Way Back
David A. Alberding
Independent
2000
13 tracks
Way Back is yet another example of the Digital Fallacy at work. The Digital Fallacy holds that, just because technology allows you to do everything yourself, you should. Attractive as this concept may appear, artists should approach it with scepticism. It is a very rare artist indeed who does everything well. Many artists are competent at more than one facet of their art, but few are exceptional at even one thing, let alone all. The wise artist will concentrate on his or her best area and leave the rest to others.
David A. Alberding has a powerful, gripping baritone voice that at its best sounds like Waylon Jennings at the top of his form, but with a classy edge that brings Bob Goulet to mind. Although he has plenty of room to grow in this regard, Alberding has an evocative vocal style that can elevate even the worst songs. His talent is clearly as a singer and interpreter of songs.
All the songs on this release were written by Alberding. These are competently written songs but no more than that. Alberding's powerful vocal presentation makes them sound like much more than they are. Most of these songs have all the depth of a Kodak commercial, lyrics and music technically well written but with little or no substance. Performed by a lesser singer, they would have all the impact of Bobby Goldsboro on Prozac. The listener is left wondering what Alberding could do with a truly excellent song.
At this stage in his career, Alberding doesn't seem to know yet what sort of singer he wants to be. Although he bills himself as a folk singer, he seems to be going for a middle of the road pop sound. Below that veneer is a very eclectic mix. This release meanders through folk, soft country, blues, some very light rock, gospel, and even a bonus cut which sounds very Beatles influenced. Of the many styles evoked on Way Back, Alberding is especially effective when he goes into gospel mode ("At the Feet of an Angel"). No matter what genre he may attempt, however, what Alberding sounds like is a country singer.
Alberding is a strong enough singer that he could do well no matter which genre he ultimately chooses. As a country singer, and with good management, he could very quickly stand among the best. Alberding's is one of the most powerful and compelling voices that I have heard in a very long time.
Not so very long ago, some artists began putting bonus cuts on their releases. These were pleasant unlisted little surprises, treats for the ears of fans. Most often, the bonus cut was in some way special, or certainly different from the rest of the tracks on the release. Soon, all sorts of independents began adding unlisted tracks to their releases. Usually, these tracks were no bonus at all but just more of the same with no apparent reason to be unlisted. Alberding has joined this latter group.
"Letting Go" is credited (although the track is not listed, arrangement credits are given) as an orchestral arrangement. This arrangement, reminiscent of the work of George Martin, may be Alberding's rationale for treating it as a bonus track. In fact, all the arrangements on this release are pretty dense, so there is no great shift here. Further precluding it as a bonus cut, "Letting Go" is one of the weakest songs and performances on this release.
Many listeners may not hear "Letting Go" anyway. Alberding has left a full one minute and forty seconds elapse between this track and the one before it. That's a very large gap, large enough for one to have already removed the CD and put in another.
As a debut CD, Way Back definitely has its merits. If David A. Alberding can build on the obvious talent demonstrated here, his next release should be well worth waiting for.
Meanwhile, those wishing to know more about this artist can look him up at www.DavidAAlberding.com.
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