Reflect (Indie)
When most young musical- theatre types release their first solo CD, you
can practically guess what's going to be on it: some old showtunes, some
vanilla pop and maybe the odd Canadian standard. Well, Adam Brazier
isn't your average performer, so it only stands to reason that Reflect
isn't your
typical tunestack.
For the CD, available on his website, AdamBrazier.com, Brazier has
picked material mostly outside the Broadway tradition that he feels a
deep connection with and that he shows in a series of offbeat, dynamic
performances.
Starting out with an otherworldly version of "Evaporated" by Ben Folds
Five is a good way of serving notice you won't find a lot of Andrew
Lloyd Webber here. When he follows it up with rhythmically challenging
versions of The Guess Who's "Undun" and "People Are Strange" by The
Doors, you know you're not in Kansas any more, Dorothy.
A truly poignant rendition of Sting's "Fields of Gold" that Brazier
first sang at a friend's memorial service carries a substantial (but not
too heavy) burden of emotional resonance, and his open-throated take on
Melanie
Doane's "Never Doubt I Love" captures all the passion and fragility of
early romantic commitment.
A rich collection of songs from someone who knows how to sing them.
Reflect is worth your time, as well as your reflection.