Customer Reviews

Inside Out

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After a lifetime of hearing traditional (ie, straight) popular love songs, how satisfying to hear some from a gay male viewpoint. It's about time. The very few previous recordings from a gay male perspective have tended towards the political, or even worse, the campy. (Although Michael Callan had some fine moments) Cam Clarke's interpretations are simple, understated, yet very sexy. "Language of the Heart" and "Someone Else's Star" stand out as two that consistently get a tap on the repeat button. Unfortunately, "I Will Survive" is such a gay cliche that even Cam can't make it work (hence 4 stars instead of 5). But yes, it's about time.

Accept first that this is an album of covers from someone who's a singer and no more. Then enjoy.

Some of the songs here are a little obscure, but you'll know most of 'em, and Cam has chosen pretty well. He hasn't gone overboard with the gender-swapping, so thankfully it doesn't seem like it was the whole point of the project. But it's there, and it's nice to hear him sing "Something in the way he moves", and others, where the object of the song is a man.

I have to say that you soon get used to that though, and happily, this remains an attractive album when you do. Cam's voice is central to this, and he's got a warm, smoky, deep voice and a nice sense of phrasing that's very masculine, and soothing at the same time.

One or two of the songs (like "Jesse") sound cloying and too sentimental, but in general there's a good mixture. If "I Will Survive" seems like it's far too corny to be on here, have a listen, because it's not the version you'll be used to. In many ways, it's my favourite track because he's had to do something entirely different with it.

Okay, it's not the greatest work of art, but there will be times when it fits the bill. Play it to your unsuspecting straight friends and watch their faces!

I bought this because it sounded it interesting - but it is more. It is a statement of love, passion and understanding. I was raised in the world that Cam speaks of in liner notes - those of us who are gay wanted to sing these songs - not just to "camp" it up but to truly sing an idea that transcends the darkness many of us lived. Clarke's rendition of SON OF A PREACHER MAN simply begins the journey of truth. I had it on my CD Player as I was writing an article and had to stop to get in touch with my own thoughts and recognize that Clarke took a bold step by making each song personal. Listen to "Jesse", "Palimino Road", "Rainy night house" and know we have all been there. Then I was nervous by I WILL SURVIVE - Oh God another rendition of a stereotypical song - Clarke takes us into a new idea of what it means to survive - while many of us danced Clarke must have heard things that needed to be said. And the album closes with a celebration of vocal talent, tender rendering of lyrics and re-membering those who have traveled this road of life with us - THE WATER IS WIDE is more than just another song - it is a song of companionship - tribal in how we move. Thank you Cam and everyone - get it for yourself, a friend, someone who needs support or to help our young people understand diversity means we can ALL sing these words. BRAVO!

I found that I wasn't the only who loved Cam Clarke (as a voice actor) since the days of Robotech. I never knew he could sing. I always wondered about that. (Just for the record and so no one makes this mistake again: in response to anharmyenone's statement, Cam Clarke NEVER sang a song on Robotech. Michael Bradley was the singing voice of Lancer/Yellow Dancer.)
Just hearing how different his voice is from singing and acting is surprising. His songs incorporate his rich, deep tones and that soothing country flavor. Plus, it gives a surprising twist to his cover songs that you could enjoy. And some songs give "gay pride" to those who feel the norms of society prevent these kinds of songs from getting airplay.

This is an excellent disc! Not only is his selection of material exceptional, but his interpretations are perfect! One only needs listen to the masculine sensuality of Cam's readings on "JESSE" or "SOMETHING IN THE WAY HE MOVES" to his seemingly innocent take on "SON OF A PREACHER MAN" (Dusty would be proud), then on to the controlled anger of "I WILL SURVIVE" (Gloria Gaynor, eat your heart out) to know that this is a talented interpreter of songs. Cam Clarke covers country, folk, pop and beyond with style, talent and panache. Also, the last track, "THE WATER IS WIDE" has one of the best a capella sections I've heard on recording in a long time. Can you tell I like this disc? It's an A+ in my book.

I got a copy of this album on a whim. Part of me dreaded that he'd end up sounding ..... to be blunt....a little fey. Couldn't be further from the truth. His voice is rich and sexy. A country-style tone pervades and just adds to the overall effect. What started as a whim has become a regular in our cd tray. I so hope that he records again. His version of Son of a Preacher man is the sexiest that I have heard

Cam Clarke's CD is RARELY out of my player, and NEVER out of reach. I picked it up on a whim and couldn't be more pleased that I did. It's so refreshing to hear a gay man singing something other than showtunes - NOT that I don't have my share of those in my collection either, but this is a wonderful change of pace.

He is perhaps one of the greatest male singers to come along in a long time. His rendition Of " Son of a Preacher Man is a must hear. If you like handsome powerful singers then by all means by this CD.

Classic loves songs sung in a straight forward, but definitely not straight, manner. Songs such as "Son of a Preacherman" and "I Will Survive" take on new meaning with the tenor tones of a male singer and bring us all closer to realizing that our lives and emotions are the same, straight or gay.

I've been a fan of Cam longer then I can remember, so after following his voice acting career for so long it doesn't surprise me that he put out such a good CD. I honestly thought that he sung these, for the most part, better then the originals. Even though it's sung from a gay perspective, and that im not, he doesn't go over board with the gender's. I would defiantly recommend this CD, straight or gay, you defiantly wont be disappointed!