Brian De Lorenzo
I Know More Now
September 28, 2020
Reviewed by John Hoglund
Good things come to those who wait. Twenty years have passed since Brian De Lorenzo released his unique, first album, Found Treasures. The wait was worth it. His new CD, I Know More Now, is a welcome fall entry touching on emotional and reflective matters as told through gut wrenching songs that are meaningful. It takes the listener on a journey of reflection that is welcome in these anxiety-laden times.
As in the past, De Lorenzo has a penchant for story songs that pack a profound punch. In this regard, he is always committed and gives thrilling interpretations of old and new gems that speak from the soul. All songs on this eclectic CD are beautifully arranged and sung with passion, which is the key to this disc which has much to offer. The sweetness of his vocals caressing a lyric fused with unpretentious, instinctive phrasing is endearing. While he favors songs others have sung, such as William Finn’s “I’d Rather Be Sailing” (A New Brain), he brings his own spin to them with unbridled zeal. It’s pretty obvious they all have a special meaning to him. “When October Goes” is the now-classic gem that has music by Barry Manilow set to the lyrics of Johnny Mercer (unearthed decades after his death). Here, he particularly shines on this nostalgic ode to memories of a poignant love. Similarly, he handles the Rodgers and Hammerstein beauty, “Some Enchanted Evening” (from South Pacific) with a deep sensitivity as he makes it his own. On both songs he eschews the more grandiose, show-stopper endings as he turns them into something more intimate. This is most evident on the latter-names-evergreen. In doing this, he opens the listener to the truest intent of the songwriters of this pristine love anthem.
More care is obvious on several other contemporary theatrical essays, including a delicate treatment of the gorgeous “Every Morning (Mary)” from Moby Dick: An American Opera (St. Germain/Katsaros). About the beauty of a growing son, the song soars in presenting a father’s unfeigned love—“will you tell my son in the morning light/every morning, every afternoon and night.
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” This is by far one of the album’s highlights. De Lorenzo is the first to record this treasure.
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A driving “Waving Through a Window” (Dear Evan Hansen) captures the intensity of this showy acting piece. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s “Second Hand White Baby Grand” (Smash) is a theatrical sonnet remembering a baby grand that has a history of farewells. On a memorable cut Craig Carnelia is represented with a carefully explored reading of “Flight.” De Lorenzo handles this demanding song with intelligence in a lush arrangement by Doug Hammer.
The gay narrative of “No More” by Marvin Hamlisch and David Zippel (The Goodbye Girl) is a triumphant declarative with a repetitive staccato-like beat that is more effective when sung live on a stage. More of today’s songwriters are represented by three yearning songs by David Friedman: “Trick of Fate,” “I Finally Let Go,” and “Listen to My Heart.” Diane Warren’s beautiful “I Could Not Ask for More” (Message in a Bottle) implores in its message of guileless love—”these are the moments I thank God that I’m alive/ these are the moments I’ll remember all my life/ I’ve got all I’ve waited for and I could not ask for more.” A genuine highlight, the song is alive and pastoral as the singer interprets the joy of a fulfilled heart.
Musical partner and pianist Doug Hammer does an exceptional job accompanying whether employing high-energy runs or expressive pianissimo passages that rivet.
The rich tones of De Lorenzo’s lilting voice pull the listener in and enhance every cut on a gilded album which presents still more found treasures by a singer who deserves to be better known.
