|
Dear Kevin,
The reason these liner notes get a little effusive at times is that I wrote them while I was actually listening to the album for the first time. I don't think I have the ability to describe to you how powerfully it impacted me. Everything about it was in perfect taste, all the enhancements actually made the great songs greater, and above all, the banner above it was SIMPLICITY!
I'm grateful for this marvelous CD for many reasons. I have long felt that choral singing is one of the great musical forms of expression, and that the people who do it well are the unsung heroes of the performing arts. I have been lucky enough to work with many great stars, both on Broadway and in Hollywood. Much as I revere them, I hold the men and women of the ensembles (both singing and dancing) in just as much esteem and affection as the stars. Ladies and gentleman, sopranos, altos, tenors and basses-take a bow! I salute you with love and something akin to awe! Such an ensemble is the Carolyn Mawby Chorale, unknown to me until I heard their fabulous work on this outstanding album.
As fine as the chorale is, the centerpiece is Kevin Cole, no getting around it. Kevin is someone to be reckoned with, the most formidable talent to emerge in recent years. He started modestly as an accompanist for singers, submerged himself in orchestras of different sorts, then exploded into the concert hall, appearing as piano soloist with many of the top symphony orchestras.
Like Judy Garland, someone like you comes along once in a century. And I do mean it!
Hugh |