OLD Friends, NEW Music

I am originating this blog on MySpace for the simple reason that there are still more Music Fans, compressed on that site than in any other space, excluding YouTube, which technically is a video site.., but I digress.


A few weeks back UK phenomenon singer-songwriter JONO McCLEERY dropped his new single, Tomorrow, the first release from his forthcoming Major label release on Ninja Tune. It's available on iTunes, Amazon, Juno Plus and several other sites..., so check it out and become his fan on MySpace and Facebook for the latest on his growing appearance schedule in and around the UK. If you're one of the very few that's yet to discover the subtlety of this incredible artist, just click through and see what you've been missing.



An artist that is actually a 'new' friend that you really should know is PETE JOSEF. I'm sure you haven't heard him or he would have more friends on his MySpace page. He's not heavily promoting anything yet, but I'm sure with more encouragement, his management will have further incentive to do more marketing for this truly gifted artist. Click over, listen, and you'll know, like me, that's he's a goldmine just waiting to be harvested.



I'll do my best to come through every Monday and shine the EDENvision SPOTLight on a couple each week that are presently promoting themselves and their projects.

PEACE,

EDENintheDESERT

intheSPOTLight: DANIEL MARCH

I wouldn't begin 'to review' this release completely. Instinctively I know that no one can truly tell another what they're suppose to 'hear' when an artist shares from the depth of his soul and then puts that effort out on full display for all to peruse, judge and dissect. But in the case of Daniel March's latest release, The WONDER and HUNGER.., I feel I must try to find the words that would do justice to this absolutely spectacular offering that for me, feels like his debut.

Yes, I know he released the EP Live to Tell previously and several singles via various music sites, but all those tunes, for this listener, were simply an artist in search of a sound and home. Daniel March has found both his home and sound in this project and his journey will truly begin in earnest from this foundation forward.

The WONDER and HUNGER is a mature work full of incredible musical moments and anyone will be hard pressed to decide just which song speaks to them completely. Around every turn, there's a lyric, a string arrangement, a guitar riff that simply elevates these songs beyond the usual indie artist fare we've become accustomed to. Nothing here sounds hurried or rushed.., every tune plays out thoughtfully, as if Daniel has had years to decide exactly what each one needed and the patience to wait until he could create the perfect home for each lyric. His voicings are simple in delivery but far from simplistic. There's a touch of his Australian inflection that gives these tunes just a hint of island flavor but the sheer creative genius is that he never overpowers you vocally, but totally blends his voice into the movement of each tune and plays it as if it's just another instrument in the mix. The 'star' of every tune IS the tune!

WHEN I FLY AWAY opens up this release. It's just a delight to the ears. Light and airy, it moves you toward it's climaxing backing vocals that build in strength and complexity till you truly feel as if you've going to ascend with them. Then we move into a song that reflects the craft of a Paul McCartney penned tune in NINA. The opening bars with it's touch of bass and keys, just starts your hips to sway and you know that this artist has decided to not only to lift your spirits but to give your feet movement. The journey of this project is punctuated by the horns that close out this second tune. WHERE WOULD I BE is one of most lyrically laden tunes on the release and Daniel shows his craft as a songwriter as that takes center stage in this song that is the perfect balance of sensitivity and strength as displayed by the lone trumpet solo that enters strategically and takes us to through the reminder of the lyrical journey. Next on the horizon is The MERCHANT and the highlight is the organ that just gives this song it's perfect harmonic foundation into the rhythmic HELLO GOODBYE that sets us up for the turn in this music journey perfectly.

This eleven song release has so much more to offer, but it would be unfair of me to try and describe each and every nuance, when you don't have the ability to hear or feel my descriptions.., so I encourage you to just purchase the CD and listen for yourselves at this juncture. You can purchase The WONDER and HUNGER on iTunes, now, but if you happen to live in SDYNEY, Australia, there's an album launch on the 12th of JUNE where you can not only pick up the release but get to hear this artist, perform some of these gems 'live'. Information can be accessed HERE. There's a video, below, that highlights some of the tunes in their evolution, as well. You can learn more of Daniel and his music through his Facebook or MySpace pages, where you'll discover more of the journey of this accomplished musician and songwriter, there.

