The album opens with "I'll Never Fall In Love Again," a song that was a big hit for Dionne Warwick. This track contains really nice touches on piano even before Kristina's voice comes in. There is an interesting and good groove to this rendition, and Kristina has her own special delivery, which works perfectly with the song's lyrics. Check out the way she sings those lines about pneumonia, for example. And on "That's what you get, a heart that's shattered," we hear something of that experience in her voice. This track also contains a cool instrumental section, with the focus on some strong drumming by Cory Cox. I love what Kristina Koller does with this song, giving it a fresh life, a life it deserves. That's followed by "Close To You," a song also known as "(They Long To Be) Close To You" and which was a hit for The Carpenters. Kristina Koller's rendition has a warm, romantic atmosphere, the piano setting the tone at the start. Yet it also has a good energy, particularly in the drumming, and also in her delivery of a line like "So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue." This track also features an excellent piano lead, and it's during that lead actually that it is most apparent what James Robbins is contributing on bass. This rendition has a gentle ending.
"A House Is Not A Home" features a gorgeous, passionate vocal performance, one of the album's best. "I'm not meant to live alone/Turn this house into a home/When I climb the stairs and turn the key/Please be there, still in love with me." Fima Chupakhin is on electric piano for this one, delivering a nice lead. Dionne Warwick recorded this song, but it was Luther Vandross who had the bigger hit with it. Kristina then gives us "That's What Friends Are For," another of Burt Bacharach's famous compositions, and another that Dionne Warwick recorded (with Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight). It's such a positive song, which we certainly need in these days of hatred and anger. Rosemary Minkler joins Kristina on vocals for this one. "And if I should ever go away/Well, then close your eyes and try to feel the way we do today." It's important to have at least one person you can count on, and the music expresses that sense so well. I especially love Fima's work on piano, which has a great cheer to it. I also love the way the music builds toward the end, that section where the line "I'll be on your side" is repeated.
There was a cute moment in My Best Friend's Wedding that features "Say A Little Prayer." That's not a great movie, but I find that scene rather delightful, and it reignited my appreciation of the song. That was many years ago now, and it's time for folks to again recall how good this song is, and this rendition should do the trick. In addition to Kristina's wonderful and vibrant vocal performance, this track features excellent and lively stuff on piano. And what a great rhythm too. "To live without you would only mean heartbreak for me." That's followed by "Don't Make Me Over." It's interesting how many of these songs were hits for Dionne Warwick. "Just love me with all my faults/The way that I love you." That's true love, and Kristina's delivery expresses that as eloquently and plainly as the words themselves. "I wouldn't change one thing about you." This track also contains some really nice work on bass. "Accept me for what I am/Accept me for the things I do."
"Walk On By" is the song Kristina Koller chose to be the title track of the album, and it is one of the disc's highlights. An interesting tone is established at the beginning, different from what we're used to with this song, but completely effective. "I just can't get over losing you/And so if I seem broken and blue/Walk on by, walk on by." Her delivery of those lines is perfect. Here we really get the impression of someone who has been broken and blue and is trying to get on. Plus, this track features some delicious work on bass. It's a phenomenal rendition. That's followed by "Reach Out For Me," a song that speaks of friendship, of comfort, of being there for someone. Again, we need these songs today. There is so much animosity and antagonism out there, from this country's dubious leadership and on down. We need songs that work as remedies to this, or at least that remind us of our better qualities. "Don't you worry, I'll see you through/You just have to reach out for me/I'll be there, and I'll comfort you/Oh, yes I will." And this version has a catchy rhythm.
"Loving Is A Way Of Living" begins with some pretty work on piano, and there is also a wonderful intimacy to Kristina's vocal performance, immediately distinguishing this rendition from that of Steve Lawrence. "Loving is a way of living/All the dreams you've ever known/Knowing you won't have to dream alone/Is wonderful, they say." Oh yes, what is better? This is a gorgeous, soulful track, one of the disc's highlights, Kristina's voice supported only by Fima on piano. The album then concludes with "What The World Needs Now." And here too Kristina's rendition right away sets itself apart from other versions, this time with its beat. "What the world needs now is love, sweet love/It's the only thing that there's just too little of." Indeed. Several artists are covering this song these days, and with good reason. People are more divided in this country than at any other point in my lifetime. There is hatred, distrust, anger, fear, violence, when what is needed is compassion and understanding and sympathy and love.
CD Track List
- I'll Never Fall In Love Again
- Close To You
- A House Is Not A Home
- That's What Friends Are For
- Say A Little Prayer
- Don't Make Me Over
- Walk On By
- Reach Out For Me
- Loving Is A Way Of Living
- What The World Needs Now
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