Search - Peter Eldridge :: Decorum

A worthy follow-up to Eldridge's masterpiece, "Fool No More"

JimV56 | Boston, MA | 09/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After hearing Peter Eldridge's earlier CD,"Fool No More," I eagerly anticipated "Decorum," his follow-up. I also had the good fortune to catch Eldridge performing some of its selections live, before the CD's release, in Cambridge, MA. This collection is characterized by Eldridge's usual great songwriting and flawless vocal delivery. Some of its delights include the opening number, "Playing in Traffic," an easy-going, tuneful pop song; "Open Book," a mischievous, amusing tune, with nice instrumental and vocal arrangements, and Eldridge's vocal interpretation neatly emphasizing lyrics that poke fun at the tell-all mentality that currently pervades our culture; "Anything but the Unknown," a gentle, steady ballad with simply beautiful harmony from Jonatha Brooke and Lauren Kinhan; "Full Grown Man (on the Playground)," a jazzy tune with a cool and playful rhythm (nice brushes and sax accompaniment!), topped with quirky, witty, and insightful lyrics; "Dark out of the Night," a quiet and moving ballad, actually an impassioned plea for peace of mind, featuring a touching piano arrangement, with a lovely harmony by Lauren Kinhan again. One can hear the longing and passion in Eldridge's voice as he makes the song an almost prayer for the comforting light of daybreak.

The second half of the collection includes "Difficult," a lovely, leisurely waltz-tempo piece, half-French sidewalk song, half-playful lyric amusement, with Eldridge's purposely sleepy delivery of the chromatic melody perfectly complementing the unobtrusive accordion that meanders in the background like a strolling musician; "Sunday Driver," an uptempo jazz ditty with that cool sax and percussion accompaniment back again - this number plays some fine games with rhythm and is highlighted by light philosophical lyrics and Eldridge's playful delivery - great fun; "Busy Being Blue," a low-burning jazz number, and an ode to introspectiveness, painted with lush chords and vocal delivery - with this one, pour a drink, lay back, and contemplate the skyline; and the closing number, "Surrender," a sensuous, increasingly coaxing invitation, presented in velvet tones and with a seductive, irresistible vocal yearning: Say yes, and get lost in the simple rewards of giving in...to both the song, and this exquisite CD."