MMMM – March 14 2011

It’s been a few weeks I guess since I featured some new music I’ve been into.  This week I’m featuring three fairly new singer-songwriters in the library … two of whom share friends in common, two of whom went to CU Boulder … all three of whom are exceptional singer-songwriters in the best tradition of the style.  All three albums equally should be well represented at community/public radio around the state.  I really do expect to see them chart respectably… and to come up for regional music awards.

David James Band – Street Performer Genre/Style: Rock, Pop, Adult Contemporary
Website: www.davidjamesband.com
RIYL: Ben Folds, Jamie Cullum, Elton John, Billy Joel, Chicago
Sampled Tracks: Street Performer, Midnight Hide & Seek, Alcohol.edu
Notes: count this one as among my picks for best self-written, arranged, and produced records of 2011 so far …. strong strong writing and arranging skills (something more BANDS to take notice of in every style of music).    Equally strong are the individual performances of the core trio of David James (piano/vocals), Justin Francoeur (guitar), and Preston Smits (bass/vocals).
From the website: As a university trained classical pianist, David James brings a unique technicality to piano pop music. Striving to keep tunes both radio friendly and musically challenging, his group’s newest album “Street Performer” targets a wide variety of listeners by incorporating memorable melodies and jazz influenced harmony. The final track “Alcohol.edu” earned him the 2007 John Lennon Scholarship for Songwriters from The BMI Foundation, NY.
Free Album Download at: http://www.thedavidjamesband.com

Justin Roth – Now You Know Genre/Style: singer-songwriter, acoustic pop
Website: http://www.justinroth.com
RIYL: Michael Hedges, Crosby, Stills & Nash
Sampled Tracks: Out Of The Blue (The Orchard), The Last Time, Trembling Like A Train
Notes: It took me a while to really warm up to this record … simple as it may sound on first or second listens, the simplicity and subtlety belie an underlying sophistication that takes you by surprise and is genuinely breathtaking at times … a superbly done singer-songwriter/acoustic guitar album.

  • Engineered and Produced by Justin Roth
  • All Instruments and Vocals by Justin
  • Mixed by Alex Oana
  • Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • “Fans of Leo Kottke or Michael Hedges will find themselves right at home with the intricate guitar work…beautifully written lyrics.” –  San Francisco Art Magazine
  • 2007 Songwriter Showcase Honorable Mention – Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
  • 2006 NewSong Honorable Mention – Mountain Stage NewSong Contest
  • 2005 Best Songs Winner, “Shine” – Indie Acoustic Project
  • 2005 New Folk Finalist – Kerrville Folk Festival
  • 2005 Troubadour Honorable Mention – Telluride Bluegrass Fest
  • 2004 New Folk Finalist – Kerrville Folk Festival
  • 2004 Songwriter Showcase Honorable Mention – Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
  • 2004 Troubadour Contest Alternate – Telluride Bluegrass Festival
  • 2004 SMAF Songwriting Competition Finalist – Susquehanna Folk Festival
  • 2003 Emerging Artist Showcase Finalist – Falcon Ridge Folk Festival

John Mieras – Painted Glass Genre/Style: singer-songwriter, acoustic rock/pop
Website: http://www.reverbnation.com/johnmieras#!
RIYL: Paul Simon, David Gray
Sampled Tracks: Love & Rent, Yesterday (I Wish There Was A Way), Constellations
Notes: John was raised in Washington state and educated to be a musician, eventually moving to Colorado to pursue a MA in Choral music at the University of Colorado.  Like his friend Justin Roth, he is friends with the duo Storyhill.  Painted Glass , and produced by Chris Cunningham and recorded at Bascamp Studios in Bozeman, Montana.  Like David James, he received his formal education at CU Boulder.  I like John, especially his sensitivity about the world around him.  Unlike the others, I’ve been able to spend some time getting to know John – and the way his music presents is in fact deeply reflective of how he sees his life, the world and his family.  A very strong addition to the singer-songwriter collective here in Colorado.

The Colorado Sound – Vol. 3, Ep 11 2011

Fox Street Allstars “Somebody In the World for You” from Welcome to the Mighty Pleasin’ (2011)
Soul Creek “Four-Leaf Clover” from Positivity (2006)
Chain Gang of 1974 “Funk Giants” from White Guts (2010)
On Second Thought “Frantic” from Don’t Drive Angry (1999)
NEW – Rightfully Accused “Changes” from Western Air Part 1 – Classy, Chic, Sophisticated (2011)
NEW – DELLA “Not That Simple (Things I Do)” [single] (2011)
Asia Jazz Project f/ Molina Soleil & Aju “Reflections of the Sun Pt. 3” from Sacred Paths (2009)
FaceMan “BigHead” from FaceMan (2010)
The Lovely & Talented “Death of the Lover” from The New American Fable (2010)
George Inai “Lonesome Highway” from This Foolish Music (2007)
Great American Taxi “Good Night to Boogie” from Reckless Habits (2010)
Lonesome Traveler “Summer Wind” from Listen to that Sound (2008)
The Blue Canyon Boys “Rocky Mountain Bound” from Mountain Bound (2010)
Peter Sommer “Looks Like This” from Tremolo Canteen (2011)
Otis Taylor “Walk Right In” from Recapturing the Banjo (2008)
John Mieras “Love & Rent” from Painted Glass (2011)
Devotchka “The Common Good” from 100 Lovers (2011)
Trace Bundy “Sweet Child O’ Mine” from Missile Bell (2008)
Broken Everlys “Rocket Fuel” from Stoned In Juarez (2011)
Bonnie and The Clydes “Used to Play” from Bonnie And The Clydes (2011)
Trucker’s Daughter “Little Disappointments” from Broken Down Love (2009)
NEW “but, Naked!” “Can’t Get Enough” [single] (2011)
The Big Motif “Don’t Go Wrong” from Does It Weigh Heavy (2011)
Eddie Turner “Monkey See, Monkey Do” from Miracles And Demons (2010)
Ego vs Id “Landmine” from Taste (2010)
Sherri Jackson “Tell Me” from Catalyst (2000)
Erik Applegate “123” from Red Skies (2009)

Coloradoans charting nationally

Big Head Todd & the Monsters and the Monsters … and John-Alex Mason continue to find international chart success on the Roots Music Blues chart … coming in at #7 and 11 respectively.

Bob Rea‘s (Durango) Ragged Choir also continues to chart well, coming in at #42 on the Roots Country chart

Cahalen Morrison & Eli West … and Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore both hold down great positions on the Roots Folk chart …

On the TRUE COUNTRY side of things, Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams and Bonnie & the Clydes both post impressive chart positions ….

In the Jazz world, the Carmen Sandim Sextet locks down the #3 slot, while 2 titles on the Colorado based Capri jazz label also appear in the top 40