By the time David Campbell gets around to caressing “Some Other Time” from On the Town (Bernstein/Comden/Green), which closes his new album On Broadway, one remembers what all the fuss was about fifteen years ago when he made waves in Manhattan cabarets. You see, this song is delivered with finely-tuned sentiment and offers a rich, engaging core that is sometimes missing on other cuts on this CD of beloved musical theater warhorses.

Returning to his theater roots, the kid from Australia, who is a star Down Under, is sporting a mature look and a somewhat deeper voice. He offers an uneven repertoire ranging from oddly uninspired songs like “Hello, Dolly!” (Jerry Herman), “Hey There” from The Pajama Game (Adler/Ross) and “Luck Be a Lady” from Guys and Dolls (Loesser) to more effective cuts like a well-sung “Bring Him Home” (Les Misérables) and a particularly strong reading of “Proud Lady” from The Baker’s Wife (Schwartz).

While several tunes are belted like an audition at a Broadway cattle call, Campbell is basically at his best when he lowers the decibel level and connects in a heartfelt manner. When it comes to full throttle emoting, he does well pulling out all the stops on “Being Alive” from Company (Sondheim) and a complex arrangement of “Goodbye” from the incoming musical Catch Me If You Can (Shaiman/Wittman). This show-stopper is the album’s best cut and should gain the most attention (along with “Some Other Time”).

Several other cuts are given an impressive vocal treatment, but several also lack a straightforward earnestness that is needed, as on “You'll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel (Rodgers/ Hammerstein II). In spite of Mr. Campbell’s considerable talents, the importance of being earnest is the missing ingredient on this otherwise well-produced recording, with full orchestra conducted by Rob Fisher.

In his native Australia, Campbell has recorded four top-ten albums and sold out many concert halls and clubs. Hopefully, future endeavors on disc will show a more diverse, sincere side that toots substance over style from a talented crooner with this much potential.

John Hoglund
Cabaret Scenes
January/February 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org