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Kristopher McDowell: Faces of Love |
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At: The Laurie Beechman Theater
Reviewer: David Roberts for Theatre Reviews Limited |
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If you are currently in love, wishing you were in love, living in the shadow of significant love lost, or longing to fall madly and hopelessly in love, then kick back and pop newcomer Kristopher McDowell's debut CD into your player and experience songs of love in all its vicissitudes.
Kristopher McDowell is showcasing his new CD "Faces of Love" on four Tuesdays in November at The Laurie Beechman Theater at the West Bank Café. It is good to have this young singer in New York and it is equally good to have access to his wonderful voice and styling on the debut CD.
  
Produced by Paul Rolnick and released by Jerome Records (#4486), "Faces of Love" is the perfect start to what will hopefully be a long recording history for a formidable vocal talent. Although Mr. McDowell has a style and vocal quality all his own, one cannot mistake the welcomed vocal kinship to Barry Manilow and even Liza Minelli.
Comfortable in any musical genre, Kristopher McDowell, on the CD and in concert, breezes through pop, rhythm and blues, soft rock, and jazzy beats with a confidence that encourages the audience to put its trust in the hands of this young connoisseur of love. Unlike some of his contemporaries who seem to dwell on their youth and its concomitant lack of experience, Mr. McDowell entrusts his considerable twenty-one years of experience into all he sings and into all he feels.
For the most part, Kristopher McDowell chooses to sing songs "that were written during (his) lifetime." It is refreshing to meet an artist who is willing to sing songs that are not in the traditional American songbook, although, especially in New York, it is increasingly apparent a "new" American songbook is developing whose contents are heard almost as often as were/are the standards which have been so much the basis of successful cabaret careers.
Whatever he chooses to sing, Mr. McDowell reflects an honesty that is appealing and a commitment to perfection that is welcomed. All of the songs on the CD are accessible to the widest audience possible. Anyone, no matter who her or his significant other might be, can tap into the joys and wonders of John Bucchino's "That Smile" or Jimmy Webb's "All I Know" or Alan O'Day's "Train of Thought" or Rupert Holmes' "The People That You Never Get To Love."
Additional highlights of the CD and the live performance at The Laurie Beechman are the wonderful "Get Here" with words and music by Barbara Russell, Mr. McDowell's own spin on the classic Beatles tune "The Long And Winding Road," Randy Newman's "Simon and The Amazing Dancing Bear," and "Let's Make Memories" by Jane Oliver and John Darrow.
Christopher Denny serves as musical director for both the CD and Mr. McDowell's Laurie Beechman show and Mr. Denny provides the arrangements for the songs in both as well. These two musicians work very well together and the orchestra for the CD and the presence of Bob Renino on bass for the Laurie Beechman appearance are the perfect musical compliments in each case.
Perhaps the questions raised by the lyrics of Matt Dubey in "How Does the Wine Taste" are most relevant as one assesses the present and future of Kristopher McDowell. Does he make you glow? Is being in his presence a lovely experience? Is he good? The answer is "yes" to all three questions. It is clear that Mr. McDowell takes his craft seriously and he will continue to grow and stretch his talent. There are occasions when one wishes for more emotional connection with the material being sung, but what we see and hear now is very pleasing and leaves us, appropriately, wanting something more.
Kristopher McDowell has several appearances scheduled away from New York. Let us hope he returns to us soon and decides to "smile and stay."
Reviewed on Tuesday, November 7, 2000
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Directed by Barry Kleinbort. Musical direction is by Christopher Denny with Bob Renino on bass. At The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Café, 407 West 42nd Street every Tuesday in November (7, 14, 21, 28) at 8:00 p.m. There is a $15.00 cover with a one-drink minimum ($10.00 for MAC members/students). Reservations: (212) 695-6909.
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