DAVID ELIAS: David Elias & X-I-N-G (Folk / Acoustic)

David Elias

David Elias & X-I-N-G (Folk / Acoustic)

© 2005 David Elias (634479086878)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Pure acoustic trio ranging in style from modern folk to country/bluegrass to Iron & Wine -- recording live from Slipperworld Studios in La Honda, California. An intimate lyrical recording with high imagery -- iTunes named it "Tracks to Watch".

notes

==================
Have you been wondering what happened to folk music? Well, if you listen to this disc, you can discover that it is alive and well among the redwoods in California and being recorded in a contemporary format that has high regard for the quality of the words being sung, the notes being played, and the art of recording itself in a studio-live no-bull realistic fashion. Listen up...
==================

Recorded to DSD for hi-resolution in the studio at Slipperworld, this session has been featured by Apple iTunes as "Tracks to Watch". It features 2 acoustic guitars played by David Elias and Charlie Natzke and a standup bass played by Chris Kee (Jim Campilongo, original Waybacks, Houston & Jones). The songs are all recorded as straight takes in the studio with the musicians seated in a small circle. WYHIWYG (What You Hear Is What You Get).

The sonics of both the instruments, vocals and ambient room were captured on the world's highest resolution recording equipment (Sonoma DSD, 2.8MHz single bit recorder). Tracks were mixed the tracks to stereo on the same workstation, losing none of the live characteristics of the session. There are no edits or overdubs, just EQ and panning. This recording is as real as it gets. You can be part of the session when you listen!

Here's what a music teacher in British Columbia said about these songs:

"I am a guitar instructor in Kelowna, BC Canada and I am trying to teach my students that not all guitar is wailing, distorted shred lines. That you can take an acoustic, put away your pick, and make some music that is more "musical" than most of what you hear on radio, MTV etc...So I was searching Google for acoustic guitar music and eventually hit your webcast. I clicked to have a quick listen and sat through it in its entirety and enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks." Alan Wagner, Kelowna, BC


Here are another listener's comments:

"Thank you for putting your music on the web! How refreshing; beyond unplugged, pure musicianship and poignant lyrics. Thank you."

And another's...

"wicked stuff... i luv many kinds of music and urs is a new fave "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you like well recorded acoustic guitars with harmonies on the vocals and a solid melodic bass underneath, you should take a listen to this one. Songs from "David Elias & Xing" have been in the MIXPOSURE REVIEW CREW favorite mix lists as well as at the top of Mixposure popular folk charts.

David, Charlie and Chris perform regularly in the SF Bay Area including recent appearances at the Little Fox Theater and The Great American Music Hall.

Other shows feature a larger ensemble including Gary MacArthur (tenor sax/flute), John Havard (Telecaster, accordion), and Peter Tucker (percussion). Special guests include Roger Powell (keyboards/synth, Utopia), Ken Owen (drums, Jim Campilongo) and Calvin McElroy (guitars, The Core).

More info is online at www.davidelias.com


= For the Fun of It =
"What a cool song [The Riddle Song], I love it! The guitar work here is great to say the least. Sounds like a fun performance and fun means a lot in this business. This lil' song/jam made me pick up my guitar and play some with ya'. Keep um' comin' like this man. We can use a lot of this now days. Fun. Fun, Fun! This is great medicine man. All 10's from this Bluesman!" ~ Doc Quinn

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Great acoustic music!
    author: Hans Simon Dahle

    I love these David Elias recordings! I just got aquainted with his writings skills and singing style, combined with wonderful and sometimes haunting melodies, packaged in a mesh of fine acoustic instumental playing. Music for the heart and the soul! I also highly recommend his two SACDs - The Window and Crossing - they're a treat!

  • Your Way
    author: Farrell

    Very soothing tune and your vocal tone really sets the stage for a relaxing listen. Nice mix with the acoustic bass. The chorus [If I Had My Way] has that infectious sing along appeal. Nice writing!

