REVIEW OF “CROOKED”
When listening to recorded music, I always imagine what it would be like to hear the artist whose work I'm hearing in a live venue. When I have the chance to hear—and see--that artist actually perform, I try to put two and two together and see if they add up to the same person who's represented in the recording.
Jaime Michaels has hit a grand slam in this regard with "Crooked." Not only is this CD a masterful blend of Jaime's original material, co-written material and his creative interpretations of the works of others, but the production is so wonderful that it does not interfere with Jaime as an artist. He does not
have to fight with the instrumentation to be able to present these poignant songs. And the best part is, if you close your eyes, you can imagine having a private concert by Jaime right in your living room. Or your car. Or wherever you might be.
Jaime and producer Jono Manson have crafted this CD with just the right mixture of back-up instruments and back-up vocals so that they compliment Jaime's artistry and don't smother it. In fact, it's kind of ironic in a way that the CD's cover is a crooked path (hence the name), since this CD could serve as a road map to others who might want to create a CD that allows listeners the full effect of powerful lyrics and tasteful arrangements rather than having such things buried under an avalanche of misplaced musicians and overwrought percussion.
One of my favorites on this CD is a co-write by Jaime and Jeff Talmadge, "One Spectacular Moon." With lyrics crafted to exactly fit the tune, this song provides an opportunity for listeners to hear Jaime at his best. He believes this song, and it shows. When he says the word "spectacular," no matter what condition the moon is that night, you will believe it is, indeed, spectacular.
That's how it is with Jaime. When you hear him sing, you can tell whether he's
smiling, yearning, pining, or questioning. He writes and co-writes songs with
special meanings, selects songs written by others that also have statements to make. And make them he does--not with an attitude, but with a sense of purpose, a sense of belief that music is as critical to life as breathing itself.
Wanda Fischer
WAMC-FM/Northeast Public Radio
Albany, NY.
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On his seventh album, Jaime Michaels once again combines lovely melodies, poetic lyrics and heartfelt performances. Producer Jono Manson’s simple but masterful production gives listeners the feeling that they are sitting right there in the studio, surrounded by the musicians. An impressive line-up of guest artists includes Austin’s Albert & Gage, accordionist Joel Guzman (The Flatlanders), guitarist Andrew Hardin (Tom Russell), percussionist Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees and REM), mandolin player Sharon Gilchrist (Tony Rice/ Peter Rowen), guitarist Ben Wright and vocalist Larkin Gayl.
The title track, crooked, is wondrously simple: wise lyrics and fingerpicked acoustic guitar, backed by Albert & Gage’s soaring harmonies. A Momentary Thing, co-written with Bruce Donnola, is a bittersweet reflection of childhood. Maybe Superman, also written with Bruce, takes a humorous look at love from a window ledge 28 stories above Manhattan. Perhaps the most beautiful song on the album is One Spectacular Moon, co-authored with Jeff Talmadge.
In addition to nine originals, Michaels includes four tunes by his favorite writers: Chad Elliott’s poignant Minnesota, amilia k spicer’s gorgeous Shine, David Glaser’s blessing to hard-touring musicians, Concrete River, and Christopher Smith’s sad and beautiful Gravedigger’s Boy.
This is Michaels’ best work yet. And Manson makes the best even better; no tricks, no sonic gimmicks, nothing but extraordinary songs performed by extraordinary artists.
We smile knowingly as we recognize ourselves in Michaels’ songs, songs with humor, heartache, romance, and above all, hope.
REVIEW OF “CROOKED”
When listening to recorded music, I always imagine what it would be like to hear the artist whose work I'm hearing in a live venue. When I have the chance to hear—and see--that artist actually perform, I try to put two and two together and see if they add up to the same person who's represented in the recording.
Jaime Michaels has hit a grand slam in this regard with "Crooked." Not only is this CD a masterful blend of Jaime's original material, co-written material and his creative interpretations of the works of others, but the production is so wonderful that it does not interfere with Jaime as an artist. He does not
have to fight with the instrumentation to be able to present these poignant songs. And the best part is, if you close your eyes, you can imagine having a private concert by Jaime right in your living room. Or your car. Or wherever you might be.
Jaime and producer Jono Manson have crafted this CD with just the right mixture of back-up instruments and back-up vocals so that they compliment Jaime's artistry and don't smother it. In fact, it's kind of ironic in a way that the CD's cover is a crooked path (hence the name), since this CD could serve as a road map to others who might want to create a CD that allows listeners the full effect of powerful lyrics and tasteful arrangements rather than having such things buried under an avalanche of misplaced musicians and overwrought percussion.
One of my favorites on this CD is a co-write by Jaime and Jeff Talmadge, "One Spectacular Moon." With lyrics crafted to exactly fit the tune, this song provides an opportunity for listeners to hear Jaime at his best. He believes this song, and it shows. When he says the word "spectacular," no matter what condition the moon is that night, you will believe it is, indeed, spectacular.
That's how it is with Jaime. When you hear him sing, you can tell whether he's
smiling, yearning, pining, or questioning. He writes and co-writes songs with
special meanings, selects songs written by others that also have statements to make. And make them he does--not with an attitude, but with a sense of purpose, a sense of belief that music is as critical to life as breathing itself.
Wanda Fischer
WAMC-FM/Northeast Public Radio
Albany, NY
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