PHILIP BARDOWELL – To The Ends Of The Earth (2013)
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Superb tenor singer PHILIP BARDOWELL honored the Melodic Hard Rock genre providing his vibrant vocals to acts such as Unruly Child, N.O.W, Places Of Power, the hard rockin’ Peter Criss Band and Magdalen, the group assembled with former House Of Lords members Chuck Wright, Lanny Cordola and Ken Mary.
He has even released a solo AOR oriented album for Frontiers Records in 2005, but since many years ago Bardowell began what would become a path to full time ministry when he took a part-time position as worship leader at a local church at the prompting of the pastor who saw his potential and ability to usher people into God’s presence through music.
So now we have a new solo album from this gifted throat; “To The Ends Of The Earth”, and although it may set apart some listeners for its absolutely religious lyrical theme, musically it’s pure gold.
As much as his fervor for God, a passion for good melodies runs through Philip Bardowell’s veins.
“To The Ends Of The Earth” visits classic rock and melodic rock sounds freely, sometimes electrified, sometimes acoustic, and always with fine taste.
Philip voice has often been compared to Lou Gramm (Foreigner) when he goes for more muscular rocking music, but also to Don Henley (The Eagles) at the calmer. Precisely Henley’s solo work is from where this CD waters its overall sound and style, yet more sweet melodic rock oriented.
Honestly, the profuse Christian lyrics don’t bother me at all, because the enchanting tunes on this disc and Bardowell incredible phrasing steals you senses track after track.
Mostly piano based with subtle instrumentation in the background, “Only You” is simply outstanding. Philip vocal work is so technical perfect but at the same time so emotional that reaches your deepest body fiber at the point of a chill. Extraordinary song.
Some tracks are quite stripped with the man pipes’ taking the center role (a pleasure if you ask me), like the bluesy ballad “All I’ve Got to Give”, “Let It Be So” and the fully acoustic “I Lay Down My Life (I Will Rise Again)”.
However, most the material is melodic rock oriented, soft and midtempo paced at times, but extremely melodious. There’s some recalling his solid ‘In The Cut’ album as the cheerful numbers “Your Love”, “I Am Yours (Take My Life)” and the superbly dynamic AORish “This Is Your Day”.
The exquisite “Hallowed Be Thy Name” and the organic “Let’s Praise Him” call memories of the Magdalen years, while the atmospheric adult contemporary AOR, vocally awesome title track “To The Ends Of The Earth” is, to my ears, close to perfection.
If you are not religious, put your prejudices aside and enjoy this stupendous “To The Ends Of The Earth”.
Vocally is immense, a lesson of how to sing a song not only armed with an overwhelming bag of technical abilities, but also emotionally charged with a vibrancy rarely heard nowadays. And the music accompanies with sweet melodic rock arrangements performed by a competent group of skilled musicians, all wrapped by a warm production.
As said, Philip Bardowell’s “To The Ends Of The Earth” is pure gold.
Don’t miss this little gem.
01. Your Love
02. Jesus In My Life
03. I Am Yours [Take My Life]
04. All I’ve Got To Give
05. This Is Your Day
06. Hallowed Be Thy Name
07. Let It Be So
08. I Lay Down My Life [I Will Rise Again]
09. Let’s Praise Him
10. Only You
11. To The Ends Of The Earth / Ancient Days
12. Song Of Hope
Philip Bardowell – Vocals, Guitar
Session musicians not listed
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www.amazon.com/To-Ends-Earth/dp/B00CXYQ3UM
