Album Notes

07/06/06 You can listen to the title tune in its entirety from this Podcast on No Idle Frets, which is devoted exclusively to jazz guitar. http://noidlefrets.blogspot.com/

06/12/06 check out the review of this CD in the latest issue of Jazz Improv Magazine(with Buddy Rich on the cover).

Last CD sold: 05/20/08 Vielen dank, Deutschland!
Last mp3 sold: 01/16/09 thank you, Thailand!

SAM CRAIN is a jazz guitarist and composer from Springfield, Illinois, with 19 other CDs to his credit-all available here on CD Baby. His playing has definite jazz roots, but also contains elements of R & B and other styles, with a lyrical edge all his own- imagine perhaps George-Benson-meets-Robert-Cray, or along that line..

ROSE OF LOAMI and other selections is Sam's 3rd CD. It's his first recording at Third Stone Productions in Decatur IL, and his first using a 'real'(i.e. archtop)jazz guitar. The guitar involved was made by Bill Cook of Peoria IL, who is an able guitarist himself as well as builder of beautiful guitars. Others listening to this recording have commented that Sam's playing took a turn with the acquisition of this new archtop guitar, that his playing became more lyrical with the new tone. The guitar tone has a real richness in this recording, partly due to the guitar and partly due to the recording technique- both line in and mic'ing the actual guitar.

In putting this recording together, Sam was trying for a 'classic trio' sound, and 2 recordings served for him as models: Kenny Burrell's "Men at Work"(Richard Davis, bass; Art Taylor, drums)and Joshua Breakstone's "9 x 3"(Dennis Irwin, bass; Kenny Washington, drums)-the former for the pure guitar sound and the latter for the beautiful lines. Sam has tried to capture some of those qualities in this recording, in his own way.

Rose of Loami has sold online to listeners in Japan, Hong Kong, Norway, Sweden, Russia ,Ireland and Germany as well as throughout the US, and has enjoyed some airplay, with 5 of its 10 selections on the rotation from a station at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro AR. Look for a review of this CD on 5/24 at http://www.aeroknow.com/music.htm
A truncated version of the review is on this page as well.




Sam is currently playing with his own group, The Sam Crain Trio, and freelancing with various bands in the area. The Trio is currently planning a CD, to be recorded later in the year.
Educated various places, Sam holds a Bachelor's in music composition from Peabody Conservatory of Music, Baltimore MD. He has written a variety of classical works, including a String Quartet, 2 Piano Sonatas, and orchestral, chamber, solo and electronic music.
Teaching experience includes "Artist-in-Residence"for Sangamon State University's 'Blues-in-the-Schools' program 1980 Springfield IL; The Music School(guitar & music theory)Springfield IL 1981; Lincoln College, Lincoln IL(guitar)1984; plus much private instruction.
Performing experience includes Cicero Slim & WWIII in 1980-81 as bassist, playing all over Illinois and into Missouri & Indiana; guitarist with Gina, Dean & Scoundrel, LA-based 'showband', playing all over U.S., into Canada & Mexico; guitarist w/ Frank Trompeter Quintet 1993-96, with whom he played in Japan at the Ashikaga Jazz Festival in 1995; The Sam Crain Quartet 1996-present.
For more, please visit my website.
FUN FACTS ABOUT THIS RECORDING:
Rose of Loami and other selections

Produced by Sam Crain
Recorded and Mastered by Dave Burdick
Assisted by Ryan Morris

Recorded April 22, 2001
Third Stone Productions
Decatur,Illinois
Duplication and artwork by Eastern Standard
Productions, Buffalo NY

Sam Crain-guitar
Andy Burtschi-bass
Rich Olson-drums



ANDY BURTSCHI has worked as a professional bassist for
over 10 years in Dallas, Memphis, Nashville and most
recently central Illinois. Currently performing on a
freelance basis, which includes both live performances
and studio work, including projects with trumpeter
Randy Reyman and vocalist Rachael Lee.

RICH OLSON, like Sam, has over 30 years of playing ex-
perience. He studied percussion with Elliott Fine of the
Minnesota Orchestra. Locally, he's playing with Diversity
Sally Weisenberg, and the Jane Hartman Trio, the last of
which he's also recorded with and travelled to Japan. He
has also done shows with Harry Connick Sr and Steve
Allen.