  • Don't Change
    author: Lothar

    Everything fits beautiful together: great acoustic work combined with perfect vocals (Compliments also to Charlie Natzke for his backing-vocals)! Greetings from Germany

  • It's Time For A Change...
    author: Guy Michetti

    Man I know that my review of this wonderful song [Changing Down] and performance by David, is not even going to come close to how superb this song is. Ok but I'll try... When you hear those guitars at the beginning.. the way they sound sonically, the way they are being played, the notes they are playing, (can we say brilliant articulation and prhasing.. have you read Pablo Casals book?) the mood that is instantaneously created, you have to know that something amazing is happening. Then when Davic starts to sing with that beautiful and passionate voice that creates images and pictures and feels like a friend like you've never known, starts to sing a simple elegy that can radically change your world and make you feel good at the same time. It is a rare thing when a artist of David Elias' caliber comes your way. He is an artist a voice that needs to be heard. The change is coming... The fact that David isn't on the cover of every musical trade journal( yet that is) is indicative to me of an industry that has lost its soul with no direction home or anywhere else. The change is coming... There will be a new morning for music someday, and one of the bright stars on that horizon is David Elias and his music. I was right, I haven't even come close to writing a good review. Just listen to the music. Listen. Listen.. listen...The change is coming...

  • One of the most beautiful songs I ever heard...
    author: eslider

    This [Vision of Her] is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard,the guitars and vocals are wonderful in every way, could not be performed any better, knocked me OUT!

  • It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This...
    author: Guy Michetti - MIX Review Crew

    Simply a beautiful song [One More Savior]. A elegant elegy of introspection! Folks, it does not get any better than this. David has an unlimited supply of muse, and this is one more beautiful tune in what is starting to become a considerable catalog of some of the best independent music anywhere. Yes you can quote me!!

  • New Benchmark
    author: LEXZ

    This [song Changing Down] will become the new benchmark for all other acoustic songs posted at Mixposure. Like "The Riddle Song," it is perfectly played, sung, recorded, and mixed. Superb effort.

  • Simply Beautiful
    author: solipsism

    for those of you who haven't heard David Elias, i can assure you who he is in my opinion one of the best songwriters working today....thoughtful beautiful lyrics meshed with the most beautiful acoustic guitars. soft, gentle and warm this song has everything and more that you'd look for in this genre...it's just about perfect. His vocal performance is stunning and again the soft almost whispering style is perfect for the genre. simply beautiful

  • Just Beautiful!
    author: Bubba Blues

    David Elias is the total package folks. Lyrical genius, beautiful acoustic work, tight rhythm, and great vocals all done flawlesly. This song [Vision of Her] is just another example of all these things.

  • A Reverie...
    author: Maria Daines

    This song [Vision of Her] is so beautiful, it is like the music is filled with sunshine.... Your guitar shades the memories in your voice as it follows you through this tale of plaintive honest human feeling.... Glorious, gentle music that makes the world seem kinder somehow. You are a master craftsman at work bringing your stories and music to life. A class of your own. Thank you.

  • Beautiful...
    author: Melo

    soft as butter, sweet as wild honey. the guitars chime together as one, with the bass pulliing down a kinetic, smoothly propellant groove. this was the first track of david's i heard [take me down the road], and i beetled right over to itunes and had my songwriting bar tidily lifted, way up there. this is homespun, heartfelt folk music at its finest: timeless, elegantly simple, and as familiar as the inside of your favourite backpack. a giant deja-vu, a clear draught from the well. we who love this genre have been gifted in this very fine, sensitive artist. i encourage all to go deeper into this man's work; there are magic moments galore, and the accompanying musicians are worthy of the delicate challenge offered them.

