Month: January 2021

TELL ME WHERE IT HURTS (by Kathy Troccoli: Kathy Troccoli)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:03 Min.

Making a pop crossover with her 1994 self-titled album, Christian singer Kathy Troccoli released this Diane Warren-composed track first for radio play.

REVIEW:

Much like how Amy Grant experimented with mainstream pop in the Early ‘90s, Kathy Troccoli followed suit a few years later. Gifted with an exuberant melody and Diane Warren’s poignant lyrics, “Tell Me Where It Hurts” is an ideal showcase for Troccoli. Her appealing vocal performance is well-suited for this type of uplifting tune that doesn’t come off as total schmaltz.

Reminiscent of contemporary gospel (though the song omits obvious religious overtones), the song’s lyrics is about poignantly consoling someone. Aging surprisingly well, “Tell Me Where It Hurts” deserves a chance at re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Country, Folk, & Bluegrass Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

THE RESURRECTION (by Matraca Berg: Sunday Morning to Saturday Night)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:34 Min.

It’s the last track from Matraca Berg’s 1997 album, Sunday Morning to Saturday Night. Berg also co-wrote the song with Alice Randall.

REVIEW:

While its title implies a purely gospel tune, Matraca Berg smartly conveys “The Resurrection” through the hope for urban renewal. Written in the voice of someone revisiting her small, blue-collar hometown, she observes ways how it has fallen on hard times.

Simultaneously, this mid-tempo ballad touches upon some personal self-discovery amidst the concept of how one can’t necessarily go home again, but one can sure try. Berg’s poignant vocals spell out how everyone there keeps on living, just patiently waiting for the town’s own resurrection, as if it’s inevitable.

Chosen as the album’s finale, “The Resurrection” is a well-played effort by Berg. It’s certainly worthy of re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

SHALL WE GO (by Tammy Townsend: Unfinished Business)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:32 Min.

From her 2006 album, Unfinished Business, actress Tammy Townsend performs this track. With a steady resume dating back to the mid-80’s, Townsend is perhaps best known for her role as Zendaya’s secret agent mother on the Disney Channel TV sitcom series: K.C. Undercover.

REVIEW:

Having portrayed singers on television before, it’s no surprise that Tammy Townsend possesses a classy R&B voice. Softly elegant and low-key, her vocals are easily this tune’s best asset.

Yet, the standard-issue mentality driving the song’s piano melody is obvious. There’s an effort to incorporate a few jazzy twists, but this element does too little to boost the tune. The track’s abrupt end, after a minimal fadeout, doesn’t help, either. For Townsend’s fans, “Shall We Go” makes a nice find, but the song isn’t necessarily a keeper.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

THIS ISN’T THE END (by Sharon Leal: Leal)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:57 Min.

This romantic ballad appears on actress-singer Sharon’s Leal’s 2014 self-titled album, Leal.

REVIEW:

As to Sharon Leal’s endearing vocals, “This Isn’t the End” is terrific. Yet, the song’s clichéd melody makes her identity as its vocalist irrelevant. More specifically, “This Isn’t the End” is indistinguishable from similar-sounding pop/R&B hybrids by various female performers. Bolstered by Leal’s classy effort, “This Isn’t the End” at least makes a good download among a wide selection of options in this genre.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

SHEPHERD MOONS (Enya: Shepherd Moons)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:44 Min.

It’s the title track of Enya’s 1992 same-named album.

REVIEW:

Featuring a serene piano-driven melody, this track is a first-class experience. Enya’s elegant vocals are so minimal that “Shepherd Moons” is practically a pure instrumental. For any relaxation-themed playlists, this tune makes an ideal download option.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

Country, Folk, & Bluegrass Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

THE HEARTLAND (by Sawyer Brown: The Boys Are Back)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:05 Min.

This country tune appears eighth on Star Search alum Sawyer Brown’s 1989 album, The Boys Are Back. Lead vocalist Mark Miller co-wrote the song.

REVIEW:

“The Heartland” is the kind of tune one might hear from Alabama or The Oak Ridge Boys. The song itself isn’t all that remarkable, but it delivers a pleasant sound.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

LAKMÉ, ACT II: NO. 10: OÙ VA LA JEUNE INDOUE (by Pretty Yende: A Journey)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 8:08 Min.

It’s the third track of South African operatic soprano Pretty Yende’s 2016 A Journey album. The piece’s full title is “Lakmé: Act II, No. 10: Où va la jeune Indoue.” The credited composer is Léo Delibes.

REVIEW:

Expressing a gamut of emotions, Pretty Yende’s energetic vocals bring this piece to life. At times hauntingly serene and other times curiously whimsical, her pristine voice can convince listeners that they are attending a live performance. It is opera’s form of magic. Highly recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars

Note: Track # 2 is a selection from “Lakmé, Act I.”

Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

LAKMÉ, ACT I: NO. 2: VIENS, MALLIKA {FLOWER DUET} (by Pretty Yende: A Journey)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:13 Min.

It’s the second track of South African operatic soprano Pretty Yende’s 2016 A Journey album. The piece’s full title is “Lakmé: Act I, No. 2: Viens, Mallika … Sous le dôme épais (aka “Flower Duet”).” The credited composer is Léo Delibes.

REVIEW:

Citing this charming track as evidence, Pretty Yende’s exquisite vocals are undeniable. Her youthful energy is a gift in making opera come to life. Definitely recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars

Note: Track # 3 is a selection from “Lakmé, Act II.”

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

THE PLACE WHERE LOST THINGS GO (by Emily Blunt: Mary Poppins Returns movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:43 Min.

As ‘Mary Poppins,’ Emily Blunt recorded this lullaby-style track for 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns soundtrack.

REVIEW:

Though her vocals can’t match Julie Andrews, Emily Blunt’s Mary Poppins still conjures up magic in “The Place Where Lost Things Go.” The tune’s elegant melody for adults and children alike is simply terrific. Imbuing a musical blend of gentleness, warmth, and poignancy, Blunt articulates this lullaby’s thoughtful lyrics about children coping with grief at all the right moments. “The Place Where Lost Things Go” is an underrated gem.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Jazz & Blues Music & Radio Shows

NIGHT AND DAY {Cover} (by Diana Krall: Turn Up the Quiet)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:38 Min.

From her 2017 cover album, Turn Up the Quiet, Diana Krall offers her take on this familiar 1932 Cole Porter show tune.

REVIEW:

Combining her spot-on piano work with 1940’s lounge singer-style vocals, Diana Krall’s interpretation of “Night and Day” is a textbook example of elegant old school jazz. Whether as a solo download or as part of her Turn Up the Quiet album, this tune is definitely worth adding to a favorite jazz playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars