Project Grand Slam’s new single release “I’m Falling Off of the World” is one of the best cuts included on their recent album The Shakespeare Concert. For many of us, “I’m Falling Off of the World” is likely our best chance to hear what Project Grand Slam sounds like live in concert. The album title refers to the collection’s inspiration and origins.
Songwriter/bassist Robert Miller and his band hit Lenox, Massachusetts for a recent benefit gig during some of the pandemic’s most uncertain days. Shakespeare and Co. enlisted the band’s help in promoting their organization’s efforts at expanding theatre awareness among the young. The concert was a well-received success, so much so that Project Grand Slam chose to “redo” the concert in the studio for future release. There are no overdubs on this release. They played the setlist straight through for this recording and it achieves that unique combustibility great “live” performances reach.
“I’m Falling Off of the World”, however, stands on its own. It’s a smart choice for a single. Robert Miller’s songwriting has taken such significant forward steps in recent years that it isn’t a stretch to say this prodigiously gifted bassist has diversified his art as few ever do. He taps into a vein of universality any adult listener will relate to without ever succumbing to any kind of pretentiousness.
Alex Blade Silver’s horn playing is a critical element in the song’s success. It’s a fast-paced cut and his exclamatory saxophone vamps with fire through the introduction. He forms an impressively physical tandem with drummer Joel Mateo. The song tosses in several brief instrumental breaks allowing the individual players a chance to shine and the keyboards are particularly colorful.
Miller has forged his own individual path since the beginning as a songwriter, musician, and bandleader. One example of many supporting this Project Grand Slam’s singer Marilyn Castillo. Miller has snared a vocalist who isn’t just spectacular within one narrow range but, instead, can arguably sing anything. She invests tremendous emotion into this track without ever overplaying her hand and many listeners will leave the song with memories of her voice overshadowing all else.
Project Grand Slam originally recorded the song for their recent studio album East Side Sessions and comparing the tracks is illustrative. The first take on this song, as fine as it is, seems almost sedate compared to this performance as there’s no doubt the song’s potential has grown under Project Grand Slam’s stewardship. It sounds more confident, surging, and there’s ample swagger radiating as well from this performance. It’s a studio cut “in name only”.
Releases like this are holding actions or needless indulgences in the hands of a lesser band. The live album isn’t a type of pop music release begging for reinvention, it’s only as good as the songs chosen and the musicians involved, but Project Grand Slam makes a genuine statement with this release. “I’m Falling Off of the World” and the album The Shakespeare Concert solidifies Project Grand Slam’s claim as one of the best all-around bands working today.
Heather Savage
