John Barr has been successful on the musical stage in the United States, in England, and on the Continent playing a wide variety of roles. This multi-faceted background does it as he takes on a melange of tunes on this, his third album. There are samples of pop standards, including "The Long and Winding Road"; a touch of Motown with
Stevie Wonder's "You and I"; some love ballads, including "All I Need to Know"; a couple of
Barr originals; and the classic "Ordinary People." He is joined by a variety of instruments, some real and some ersatz, being electronically, but tastefully, concocted. There are duets, including an especially compelling one with Alison Jiear on a pretty "You and I." Irrespective of the song, who is on it with him, the style, or the genre, each one is delivered with a bare-my-heart, bare-my-soul passionate reverence that is the sum and substance of this form of cabaret. Each track is a heart-rending experience as
Barr literally wrings every scintilla of emotional content from whatever he's presenting. He owns a soft, expressive tenor (sometimes reaching falsetto levels, as on "Ordinary People"), which he uses to great effect; is on pitch; has excellent diction; and is clearly responsive to the meaning of and thoughts behind the lyrics he sings. This album is by no means light listening, as it shoots ardent darts straight at your heart. Lovers of the romantic song will revel in this CD. ~ Dave Nathan