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Dominic Alldis: If Love Were All-The Songs of Noel Coward
Following an album of Bill Evans music, he has now turned to the enigmatic Noel Coward whose music is suited to cabaret treatment. Having said that, some of the cuts sound as if Alldis were giving a performance of Schuman lieder. Not that Coward's material comes anywhere close to Schuman. But it's the ambience one finds at such performances, stolid, stoic, and sometimes sanctimonious. Then there are cuts where Alldis swings like on "World Weary" and "Room with a View". He's helped considerably here by the jazzy sax of Tim Garland and the swinging beat of Clark Tracey's drums. One of the album's best tracks sort of falls in between. On "The Party's Over Now", Alldis is accompanied by his piano and very soulful harmonica by Adam Glasser making this tune much better than it really is.
The real problem with the album is Noel Coward. His music, while sometimes clever and witty, is dated and wears thin very quickly irrespective of the sincere efforts of the performers. The tunes on the play list are from early revues and shows like This Year of Grace, Ace of Clubs and Conversation Piece whose time has long since passed. The most recognizable Coward tune on the CD is "Ill Follow My Secret Heart", once more featuring fine harmonica by Glasser.
Alldis is English and perhaps Mr. Coward continues to be popular in that country. Hopefully, for his next album the singer/pianist will turn to material more suitable to his considerable talent and those of the musicians with him on this set who hang in there with typical English stiff upper lip. For Noel Coward fans only. Visit Alldis on the Internet at www.canzona.demon.co.uk. Oh yes, the lyrics are reprinted in the liner notes.
Track Listing
A Room with a View; Sigh No More; Sail Away; World Weary; I'll Follow My Secret Heart; Why Do the Wrong People Travel; If Love Were All; The Party's Over Now; Come the Wild Wild Weather
Personnel
Dominic Alldis - Vocals/Piano; Alec Dankworth - Bass; Clark Tracey - Drums; Tim Garland - Saxophone; Adam Glasser - Harmonica
Album information
Title: If Love Were All-The Songs of Noel Coward | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Canzona Music