If Love Were All: The Songs Of Noel Coward

Album review

Dominic Alldis is a musician who has one foot in classical music and one in jazz. And, as others like him, he has found his niche as a cabaret performer. Alldis began his musical career in 1985 in the middle of the two genres, as resident pianist at London's Pizza on the Park. During his two-year residency he regularly played opposite many of the world's leading cabaret stars, including Blossom Dearie, Dave Frishberg, and Bob Dorough, and jazz pianists like Teddy Wilson. He is also the author of A Classical Approach to Jazz Piano, an attempt to make classical pianists aware of jazz harmonies.
Following an album of Bill Evans' music, he has now turned to Noel Coward, whose music is well suited to cabaret treatment. Having said that, some of the cuts sound as if Alldis is giving a performance of Schumann lieder. It's not that Coward's material comes anywhere close to Schumann, but rather the stolid and stoic ambience one finds at such performances. Then there are cuts where Alldis swings, like on "World Weary" and "Room With a View." He's helped considerably here by the jazzy sax of Tim Garland and the swinging beat of Clark Tracey's drums. On "The Party's Over Now," Alldis' singing is accompanied by his piano and the very soulful harmonica of Adam Glasser, making this tune much better than it really is.
The real problem with the album is Noel Coward. His music, while sometimes clever and witty, is dated and thus wears thin very quickly regardless of the sincere efforts of the performers. The tunes on the play list are from his revues and shows like This Year of Grace, Ace of Clubs, and Conversation Piece, whose time has long since passed. The most recognizable Coward tune on the CD is "I'll Follow My Secret Heart," once more featuring fine harmonica by Glasser. Although there are 17 tracks listed, that's a bit deceiving since most of the tunes are spread over two or more tracks. All and all, this album is for died-in-the-wool Coward devotees. The lyrics are printed in the liner notes.

© Dave Nathan /TiVo