Customer Reviews

The Journey

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This CD is a must for anyone who loves cabaret music and songs that are certain to become new standards. Tom has one of the most incredible voices I have ever heard. His voice soars on the title track, with heart-felt lyrics written by the incomparable Julie Gold (of "In a Distance" fame). Listen carefully to Tom's own composition "Every Night I Sleep with an Angel" which could easily be a country standard. Tom makes magic with "Storybook" from The Scarlet Pimpernel - you will surely be touched by the emotion and new meaning he brings to this song. Tom is a brillant songwriter and singer - you must have this CD in your collection.

I've seen Tom Andersen sing at the vast Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and at the intimate Firebird Cafe in New York City, and if you can't see him in person, ''The Journey'' is the next best thing. Sure, you won't get his funny sense of humor or his irresistible charm, but you will hear his magnificent golden voice. It's kind of a high glorious Irish tenor, with warm chest tones, too. I wish I could describe it better, but when he sings ''Storybook'' from ''The Scarlet Pimpernel,'' I'm in heaven. ''The Journey'' is a good title for this CD, because it takes you through so many emotions. I feel inspired when I hear the title tune (by Julie Gold, who won a Grammy for ''From a Distance''); I feel like dancing when I play his Latin-y version of ''People Will Say We're in Love''; and I feel moved to tears when Tom sings ''Yard Sale,'' a Harry Chapin-like song about a young man selling his belongings. Between his good looks and his gorgeous voice, Tom's really special and so is this CD.

If Tom Andersen weren't already such a sensational singer-songwriter, he should be a travel agent because he takes you to so many terrific places, all over the musical map, with his glorious voice. Where do I begin? He sings ''Storybook,'' that hypnotic waltz from the Broadway show ''The Scarlet Pimpernel,'' and sends it soaring with high notes that zoom into the stratosphere. Andersen slides into country territory with a beautiful ballad called ''Every Night I Sleep With an Angel'' that would make Garth Brooks jealous. And he plumbs the depths of unrequited love and loss with Irving Berlin's gorgeous ''Reaching for the Moon'' and Andersen's own poignant ''Yard Sale'' (if this doesn't break your heart, check your cardiologist to see if you have one). Plus, this CD shows off Andersen's sense of fun and humor. Just listen to him turn ''Necessity'' from ''Finian's Rainbow'' into a pop gospel tune. All in all, I didn't think Andersen could top his first great CD, ''Far Away Places,'' but he did because I never wanted this ''Journey'' to end!

Tom Andersen is one of New York's brightest lights in the cabaret world. With a lyric tenor that soars with ease and agility and music arrangements that are simple but elegant, Mr. Andersen has the rare and unique gift to take the listener into the music.

Every track on the album is a gem. My personal favorites are his own compositions, particularly "Two Chairs", "Simple Little Tune" (a fun, upbeat tune reminiscent of the days of swing), and the emotional "Yard Sale" about the havoc of AIDS.

This album is an eclectic mix of classic standards and contemporary compositions. It's a great addition to any music library that appreciates real talent, singers who really know how to sing, and music and lyrics that mean something.

Thank you to Amazon for pointing me in this direction, and thank you to the thoughtful reviewers who posted exactly what they liked about this CD. Tom Andersen's singing and songwriting are both exceptional - his light tenor is capable of conveying deep emotion without histrionics, and his songwriting is some of the finest I've heard this decade. So many wonderful things about this CD - my favorite song is "Storybook" for the lovely piano backing, Tom's really incredible emotion pull (again, with no excess) and the beauty of the song, but there are so many great songs, not a bad one in the bunch, and all sung and arranged in unique and delightful ways. "Simple Little Tune", "Necessity", "Every Night I Sleep With An Angel" - all so different, but they blend beautifully. Tom's "Yard Sale" is priceless, beautifully written, achingly beautifully sung. The arrangement and light, bouncy singing on "People Will Say WE're in Love" is a delightful surprise. I can't praise this highly enough. It's been in my CD player non-stop since I got it, and I'll definitely be getting "Far Away Places", too. Can someone post or email me details on how I can find out where Tom performs, and if he ever comes to the Cleveland area? What a find! One of my top 10 CD's of 1999.

Tom Andersen is a vocal God! Each delicate note and tender word comes forth from him like is was ordained by God himself...this has to be what music was intended to sound like. His songwriting speaks from his soul and into mine. This CD takes you from contemplation to elation and then rips at your heart with it's blatently true messages. This CD, and Tom himself, can introduce to you emotions you never knew you had.

The second Tom Andersen album of songs is a total joy. I don't know what rock I was under for not being made aware of him prior to this. The title track from the "From A Distance" Grammy-winning pen of Julie Gold should have had another grammy with this one, along with a huge hit for Tom. Tom's own music shines on this CD as well. In particular, the track YARD SALE is a minimum four-hanky track. Such a story for these times. STORYBOOK from the musical "The Scarlet Pimpernel" is well done. Knowing only Linda Eder's version from the concept CD prior to the show going to Broadway, Tom's interpretation gives the song a different appeal. My only diappointment is he didn't do the French part of the song as well. Becoming the fan I have recently, THE JOURNEY will make many trips to my CD player. I recommend you take it as well.

Wow! What a spectacular singer. Tom's got such a silky, sensitive tenor, and I know he's won a lotta awards for that. But I'm also impressed by his songwriting. ''Simple Little Tune'' is just what it says it is: a delightfully direct little ditty. ''Every Night I Sleep With an Angel'' is the anthem of any grateful guy who's found the love of his life. And ''Yard Sale'' is about the most heartbreaking story song I've ever heard. I see he's written even more songs. If they're even half as good as the ones on ''The Journey'' or ''Far Away Places'' (his first album), I can't wait to hear his next CD!

What a discovery! I was led here by a review for another artist who sings Yard Sale on a favorite CD of mine. It was recommended that the songwriter of that heartfelt ballad did his own version on his own album and it was just as achingly beautiful. I purchased the CD and was bowled over by the brillance of voice and songwriting of this gifted artist. Every song is a gem because Mr Anderson relies on the power of the lyrics. His simplicity of arrangements combined with his melodic gentle voice allows each song to stand on its own. My favorites are, The Journey, Reaching for the Moon (another Irving Berlin song of unrequited love) and of course Yard Sale because they are perfect examples of how music can reach out and touch our lives.

The first time I heard Tom's voice was on a music clip of 'Storybook.' I knew right then I was listening to someone very special, who could lose himself in a song; the singer and the song are one. Little did I know that his latest album, "The Journey" is filled with songs that will resonate with everyone on some level. "Yard Sale" brought tears streaming down my face. What a rare talent is Tom Andersen.