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.