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"Lover" starts out this project. It's a
blues/rock tune with lots of groove. Just Joeland his
guitar and the quiet space of his bedroom. There's an
vocal intimacy that may have been achieved by the
comfortable, familiar surroundings of where it was
recorded. The lyrical phrasing is different but it works
for Joel and brings an element of suspense.
"Wander" right out of the creative fabric of
Crosby, Stills and Nash. Flowing lyrics, continuous
melody and relaxed approach are the highlights of this
composition. You get the sensation of sailing.....the
open sky.....the sound of the gulls hovering
above....it's not in the song but it sure has that feel.
"Baggage" dreamy, hypnotic lullaby.
- "Nobody" guitar work similar to Guy Clark
lightens up this ode to love. A trip down memory lane
recalling the thighs, the smile, the lips, the
taste......a love song that strays on past the
southern border. Oh, la-la......"Winter"
......"The leftover takeout that collects at my feet,
is all that remembers the clandestine
retreat"....linguistic ecstasy. "Home"
mmmmmmmmmmm. "Reason" This song could have been
written for Dan Fogelberg. It has a real pure quality.
Simple. It shows that it's not how many words you
write, just how they're sung, that makes them honest.
"Rose" Jose Feliciano tinged rhythm. Nice to
hear this kind of playing again. "April"
Serene. "Fatman" somewhere between dreams and
reality, you have to eat and pay the bills. You can't
live on the fantasy all your life. Hunger is one heck
of a motivation. "Elevator" unrealized dreams.
Joel sings and plays until you are living this
experience and the music surrounds you, totally
engulfing your inhibitions.....allowing you to step
into this daydream. "Streets" fantasia.
"Goodbye" uncomplicated.
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- IN SUMMARY: Not only did Joel write
the songs for this album but he also played most of
the instruments as well. It doesn't stop there though.
Joel was also responsible for the recording
which he did, by himself in his bedroom, with his 16
track tape recorder. He also takes some of the credit
for the mixing and producing. This is a Herculean
feat, as any independent artist who has attempted it,
will tell you. The amazing thing about this whole
project is that it is so clean, so well-produced, it's
just hard to believe that Joel could sit on his
bed, singing and playing, and create this
extraordinary product. It beckons to the days of old
when making music wasn't brain surgery, it was just
something you did in your living room or bedroom on
the first or second take. This is an album that gets
back to the roots of those earlier days and we can all
use a trip every now and then.
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For More Information, contact; Big
Sixteen Music, 144 Washington St, Suite #2, Brighton
MA, 02135.
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