Finally this..., Daniel is a man of spirit. His music reflects this in ways that are truly indescribable but absolutely heart-felt. No one will ever be able to do justice in review or interview, to the depth of his talent or it's source. But what we can do is encourage artists like Daniel to continue to write and perform music that comes from these sacred places by our support of their efforts when they willingly toil to produce music that is healing, entertaining and sorely needed in these critical times in which we live. Let's purpose to let them all know how much they're needed by our continual support and encouragement of their crafts in all the ways we can.

EDENintheDESERT

inthe SPOTLight: MATT MORRIS

I feel I must start this 'review' with a disclaimer.

I LOVE MATT MORRIS.

I personally think he really is one that could literally sing the phone book and do no wrong. But that only means that when I'm truly 'moved' by him, it's all that more profound.

When I first heard Matt in 2005, I was already late for the party 'cause ''Unspoken'' had been released in 2003. I was listening for someone, anyone, that was singing from their soul, about subjects that truly mattered and when I heard "Eternity" from the opening lyric of that solo effort, I knew I had found my voice, ...my muse. The more I listened to that CD, the more I really started to believe that this man, and his voice were truly designed for a specific time and future place. Frustration set in when I saw his efforts to truly come to the forefront of the music industry stall time and time again. Not one to sit down on his laurels, Matt did the next best thing, he wrote for others. He gave his music to Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire and he toured with The Indigo Girls and Joan Osborne, and best of all, he wrote for himself. He teased us with little viral videos that gave us snippets of those tunes in progress and he sang his heart out in showcases all over the states. And, he waited, for his moment. I'll not write about his pedigree, nor his famous friends 'cause one could think that because of them, he's 'here' now. No, Matt Morris has earned every accolade that's about to be bestowed upon him in advance for the years of dedication he's put into his craft. Being an accomplished musician (piano and guitar, and few others), he was literally a one man band on "Unspoken", so his fans have truly been 'waiting' to see just what would happen when his music would finally get the major label treatment. What has transpired has enhanced (if possible) an already abundantly gifted artist. This is so evident that I dare you to listen to "When Everything Breaks Open" and not be impressed by the sheer depth of songwriting, arrangements, instrumentation and vocals on this major label debut. If he feels like he's been around forever.., music this good comes 'through' an artist not 'from' them and your impression is accurate. Matt Morris has been around forever and his music and his place in the forefront of the industry is finally ready. It was worth the wait. Special thanks to the small army that's under-girded this effort. They're all credited appropriately in the liner notes, so do get the CD to experience this artist's grateful heart and musicality in totality.

DON'T YOU DARE: A sonic tour-de-force of ambient sounds create a bed of constant motion for this opening declaration. It's almost as if he's pleading with us, his audience, to not walk away just yet.., he's promising to give us everything he's got to give. I believe him.

MONEY and LOVE: This is one style of writing that I believe no one does better than Matt. Grooves with substance. You'll play these songs again and again, for their sheer buoyancy while at the same time, being amazed just at how 'deeply' he's captured our culture in the lyrics. That Hammond B3 and Bass is slamming in both, too. And, with Justin Timberlake and Edie Brickell respectively on backing vocals, well.., there you go.

BLOODLINE: Haunting, chilling and downright mystical. I love this tune, the lyrics will follow you, even on the first listen. Patty Griffin's vocal contribution makes it all the more special. Just a great, great song on many levels. This tune proves you can use this medium to change lives, give hope in darkness with truth that has the potential to melt the hardest of hearts. Those ending strings....!!

LIVE FOREVER: This might be a perfect Pop song. It starts out innocently, with voice then the guitar, then the harmonies.., and by the time the bass and drums drop, you're bobbing your head and tapping your foot and even singing along. On first listen! The CD title is hidden in this gem, so I believe he knew what he had written. Indeed, a perfect pop song.

