Impressive liftoff

Giles Tomkins’ self-described “crossover” album (cross-reference below) is a veritable cornucopia of styles (from the tasty “down-East” charm of “When the Winter Comes”) to the Beatles (a funky, guitar-twang rich rendition of “Norwegian Wood”) to Italian Art Song (Donaudy’s “O Del Mio Amato Ben).  It’s jam packed with a musical army including the ever-so-discrete Canadian Brass, a covey of strings and – in “Legacy,” which wondrously paints the “simple truth of a child” text–a compelling mix of engaged youth and a young artist widening his vocal horizon as the Bach Children’s Chorus and Tomkins lift the music far off the page.  Trey Mills composed the opener “I Wonder” and produced/mixed the remainder.  In the first cut, Tomkins employs a clear, reedy tone with characteristically impeccable diction, but the endlessly circling upper strings plus an orchestra that seems a tad far back threatens to mar the collection as an unbalanced Ode to Baritone.  Happy to report that the first cut was the exception.  The arrangements, voice and sound lift off convincingly with Mills’ “Non Dubitar” (featuring soprano Mary Beth Daellenbach) and never looks back.  “Shenandoah” and its melodic alter ego “Homeward Bound” are full of heart-felt passion.  As this fine voice matures, it will learn to relax, banish the bar lines and flow with the lines rather than thrust them into the ears.  Billy Joel’s title track (nicely introspective and an impressive late-measure change of register) reveals the promise of greatness to come.  Yet, unquestionably, it’s the Neapolitan warmth of the Donaudy that whets the appetite for more.

TREY MILLS I Wonder CHRISTOPHER DEDRICK I'll Go Away* TREY MILLS Non Dubitar TRADITIONAL Shenandoah LENNON/MCCARTNEY Norwegian Wood	BILLY JOEL And so it Goes* CHRISTOPHER DEDRICK Legacy*† CHRISTOPHER DEDRICK When the Winter Comes MARTA KEEN Homeward Bound* STEFANO DONAUDY O Del Mio Amato Ben
* with The Canadian Brass; † with The Bach Children's Chorus

Cross-reference:  Tomkins and The Messiah

This album is available through Opening Day Entertainment Group