The Singles: Volume 1
NYFOS, 2024
8/10
Listen to The Singles: Volume 1
A release that collects from over 20 years of archives and singles, the pianist and NYFOS artistic director Steven Blier welcomes plenty of guests for the 14 well thought out tracks.
“El dulce de América” starts the listen with Oren Fader’s warm guitar that complements Jennifer Aylmer’s soaring soprano and Blier’s playful keys, and “En sourdine” follows with Bernarda Fink’s expressive mezzo-soprano that creates much intimacy alongside Blier’s soft keys.
Deeper into the program, “Abendlied” welcomes Kate Lindsey’s stunning mezzo-soprano amid the agile key progressions of the dreamy album highlight, while the playful “We’re Crooks” employs Gregory Utzig’s cozy guitar and the animated keys that suit Hal Cazalet’s frisky tenor and David Costabile’s fluid baritone.
Close to the end, “One Life To Live” is a live piece that pairs Lorraine Hunt Lieberson’s flawless pipes with Blier’s diverse finger acrobatics, and “Come Sunday” exits with Lucia Bradford’s gripping mezzo-soprano and the stirring piano making for an emotive finish.
A release where each track radiates in its own light, the singing quality is unmatched, and the poetry, history and humor present is very much appreciated, too.
Travels well with: NYFOS- Paul Bowles: A Picnic Cantata; Yarn/Wire- Andrew McIntosh: Little Jimmy