinda Doolittle might be ready to take up their respective crowns. Other highlights include I'll Never Stop Loving You, If I'm Not In Love, Walkin' Blues and We Will Find A Way.

It's been clear from her very first appearance on American Idol that Melinda Doolittle was a special talent. Idol alumni have been a mixed bag in the sales department, and even more suspect in the quality department. Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood have all had great success towing the pop line while giving up some of the character and personality that made them stars on the show. Kelly Clarkson has broken out somewhat from that mold only to see her sales plummet. Taylor Hicks built up the biggest persona on the show, but gave up his personality to the production team on his eponymous major label debut. The same goes for Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino, both of whom were disappointing in spite of winning their respective years. Melinda Doolittle has stayed true to what made her a star on Idol, and has created, by far, the best album to come out of an Idol alumni to date (I've yet to hear David Cook's debut, but its hard to imagine him topping Coming Back To You). Melinda Doolittle's sound isn't as commercial as many of those who have come before her, but I'll bet this album outsells all of her predecessors. Coming Back To You is pure gold, a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc. Its a must for Doolittle fans; fans of classic R&B and soul, and anyone looking for good, quality music sung with a lion's heart.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Melinda Doolittle at www.myspace.com/melindadoolittle. You can pre-order Coming Back To You at Amazon.com.