In the Presence

by Daniel Rodriguez

Overview

Daniel Rodriguez, a former NYPD policeman, became "America's Beloved Tenor" when his public renditions of the National Anthem and "God Bless America" offered comfort to millions in the wake of 9/11 -- and he goes even further towards fulfilling his inspirational destiny on his beautifully emotional Blix Street Records debut with In the Presence, his third album. While his first two albums, Spirit of America and From My Heart took patriotic and romantic directions, here he draws on his faith to create -- with the powerful, sweeping help of the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra -- a collection that, while often Christian-themed, truly crosses all religious lines. While more expected choices like "Amazing Grace," "Ave Maria," and "How Great Thou Art" are rendered passionately, it's Rodriguez's other choices that truly make the collection "holy," (i.e. set apart from the genre's norm). Most notably, his duets with Lea Salonga on Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu" and the traditional "Panis Angelicus" offer a stunning balance of the theatrical and the sacred. "Joyful Joyful" features lyrics set to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," pushing the album into classical crossover territory as well. The singer's gentle take on the more modern "American Hymn" is a centerpiece that inspires the kind of patriotism that we found in the days when Rodriguez first came into the pop culture consciousness. It's terribly ironic to think that such a talent might have remained obscure had it not been for 9/11, but there's no denying that he is more than a one-note novelty. This collection is every bit as compelling as Michael Crawford's On Eagle's Wings (which Rodriguez also covers, naturally). ~ Jonathan Widran

Product Details

Release Date:	06/28/2005
Label:	Blix Street Records
UPC:	0739341008320

Tracks

1. Amazing Grace
2. An American Hymn
3. Pie Jesu
4. Nearer My God to Thee
5. Bright Blue Rose
6. On Eagle's Wings
7. Panis Angelicus
8. Joyful, Joyful
9. The Water Is Wide
10. Cerca de Ti Se¿¿or (Nearer My God to Thee)
11. Ave Maria
12. How Great Thou Art

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Daniel Rodriguez   Primary Artist,Vocals
Lea Salonga   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guest Artist
Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra   Primary Artist
John Lissauer   Conductor
Jack Everly   Conductor
Pavel Prantl   Orchestra Director

Technical Credits

Sammy Nestico   Orchestral Arrangements
John Lissauer   Orchestral Arrangements
David Murphy   Photography
Lee Holdridge   Orchestral Arrangements,Composer
Jimmy MacCarthy   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Stephen Marcussen   Mastering
Pablo Munguia   Digital Editing,Vocal Producer
Allyn Ferguson   Orchestral Arrangements
Michael Joncas   Composer
Tim Heintz   Instrumentation
David Rideau   Mixing,Producer
Jeffrey Mayer   Photography
Johnnie Carl   Orchestral Arrangements
Jack Frisch   Design,Art Direction,Session Photographer
Irene Young   Photography
Oren Hadar   Digital Editing
Gary Chester   Engineer
Lee Elwood Holdridge   Composer