The Human Heart
The North Coast Men’s Chorus

If you like music of any variety, you’ll find something that tugs at your heart on this CD. It is, after all, named for the heart that beats within each of us. Just as we have individual preferences, there are individual beats on display here. First and foremost, of course, is the abundant musical talent of the chorus—some 90 or so strong—and Music Director Richard Cole. Some of the songs have special meaning for the performers, but none of us are exempt from love, in any of it’s various guises.

Just as in their concerts, a wide variety of musical standards are presented: new, old, from film or Broadway musicals, or even just a song with no other connection. The arrangements are well suited to a men’s chorus, some with soloist, some with instrumental accompaniment (other than the piano of Robert Day, or possibly David Detloff.) There are several humorous renditions, too. “Makin’ Whoopee” (Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson) will bring a smile with its jazzy, bluesy take on an old dilemma; and “Bittersweet Tango” (Eric Lane Barnes) will send you to your secret cache of—chocolate! (Who couldn’t identify with the Coastliners and their earnest plea ‘Give me chocolate or give me death!’)

Several old standards are given an elegant new voice: Irving Berlin’s “What’ll I Do?”; Jerome Kern’s “The Way You Look Tonight” and “All The Things You Are” of Oscar Hammerstein II. If you’re more than 22 or so (or maybe even a bit younger) you’ll find yourself humming along with these gorgeous paeans to love, glorious love.

Marty Neubert provides a beautiful oboe obbligato on “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins, the words of which fit right in with “The Second Star on the Right” of Sammy Cahn and Sammy Fain, as well as “Secret Love” by P. F. Webster and Fain. The use of violin (Rachel Brown) and harp (Ardis Krill) contrast beautifully with the deeper voices of the men.

Listening to the rich bass voice of Stephen C. Adams in “’Till We Reach That Day” shows why this performance caused a sensation last summer at GALA Montreal (after it had the same.effect at their spring concert of 2004 in Cleveland.) Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty combined for two other powerful and appropriate songs on this CD “Make Them Hear You” and the title song “The Human Heart”.

Tenor Timothy S. Wright illumines “American Triangle” in a poignant rendition of the now-classic tribute to Matthew Shepherd by Bernie Taupin and Sir Elton John “Imagine” means many things to many people, but most of all, it brings the memory of John Lennon, and the peaceful, loving world he envisioned, which is—sadly—still not a reality.

Newer songs that will easily earn converts with their lush presentations are “In This Very Room” by Ron and Carol Harris with tenor Bryan K. Fetty, and “We Rise Again” by Leon Dubinsky. They are not easily forgotten, once heard, which could also be said of the opening medley “A Beautiful Thing” comprised of songs performed by Mama Cass Elliott, and then given newer life in the 1996 film of the same title.

Of course, with a ‘song book’ of this type, the words are as important as the music, and you’ll be pleased with the meticulous articulation of this rather large chorus. Every syllable, every word—regardless of volume—is crisp and clear. You will never be prompted to ask, ‘what did they say?’ It’s a wonderful compilation of songs of the heart, in every respect. It would be a perfect gift for anyone on your gift list.

It is available in several local outlets (list available at the NCMC web-site http://www.NCMchorus.org) or directly from the chorus at their site for $21. which includes tax & shipping.

from Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz ArtsWriterATAdelphia.net

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