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.
