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
Customer Reviews:
The Spirit will move youSeptember 6, 2008 Music Lover(Des Plaines, IL) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I first heard him sing at a family funeral. His rendition of Ave Maria was so hauntingly beautiful that even people who were not already crying had tears in their eyes at the completion. This CD is excellent. Best version of "Danny Boy" I have ever heard. "The Lord's Prayer" is also very well done, very inspirational.I have purchased additional copies of this CD as a gift for others.
A talented amateurJanuary 30, 2008 tenor fanatic(Florida) 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Daniel Rodriguez rode into the spotlight, singing the National Anthem after 9-11. This was soon followed by five recordings, the first three on whoever-heard-of-them? labels, leading on to Angel and EMI. This is the second of the five. While Rodriguez does have a beautiful natural voice, were it not for post 9-11 nationalism, he would never have been awarded a recording contract. The signs of an amateur are evident--careless enunciation, uncertain pitch, inconsistent phrasing. Except for "Into the Fire," there is a mechanical note-for-note, word-for-word lack of interpretation and feeling. I am not sorry that I purchased this recording. But it does not make me want to go out immediately and buy the other four. Neither will I sell it in a yard sale.
Amazing!November 29, 2007 H. Baird(USA) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I heard Daniel Rodriguez perform at a Daughters of the American Revolution convention in Washington, DC in June 2007. He has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. I just ordered this disc as a Christmas gift because no one in our house can stop talking about him. His gift is definitely from God and God Bless America for giving him to us! He is absolutely amazing. I don't remember anyone hardly breathing during his performance. It reminded me of Colm Wilkerson (sp?) singing during Les Miserables on stage. WOW!!!
BeautifulJuly 21, 2007 R. Montuoro(Florida) This cd will bring tears to your eyes. His voice is so clear and lovely. I bought this cd for my mother for her birthday in September. It is so sad that the events of September 11 had to occur for this man to be discovered.
God Bless Daniel RodriquezJuly 16, 2007 Allen J. Kephart(Lake Arrowhead, California) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This alblum is a treasure to own and listen to. He really captures the spirit of patriotism. I have played his songs at a local fireworks show that I DJ at and his songs are up there with the other songs by artists by Mr. Lee "God Bless The U.S.A." Greenwood and other great artists. New York City and the nation needed him at a time when we were trying to recover from the worst tragedy in the history of the U.S.A. and he was there for us.
