BWW CD Review: CYNTHIA ERIVO AND OLIVER TOMPSETT SING SCOTT ALAN is Spellbinding

Scott Alan has been giving music theater performers vividly emotionally and stirring songs to perform ever since he released Dreaming Wide Awake: The Music of Scott Alan in 2007. Cynthia Erivo is a London musical theater performer who captured the hearts of many with her critically acclaimed performance as Celie Harris in the Menier Chocolate Factory and Broadway revival production of THE COLOR PURPLE. Oliver Tompsett is a London theater performer who is best known for playing Fieryo in the West End production of WICKED and Galileo in the West End production of WE WILL RICK YOU. The three artists joined forces for Alan's most spellbinding album yet, Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett Sing Scott Alan.

As his fans already know, Alan is deftly skilled in writing deeply personal, relatable, and poignant ballads that speak to the heart and soul. For anyone who has ever felt anything from lonely and broken-hearted to enlightened and hopeful, his melodies and lyrics can easily be applied to a wide gamut of human experiences. Alan's precision with chord progressions and evocative lyrical voice perfectly strum the heartstrings and are capable of bringing a listener to tears. Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett Sing Scott Alan is a testament to this very skill, reiterating Alan's ability to write great songs track after track.

With Enrivo garnering the acclaim that she has, I am surprised that the album is arranged to open with Tompsett's charming vocals. His gifted tenor warms the listener, and draws audiences into his emotionally astute renditions of Alan's work. His takes on songs like "Sail" and "Letting Go of You" are lovely; however, it is his absolutely stunning performance on "Stay" that gives this album its rich, emotional center.

Erivo's lush vocal instrument makes tracks like "Anything Worth Holding On To" and "Take Me Away" beautiful. For me, her take on "I've Already Won" is her most brilliant solo track in the collection, as her hope-filled vocals uplift the listener. Conversely, her earnest rendition of "At All" breaks the hearts of listeners with her ability to pristinely convey sorrow through her instrument.

The collection also offers audiences a handful of duets from Tompsett and Enrivo. Tracks like "Warm" and "Anything Worth Holding On To (Duet Version)" showcase two unique artists crafting unified music. Yet, my favorite duets are the plaintive "Always/Goodnight" and inspiring "Don't Give Up Now," which could easily become a profoundly powerful anti-suicide anthem.

My only complaint with this album is that I personally wish more of this collection featured an upbeat and vibrant energy. Listening straight through the album, it's clear that Alan has crafted a collection of torch songs and soul-baring 11 o'clock numbers. Because of this, I find myself wondering what a stereotypical "I want" number from Alan would sound like. Or what about those musical numbers where the lead character's plucky resolve beats out their doldrums through a peppy tune?

Additionally, for those who want to recreate these songs themselves, the deluxe edition of the album offers quite a treat. The second disc is strictly instrumental tracks of the first disc's song selections.

Scott Alan released Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett Sing Scott Alan on January 1, 2016. It can be purchased from iTunes and Amazon. For more information about Scott Alan, please visit http://www.scottalan.net and follow @ScottAlanNet. You can also follow @CynthiaEriVo and @Ozziology.

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