Because of them, album concepts that were once considered novelties likely to sell only for a while, have become the hottest tickets to stardom. And it is not only newcomers who are jumping on the bandwagon, rocker Rod Stewart already has two hit albums of American standards, Barbra Streisand is all set to follow suit with a collection of memorable motion picture theme songs and right in time for the Christmas Season, there will be a Rosemary Clooney Songbook by Bette Midler. So expect more refinement in the music tastes of the near future with everybody longing to get their hands on those wonderful oldies composed by Gershwin and others and popularized by Sinatra and other idols of old.
One of the new names trying to make it to the top with this kind of album concept is John Trones with his debut release Forward. A sweet tenor, he is an actor in films and on stage, a model whose face and figure you must have already seen on display on billboards and magazine pages, a musician and writer who has successfully ventured into singing. He shows himself to be very versatile with his choice of materials and he combines swingy Broadway favorites, new ballads and romantic standards in the album.
Then while Groban and Bublé got albums put together by the legendary pop music producer David Foster, Trones is getting the big push from no less than Jim Brickman, the famous composer, pianist, recording star, producer and lots of other things besides. Pinoys simply adore Brickman’s music so Trones already has a ready market for his singing hereabouts.
Jim Brickman’s touch is very much in evidence throughout the album. The opening tinkle of the piano keys in the first cut Love of My Life clearly says that Brickman is not only playing. He is also present with his compositions that he arranged for Trones. In response, Trones puts forth his best with the Brickman originals in the album like Love of My Life, In a Lover’s Eyes, Lullaby and The Gift. Music of My Heart by Mary Beth Carlson is another good one.
Trones also sings Carole King’s One Fine Day, Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful from the musical Cinderella, Our Love is Here to Stay, It Had to be You, My Romance, Just So You Know, and Orange Colored Sky.
Public reaction to Trones in the Philippines is quite positive and I am sure that his recently acquired fans will be glad to find out that he has recently released a Christmas album titled Holiday, which was also produced by Brickman. Of course, it has once more the getting to be ubiquitous The Gift plus Yuletide ballads like Even Santa Fell in Love, What are You Doing New Year’s Eve, Joseph’s Song and others. You may now start hoping that the local distributor of Trones’ album decides to also release Holiday as soon as possible.
Among the cuts included is a divine version of Bali Hai from the musical South Pacific performed by Stacey Kent. She also does They Can’t Take That Away from Me and It Might As Well be Spring. Others featured are The Way You Look Tonight by Clare Teal, Nature Boy by Lauren Dalrymple and Alex Wilson, My Funny Valentine by Bud Shank, Angel Eyes by David Liebman and Love Story by Flip Phillips.