David Campbell pretending to be somebody else
Steven Keller | Fairview Heights, Illinois, USA | 01/20/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"David Campbell possesses one of the most beautiful, lyrical voices around and his interpretive gifts are remarkable. That said, The Swing Sessions is a disappointment. With the exception of the original cast album for Shout! and a few CD singles, we have not heard from Campbell for about four years. Campbell's first two solo albums: Yesterday is now and Taking the wheel are so enjoyable -- an eclectic mixture of pop, rock, cabaret and Broadway. Campbell's singing on these two albums is remarkable -- his musical line is pure, phrasing impeccable and his sweet, melifluous voice rings clear. It is the sound of a musician -- Campbell's voice is at the service of the music. In The Swing Sessions, Campbell seems to be working too hard at styling these songs rather than just singing them. Sighs, smirks, shouts, rasping, growls, words repeated over and over and the whole repertoire of ugly little sounds that bad popular singers resort to abound. With such a beautiful voice and interpretive gifts at his disposal, one wonders why Campbell thinks he has to sound like someone else to make these songs work?
The pieces on Swing Sessions are mostly standards and arguably, the best thing here is Jobim's Waters of March -- mainly because the fast Latin beat does not allow Campbell to degenerate into false, plastic sounds. After the Jobim, the more lyrical pieces: All the way, Beyong the sea and Call me irresponsible, come off best. Swing Sessions is a slick production, but one that I feel is not quite honest. Campbell may have been "born to sing these songs", but for the most part, I don't feel that Campbell is singing them -- someone dressed up like Frank Sinatra or Bobby Darin is singing them. The sound quality of the disc is first rate and I enjoyed the "retro" pics of Campbell, but I cannot in good faith recommend this disc. David Campbell fans are legion (and I am one), but most of us would like to hear the David Campbell we all grew to love. Campbell already has a "style" -- he certainly does not have to adopt another one!"
Wrong Title
Karl R. Schuck | Tehachapi, Ca USA | 01/10/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"David's a great singer, and I'm always on the lookout for something new from him. This album might better have been called a Bobby Darin tribute album. Not that David doesn't do the material justice, but it seems too carefully crafted in Darin's footsteps. You can do better, David."
David, don't EVER go awayyyyyy again!
membruto | Mount Pleasant, SC United States | 04/06/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Welcome back, David! Whether or not one likes the Swing "style," this album is perfection! David's voice is as beautiful and powerful as ever. Okay, David--bring on the "Broadway/Hollywood sessions", and PLEASE, a Christmas album. And, get your butt back to NYC for some live performances at the Carlyle! ASAP"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1