  • AMAZING!
    author: Brocklev87

    Excellent guitar work [on Take Me Down The Road]. I really like this song, it has an awesome feel to it, and the mix is perfect. sounds well produced. I especially like the harmonies played in the little bridge thing. steady bass line that carries the song. I like it a lot, and I don't really have much to say to criticize it. Lyrics are great. your vocals fit the style perfectly. this one is being added to my radio station, excellent work! :)

  • Nice & Fun, Nice & Fun, Nice & Fun!
    author: Doc Quinn

    What a cool song [The Riddle Song], I love it! The guitar work here is great to say the least. Sounds like a fun performance and fun means a lot in this business. This lil' song/jam made me pick up my guitar and play some with ya'. Keep um' comin' like this man. We can use a lot of this now days. Fun. Fun, Fun! This is great medicine man. All 10's from this Bluesman! ~ Doc

  • Stand Up and do a Dance!
    author: Stephen Copek

    very well done! made me want to stand up and dance. Love the upbeat feel, and love the instrumentals. you have a killer voice. I see a purchase in the near future... keep it up!

  • Oh So Nice!
    author: Epiphany

    As I listen, I'm tapping my toes and I have a smile on my face! Really nice performance and delivery on this one. Great Guitar playing! Nice harmony! Happy fun song [The Riddle Song]. A-1 all the way!

  • So Easy...
    author: Loren

    the guitar playing is beautiful. nice harmonies. you make it sound so easy.

  • The Riddle Song got me in a full nelson...
    author: LEXZ

    Guy said there was this "newcomer" to Mixposure that we should all check out - IMMEDIATELY. Now I see why he wanted us to rush over. This is absolutely impeccably recorded fine acoustic music. Great guitar work and masterfully delivered vocals - no riddle why this song plays so well on my mind.

  • Nicely Done!
    author: Edrurv

    Great live performance. The guitar work is clean and very cool. Great enthusiasm in the vocal selling the lyrics all the way. Rock solid steady on the tempo [The Riddle Song] and just plain good.

  • What Can I Say...
    author: DiCarlo

    WHAT CAN I SAY, EXCEPT........ ANOTHER EXCELLENT SONG!!!!!! [ Transcendental Deprivation Part II + Straw Dream] You guys are soooo tight. Great guitars and bass. Nice vocals and vocal harmonies and excellent lyrics as well. All recorded beautifully. What can I say? Great work.

  • Masterful
    author: Valkir

    This is a breath of fresh air...I can't believe this is live...ithis sounds perfect...such a joy to listen to someone that has pretty much mastered his craft and is completely comfortable with his instrument in every situation..where the instrument is an extension of himself...this is a masterful performance by all 3 of you gentlemen...I tip my hat to you all. 4X Yes, MIX PIX

  • Two For The Price Of One
    author: mbridge

    This [Transcendental Deprivation Part II + Straw Dream] is a very unconventional song, mixing a pure instrumental piece on the front end and then finishing it off with connected by different song with instrumentals complimented by voice. At 9:18 this is a long song, but fear not, it will leaving you wanting another 9:18. The front part of the song reminds me of early colonial music. The musicianship is remarkable. Beautiful finger picked harmonies weave between guitars and bass making you just want to kick back with a glass of wine and sit in front of a fire and reflect. If this were purely instrumental I would be satisfied but wait...there's more. The backend of the song slows down but continues with beautiful guitar picking but adds lead and backup vocals that add to the reflective/contemplative mood set by the guitar playing with their soft tones and harmonies. What a warming treat on this cold Tuesday morning in Boston.

  • loved it
    author: Lloyd Towne

    came thru the US Post in fine fettle. have listened to it several times already.

  • Not all guitar is wailing, distorted shred lines!
    author: Alan Wagner, Kelowna, BC

    I am a guitar instructor in Kelowna, BC Canada and I am trying to teach my students that not all guitar is wailing, distorted shred lines. That you can take an acoustic, put away your pick, and make some music that is more "musical" than most of what you hear on radio, MTV etc...So I was searching Google for acoustic guitar music and eventually hit your webcast. I clicked to have a quick listen and sat through it in its entirety and enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks, Alan Wagner

  • excellent!
    author: andyman

    David is always the best!

email

Please log in to email this artist.