THE UNAMERICAN: I've been waiting to read the lyrics to this one since it's release on his EP - Backstage at Bonnaroo and other Acoustic Performances, which included the first version of this tune. The creativeness of this pop song defies description. The time signature, the lyrics, the cacophony of instrumentation all work in harmony to take us on a dissident trip into our minds to question our own patriotism and just what it is that we bring to the table of discussion concerning our traditional biases especially as we point the finger at others we think are less patriotic for a variety of reasons and lifestyle choices.

LET IT GO: I've come to think of this tune as a wedding song for our present times. The tune is tender and is such a realization of honesty and forgiveness that it should be required listening for anyone who says they're falling 'out of love'. One listen to this lyric and you might discover more love where you thought none existed. Matt's playing piano here, which is my favorite instrument for his voice, and is reminiscent of his work on Unspoken. Beautiful.

YOU DO IT FOR ME: Funky and fun. I can see this tune truly finding it's audience in the live shows. It's a got banter, beat and butt shaking down to a science. It's got a Prince vibe to it, back from the New Power Generation days.

JUST BEFORE THE MORNING: A song about regrets.., when we all think of those loves that got away because of our own impatience or need to control our whole world. Matt sings it just behind the beat and you can feel the pull of his heart as he remembers the lost potential. Perfect backing vocals and Timberlake on keys totally compliment this poignant lyric and this tune perfectly flows into...

IN THIS HOUSE: I love that Matt makes us question our priorities in such melodic ways. This tune carries the previous theme, beyond the commitment when love turns to duty and under appreciated expectations. You'll love the horn, and later the vocal, breakdowns.., and if I were listening on an LP, I'll probably pick the needle up and start this one over a few times. Charlie Sexton is truly in the pocket on the Drums, too. Solid.

FORGIVENESS: Matt's using more of his baritone voice here and it's truly the perfect placement for this solemn lyric, with a touch of reggae/gospel in the mix. Backing vocals by Charlie Sexton and Justin T, makes this a song that you wish you experienced being recorded. It moves, shuffles along even, building momentum at every turn. Another perfectly restrained vocal delivery from Matt that truly showcases his understanding of exactly where to place a song in his register for maximum effect.

SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU: Okay, this was the tune I've been waiting to hear for more than a year now. To say my expectations were high is an understatement. Trust me, it was worth every painful moment of silence. This tune, I predict, once released will be a serious hit. It's got everything.., great lyrics, a killer piano, a man breaking his heart down with passion.., a waltz in 3/4 time for dancers on So You Think You Can Dance to interpret to their heart's desires. I mean, it's even got Timpani drums in it!! Magnificent. This is a journey into Matt's soul and hands down, my favorite.

ETERNITY: This was the tune I first heard that made me fall in love with this artist. He could have just put it on here for those that had never heard his independent release. But he's orchestrated it and breathe even new life into it and sang it with even more maturity and a depth of understanding that even improves on the original. The groove laids back a little more, and gives him time to truly explore the notes, bending them, caressing them and treating them with the respect they deserve. Stellar.

100,000 STRONG: This hidden gem is not listed in the song list. I'm gonna leave it to you to 'discover' on your on. I'm not being coy.., it's worthy of your own first impressions.

Please purchase the CD. Digital downloading is great.., but you need the liner notes, lyrics and musical credits to truly appreciate the efforts of an artist of this caliber.

You'll thank me later.

EDENintheDESERT

Albuquerque, NM

DESERTATIONS: THIS IS IT

There's the story that goes: ....A man and his son are standing in a cue.., a line, awaiting a future event and the son is impatient..., asking continually, 'What are we going to see ??!', ...'When is it going to happen???' Finally the father lovingly turned to the son and said, "THIS is IT."

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance ; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:13-17

I just returned from a most prophetic evening. In part it was the viewing of Michael Jackson's last offering to the world, the rehearsal footage of the impending THIS IS IT Tour. I would have bet you before I left that this blog was going to be written through tears with pains of regret for all that Michael didn't get to do and for his life being cut so short, seemingly gone too soon. I know that's how I felt when I heard of his death. I cried something wicked as I viewed his funeral and the subsequent burial. But what I feel in this moment is nothing but joy. Joy for a life that was so profound, so meaningful and what he left behind as witnessed in this film should inspire us all to get up off our proverbial bee-hinds and go to work to heal our world, save our planet and love, love, LOVE our neighbors. If we think we're here just to procreate and not truly CREATE something lasting and beautiful with our God given talents, then Michael did die in vain.

