That Star In The Picture
Albany, 2023
8/10
Listen to That Star In The Picture
A Celebration for his forthcoming musical theater and art songs, James Adler places spoken word into song, and he’s got plenty of Broadway stars and esteemed musicians present for the 8 detailed tracks.
“What About Tomorrow?” opens the listen with the expressive delivery of Elizaveta Ulakhovich’s soprano and Perry Sook’s baritone complementing Kyle Walker’s subtle horn and James Adler’s warm piano, and “Pie Jesu” follows with Francis Novak’s soothing clarinet alongside Adam Fisher’s graceful cello amid Victoria Livengood’s stunning mezzo-soprano.
In the middle, Kennedy Kanagawa’s radiant tenor and Denise Koncelik’s dreamy flute help make “Growing” the album’s best, while “Dreams” benefits from Michael Buchanan’s poetic tenor and Fisher’s mesmerizing strings and Adler’s sophisticated keys.
The final track, “That Star In The Picture”, places Shana Farr on soprano, Denise Koncelik on flute, and Brian Shaw on oboe for a soaring and textured precision of articulate song craft.
A listen of thoughtful and melodic gestures, Adler’s vision is fleshed out with a delicate and gripping version of modern classical sounds that will be forever timeless.
Travels well with: Geoffrey Duce- Fantasies & Rhapsodies; Justin Hellman- Garden Of The Gods