Cabaret Scenes CD Review

On his latest CD, Live from New York City, pop singer William Blake knocks it out of the park. Recorded live at Birdland, it is a potent display of soulful sing-ing that validates what the fuss is all about. Fusing R&B with assorted pop tunes that seem to get better with each song, he shows the promise of someone bound for glory.

While many cabaret shows are designed around thematic concepts or tributes to the American Songbook and its writers, it takes guts to buck the trend. Well, buck, Blake! He is his own person, musically. Not once does he compromise who he is in this snippet of an album (there are only eight tracks). He also does not pander to anybody’s how-to rules. His soulful pop tenor interprets every tune with brassy intelligence and a rhythmic sensibility usually found on more advanced disks. Blake’s work with outstanding Musical Director Michael Thomas Murray, along with a guitarist, drummer and bassist (and Murray on backup vocals), makes for a solid, contemporary album sung with clarity and confidence.
Vocally, at times, he recalls Michael Jackson. Too, when he opens up and lets his voice soar, he occasionally recalls Patti LaBelle. Whatever. Whoever. Above all, William Blake is still himself. While he may not be a subtle, intimate crooner, like some more lauded, seasoned cabaret greats, he consistently stays true to who he is artistically. And that sets him apart and counts for something these days.

There are several outstanding highlights on the CD. The rousing, pull-out-all-the-stops opener, “I Want to Take You Higher,” sets the tone for what follows. On the album’s best cut, he joins a yearning “Can I Go On?” with a thrilling “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” where the Jackson comparison is particularly evident. Here, his passionate singing and rhythmic phrasing give the songs a gospel-like flavor that is definitive of soul music and he’s riveting with pleading vocal catches between syllables. The interpretation becomes searingly personal. “Midnight Train to Georgia” perfectly caps this live set with the promise of what lies ahead. And, it sounds like there’s a lot to look forward to from this relatively new kid on the block.

John Hoglund
Cabaret Scenes
July 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org



	William Blake Live from New York City Cavern Records
On his latest CD, Live from New York City, pop singer William Blake knocks it out of the park. Recorded live at Birdland, it is a potent display of soulful sing-ing that validates what the fuss is all about. Fusing R&B with assorted pop tunes that seem to get better with each song, he shows the promise of someone bound for glory. While many cabaret shows are designed around thematic concepts or tributes to the American Songbook and its writers, it takes guts to buck the trend. Well, buck, Blake! He is his own person, musically. Not once does he compromise who he is in this snippet of an album (there are only eight tracks). He also does not pander to anybody’s how-to rules. His soulful pop tenor interprets every tune with brassy intelligence and a rhythmic sensibility usually found on more advanced disks. Blake’s work with outstanding Musical Director Michael Thomas Murray, along with a guitarist, drummer and bassist (and Murray on backup vocals), makes for a solid, contemporary album sung with clarity and confidence. Vocally, at times, he recalls Michael Jackson. Too, when he opens up and lets his voice soar, he occasionally recalls Patti LaBelle. Whatever. Whoever. Above all, William Blake is still himself. While he may not be a subtle, intimate crooner, like some more lauded, seasoned cabaret greats, he consistently stays true to who he is artistically. And that sets him apart and counts for something these days. There are several outstanding highlights on the CD. The rousing, pull-out-all-the-stops opener, “I Want to Take You Higher,” sets the tone for what follows. On the album’s best cut, he joins a yearning “Can I Go On?” with a thrilling “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” where the Jackson comparison is particularly evident. Here, his passionate singing and rhythmic phrasing give the songs a gospel-like flavor that is definitive of soul music and he’s riveting with pleading vocal catches between syllables. The interpretation becomes searingly personal. “Midnight Train to Georgia” perfectly caps this live set with the promise of what lies ahead. And, it sounds like there’s a lot to look forward to from this relatively new kid on the block. John Hoglund Cabaret Scenes July 2011 www.cabaretscenes.org

William Blake

Live from New York City

Cavern Records