AT THE CORNER OF...

Personnel: Billy Porter (vocals); Adriane Lenox, Terry Burrell, Virginia Woodruff (soprano); Eliseo Rom?n, Michael McElroy (tenor); Konrad Adderly (electric bass, bass guitar); John Clancy, Clancy (drums); Capathia Jenkins (background vocals); Marty Thomas (tenor, background vocals); Jim Hershman (guitar); Christian Hebel (electric violin); Joseph Joubert (organ); James Sampliner (keyboards); Aisha Dehaas (background vocals). Audio Remixer: Jonathan Duckett. Recording information: Joe's Pub, New York, NY (05/17/2004). Director: James Sampliner. Arrangers: Billy Porter; James Sampliner. Billy Porter has a theatrical approach to singing, so it makes sense that he'd cut a live album called At the Corner of Broadway + Soul. He relies on originals written by himself working in conjunction with other writers as well as Broadway material from Stephen Sondheim and others. Porter's extroverted style imbues songs like "King of the World" (from Songs for a New World) with flair and passion, and, as the title to the album suggests, soul. He's joined by a boisterous group of female backup singers and a full band, creating a large sound. Porter's overall approach to this rather non-mainstream set list is, nonetheless, mainstream. His singing style wouldn't be out of place, in fact, on popular radio. Porter enjoys talking to his audience at length, holding forth on everything from how much he likes Sondheim to God's love to giving inspirational pep talks. At the Corner of Broadway + Soul is a long collection, with 20 selections and a 76-minute running time. For those interested in a mainstream approach to Broadway, Porter should fit the bill. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.