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JOURNAL
March 2008
AND THE BEST LIVING AMERICAN POP MALE VOCALIST OF OUR TIME IS . . .
Donny Osmond.
Yes, read that again and try to convince yourself that I have not lost my mind.
Osmond, who recently turned 50, has been quietly cranking out quality product for the last several years and has demonstrated vocal versatility unmatched by any other male singer of our day. Only Linda Ronstadt on the female side comes to mind as someone who has conquered so many genres of pop music--pop, rock, country, Spanish, jazz, operetta--and she remains unmatched in that feat.
Sure, there are other male vocalists around who deserve praise. Octogenarian Tony Bennett lands near the top of any list . . . but can he sing rock or r&b? George Michael put out a nice album of standards a few years back . . . but has he tested his chops in the theater? Young Clay Aiken, now showing his theater cred, has potential, but thus far has proven his ability to sing well but has also
What sealed the deal for me was Osmond’s album from last year, “Live Songs of the ‘70s.” It took someone who came of age during that decade to get it right. Manilow’s ‘70s effort was the sappy dreck you’d expect; Rod Stewart’s effort was as tired as his raspy voice.
While there are a few cuts on Osmond’s album that were probably concessions to his middle-of-the-road base (Laughter in the Rain, When I Need You), they are more than made up for by a gospel-like rendition of “Will it Go Round in Circles”, a passionate, soaring “How Long (Has This Been Going On)” and, I dare say, a treatment of “Let’s Stay Together” that stands toe to toe with the popular versions by Al Green and Tina Turner. In fact, I’ve let people hear it on my iPod without revealing his name and they can’t believe it when I tell them it’s Donny Osmond. The man has soul!
Osmond has been fighting his whitebread teenager reputation for over thirty years. When he made a rock comeback in 1989 with “Soldier of Love”, the airplay was garnered using the same trick I played: put on the song and don’t reveal who the singer is until curiosity is at a fever pitch. By then, the song was on its way to a hit.
Still, radio seems reluctant to put Osmond back on top where he deserves to be. Instead, his talents are underused hosting a game show or, now, as a correspondent on “The Insider,” a Hollywood gossip show, or doing shtick for a Martin Lawrence movie.
In 1997, Osmond put out a Christmas album that began to showcase his soulful stylings, with a moving version of “Mary Did You Know” and the best-yet version of the modern classic, “Grown-Up Christmas List.” In 2001, he switched gears again, putting a modern spin on theater classics with his well-received, Phil Ramone produced CD, “This is the Moment,” breathing new life into that anthem and others like “Seasons of Love” and the standard “Luck Be a Lady.”
I have no doubt of Osmond’s success should he decide to tackle the American Songbook backed by a jazz trio. And that--and country, a genre sister Marie has done well in--is about all he has left to prove in the pop music department.
Of course, Donny Osmond has nothing to prove to me; I’m a huge fan.
The only ones he has to prove himself to are the deaf people in the music industry. He’s no longer a teenager. Somebody give this man a Grammy!
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