Ahhh. ..singer/songwriters. So rare these days. Here’s a classic comparison of old and new school.
Neil Sedaka has been around since Moby Dick was an anchovy, penning hits from the 50s up until the days of disco. He’s captured here at a 2006 concert in England, just him and his piano, demonstrating how to work a song, and audience and a career. His voice sounds alarmingly fantastic, and his hits like “Calendar Girl” and “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” are not only charming in their attractive simplicity, but reflect a time when artists didn’t have to hate life in order to get a song written. Upbeat material like “Love Will Keep Us Together” still sounds wonderful and more reflective themes like “The Immigrant” and “The Hungry Years” show depth as well as width in composing. This is a man who is a true master of his craft.
Jeremiah Abiah joins his voice and composing skills with the likes of Robert Glasper and Marvin Sewell on a reflective session that combines acoustic guitar, piano and rhythm in a deeply intimate fashion. Abiah’s voice is alluringly rich like 80% Cocoa Cark Chocolate, which keeps you into the tunes. His melodies and themes, however, don’t have the same type of attractiveness. A bit too introspective and heart on sleeve, as well as predictable instead of classic and eternal.