Who Is This For?
G. Schneider | VA United States | 04/22/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Those who know who Brian Stokes Mitchell is (and if you don't, chances are you wouldn't buy this album), know him as the possessor of one of the most glorious baritone voices in popular music. Witness his performances in KISS ME KATE and MAN OF LA MANCHA, among others. Those fans (I among them) would expect his eponymous album to feature that voice. Wrong! Mr. Mitchell produced this album himself, so apparently this is the side of himself that he wants us to listen to and appreciate. He sings mostly in his upper register and underplays everything. In other words, very un-Brian Stokes Mitchell, very un-Broadway.
The arrangements (many by him) are overwrought, with extended phrases all over the place. (I still can't figure out if "Pretty Women" from SWEENEY TODD is in three or four.) "Something's Coming" loses all its steam by being tricked out in these added beats and measures.
It's one thing to do something original with Broadway standards. It worked beautifully for Barbra Streisand back in the 80s with her THE BROADWAY ALBUM. In fact, it's admirable to be original. But not at the expense of the material.
That's why I ask the question, "Who is this for?" His fan base is primarily Broadway. So why, on his first album, go against what his fans expect? Why not do the expected...then follow it up with "this is what I really want to sound like"?"
Picked the wrong songs
Amos C. Thomas | ohio | 01/08/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Got this after hearing brian stokes on the south pacfic album. He was great with those songs, this one has one or two good ones that show his voice."