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Close Companions
D.C.'s latest CD CLOSE COMPANIONS includes collaborations with Geoff Packard ('Long Past Blue', 'First to Go', 'Going, Going, Gone'), Ritt Henn ('Miracle', 'One Last Surprise'), Robert Sprayberry ('The View from a Porch Swing'), Steven Landau ('This Crying'), Elizabeth Doyle ('I'm Right'), Bryce Kulak ('What's Happened Since'), Stephen Randoy ('God's Will') and Roy Zimmerman ('God Has Taken Care'). Also featured are two covers - Geoff Packard's 'Joe's OK' and Matty Powell's 'Hope'. Review of CLOSE COMPANIONS by Kevin Scott Hall, Boston's EDGE DC Anderson has been slowly building a reputation around the country as a singer and lyricist since his 1993 debut "Time Was." He can be broadly defined as a cabaret singer, easily finding a home in the folk and adult contemporary genres as well. With his latest release, Close Companions, Anderson’s eclectic output continues, whether with the jazz-inflected "I’m Right" (a humorous song about opposites attracting, kind of an update of "Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off"), or the Sondheimesque "What’s Happened Since." Then there’s the story song "God’s Will," about a gay young man finding role models working for an older gay couple after being kicked out of his family’s home; and the hymn-like "Hope." Anderson wears his heart on his sleeve and his warm, hearth-and-home vocals easily express comfort or longing. The disc’s title is rather misleading, as many of the songs are about the breakdown of relationships. Best of these is the gorgeous, piano-laden ballad "This Crying," where Anderson writes, "This crying is for after the fact/failure to act/a portrait, some dust and a shelf/We did all we could/We did all we should." On "First to Go" (co-written with guitarist Geoff Packard), he sings, "I don’t trust ’in the moment,’ can’t think that fast I fear, you won’t listen without comment, this is how I get your ear..." It’s a potent response to a self-centered partner. In fact, the handful of songs co-written with Packard are all strong, a harmony between lyricist and composer on the page as well as in voice, and perhaps the most commercially radio-ready. Anderson closes the disc with "Miracle" (co-written with Ritt Henn), a touching song of gratitude: "You are my miracle so simple and smart/You cut through the doubt I have heaped on my heart/Along comes my breath again/Fast comes the tears/I know I have everything and have had for years/You are my miracle." What more can be said? The production is clean and flawless, with expert musical accompaniment that enhances but never overshadows the spell Anderson’s vocals cast. "Close Companions" is highly recommended and a great companion for those long drives through winding country roads on a golden autumn day. lyrics by david cameron (d.c.) anderson |
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