CD Review: Peter Link's 'Goin' Home'

Peter Link
Goin' Home
Watchfire Music

Peter Link's new Watchfire release is a true gospel cantata, which means musical compositions for voice and orchestra are based on spiritual texts. The thirteen-track release presents a slew of performers with a gospel and Broadway-esque singing style, including Jenny Burton, Margaret Dorn, Angela Clemmons, Keith Fluitt, John James, Kevin Osborne, Catherine Russell, Vaneese Thomas, Darryl Tookes, Julia Wade, Tom Tipton, and the blaring trumpet sounds of Barry Danielian. The music contains R&B melodies, gospel harmonies, and contemporary arrangements with percussion and piano. The soulful vocals work off of each other during many of the choruses. The classically-tinged, "Come To Me As A Bird," is a solemn Broadway-type tune with magical chimes and sweeping vocals with light string accompaniment and acoustic guitar. The scattered percussion of "I Ain't Gonna Grieve" sets a stylized dance tune of trip-hop with Western-type male vocals early on and female vocals join in by the end. This is not a particularly traditional tune, which is not a negative. "When The Saints Go" is a jazzy, dance-floor beat with soaring female vocals and blaring brass. An electric guitar adds a little frenzied music to the '80's-like arrangements to a traditional tune. There is a bit of funk and gospel ambiances that showcase the musical diversity throughout. Fans of gospel, Christian, Broadway tunes, and inspirational vocal music will find Peter Link to a beacon of light for all seeking musical (and soulful) salvation. ~ Matthew Forss     

CD Review: Julia Wade's 'Solos'

Julia Wade
Solos
Watchfire Music

Soulful and operatic pop structures weave in and out of classically-composed creations of sonic beauty mark the magnificence of Julia Wade's crystalline voice. Solos is a work of twelve songs that are spiritual and inspirational. The songs are influenced by the prose of Mary Baker Eddy--a spiritual thinker. "Today" showcases Julia's voice and a contemplative piano melody. "Mind's Camera" has an upbeat, seemingly spritely piano melody and Julia's signature voice that seems to echo operatic and classical influences. "The Sculptor" is a jaunty, almost theatrical song with vocal outbursts of harmonic color that are slightly bluesy overall. "Victory" contains spacious, aural sounds of Christian beauty and symphonic overtones. "Prayer" features the piano early on, but it quickly appears to carry Julia's voice to otherworldly--albeit, heavenly realms--for sure. Julia Wade is the female equivalent of Josh Groban, but there are hints of early Charlotte Church, too. Julia knows how to evoke magic with her beautiful voice. ~ Matthew Forss