Marty Thomas

Slow Dancing with a Boy

(Broadway Records)

April 29, 2020

Reviewed by Bart Greenberg

Slow Dancing with a Boy is a truly unusual album straddling several different musical genres. It has a strong theme tying the entire project together with a passionate personal view. It has the contemporary sound of a hybrid of rock, R&B, and country music. The song list, while including a few familiar cabaret songwriting names—Jason Robert Brown and Stephen Sondheim—also features Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, and Bryan Adams.

As explained in the notes on the beautifully packaged CD (designed by eternally classy Robbie Rozelle with several stunning and lightly erotic photos of the singer as well as full credits for each track) the album was inspired by an article Thomas read about two young gay men attending their high school prom together, and experiencing absolutely no resistance, no ridicule, no retaliation, but pure acceptance. He reacted with a mix of disappointment and resentment that when he was in high school such an action would have been impossible.
https://www.datafactories.org/wp-content/languages/new/essay-service.html
The program is the song list of the dance he wished he had been able to attend, moving from general celebration to much more personal and emotional moments.
https://www.datafactories.org/wp-content/languages/new/dissertation-writing-services.html

Some of the highlights:

“Slow Dance” (Will Adams/LaCharles Harper/Richard & Robert Poindexter/John Roger Stephens/Estelle Swaray), the opening track, is a sexy invitation to get on the dance floor; it has a Motown/R&B influenced arrangement and Thomas’ strong high tenor range along with a smooth back-up group.

This is followed by a passionate delivery of Stevie Wonder’s “As,” with stretches of flawless a cappella delivery by the singer, showing some attractive lower notes as well as his top.

Definitely, changing gears, “Dreamlover” (Mariah Carey/Dave Hall) with vocal contributions by Jamey Ray and Rachel Potter, has a distinct country-swing feel, complete with some nifty harmonica riffs and guitar sounds contributing to the happy upbeat treat.

Jason Robert Brown’s “Someone to Fall Back On” (one of his independent songs not composed for a specific show) gives Thomas a chance to express his passionate theatrical side with this urgent love song.

The inexplicably designated “Seventh Grade,” which is actually a medley of “Save the Best for Last” (Phil Galdston/Jon Lind/Wendy Waldman-Parter) and “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (Bryan Adams/Michael Arnold Lamen/Robert John Lance) provides a chance for the star and Mykal Kilgore to duet on an expressive romantic moment.

The album draws to a close with a simple, direct delivery of “Somewhere” (Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim) filled with hope, expectation, and dreams. Once more, Thomas shows his surprising versatility in his wide range of styles, from this almost traditional track (perhaps a bit influenced by Barbra Streisand’s take on the song as it reaches its climax) to the up-tempo dance of the earlier moments.

Slow Dancing with a Boy is certainly for all those who once found themselves on the outside looking in, being denied the most traditional of pleasures. It reminds us of how far we have come and where we still need to go. Truly a winner for all concerned.
https://www.datafactories.org/wp-content/languages/new/writing-college-papers.html