On a Liquid Afternoon is the debut album of Robyn Spangler. Although self-classification puts Spangler in the Cabaret/Easy Listening genre, On a Liquid Afternoon does well to establish Spangler as a viable pop artist with an offering to seduce almost every taste. Arranged and produced by Todd Schroeder, the twelve songs on the album are well-suited to showcase the range of talent of this Schroeder/Spangler collaboration.
While an easy listening CD might sit on the shelf, a gutsy female vocal take on the legendary Lowell George’s truck drivers’ anthem, “Willin’” propels that CD into circulation. Spangler also takes a notable turn on Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and J.D. Souther’s “Faithless Love.” With these songs, Spangler dates herself, and charmingly so.
Smart and sassy in her song selection and career, Robyn Spangler crosses the boundaries of Cabaret and Easy Listening to be just a great listen. Spangler’s tune selections are an impeccable choice to demonstrate the full range of her taste and talents, from jazz to R&B to country to potential mainstream pop hits.
From the opening track of “Everything,” Spangler’s vocals elevate and enchant. The jazz interpretation is smooth and vocal range impressive on Duke Ellington’s “Hit Me with a Hot Note (and Watch Me Bounce.)” Spangler takes a competent and spunky albeit less soulful R&B turn on Smokey Robinson’s “The Way You Do the Things You Do.”
A beautiful, moving and engaging ballad ensues with Todd Schroeder’s original “You’re Free, I’m Gone.” This potential hit displays the full spectrum of her vocal range with a lingering and poignant interpretation. The closing track of “Live” comes from “Unbeatable: A Bold New Musical” and is beautiful and enchanting.
Even with the exceptional selection of cover tunes, Spangler is perhaps at her heartfelt best with the Schroeder-penned tunes, “You’re Free, I’m Gone” and “Live.” While Spangler doesn’t hit the sustained high notes of Celine Dion, Spangler’s vocal interpretations in the Schroeder songs come close to Dion’s compelling emotional renderings.
Some albums drag in the middle. Spangler’s comes alive on track six with her gutsy choice of “Willin’.” Striking a higher range than the Lowell George/Little Feat original and a less country attack than on Linda Ronstadt’s cover, Spangler’s interpretation is nonetheless compelling as she takes us on her own trip from “Tucson to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonopah.”
With fascinating credentials (Spangler was the PR rep beside Meg Ryan for the “fake orgasm” press blitz for “When Harry Met Sally”), Spangler’s ancestors include an original Barnum & Bailey Circus clown and a favored subject of famed Saturday Evening Post artist C.C. Beall. So pull “On a Liquid Afternoon” off the shelf and be prepared to be elevated. Allow Robyn Spangler to entertain you. You won’t be disappointed. It’s in her DNA.
Terry Martinez - MuzikReviews.com Senior Reviewer/Assistant Editor
July 13, 2009
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