One World
OnOne World, John Tesh's 15th solo recording and his third video-related project in a five-year span, the pianist-composer presents us with not just a concept album, but a Big Concept album. Weaving a variety of world-music accents (Celtic, Native American, flamenco, classical arias) into his unfailingly upbeat pop-instrumental milieu, Tesh offers a 55-minute ode to a pair of well-traveled themes: embracing cultural diversity and envisioning global harmony. Serious world music it's not, but the pop-rooted, fan-satisfying textures inherent in Tesh's compositions--appealing melodies, romantic reflections, triumphant resolutions--are in place on most pieces here, most attractively on the album's first four tracks. The opening, orchestra-backed "Sonata di Doma," which was performed in front of the Coliseum in Rome for a PBS television special, builds beautifully to a chest-swelling crescendo; the worshipful "Canta Domine" is underpinned by an interesting, near-techno groove; and the spirited rock 'n' reel of "Emerald Bay" is a Celtic charmer. The mysterious synth- and string-driven propulsion of "Valley of Dreams" is a worthwhile change of pace for Tesh.James Ingramseems especially urgent and soulful on the obligatory smooth-jazz ballad ("Forever More"), and Tesh includes his most overtly Christian tune to date, the overly sentimental "Who Am I?" with gospel actPoint of Graceproviding the vocals. All 13 tracks are studio recordings of the music shown on the special.--Terry Wood