Pop goes the Crooner!
by C. Sax, 30 Mar 2012
In his first two albums Peter Grant impressed with his exemplary interpretations of the Great songbooks. From Cy Coleman through Michel legrand to Jimmy Webb. Each of the songs carefully chosen to highlight the talents of this superb interpreter of song. Using broad strokes one could call Peter Grant a crooner, and why not? It's not many artists who possess in spades an ability and talent for phrasing. Frank Sinatra had it and most recently the likes of Peter Cincotti and Michael Buble. This is I think the difficult 3rd Album for Peter Grant. Maybe he wasn't reaching the audiences with his first two efforts, being overlooked while people blindly clamour for the Pop Idol and X Factor song factory rejects. Whatever the reason Peter had produced an album that detracts from his talents. Over produced in most part and treading a well worn pop/contemporary path which disseminates his singular ability to interpret a great song.
It's a shame and a sham that choices made here reflect a desire to reach as many listeners as possible. If the contemporary music Zeitgeist is pointing towards the likes of Adele you would think current listener tastes would play to Peter Grants strengths and as a result this third Album would be very different. Not all is bad. In the mix we still hear the beauty of his voice and it is as good as ever. The songs however are just not that good or memorable. I doubt if any of the songs here could stand up alongside the likes of didn't we, Joanna or Windmills of your mind. With so many amazing songs out there begging to be sung by this equally amazing interpreter of song why oh why shoot for mediocrity. It's a sad state of affairs and a sign of the times, which is why when the likes of Adele appear the nation and the world clamber over one another to offer plaudits and praise. Peter Grant has not been served well with this album and my hope is he returns to form and creates music that plays to his great talent.