(15 July 2000) Terry Gladstone's debut recording Words & Music (Terry Hope Gladstone (USA) VS101, 1995) was recorded in late 1995 as a demoto music publishers and the twelve tracks are as timeless today as theywere then. Terry provides all of the vocals on the album, however, shehas since recorded demos using different vocalists to cover her material.She has been a radio discjockey for over fifteen years and has been on all the major rock radio stations in Los Angeles. She has hosted her owntalk show, a New Age midnight program and an acoustic Sunday morning programamong others. Terry also worked at WTG/Sony in A&R where she worked with avariety of artists ranging from Jason Bonham and Princess Stephanie. Herbackground also includes studying music therapy and working with DownesSyndrome patients. She has recorded a vast array of demos and is on the satellite network of Westwood One radio.

Music on the recording was written primarily by Terry Gladstone. Sheis supported by Alan Silva (keyboards), Dave Carpenter (bass), Steve Klong (drums), Jimmy Stafford (guitar) and Michelle Mangione (percussion)on the album. The album blends different styles of accessible rock andeasy listening tunes. Catching melodies are supported by harmony vocalsand lovely instrumental arrangements throughout. Both upbeat light rockingtracks and soft, tender ballads are included. Keyboard work is especiallyenticing, often adding texture to the tracks within the instrumental bridges. The studio production certainly brought the most out of Terry's sweet and sensitive voice.

The album is dominated by heartfelt ballads wrenched with vocal layersand gentle accompaniment. We particularly enjoyed the way Terry's vocalssoar as the intensity of the songs build and her ability to be sensuallyevocative as well as sultry by exploring different areas of her vocalrange. Examples include "Together In Our Hearts," "Trust My Heart," "What's True For Me," the evocative "One More Time," Gentle bar-style easy listening tunes continue to explore Terry's rangeand are dominated by keyboard-based instrumental arrangements. These include "Surrender To Love" and "Little One." The bluesy "Run With The Fire" is sung primarily accompanied by acoustic guitar with the lead vocal style adjusted accordingly and it differs fromthe other ballads on the album in this respect.

The light rocking tunes of the album move right along and might beequally comfortable being classified as easy listening. In "Havin' ABlast" an almost spoken part is joined with a lively instrumentalarrangement with crisp percussion and rich production. A certainfavourite is the rocking "With Your Spirit" which combines layers of soaring vocals with a lively piano melody, interplaying guitar part and crisp percussion. We especially enjoyed the track "Worth The Wait" which blends ballad and easy listening styles using lots of vocal layers in the chorus. "Simple Dance" is the album's one instrumental. It is a light bar-like number arranged by Alan Silva. The album concludes with the stunning track "I Promise You My Love." A certain favourite, it combines the range of Terry's vocal styleswith light rock arrangements and features a tremendous keyboard part during the instrumental bridge.

It is clear from the text above that we quite enjoyed Terry Gladstone'salbum Words & Music. While it has not been published, it providesinsight into the talent of this established singer, songwriter, musicprofessional. Interested readers should note that Terry Gladstone can be contacted via her promotional agent, Teresa Conboy (P.O., Box 27766, Los Angeles, CA 90027) or by e-mail at TerryGlad@aol.com.Terry's music resides in the gentler regions of the female vocalist space. A rare treat for music reviewers, the albumis certainly worth a journey and we thought it was a very nice listen!