REVIEWS
Love Stories Review
by Bradley Torreano
The music industry truly is a fickle place, and acclaimed songwriter Bobby Gosh is a very good example of that. Love Stories has catchier songs and better lyrics than most singer/songwriter adult contemporary albums released around the same time, yet it barely made a dent. And the reason it barely made a dent is quite obvious from the first track, which reveals Gosh's idiosyncratic voice. He sings with a husky croon that wavers as he enunciates his lyrics far more clearly than he has to. This isn't a bad thing, in fact it compliments his material nicely. But this unusual singing style is obviously the reason why he hasn't gathered a bigger following, and that seems like a shame. It isn't like these are up to his work with Paul Anka, but there is something to be said for writing memorable love ballads, and he obviously has a very strong talent for that. Any adventurous adult contemporary fans should really give this a chance, there are some really sweet and amiable tracks here that showcase an undiscovered talent. Just be warned that his voice is unique enough to turn off some listeners, so a sample of the music might be necessary before purchasing this album.
The Spirit Of Christmas Review
By Art Edelstein Arts Correspondent , TIMES ARGUS
This year, there's a new Christmas theme album by Brookfield singer-songwriter Bobby Gosh. "The Spirit of Christmas" contains 10 tracks all penned by Gosh with help from the Broadway composer Carol Hall. This album contains none of the hackneyed, recorded-to-death Christmas music usually forthcoming this time of year. Instead, Gosh draws from ideas of peace and selflessness in his songs.
There's a particularly nice song for parents or grandparents, "Baby's First Christmas," with words by Hall, that has holiday standard written all over it. Gosh is a fine keyboard player with a theatrical style and this album relies on his broad strokes of arrangement and a variety of keyboard sounds for its music verve. The most powerful song is "Someday at Christmas," a duet with blues/soul singer Tammy Fletcher. It's a strong wish for a better time in upcoming holidays, something we all wish for.
Times Argus, The (Montpelier-Barre, VT)
CD Review: Gosh's 'Love Stories" ,straight from the heart
By Jim Lowe Times Argus Arts Editor
Bobby Gosh's new album, "Love Stories" is a paean to love with a tenderness that comes only with age. Set to Gosh's '70s-style finely crafted pop-rock music, the 11 songs on this recently released CD are the varying thoughts on love by the middle-aged Brookfield musician.
Particularly unusual and beautiful is "Touch Me Softly," a duet with Vermont gospel-blues singer Tammy Fletcher, with the music adapted from the classical favorite, Pachelbel's "Canon."
Gosh's raspy tenor contrasts Fletcher's bluesy contralto as they both implore, "Let this moment last forever." Gosh's lyrics aren't Shakespeare, but they feel direct from the heart. Fletcher and Gosh, who plays keyboard synthesizer as well as sings, are joined by Russ Lawton on drums, with background vocals by Patty Akley Warlick, Nancy McCarthy and Wendy Bourland.
This song, like the other 10, is expertly crafted and performed, which is no surprise given Gosh's musical pedigree. Although he now lives in Vermont, Gosh got his start in New York writing songs with Sammy Cahn and touring with the likes of pop singer Paul Anka. His songs have been recorded by Diahanne Carroll and Englebert Humperdink, and have been featured in movies like "Big," starring Tom Hanks, and Woody Allen's "Aphrodite."
Gosh also creates music for advertising and has composed, produced and sung on more than 200 national radio and television commercials, including those for Burger King, Pepsi Cola and Post Honeycomb cereals.
Which makes it no surprise that this album is truly polished - but it also has Gosh's tender heart.
Most of the songs represent aging love. "No One but You" is a thinly veiled tribute to Gosh's wife Billi, known to Vermonters for her time as chairwoman of the Governor's Commission on Women. "Wednesday Afternoon Lady" chronicles the bittersweet affair between a 40 year old man and a 20 year old woman. But, it's "Ten Thousand Times" that sums up the album: "I can't get enough of you, no matter how I try, and I'll keep tryin' every day as all the years go by …"
"Love Stories" songs by Bobby Gosh (plus Johann Pachelbel), performed by Gosh on vocals and keyboards, with vocalists Tammy Fletcher, Wendy Bourland, Nancy McCarthy; Kip Meaker, Val Davis, guitars; Russ Lawton drums, percussion. BGM 33351-2, Bygosh Music