David Gelman - Last Surviving Son
Singer-songwriter David Gelman recently released a gorgeously attractive album, haunting and expressive. It’s called Last Surviving Son.
David Gelman
Speaking about the album, Gelman says, “I feel like all these songs were written from deep in my soul and somehow, the lyrics were channeled through me. I’m not a religious person, but the closing tune ‘Presence of the Lord’ came from a particularly spiritual moment in the Amazon jungle with my fiancée where I wondered if there was something out there that was bigger than me and I could see my future, literally and metaphorically, right in front of me.”
Recorded at Dreamland Recording Studios near Woodstock, the album was produced by Tim Hatfield and includes an elite group of musicians: Ann Klein (slide guitar, banjo), Jerry Marotta (drums, percussion), Lorenza Ponce (violin), and Sara Lee (bass).
Encompassing 13-tracks, the album begins with “Far Away,” a country-flavored folk tune featuring a marvelous violin crying in the backdrop, as the infectious rhythm rolls steadily along. Gelman’s tender evocative voice is smooth and rich, and easy to listen to.
'Last Surviving Son' is superbly wrought, and should grace many Best Albums of the Year lists, simply because of its luxurious feel.
Highlights include “In The Sun,” a creamy undulating Latin-lite-inflected tune riding a velvety rhythm topped by Gelman’s wonderful tones backed by glowing vocal harmonies. This is a beautifully arranged and produced track.
“Lonely Tonight” travels on an upbeat country rhythm rife with hints of rockabilly, infusing the tune with magnetic personality akin to Hank Williams. “The Roads We Didn’t Take” opens on delicately oozing flavors reminiscent of Jimmy Buffet covering a country tune. Cashmere layers of sonic textures and a cashmere rhythm imbue the tune with tantalizing hues.
“Let It All Go” exudes tropical aromas riding a soft SoCal country melody. The sighing of the violin fills the tune with rippling washes, as Gelman’s warm voice gives the lyrics gentle significance. “Wasting Away” rides a wonderfully oblique rhythm crowned by gleaming guitars and a light braying organ.
Last Surviving Son is superbly wrought, and should grace many Best Albums of the Year lists, simply because of its luxurious feel.
