Jack Licitra has constructed an album of adult pop entitled
Calling All Angels -- smooth and consistent music flowing like water moving effortlessly downstream. The moniker Jack's Waterfall becomes a perfect name for the group backing him up on these smartly crafted essays in song. You'll hear
Terence Trent D'Arby in "Spirit Voices" and "The Hero"; some
Jackie DeShannon in the opening track, "Vision"; and definite
Steve Winwood rhythms and thoughts permeating "Believe," with the "come on take me higher" ending. Tuba, trumpet, slide guitar, congas, bells, and "assorted percussion" help build foundations under each song, delivering Licitra's positive communications. "Song of Hope" continues the message of holding on, a theme scattered throughout the album with its cover of ghosts embracing in a living room with windows illuminated, the inside of the lyric booklet like a personal ad for angels: "Calling All Angels!...Creative universe seeks talented individuals to fill it with beauty and hope." It is interesting how John R. Phillips' CD Revival Time is recorded as smoothly as this, but holds a stark and negative message, while Jack's Waterfall is like some antidote, hands reaching up out of the darkness for a life preserver. Although each song has dynamics, the album itself becomes too much of a good thing, the music on "Vuelve" a loop of melody and repeating chorus, cut from the same mold of "Vision" and "Spirit Voices." The beat on "I Am No Prisoner" changes things a bit, a shuffling subtle reggae with Licitra adding more bounce and keyboards. What this very good record cries out for is a
Russ Titelman or David Foster to clarify the emotions. One can hear more voices chanting the "I am no prisoner" chorus, but they aren't there. As a concept album,
Calling All Angels gets the message across; as a presentation, it is a good initial step showing much promise, just not fully realized on this outing. There are four songs clocking in at over five minutes, among them the title track, which is
Jack Licitra being introspective, and perhaps the most commercial song, "The Sweetest Music." A new mix and edit of "The Sweetest Music" might be the direction to go for this artist to reach a wider audience.