Under The Whispering Tree - Rob Benson - Produced by Peter Calo

 

Title: Under the Whispering Tree

Artist: Rob Benson

Site: https://robbenson.hearnow.com/

Preview:  https://tinyurl.com/whisperingtreepreview

 

A CD review from Joe Viglione

 

Have you ever been to an A & R person’s office at a major record label?  Often they would – and from years of experience I can generalize here-  put the tape or CD on and listen for the first twenty seconds, if you’re that lucky.   They want a song that grabs them from the intro and might (most often they do!) skip to the next track …and the next…and your lifetime of work gets a few minutes assessment.  Like Decca showing the Beatles the door, or Bobby Hebb pushing the monster hit “Sunny” to publisher after publisher before landing his deal.  It’s so common in the music industry, just ask Tom Scholz and the band Boston.

 

Opening track “Lay Your Money Down” has that aura that pulls you in immediately.  It’s pop music with a trance-like keyboard and drum alongside guitar that punctuates songwriter/singer Rob Benson’s intriguing storytelling.  

 

Track 6, “Amsterdam,” also has an irresistible tempo, and superb radio-friendly mix. It is one of my favorites of many on this album.

 

“I Need You” is not the famous song by America, but does display the talents of drummer Chris Marshak.  All the musicians on this disc are world class and with Peter Calo’s sublime production and guiding hand Under the Whispering Tree is a compelling album with much to offer.  
“I’ll Take Care of You” could be James Taylor gone country while “Glory and Levi” features the distinctive saxophone of Aaron Heick . It’s a throwback to ballads of the mid 1960’s with a contemporary feel featuring the smooth and sincere vocals of Benson encapsuled in Peter Calo’s lush production.

 

  “My Angel Lady” is equally delicate and in stark contrast to the uptempo and pure country “Outlaws Want Money.”  The times on these musical vignettes span from two and a half minutes to just under five, again precise and ready for radio with the content that delivers.

 

 

“Someone Right For Me” sounds like Alex Taylor, Kate Taylor, Liv Taylor AND James Taylor were sitting around helping Robby sketch this shortest song (2:29) out, and a cover from one of the premiere folk family of music of this would be probably considered an original by their respective fan base. Robby brings that early 1970s glory days of folk into 2020 without skipping a beat.

 

The title track, “Under the Whispering Tree” is the epic – longest production at 4:56 and it introduces itself like one of those Neil Young classics that brings us on a journey that begs you to hit “repeat.”  This is my first introduction to Rob Benson’s music and with Calo on guitar, piano, vocals and mandolin, Johnny Dinklage on violin and the aforementioned Marshak and Heick on drums and saxophone respectively these cats effortlessly create a landscape for Benson's voice and narratives.  Choosing a single would be difficult with so much great and diverse material to pick from, but I would say “Amsterdam,” “Lay Your Money Down,” “Glory and Levi,” or even the main song, “Under the Whispering Tree.”  Many genres are touched upon and all nine tracks work in their own way, perhaps for different formats.

 

·  Lay Your Money Down 3:45

Rob Benson

I Need You 3:17

Rob Benson

I'll Take Care of You 4:36

Rob Benson

Glory and Levi  3:41

Rob Benson

My Angel Lady

Rob Benson 2:36
Amsterdam  3:33

Rob Benson
Outlaws Want Money 3:53

Rob Benson

Someone Right for Me 2:29

Rob Benson
Under the Whispering Tree 4:56

Rob Benson

 

 

Produced by Peter Calo, featuring the talents or Peter, Aaron Heick, Jonny Dinklage and Chris Marshak.