Music review: Rick Springfield – 鈥極rchestrating My Life鈥�
For his latest studio release, Rick Springfield revisits 11 of his better-known tracks and one new arrangement by including a lush orchestral backing.
Upon hearing the 90-second orchestration that elegantly opens 鈥淜ristina,鈥� the set鈥檚 first track, I was concerned that the 69-year-old singer, actor and author had become mellow with age.
But then suddenly, Springfield busts loose when delivering the infectious guitar riff that announces 鈥淚鈥檝e Done Everything for You鈥� on the album鈥檚 second number, finely pairing the high energy of this power pop tune (written by Sammy Hagar) with the mellifluous tones from a supportive orchestra.
The symphonic seasoning added to a number of the Australian heartthrob鈥檚 reworked tracks serves as a subtle ingredient that further enhances the charm of the hits that fans have enthusiastically lip-synced and played air guitar to for years.
Still sporting a strong singing voice, it鈥檚 great to hear Springfield belt out songs like 鈥淒on鈥檛 Talk to Strangers,鈥� 鈥淎ffair of the Heart,鈥� 鈥淟ove Somebody鈥� and 鈥淗uman Touch.鈥�
I was a little dismayed to discover that some of my personal favorite Springfield songs like 鈥淟ove Is Alright Tonight,鈥� 鈥淲hat Kind of Fool Am I鈥� and 鈥淚 Get Excited鈥� were missing from the set.
However, my disappointment quickly faded after hearing the opening riff to 鈥淛essie鈥檚 Girl.鈥� From 1981鈥檚 album 鈥淲orking Class Dog,鈥� the song went on to become the biggest hit of his career.
Springfield gently tugs on our heartstrings with two tender ballads written in memory of his parents.
鈥淚rreplaceable鈥� is a new track that details Springfield鈥檚 feelings about his mother鈥檚 loss and how he still can feel her presence near as he sings, 鈥淚 see your signs, they鈥檙e clear and bright.鈥�
鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Chair鈥� closes out the set with Springfield struggling to accept his father鈥檚 departure. During periods of pain, Springfield finds comfort and healing in his father鈥檚 favorite chair.
As a whole, 鈥淥rchestrating My Life鈥� showcases Springfield鈥檚 talent for crafting and delivering songs that make us laugh, cry, dance and sing out loud like nobody鈥檚 watching.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.