Song in the Wind, Toronto’s Donna Greenberg’s third album since 2009, is an album of music created to be appreciated.
Some music is put on to sing to, some to dance to. Song in the Wind is music one would put on when all one wants to do is listen to music.
The classy album showcases songs of love, life and sorrow in Spanish, Brazilian, French, Portuguese, Italian and English.
Greenberg’s clear voice enhances the songs with a vocal range and talent that is undeniable.
Song in the Wind is an album packed with jazz, swing and ballads reminiscent of several musical eras.
However, the music is, at times, overly theatrical and some of Greenberg’s songs have an overdone feel in some of the lyrics; “spring must be coming, this morning I heard the strong mating call of the sweet, sweet little bird … so send your pretty message, out send it loud and clear, send your spring time message out, there’s someone waiting to hear it,” Spring Must Be Coming.
The album’s title track unfortunately has a swanky elevator-music vibe that carries on for almost six minutes. This theme carries on through much of the album.
The most enjoyable songs on the album are those not in English because of their exotic lyrics and music.
There’s a feistiness in Greenberg’s voice and the feeling of the music the English songs lack.
However, by the end of the songs the exotic feeling has worn off because the instrumentals drag on longer than necessary.
But the album is great if one is wanting theatrical, exotic, mood music. Song in the Wind is passionate, romantic and great for soft candlelight dinners.
Greenberg is a modern Frank Sinatra with a glamorized twist.