Male singers that don’t stick to the cookie cutter format are hard to come by, which is why I appreciate Elijah Rock so much. He’s got a delivery with his high baritone voice like he knows the score, but still exudes hopeful optimism, as displayed on this collection of material that mixes the vintage with new.
He’s got a hip supporting cast with a rotating team of rhythm, guitars, strings, percussion and sax, and shares the mic with Dominique Toney on a cozy alternative read of “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” after doing a fun intro on his solo version. He’s relaxed, but with a firm grip on “All I Need Is The Girl” and gives a clever tribute on “Gershwin For My Soul” while sounding as comfortable as 10 year old Bass Weejuns on the title tune. His vibrato is warm with strings on “The Good Life” and he is festive with soprano saxist Charles McNeal during “Around The World”, more sincere than a Rat Packer, and swinging with more of a mellow soul than Buble’.