Randal Branham: Simple
Randal Branham
Simple
(Randal Branham)
The running away piano and snappy drums of âSimple To Extremeâ grabbed me immediately into Randal Branhamâs Simple world. The guyâs cool lower register vocal and obvious ivory-tickling prowess set up a nicely jazzy opener here; the rest of the 13 tunes are just as interesting.
The ballad âWonderfulâ follows, again with cool drums, some floaty single synth sounds and a big chorus. The angelic âMan to Manâ showcases just Branhamâs vocals and piano playing in a song about love between men. In the hands of (or more precisely from another vocalist) this could have come across trite, but like Joe Jackson on his best intimate moments, this tune works. The slightly different tone on the piano adds just the right flavor.
âDreams,â is another mid-tempo sweet tune, about the possible hopeful future of love. Thereâs some nice atmospheric synths here and backing vocals from Minet Gregory.
âGo Out,â is a dance infused tune with a cool sounding keyboard backing (almost Alan Parsonâs Project sounding) and the tune that sounds most unlike the rest. This is one of the reasons I really dig it. Napoleon Bacaâs electric just adds to the vibe. There is even an obvious use of auto tune on Branhamâs vocal.
âAs Much,â another near solo from Branham, has strings floating in (the man is certainly a sucker for love, thatâs for sure). Itâs a sweet song with Denise Acerraâs flute sailing in soloing above the strings and piano.
Randal Branhamâs Simple is anything but, and a solid release from an equally solid singer/songwriter/piano player.