You might not know Randy Edelman’s name, but you more than likely know some of the ‘60s and ‘70s pop hits he wrote for artists like Dionne Warwick and Jackie DeShannon, the latter of whom he is married to. Now, the man is back with “Waltzing on a High Wire,” an album of brand-spanking new material out now via Tribeca Records.
The record opens with “21 Again/Coming of Age,” a sort of wistful cocktail jazz number about looking back on those young and foolish years of adult life. The tone of the song is very warm and intimate, bringing to mind so many of those classic Billy Joel songs about the freedom and promise of youth in the big city. The song is imbued with that unmistakable New York City character, the sense of being in a bustling place yet feeling a bit cold and distant all the same. It’s a beautiful piece of work.
Other songs bring different stylistic flourishes, like the flamenco-esque guitar strings of “Birds of Freedom” or the country twangs of “Nashville Salvo.” Throughout these changes of mood, though, Randy’s unique lyricism comes through on the different tracks. This is a master songwriter who has penned works for the likes of The Carpenters and Barry Manilow, and each tune here feels meticulous in its word choices. One of my favorites off the album is “The Glow of Life,” for the verbal picture it paints of a very specific and familiar time of year. The song is a bittersweet ode to the time of year after the holidays when empty boxes clutter the living room, and the family and guests have headed out. The track’s message about the importance of human connections over material gifts is one that’s valuable for listeners of all ages.
In addition to this album, Randy Edelman has a show at Carnegie Hall coming up on December 8, where excerpts of this album will no doubt be heard among many previous works. It sounds like a stellar night of music.