You'll witness what Michael truly represented in it's purest form is hard work. The labor of love that he was pouring into that production was monumental in scope and depth. Images, vintage film, cutting edge CGI, the music, the dance, the vocals.., it was an undertaking that a lesser man wouldn't dare attempt, or have the legacy of music to build upon. He was in great form, so all the naysayers can return to their respective caves who never knew Michael but felt compelled to tell us all how weak and feeble a man he was. Whatever pains he supposedly had are non-existent in this footage. You'll see him dance.., get caught up in the spirit of his music.., you'll see him gently correct and teach and inspire by just being in the room. You'll see dancers who were pre-teens when he CREATED the moonwalk mesmerized to be so near the very one that inspired them to dance. Amazing.

I encourage us all to do more with our gifts and talents. This isn't new, I've blogged about this before. The urgency this time around is just a gentle nudging that THIS IS IT. THIS MOMENT is the only one we've been promised. EVERYthing else is wishful thinking. Viewing this documentary tonight wasn't the highlight to my day, however. This morning, I listened to all 39 of my previously recorded songs, uploaded the best 21 for free on a website, prepared a future release of a 26 song anthology called The EDEN Project that will soon be on all the major digital sites (second week of December) and started the concept for the next EP that will pave the way to a new sound and direction for me. I shared all of this in real time with a fellow musician and brother who was literally across the ocean from me in WALES, while at the same time stopping to pray for my spiritual brother in dental school in Denver for the intense workload he's adjusting to daily. And moments before I went into the theater, I decided to take a walk around the block only to meet a young man visiting Albuquerque for the next three weeks only and in short measure made a new friend and brother, who opened his heart to me as we both shared the experience of watching Michael perform. And none of this was promised to me when I awoke this morning.

See this is why I can't be sad, today. There's so much of life ahead and MJ is forever going to be apart of whatever I do from these days forward. In the assurance of that, he lives on.

I know those he shared his final days with feel that certainty even more.


THIS IS IT !!!

BeBLeSSeD,

EDENintheDESERT

DESERTATIONS: MICHAEL JACKSON

I don't know what I am going to say, but I felt that I needed to say something about the one and only artist that I actually had as a poster on my wall as a kid.

As much as I would like to say I was a fan, in fact is, I love the Jackson 5. Marlon was born the same year as me, making Michael our younger brother. I was sad when Jermaine chose to stay behind at Motown and marry the owner's daughter and abandon his brothers in their move to CBS Records. The last Motown release, 'Moving Violation' was one of their best release, 'till that debut on CBS with Style of Life, Blues Away... and 'LIVING TOGETHER'.., where I knew Michael was singing directly to Jermaine. It's hard to explain what it meant to see this 'family' of brothers and later sisters, live and work together. The tours, the saturday morning cartoon, the countless magazine covers.., all the fun they appeared to be having. Everyone wanted to be one of the Jacksons or at least be related to them.., and my sisters wanted to marry at least one of them every week! This one family gave us hope.., gave us joy and made us want to be them. As they matured, went their separate ways.., we all lost a little of the innocence along with them as we, too, matured and went through our share of troubles. Seeing little Michael soar beyond anyone's imagination was thrilling.., and terrifying 'cause you just know that when a star burns so fast and so long.., it has to be extinguished at some time. But, his star seemed to get a second life after weathering so many accusations, deserved or not, 'cause in the end, he was still standing and for that resilience, I applauded him. I remember sharing with someone who was planning on attending his shows in London that I just prayed he would get one last time to shine for so many who had counted him out, rather gleefully, just to remind us of his contribution to this artform. There's not a young band, certainly male pop star that hasn't been influenced by Michael or The Jackson 5. Don't even attempt to argue this point. For him to die of a broken heart, however induced, is exactly the ending he was destined for. When he sang, "I'll Be There", he made a promise and a pledge to a world that didn't even know who much they needed him. His songs are all over the airwaves again, and the number one downloads on all the music sites so in the end, he acheived what he set out to do..., to blanket the world in music again, his ultimate gift. I promise you, this music, the depth and breathe of it, will be analyzed for years to come. ONE MAN, ONE VOICE, changed the world as we would know it had he and his brothers not burst onto the world stage.

