Stephen Schwartz Ventures Onto Roads Untaken
Shawn McCarthy | Toronto, Ontario CANADA | 01/31/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If there is a song title that summarizes the overall feeling one has after listening to Stephen Schwartz's second `pop' album, Uncharted Territory, it most certainly would be track number three, "Worth Waiting For". Since the release of Stephen's first pop CD Reluctant Pilgrim in 1997, fans have anxiously waited to discover more of his consistently outstanding music and lyrics; they will, undoubtedly, not be disappointed. Indeed, the album lives up to its name as Stephen, musically speaking, ventures into new areas. Like much of Stephen's previous work it's well produced, contains smart, insightful life observations and is composed in his catchy pop-influenced musical style. However, several of the songs are a musical departure and, in particular, their arrangements."Toxic People" for example has a funky R & B groove, which relies heavily on percussion and electronics. As well, the clever and witty lyrics are sure to provoke a laugh-out-loud response from the listener.The opening song, "Recurring Dream" (co-written by Mary Fahl) moves in yet another musical direction. . It's an unusually understated song, building slowly but consistently subtle throughout, with an accompaniment figure that could be described as sparse and atmospheric. "Face of a Stranger", written for Australian performer Phillip Quast, is poignant and gorgeously articulates the longing to find one's true home and place of belonging. The music has a driving yet flowing keyboard accompaniment (harpsichord-like) that's somehow reminiscent of other songs by Stephen ("Hardest Part of Love" and "Lost in the Wilderness" from Children of Eden come to mind) "Boy on the Roof" has a smooth Latin flavor enhanced by the use of guitar and mandolin in the arrangement. Its descriptive story, played out in the mind's eye, tells of the protagonist's life-long state of emotional detachment and how, without warning, the force of love breaks through changing him forever. Stephen has collaborated with a number of outstanding writers on this album including cabaret artist Steven Lutvak on "Rewriting History", the amazing John Bucchino on the frank and humorous "The Line Forms On the Right", Alan Menken (Stephen's collaborator on Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame) on the bluesy "Cold Enough To Snow" from the 1993 movie Life With Mikey and Lindy Robbins (one time member of the vocal group "The Tonics") on "The Roads Untaken". Robbins' bittersweet lyric will ring true for anyone who's ever looked back on his or her life and wondered "what if".Other gems to discover include: "Forgiveness' Embrace" written for Cass Morgan and published in "The Stephen Schwartz Songbook", a lovely heart-felt-acoustic-based version of "Since I Gave My Heart Away" from the TV musical Geppetto. Though several of these songs might fit comfortably on an album called "Reluctant Pilgram Part II" Stephen doesn't play it safe by simply producing more of the same. Instead he opts for taking some risks, stretching himself as an artist, providing us all further proof of his seemingly limitless talent.R... ."
Brilliance
Katherine Morgan | Boca Raton, FL United States | 02/13/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All I can say is that each and every song to which I have listened, Stephen Schwartz manages to fill them with an honest, compassionate and loving spirit. He views life from every angle and writes of experiences in the truest form, especially insightful with matters of the heart. His music is unembellished and pure.
Not spoiled by his material successes, he maintains an empathetic and powerfully expressive view of life.
He is my hero!!"
Stephen Schwartz....himself
Thomas C. Nagy | Ebensburg, PA USA | 04/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was skeptical when I bought this recording. Often composers have no right to be singing in public! However, what a gem that opened before me. Schwartz is no vocal superstar, but his sincere delivery of such a wide array of musica styles is baffling. The closing track "Forgiveness' Embrace" should have you sobbing like a baby. Thank you Mr. Schwartz!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
