Oliver Tompsett - Darlin' (Without You)

Buy the sheet music for Darlin' (Without You) here (Composer Scott Alan's website)
Buy the song on Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett Sing The Songs of Scott Alan here (Amazon UK)

About a year ago (which, by the way, is how Liza Minelli starts her "Ring 'Em Bells" story), Oliver Tompsett performed a beautifully elegiac ballad at the "Everything Worth Holding Onto" event at St James Theatre in London. Written by the incomparable Scott Alan, I remain slightly ashamed that it has taken me nearly 12 months to discover this beauty yet, on the plus side, less than 12 bars of music for me to fall in love with it. I've been a fan of Oliver Tompsett ever since I saw him up close performing in White Christmas at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Along with Darren Day he made the tale as old as time seem as wonderfully uplifting and poignant as it was over 50 years ago. It's this same sort of nuanced performance he brings to the lovely languorous piece known as Darlin' (Without You). Set to a mellifluous guitar riff that delicately dances alongside the elegant strings, shuffling percussion and resonant bass, it's the perfect backdrop for Oliver to bring the pathos & sadness out of those heartbreaking lyrics so exquisitely written. The narrative explores how a loved one leaving can fracture your spirit and make you appreciate all the strength and inspiration they gave you when you were together. Oliver performs with such tender aching that the sentiments are positively tangible - so much so you want to reach out and hug the poor chap. It's the type of song that will stir old memories from within you, a cathartic way to explore how far you've come. Alternatively, it can help you through tough times - not because Oliver's singing will stop the heartache but because singing through the pain is clearly a way for the healing process to begin. When he sings "without you" in the chorus, it's so perfectly nuanced - a man clinging to hope and seeking redemption. The strings take prominence at this moment to highlight his plight but also as if to give him the strength to carry on singing. Just a stunning performance that transcends the mesmerising soliloquy it could easily be in a musical, becoming an enduring evergreen for the ages (the type that would make Adele envious at it's shimmering majesty). I remain, messrs Alan and Tompsett, forever in awe...