Customer Reviews

Waiting for the Glaciers to Melt

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

 

 

With little knowledge of Green, his career, and his talent I put his new CD in. It starts off slowly with a sweet but optimistic song. The second song caught me by surprise but I knew at this point the man is immensely talented. The remaining eight tracks underscored this. He surpasses his own vocal ability by his song writing ability. Each song, and the combination of all of them, is complete with a story, a certain sadness indicative of living a life, and like life, we hear Lane's optimism. His lesson seems to be that darkest moments will pass giving rise to a new dawn complete with a new day and new hope. The sun shines, the birds sing, and we get another chance to make things right. His website shows his diversity of talent and this CD seems like a beginning of a new path as a song writer. Love, joy, and hope are his messages. Back at you, Brian Lane Green, I love your music, it is a joy, and I hope you sell millions.

I have been a huge fan of Brian Lane Green since his debut recording some years back. He is simply one of the best vocalists around today. So I was thrilled to hear "Waiting for the Glaciers..." , as it introduces this amazing singer's further talents as a songwriter. Staying close to his southern roots for the first track, "Grandma's Song" (which has a slightly gospel feel), Green then ventures to a song that is as personal as it can possibly be: "Dad and Me" ( with sweet bluegrass fiddle supplied by Deni Bonet) , which took my breath away as only the confession of a deeply buried secret could. By the way, I suppose one could complain that this CD doesn't stick to one genre only, but that's exactly what I love about it. Brain can sing ANYTHING so why shouldn't he use his fantastically versatile range to sing (and write) music in whatever mode he pleases? My favorite tracks? The moody and sensitive "I Miss You" ( which has a sophisticated tango feel), the dramatic, dark title track ( with one of the best penned lyrics on the CD...pure poetry!), and the truly lovely and jubuliant "Joy". I can't wait to hear more from this gifted singer/songwriter, whose music comes straight from the heart.

I've seen Green perform show tunes and the American Popular Songbag in person and as part of the revue Three Men and a Baby Grand and love his voice. This album is a more personal project of his and all ten songs are self-penned. The lyrics reflect various points in his life and many revolve around his family ("Grandma's Song" and "Dad and Me" are the opening tracks) and reflect on moments from his growing-up years in Oklahoma. His soft lyrical voice is constantly pleasant though it becomes much more powerful on the "Grandma" track.

Only the "countrified" song "Home" (with a mandolin break by Barry Mitterhoff, from the band Hot Tuna) breaks the mood. There's little bio info on Green in the liner notes (a common shortfall in many solo artists' albums these days....you want to know more about them) so you'll have to rely on Green's lyrics. I hope that on future albums - and there should be future recordings from Green - he will mix his own compositions with songs by other new and over looked modern songwriters. He can use his pleasant voice to give those songs exposure as well and these will showcase is own writing too. This is a good first effort from the well-seasoned New York cabaret singer.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"