[purchase]
Just like his
opener about New York City with its “hustle, bustle and pride,” Cole Petrone’s
original material on his “Songteller” album delivers plenty of lively snap and
satisfaction. His mature, multi-layered pop sound is both moody and moving. With
a little luck, Cole Petrone might just experience the same kind of commercial
breakthrough that James Taylor experienced in the early 1970s when he developed
a musical relationship between his own private expressions and the larger
concerns of his audiences. Based in British Columbia, Petrone considers himself
an amalgamation of both songwriter and storyteller. Thus, his album’s title, “Songteller,”
describes the musician’s approach as weaving a part of his life’s tapestry,
using words and melody to chronicle significant moments from personal
experience.
“What Can We
Learn?” doesn’t poke fun at the educated as much as it has a strong, broader
statement about being kind, courteous, considerate, respectful and
most-importantly open-minded to others’ opinions. The song’s bottomline is
“What makes you think you’re so smart?” Another question crops up in the
melodic “Little Did I Know,” when Petrone asks, “Why deny this love that burns
so bright?” as he sings with fond remembrance of that special someone who took
his breath away.
The upbeat “What
Can We Learn?” also include a small, understated horn section of trumpet, sax
and trombone. Born in Puerto Rico to an American father and Nicaraguan mother,
Petrone channels the same kind of sentiment as The Beatles’ “money can’t buy
you love.” He says he wrote “What Can We Learn?” while seeking to understand
his peers while working in Russia.
His album has
other highlights. Based on inspiration from a speech by Martin Luther King,
Jr., “I Have a Dream” recounts the orator’s famous words as Petrone calls for
freedom to ring and the voice of reason to belong to all the ages. Perhaps
inspired more by the songwriting of James Taylor, a song like “See You Again” is
a reflective outlook on life and love that was written as a tribute to his
father. Many of his songs also document the questions that Petrone contemplates
during life’s journey. “Angels Above Berlin” leaves us wondering why it took so
long? Petrone was living in Germany when the Berlin Wall fell.
His is an
interesting approach to songtelling that keeps us asking hard-hitting,
provocative questions. Inspired by a six-year-old boy at the Ronald McDonald
House, “Only Because” is a humorous take on the inquisitive mind needing real
answers about who, when, where and why. With a full palette of proficient
instrumental accompaniment including guitars, piano, organ, bass, drums and
more, Cole Petrone has created a praiseworthy project.
Closing the
album, “Should’ve, Would’ve, Could’ve” is a motivating reminder that we’d
better get busy, get productive, and enjoy life while we still can. The
question to reflect upon is “When they find their youth is gone, what will they
do with all that sun?” Cole Petrone is a
songcrafter that doesn’t simply rely on old standard clichés or the lowest
common denominator. He has enough years under his belt to confidently present
his world-weary wisdom. It’s sometimes whimsical, a little quirky, and
certainly quite fun. Check out his “Songteller” album on his website or at
CDBaby.