GOD BLESS Joe and Katherine Jackson for doing all you knew to do give your family a chance at success. I don't write to validate your choices, but to thank you for doing the best you could for the times we lived in then.

To HIM Whom much is given.., MUCH MORE is required, to live up to those gifts.
Did Michael do his best, all the time?

No, it's obvious he suffered, personally.., but musically, I find no fault in him.


REST, Little Brother Michael

inthe SPOTLight: DECEMBER`09

I just love my brothers. They're so creative and inspirational. This is just a sampling of their genius.., do link around, listen to more.., and support them by purchasing their music, legally.

'Nuff said. Now let's watch some `EDENvision...

JONNY LANG ...What a talented young man!! He might be considered a veteran 'tho he's still in his twenties. This latest release, TURN AROUND, is really a milestone in his career and the tune listed here, Only a Man, is his testimony, in song. Watch his bio and then listen to that tune. What a beautiful way to begin this journey.
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JOSHUA PAYNE ...I can't tell you how beautiful this brother's voice is.., and through the years I've come to discover that he's got a genuine humble spirit. This video is in stark contrast to the self-discovery of the one listed on the homepage, so do listen to both to see just how deep this talent runs. Remember his name.., and get his music in rotation on your iPod. It'll bless you in ways that I can't begin to describe.



JON McLAUGHLIN...The brother's middle name is 'Talent' and what a joy it is to get his little notes in the midst of his schedule. Our bond is 'the music' and I feel especially blessed to have him here on these pages. I'm working on getting the latest video, Beating My Heart, posted here, but in the meantime, give a look to this bio-vid and get to know the man behind the catchy hooks and solid musicianship. If you haven't heard his discograhpy, it's time to find out that all the hype is 'true'.


JONO McCLEERY ...Spotlighting JONO and the release of his CD, DARKEST LIGHT, is my honor. I'm one of the blessed few that's gotten a full listen and I know that he'll be honored for you to do the same. He recently had a listening party in a stately church outside of London and from all reports, it was a magical evening, as witnessed in the video below. It was recorded for a later DVD release and I look forward to getting to review that in a future post. DARKEST LIGHT is a tour de force of creative writing and performance that has left me breathless. JONO has found his voice and has come into his own with his intricate guitar work and powerful vocal delivery. I am humbled at the magnitude of the gift in someone so young. He is jazz, soul, folk and spirit in a blend uniquely his own. This, in my humble opinion, is the must listen to CD of 2008.
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EOGHAN COLGAN ...I've been blogging about Eoghan for nearly two years now and I'm a little weary of being the town crier. Not that he's not deserving.., my GOD, if EOGHAN can't shine one day soon, I might have to revisit the concept of gravity!! No, I'm weary because he IS that good and the companies that's courted him, just haven't see the Light. But thank goodness he's multi-talented and practices as a Doctor in the UK when he's not moonlighting as a musician and thus isn't one of those 'starving' musicians. But, between you and me.., he'd give up medicine in a heartbeat (excuse the pun) for the right stage, at the right moment. He LOVES music just that much more. Every once and a while the stars align and there's an event on the horizon that few see coming, but everyone notices at the moment of impact. EOGHAN COLGAN is such an event.


MICHAEL LOGEN ...Why this artist is 'undiscovered' is another of those age old mysteries (excuse the pun). He's a pianist and guitarist.., and a ridiculously talented lyricist and while all that would satisfy most, he's an excellent vocalist also adding further insult to all those struggling to master just one of his talents. On this list of brothers, he's one I've gotten to see perform and was equally blessed to walk through SoHo with the day after, witnessing his gentle humor and wit while we searched for the perfect Starbucks. From the string opening of this tune, you'll know that you're hearing an artist that knows not only who he is musically, but is comfortable presenting that expression to you. Lyrically, he's in rare company and how he addresses his own tunes will leave you wanting to hear more and more for as long as he wishes to sing. He's intimately aware of the angst of love and unabashedly writes like few men about it. From the 2007 release, "Things I Failed to Mention".


