Listening to Kip Boardman’s debut of piano-oriented pop ballads brings to mind several images: Harry Nilsson without the jagged edge, early Elton John with normal glasses, Carole King new to the Brill Building zip code.
OK, Upon The Stars is not quite Tapestry, but it’s a solid start for a singer-songwriter previously known for playing bass on fellow Los Angeleno Randy Weeks’ 2000 release Madeline. Weeks guests here, playing lead on the twangy “Already Late”; present throughout are guitarist Tony Gilkyson and drummer Don Heffington.
But it’s Boardman’s writing and piano playing, along with an uncannily mature use of colorfully layered vocal harmonies, that stand out. His songs bear a resonant late ’70s feel that fits comfortably with his bright alto vocals, which he wisely never strains. “Andalusia” has a whiff of early L.A. country rock; “Already Late” shows off those smart harmonies; “Edendale” is simply a pretty ballad. The disc’s closer, “A Song For Agnes”, includes Heffington adding texture on understated musical saw.
One quibble: The down-tempo acoustic title song opens the disc with the wrong impression. It’s best to go straight to track two, the bouncy “Bottom Line”, for truer idea of Boardman’s tasteful pop.
