A Quiet Thing: Songs for Voice & Guitar

• Artist: David Daniels/Craig Ogden
• Rating:
• Release Date: August 05, 2003
• Total Time: 64:06
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Acclaimed countertenor David Daniels offers up an interestingly mixed bag of material on this recital disc, on which he is accompanied solely by classical guitarist Craig Ogden. The program features such predictable fare as Renaissance countertenor songs by John Dowland (the gorgeous warhorses "Come Again, My Love" and "Flow, My Tears"), a handful of Bellini arias, and settings of "Ave Maria" by both Bach and, inevitably, Schubert. But it also includes more unusual material, such as the rarely recorded Leonard Bernstein compositions "So Pretty" and "Simple Song," a lovely arrangement of Harold Arlen's jazz standard "My Shining Hour," and an even lovelier arrangement of the folk song "Shenandoah." Everything is beautifully performed -- and Ogden deserves special praise for the elegance of his arrangements and his sympathy as an acocmpanist -- but when Daniels moves from his chest voice into the countertenor range, that's when he really shines. If you thought you never needed to hear "Come Again, Sweet Love" again, his limpid and heartfelt rendition will change your mind. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, Rovi

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