Review

Nation News, Barbados, Holders Season Gala, Randy Phillips

“The Gala Night, as it was billed, lived up to expectations as patrons were treated to an amazing mix of music of every type.”  “The other headline act Alfreda Burke and Rodrick Dixon took the audience on an emotional and musical journey from opera and Broadway to Negro Spirituals and popular music.  The unofficial Holders Choir made up of patrons, later joined the duo in singing He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands, which added a special touch to their set.  Burke and Dixon ended the night on a high as the audience again waved and sang along to the final selection Seasons of Love.” See photo caption of Alfreda Burke in original article below!

A season to behold — NationNews Barbados — Local, Regional and …

By Randy Phillips | Mon, April 04, 2011 – 10:30 AM … The other headline act Alfreda Burke and Rodrick Dixon took the audience on an emotional … The unofficial Holders Choir made up of patrons, later joined the duo in singing He’s …
www.nationnews.com/articles/view/a-season-to-behold/ 

 

Lake City Reporter Special (Florida), Noah Lindsay

“Dixon and Burke sang with such deep and knowing pathos that the audience was kept in rapt silence until the end of the set. They opened with the unfamiliar “Jesus, Lay Your Head in the de Winder,” sung by Dixon. Then Burke keened the achingly beautiful, “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” with arching chromaticisms that enhanced the melodic line.

The two other spirituals were “Soon I Will Be Done With the Troubles of the World” and “You’re Tired, Chile,” in which Dixon and Burke engergized the basic repetitous structures with the interplay of their rich voices while maintaining the religious character of the songs.”

Chicago Sun-Times, Miriam Di Nunzio

“The evening was billed as a tribute to the Great American Songbook, but kicked off with the rousing “Brindisi” from Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata”.  The selection proved a grand showcase for guest vocalists, tenor Rodrick Dixon and soprano Alfreda Burke, who also navigated the songbooks of George Gershwin…Leonard Bernstein…with the greatest of ease.”

Chicago Tribune, Too Hot to Handel, Howard Reich

Before long, an immense choir is swinging freely on “And the Glory of the Lord”; tenor Rodrick Dixon is scatting feverishly on “The People That Walked in Darkness”; soprano Alfreda Burke is lavishing voluptuous blues laments on “The Trumpet Shall Sound”…

Virginian Pilot

“…The concluding duet (Iolanta) brought both singers to their strong upper registers.  The combination of Dixon’s bright ring with Burke’s fuller tone was quite beautiful.”

National Examiner, Hallelujah Broadway DVD, Bob Etier

“Dixon, Burke, Kearns and Eder provide incredible vocals, elevating such well known songs as “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’”, “What I Did for Love”, “Climb Every Mountain” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Burke’s exceptional performance, backed by the Choir).  Dixon’s interpretation of “Somewhere” imparts new importance to this West Side Story classic.”

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