Customer Reviews

At the Corner of Broadway & Soul

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For those of us who have been waiting nearly a decade for a second Billy Porter album, my god, that wait has been worth it! Live albums don't always work for me but At the Corner of Broadway and Soul is the perfect vehicle for Billy to showcase his wonderful gifts as a performer, showman and ... amazing vocalist. The passion and fire, pathos and sensitivity in his voice are given full rein here and it's just a delight to hear a singer with such magnificent pipes singing with such emotion and abandon, and truly blending the best of Broadway and soul. Every song is a highight but I especially enjoy the tracks where he really cuts loose - World's Gon Have To Wait, Hell or High Water, Last Midnight or his delicious snippet of And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going. But then the understated emotion of Time and I Need you Know also stand out. However the undoubted showstopper is the finale - Sondheim's Sunday. I defy anyone not to be blown away as it slowly builds in power and intensity climaxing in its gospel glory. The other thing worth noting is the between song patter and intros - at times poignant, funny, self-effacing but always heartfelt - they really demonstrate the connection between performer and audience and despite repeated listens remain fresh. Apologies if this all sounds gushy and over the top but from the moment I first got this album a few months ago via his website, it has not been out of my CD player. It is sensational!

In an era where singers who have little pencil voices are blared on the airwaves non-stop, Billy Porter's latest offering is a breath of fresh, fresh air. I remember seeing him on television performing "Show Me" from his debut album...somewhere around the summer of 1996 and thinking..."Finally! Someone with a real voice!" As soon as the album was released, I picked it up and have played it non-stop for the last nine years or so waiting and wondering when his new album would be released. The wait is over...and Billy is back with a vengence.

"On The Corner" is clearly a showpiece for the REAL Billy Porter. All of the power and range that we knew from the "Untitled" album is still there, but he is singing with a newly strengthened conviction. No gloss here. Pure gut. And I love it.

His gospel roots are celebrated throughout...particularly on "The World's Gon Wait"...but we also get to discover HIS thoughts via his songwriting...and also his love and appreciation for his Broadway roots as well.

The album covers alot of territory, but in a very centered way...and the 80 minute listen is over before you realize it. You won't be able to take this one out of your CD player.

Billy...we look forward to the next album...Thank you for blessing us with your otherworldly gift.

If you are the kind of music listener who appreciates singing and musicianship in its highest form, this is the CD for you. Billy Porter is doing live what other recording artists wish they could capture in the studio. He seamlessly bridges the gap between Broadway, Gospel and Soul and in one fell swoop proves to the world that music is truly the universal language. His own original material shines as brightly as some of the material he covers including songs that were wrtitten by other composers with his voice in mind. Truly one of the greatest male voices of the 21st century.

I'd give ole billy a 5 but I don't want him to sit back and coast. this man is friggin' amazing with a voice that knows what limits are and how to transcend them. I always knew there was the song from Fist Wives Club but that unfortunate woman from canada recorded it and that sorta squashed it for me. once i found amazon I found what a great educational tool it is -- research, find the movie, find the song, find the man.

Man o man -- what a man. I'm ordering all his cd's but I'm amazed he has so few. When I saw Hair I thought, "Whoa, I hope he's singing 'Easy to be Hard'" With his sense of humor, and sincerity, he's be great. He could put a spin on that song NO ONE ELSE COULD. Ahh well -- dream on -- let's see Billy in a studio, unlimited food, musicians of his choice, a few back up singers and a few duets "You will sing with Tracy Nelson and like it." Maybe just him and a piano -- he could do it.

I must say singing live he is capable of sounding just as good as in a studio, I have his cd singles. I don't how much was doctored in processing but I was amazed, and appreciative, that his live audience showed such respect for him -- when he sang, they shut up and listened.

Incredible voice and good grip on reality, great perspective. Favorite cuts are 'Time' and "King of the World' and I'm amazed at the mastery he displays on Sondheim -- this man has done his homework. He SOARS. This man needs to be KNOWN.

Here goes the first male recording of
And I'm telling you I'm not going?from Dreamgirls.
C/mon Condon-- If you are looking for Eppie in movie you found the
right person. You need guts.
Also Sunday from Sondheim's musical of Sunday in the==========
gets a massive production with a chorus.
Other tracks are his own songs and other current Broadway
composers.
This is a rare album when Billy can hold one's attention for
the whole recording.

This album is simply amazing. I love many musical genres, but am an old school R&B girl at heart. Billy's album bridges soul, Broadway, and gospel so effortlessly, without compromising the integrity of any of these genres.

I've loved Billy Porter all of my adult life. His voice is so very clear and pure, and he evokes the emotion of the lyrics in every note. I first experienced him on Broadway in the early 90s, and his voice is so distinctive that when I heard "Love Is On the Way" while watching First Wives Club, I immediately knew it was him!! I have listened to "Untitled" for the last decade - how many cds have that kind of staying power? I walked down the aisle on my wedding day to the song "Untitled" because his simple rendition of such meaningful lyrics moved me to tears.

If you've never experienced the musicianship of Billy Porter, try him...you won't be disappointed.

i am not a real big GOSPEL/BROADWAY music lover. But this CD does not leave my side. I listen to it all the way home and bring it into the house for further listening pleasure. Billy Porter is in a league of his own. I feel I am really at the concert. His music is a true gift from God. Everyone I tell about him are in love from the first track to the last. His version of "On top of the World" is exhilirating. I am waiting for his concert to come to Los Angeles. Please if nothing else sample the last track "Sunday"

GO BUY THIS CD AND YOU WILL BE HOOKED FROM BEGINNING TO END

Man oh man! From his (non-musical) spoken participation on the Oprah show it made me curious enough to look him up on the Internet and order an album.He is over the top!!
This is the kind of music God puts on to listen to on a Saturday night!
I feel priviledged to even have this album in my collection.
(When are you coming to Europe, billy?)

Billy Porter's "At the Corner of Broadway + Soul," is a hidden treasure. Mr. Porter can sing his [...] off. He does R & B, broadway, gospel, pop, and jazz on this live CD. His vocals are smooth and he's a good comedian as well. I loved this collection the first time I heard it at a friend's house. This CD contains the live version of his hit single from THE FIRST WIVES CLUB, as well as many other gems, including an outstanding version of "And Im Telling You I'm Not Going," which he just kills! Run out and get this, and his first studio CD, today!!!

I can't believe how much I love this CD! The songs themselves are amazing, and he magnifies it's greatness with his soulful voice. I only heard it once and it was worthy of my ipod. He makes every song his own; and he even wrote some! He definatley deserves an award. I love this CD and I want to share it with all I come in contact with. There's nothing more to say.