MATT MORRIS ...Where do I begin to talk about the love affair I have with Matt Morris' tunes? If you've been anywhere near these pages, you've seen him covered here more than a few times. His video to Someone to Love is listed in another post and it begs you to view it for another color of this talented young man's repertoire. This first release from his forthcoming debut on Tennman Records, The Un-American LP, is reflective of his ability to take lyric, arrangement and groove and seamlessly meld them together into songs that seem as if they've always been with us. He's responsible for much of what you hear as a multi-instrumentalist, so he's able to articulate his vision distinctly. One of these days I'll get to ask him which comes first, the chicken or the egg... but until then, I love imagining what it must be like to be one of those tunes being birth by this creative genius.
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BRENDAN JAMES ...Brendan has a songwriter's heart. You can hear it in his tender lyrics. He has released an incredible collection of tunes in THE DAY IS BRAVE and here he talks about his process of writing. Please note: look into his eyes now, 'cause when he performs, he closes them, to truly be inside his songs. I'll review more about his CD in the October blog, but for now, here's a new artist that will feel like an old one, by play's end.
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PAUL MAC INNES & TBOI ...If you're a singer, you probably will know with just one listen that Paul is just talented beyond description. What's even more special about this Swedish brother, is that he's still 'available' to be discovered and if you're an A&R of any reputable company, you need to contact Paul, NOW, before someone with vision snatches him up. He's got style, charisma and talent and I don't think he's anywhere near his potential. He and his musical partner, TBOI, are doing all they know to do to continue bringing you quality music. Get there latest release and show your love and support of great R&B and Soul music from this unlikely duo.


CRAIG LYONS ...If you're in L.A., you've probably already gotten to see this musical prodigy in action. He's a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter working tirelessly to carve out his niche in popular music. He's doing an excellent job and he's getting better and better with each release. Harkening to the early career building songs of McCartney and Lennon, Craig has an ear that's unparalleled when he sits down to construct his radio friendly songs. This video reflects that subtle genius.

TOM FOX ...Tom is truly an innovator and pioneer in the world of digital downloadable music. I've known him since the early days of MP3.com and we've become brothers and partners in cyberspace on more than a few projects. His voice, to me, is still one of the purest I've ever heard in a male singer and he's as close to angelic in his phrasing as you can get with actually being one! Here's an artist rendering of a beautiful tune, SLOWLY, that I know you'll enjoy. Link through his name for more tunes 'free' for your music library.


JAMES HOLLINGSWORTH ...James is probably a better guitarist than singer. Before you think I've insulted him, you might just listen to his dynamic voice. But while being stunned with the sheer power of his voice and range, don't forget to pay attention to his guitar work and remember I told you, he's a better instrumentalist. Virtruroso is not used lightly here, he's just got that miracle touch that makes you think he's a whole guitar section than merely one man. He's just produced a new release, EIGHT YOUR NATURE, that's typical of James' eclectic mind and spirit. It chronicles his musical journey through the years with non-studio produced songs, often from live ventures. He's brilliant in showing you that what he does as a musician is often 'instant' and 'fresh' and to go back into a studio setting to recreate what was 'genius the first time' would be simply dishonest. It's his honesty, especially in his opening number, RUMI, that has continued to draw me to him. The process of this release is best served by reading about it in detail on his site, through his namelink.


MERCIES MAY ...MERCIES is such a complicated artist. He has many hats that he wears on his projects.., producer, writer, lyricist, arranger.., instigator, agitator.., ARTIST. I believe he's been underrated for too long and he's destined for larger audiences and a major stage to his eclectic mind and music. Just watch....


JEREMY LISTER ...What an entertainer!! His shows are as eclectic as he is quirky. But all that aside, he's got one powerful message and delivery and I believe you'll be delighted to listen to him as much as view him, when the opportunity arises..., like now.