Track Listings (12) - Disc #1| All Artists: Daniel Rodriguez Title: The Spirit of America Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 5 Label: Manhattan Records Release Date: 2/12/2002 Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock, Classical, Broadway & Vocalists Styles: Vocal Pop, Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Sacred & Religious Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPCs: 724353756420, 724353756451 |
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Search - Daniel Rodriguez :: The Spirit of America
 | Daniel Rodriguez The Spirit of America Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock, Classical, Broadway & Vocalists
It's said politics makes strange bedfellows. But it's got nothing on the peculiar marriage of art and history inspired by the tragic events of 9/11/01. Before that day, Daniel Rodriguez was a member of New York's finest, w... more »     |
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Amazon.com It's said politics makes strange bedfellows. But it's got nothing on the peculiar marriage of art and history inspired by the tragic events of 9/11/01. Before that day, Daniel Rodriguez was a member of New York's finest, working as an NYPD security officer at the Manhattan South precinct. If it seemed an odd calling for a gifted, operatically trained tenor, it was employment many a journeyman artist could relate to: the proverbial "day job." As it turns out, no police academy in the world could have trained Rodriguez for the crucial role his city's darkest hour thrust upon him. While his colleagues mourned their staggering losses and toiled around the clock in rescue efforts, Rodriguez delivered renditions of "God Bless America" that rallied both his city and his country, much as Kate Smith's version of the Irving Berlin patriotic standard had done at the dawn of WWII. Contemporary jazz great-producer Tom Scott took it from there, showcasing Rodriguez's powerful voice in this deftly arranged album focused sharply on personal and national inspiration. Taking his cue from his own hero, Mario Lanza, Rodriguez instills no small amount of drama in his performances, and it serves him well on tracks like the American folk classic "Shenandoah," a rousing take on Scarlet Pimpernel's "Into the Fire," and the relative Sinatra rarity "The House I Live In." The "God Bless America" here varies from the original single release, with Rodriguez reading the spoken intro once delivered by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Is Rodriguez the greatest tenor of modern times? No. But it's hard to imagine a talent better suited to the challenge history has thrust upon him; we're lucky--make that blessed--to have him. --Jerry McCulley Similarly Requested CDs
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CD ReviewsA red, white and NYPD blue tribute to America Patricia L. Grove | Rothschild, WI United States | 03/03/2002 (5 out of 5 stars) "In the liner notes of this album, Daniel Rodriguez thanks his parents for giving him "lungs and life." And what gifts they have been. Not just for him, but for the whole country in the last six months. Basically, Rodriguez uses two different voices on this album: the big full-bodied tenor we heard on "God Bless America," and a very expressive musical theatre voice. He uses his that big voice on the some great material, which he only improves on. "The Lord's Prayer" was certainly inspired by Mario Lanza's, but Rodriguez makes it all his own with a few personal touches, like unique phrasing. The only problem is that it WILL make your speakers rattle (and your heart melt, for that matter.)The arrangement of "America the Beautiful" is well, beautiful. Here a choir takes the second verse. But Rodiguez and company team together for the big finish that will have you waving every flag you own. Then there are the show tunes. I've never been very into Broadway (we get so little exposure to it in Wisconsin.) But after listening to Officer's Rodriguez's interpretations of tunes like "You'll Never Walk Alone," I just might seek it out.(I read that he actually started a troupe that performs show tunes at functions throughout the city: long before his current wave of success.) Be prepared for the monster note at the end of "This is the Moment." It will have you running for an oxygen tank just listening to it. No doubt, Rodriguez lost many colleagues in the tragic events of 9/11. While it's sad that it took a horrendous tragedy to make middle America aware of this tremendous voice, it has been a huge part of the healing process for many Americans (including myself.) He shows that we still can (and should) go after those dreams we had before that day, and that doing so honors the memory of those we lost. God bless you, Officer Rodriguez!" A magnificent tribute to America from one of its finest... B. J. Lane | Levittown, PA United States | 02/13/2002 (5 out of 5 stars) "Daniel Rodriguez deserves much more than five stars for this moving musical tribute to America, since he emerged among the heroes of one of the darkest chapters (September 11) in our history. I'm especially happy that some of our best-loved songs are included here, such as "You'll Never Walk Alone," "The Lord's Prayer," "America the Beautiful'" "The House I Live In," "Danny Boy," and of course, "God Bless America."Thank you to Tom Scott (producer/arranger), Manhattan Records, and everyone who collaborated on this project for a fantastic job well done. And to you too, Daniel, for possessing a fine tenor voice!!!" Can hold the listener in the palm of his hands Herbert E. Paradis Jr. | Skowhegan, Maine USA | 02/16/2002 (5 out of 5 stars) "Daniel Rodriguez can hold his listeners in the palm of his hands. This CD is quite simply a magnificent tribute by one of New York's finest in memory of Sept 11. The mix on the CD is wonderful giving the listener a variety of music, all of which Rodriguez sings with great command.Has anyone heard GOD BLESS AMERICA sung with such feeling since Kate Smith? I doubt it. Many have sung it, but in many cases seem to want to change the music. Rodriguez is right on the mark! I hope that we will not have to wait too long before Rodriguez cuts another CD."
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