Oh What a World
Singer-songwriter Paul Brady has penned tunes for everyone fromTina TurnertoSantanatoArt Garfunkel. ForOh What a Worldhe has compiled a new set of songs, mostly cowritten with songwriters he has met in his travels around the globe (including the pop iconCarole King). Cheap technology has allowed many artists to create slick packages on their own, but Brady's sophisticated home-studio production works best on the songs that have a live feel, like "Travellin' Light," the gospel-tinged "Try Me One More Time," and the title tune. The more programmed and sequenced arrangements might suit some of the artists who have covered him, but the warmth of Brady's own rough-hewn, lived-in voice sounds best when he takes less of a pop approach. By combining it with real drums and a more organic style, he lends his simple love lyrics an eternal folk quality.--Michael Ross