Curt Yagi, San Francisco Bay Guardian’s “2008 Best of the Bay Singer-Songwriter,” proudly announces the release of his second full-length studio album, “Close My Eyes."
On all nine original and richly produced “Close My Eyes” tracks, Yagi delivers captivating lyrics and hummable and memorable melodies, augmented by a buoyant three-piece horn section and edgy and layered guitars built on the foundation of a rock solid, driving rhythm section. His songs are delivered in an inimitable and endearingly charismatic persona the SFBG describes as “the swagger of Lenny Kravitz and the lyrical prowess of Jack Johnson,” and The San Francisco Chronicle called Yagi “a talented songwriter who sings -- like Kenny Loggins.”
Such glowing accolades, delivered in rapid succession soon after the release of his November 2007 full-length debut, “What's Come Over Me,” combined with numerous live club and radio, as well as fair and festival appearances from San Francisco to Napa exposed Yagi to a wide and diverse demographic of fans.
So much so the readers of the SFBG voted him “2008 Best of the Bay Singer-Songwriter,” a mere nine-months after the release of “What’s Come Over Me.” AsianWeek.com called the long-time San Francisco resident, and fourth generation Japanese-American, a “must see entertainer” describing his music as, “filled with percussive guitar licks, breathy vocals, rhythmic beats and driving bass lines, (that) will keep you going the entire day.”
Fans of Sublime, Bare Naked Ladies, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and Dave Matthews gravitate to the easily accessible Yagi style, and his new album, “Close My Eyes,” which was produced by Larry (The O) Oppenheimer at Studio Faire La Nouba for Toys in the Attic Productions, is sure to be even more appealing as his debut. “Close My Eyes” features the singles Sweep Me (click to listen); a vibrant Ska-inspired love song, the title track, Close My Eyes (click to listen); a moving tribute to the beloved father he lost in 2002, and Live My Life (click to listen); a groove-infused four/four rocker that melds a Rolling Stones-esque danceable bass line, a Chicago-style horn section, with John Mayer-meets-Ben Harper vocal delivery.
In 2011, Yagi will again be appearing at high-profile clubs, including The Fillmore and Yoshi's, and he will also be represented by a wide array of house concert promoters, in where he will be appearing as a solo performer, or with a partial back-up band, in intimate performances throughout the Bay Area.
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