MUSIC | Sophia Shorai and Tommy Barbarella are merely listenable on "Long As You're Living"
Long As You're Living by classic jazz stylists Sophia Shorai and pianist Tommy Barbarella is a pleasant, if unremarkable, listening experience. If you're throwing a dinner party where you want there to be comfortable background music without people cutting each other off in mid-conversation to ask who the artists are, this perfectly fits the bill.
Long As You're Living comprises a dozen numbers by diverse writers from Hank Williams to Leonard Cohen to Horace Silver to Stevie Wonder, connected by a theme. "The common thread," says Shorai, "examines the struggle of the human condition. The album takes the listener through stories of loss, yearning, political unrest, sorrow, then finally peace and restoration." Laudable sentiment and an interesting idea, but the artistry of Shorai is sophomoric and Barbarella, who has played with the likes of Prince, Chaka Khan, and Art Garfunkel, cannot carry her.
Had Shorai either more seasoning or, for that matter, greater feeling and a less clichéd technique, this would be more than run-of-the-mill fare. As it is, though, you have generally weak renditions of strong material. Wonder's "Big Brother" strands Shorai hopelessly out of her depth. There's a reason not too many singers cover Stevie Wonder: after all, how does one interpret this guy's melodies in a way that's, at the very least, as interesting a manner as the original? Shorai's rendition is tepid. Williams's "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," in paint-by-number fashion, hints at the blues—including all the right notes in the right places—but that's about it. The title cut, by Oscar Brown, Jr., gets a pedestrian reading that is almost stiff.
Barbarella plays beautiful piano—inspired, in fact—while Shorai waxes coy with forced finesse instead of natural feeling. Long As You're Living, extols the press release, "is a collection of standards, old and new, performed in one of the most simple arrangements possible: one piano and one voice. At a time when modern recordings are often saturated with multiple tracks and studio wizardry, chasing an elusive perfection, Sophia and Tommy set out to return to a spare aesthetic allowing for nuance and emotional complexity." Wherein lies the proverbial rub.
Long As You're Living is listenable. It just isn't noteworthy.
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Dwight Hobbes (dwight@tcdailyplanet.net) is a writer based in the Twin Cities. He contributes regularly to the TC Daily Planet.
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Comments
what are you smokin???
Have you ever heard Shorai live? One of the best singers I've ever heard. can sing anything. gorgeous, unique voice. I bought the CD at her show at Hell's Kitchen last weekend and my wife and I love it. She's sounds like Nora Jones with more talent/emotion.
what you smokin' Hobbes?
Did we listen to the same record?
I am not sure that we listened to the same record, Dwight. I feel like your review may be colored by your love of the original material that these songs were based on. I loved the record. I thought the arrangements were interesting and unique. If the arrangement of Leonard Cohen's Everybody Knows didn't appeal to you, I don't know what would. It is poignant and timely, brimming with emotion, and I think a far better version than the original.
I think that Sophia has a remarkable voice and Tommy's playing is a beautiful compliment. I also think that the record meets the goals described, it allows two instruments; piano and voice, to shine, bare, raw and full of emotion. I have seen them perform the record, and it was a show full of energy and emotion, it was anything but flat background music dinner party music.
I completely disagree with this review, check out another, and listen for yourself. http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/9146/79/
Pro tips on how to be a jerk.
I've read many reviews before. CD's, Live performances etc. Never have I come across a reviewer that is so classless and petty. I was unable to make the performance, but have been a huge fan of Shorai for years. To say it's not your cup of tea is one thing, but as a writer to bash someones effort in this way is unprofessional. I have heard many interviews on NPR with critics who say if something they intend to review doesn't have at least 75% praiseworthy material, they choose not to review so as not to come across as an ass@%*! Apparently this reviewer missed that day of journalism class. In fact, this reviewer has no class. All I can guess is that Miss Shorai accidentally hit the reviewers cat, and this is his way of vengence. I have the CD in question and it's astounding. Fans of Leonard Cohen, Rufus wainwright, Joni Mitchell have something to cherish here. Its a step back to when there were no strict genres that people had to adapt to to go platinum. It's wonderful material performed by two honest musicians with clear emotion, dazzing chops, and most of all real professionalism. This review begs to understand the mental condition of it's author, and if the publisher really wants to associate with people like that. Not liking is one thing, opinions are fine. Bashing for bashings sake, shame on you.
did he listen to the same album?
I had to go back and listen to the tune As Long as You're Living again after reading this review because it was so completely contrary to my impression. I agree that Barbarella is a master - no doubt - but Shorai (now listening to Black Coffee) matches Barbarella's precision and has such an amazing tone - complex and emotive - so good in fact that several times while writing this note I've stopped to listen more carefully. The song selections are surprising - Brother Can You Spare a Dime - its clear both love the bouncing bounding lines - and they get the sad combination of pride and loss. Listen to "You Don't Know What Love Is" and then decide if Shorai has feeling or not. Or to "Old Devil Moon" for that matter. Or Everybody Knows... just listen to the whole thing.
Just plain wrong
Sorry Dwight,
Your just wrong about this one.
Ms Shorai sings with a freshness we dont hear too often. Maybe thats why you dont recognize it? I'm not going to make excuses for you.
This is a fine album with extremely interesting choices that are rended clean and new by a bright young star (in Shorai) and piano master (in Barbarella).
The recent sold out release party at the Dakota had the audience on their feet. Luckily, Dwight, we couldnt hear you complaining over the raucus applause.
Getting Personal?
Mr. Hobbes,
More than an honest, professional critique of Ms. Shorai's album I find this review to be a personal attack. I am not sure you even know her, but based on your extremely personal language I would think she hit a nerve somewhere. Words like "sophomoric" "more seasoning" "greater feeling" "isn't noteworthy" remind me more of a seething way to hurt someone than to constructively criticize. Obviously, you were not at the Dakota for the release party where Sophia brought the room to their knees more than once. She evokes much feeling through her interpretations and singing. In response to your defamation of her character, Sophia Shorai is in fact emotional, passionate, talented and an amazing artist. You, Mr. Hobbes wrote an uninspired, flat review that just isn't noteworthy.
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