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October 24th, 2004 Edition #337 Previously 
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Highlights!
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Showcase CD The Good Life - David Lanz: David Lanz played in several bands as a teen and had aspirations of "making it" as a rock musician. However, at nearly the same time, he began to develop his style as a solo pianist. For the most part, this came about almost unintentionally. While performing in a small nightclub In Seattle, Lanz would introduce original material into his repertoire as the establishment required a varied mix of music. Based on the positive response that these selections generated, it wasn't too long before David found that he was playing his own compositions almost exclusively. In the course of things Lanz released Heartsounds, his solo debut, and with it he launched what has developed into a highly successful career. Over the past 20 years or so, he's issued a total of 16 solo projects to go along with 3 collaborative efforts when he teamed with guitarist Paul Speer as well as 3 additional albums of seasonal music. The result has seen Lanz achieve and maintain a status as one of the most prominent & popular artists in instrumental music. |
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| Nevertheless, the last couple of cds have seen a shift in David's style, from one that was focused in new age music to one that exhibits a much jazzier approach to playing. The transition began a couple of years ago with the release of Finding Paradise, Lanz's successful foray into smooth jazz. The Good Life, David's recently released follow up project moves even further in that same direction. Lanz has long been known for selections that were either spiritual or romantic and in that regard his music has always been quite reflective in nature. To a large extent, this has not changed on the new release. What has changed however, is the sense of celebration that his music transmits. In fact, that is essentially what the album title was intended to convey. | |
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| Fresh Trax: Part Two | ||
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In
The Pocket - TFOXX: |
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Blossom
- Machan: |
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Her
Boyfriend's Wedding - Craig Chaquico:
Chaquico's journey in music began as the result of a personal tragedy. At the age of twelve, he fell victim to a drunk driver. Despite multiple injuries, which included two broken arms as well as a broken leg, wrist and thumb, Craig's desire to master the guitar became his motivation for recovery. Self-taught and still in high school, he started gigging around town and then, although he was only sixteen at the time, Grace Slick recruited him as lead guitarist for her new band Jefferson Starship. By the time he left that group, Craig had become disillusioned with the "corporate" mentality that permeated rock 'n' roll. Unsure of which direction to take, fate stepped in to provide an answer. His wife was pregnant at the time and to quote Craig," ..the electric guitar was not as welcome around the house." He started playing around with the acoustic guitar and soon remembered its healing tendencies. And so it was that Craig took a left turn into what was then uncharted musical terrain. Never abandoning his rock roots, but rather expanding his musical radius, Chaquico released his first solo project to great acclaim and has since developed into one of the top artists in contemporary instrumental music. Inspired by the expression "jazz noon" for midnight, Midnight Noon is his brand new release and seventh overall. From that effort we have Her Boyfriend's Wedding, the advance single & the fabulous lead track! CD: Midnight Noon Label: Higher Octave Music Site: Craig Chaquico |
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our Web Site: | |||||
| On this edition we're revisiting a few current tracks and we're playing a few new ones as well. We have selections from George Benson, Dan Siegel, Spyro Gyra, Terry Disley, & Lynn Cannon. There's brand new music from Brenda Russell, Swing out Sister, & trumpeter Ken Ross (who also appears on Soul Ballet's Cream featured on the FT segment). We're doing a bit of exploring as we delve more deeply into the current release from Everette Harp. I've selected a tune that features Harp and a powerhouse lineup of all star talent, so you won't want to miss that. There's more as Steve Oliver is featured on T&N. But why not tune in for an hour of fabulous music with very little chatter, and get into the great grooves of After Hours ! | |||||
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Then & Now Feature : Steve Oliver
Steve Oliver: Steve first burst onto the music scene back in 1997. Ex-Rippington Steve Reid had asked Oliver to join him on Mysteries, his third Bamboo Forest Project. Oliver not only performed on that recording, penning 9 of the selections, he also hung around for one more album. This led to the release of Oliver's own solo debut that same year. Steve's sophomore project titled Positive Energy was a stellar follow-up effort. It garnered loads of rave reviews including our own CJ endorsement as one of the finest cds of 2002 and spurred it's inclusion on our indispensable listening list. It now appears that Oliver is intent on exceeding even that effort as he has just issued 3D, his appropriately titled 3rd release. We have an excellent sampling cross section on After Hours. Check out the sounds of Passion in Paradise, One Wish, Festevo (one of my all time Oliver favourites), and Wings of Spring from the above albums respectively! |
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