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James Angell : Private Player
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"The underground classic of 2002" as Angell's new release was aptly named by this All Music Guide Pick at 4 1/2 Stars, "A brilliant exercise in modern day psychedelia. Angell's music is unique in that he wields influences as far-flung as jazz, soul, pop..
Genre: Pop: British Pop
Release Date: 2002
Private Player Record Label: PsycheclecticRecords.com
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Preview Song Name Time Format Price Select
Ooh Love 4:11 $0.99
Who's Wakin' Me Up? 5:58 $0.99
Ed Blue Bottle 3:35 $0.99
Call Off The War 5:58 $0.99
Picture Perfect 5:21 $0.99
Treat Song 6:30 $0.99
Dear Dying Friend 7:22 $0.99
Sweet Bell 5:01 $0.99
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Album Notes

Paul McCartney and Dennis D'Amico have selected the first track "Ooh Love" for the Garland Appeal's upcoming compilation CD. Angell will perform his songs live with a full orchestra backing him with the Garland Appeal. "The underground classic of 2002" as Angell's new release was aptly named by this All Music Guide Pick, was also well reviewed by The New Yorker "...Angell returns with an album of ambitious orchestral psychedelia, "Private Player," that's earned justifiable comparisons to the hallmark of the genre, Love's "Forever Changes." Alternative Press shouted, "With its beautiful tunes and emotive vocals 'Private Player' introduces a major new talent." Magnet Magazine also gave praise. John Taylor (Duran Duran) has now joined the band performing with Angell. Interestingly, David Bowie has also personally voiced his intent to make a bid and potentially sign Angell to his independent label, ISO. Angell -- a fixture during the frenzy of the early 90's northwest music explosion, has performed, written and recorded with such P-town notables as Courtney Taylor-Taylor (The Dandy Warhols), Eric Matthews, Tony Lash (Heatmiser, Elliot Smith), Daniel Riddle (King Black Acid) and Thee Slayer Hippy, producer and drummer of the notorious heavyweight punks, (Poison Idea). After years of group effort he finally embarked on what so many had been asking for, a solo album. He dropped out of the scene, had a daughter, designed and built a house in the woods and purchased enough recording gear to make this record. He sat in his kitchen with a piano, a synth, a mic and finished producing "Private Player". Beneath these arrangements lies a gritty soul, a sound track for the subconscious giving everyday events a cinematic gravity. * XM Satellite Radio -- 2004 stay tuned for the upcoming live performance and interview. * Portland: March 9th James will perform with Courtney Taylor of the Dandy Warhols at the Ohm. * Los Angeles: Live performance and national broadcast on KCRW & Radio@AOL.com show NewGround hosted by Chris Douridas (Past A&R DreamWorks) on April 27th. Accompanying James will be Eric Matthews (Trumpet) and Phil Baker (Bass/Dianna Ross). Following the broadcast in Los Angeles: April 30th at the Spaceland. On May 2nd at the Silverlake Lounge. * Oregon: August 8th James will open for Chris Isaak at the Amphitheater in Bend, Oregon. * New York City: September 15th: James performs at The Tonic. * New York City: September 16th: WNYC interview & live performance with host, John Schaefer. Airs 2 PM EST. * New York City: September 16th, & 20th: The Knitting Factory & The Fez Ballroom. * James Angell invited to play CMJ in New York City. * James Angell & John Taylor (Duran Duran) play the Crystal Ballroom January 4th. Music Millennium at 1PM.

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REVIEWS

awesome dreamy and lush
author: Maria from wfmu
Why did it take me so long to find out about this work??? The music is strange yet familiar, comforting and unsettling, lush and melodic, hummable but never gets old. This is complex intelligent pop, or whatever you want to call it. The fact that Angell has cited Bach Fugues as one of his main influences says loads about the richness of this listening experience. I am waiting with baited breath for his next album. Bring it ON!!
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Angell returns with an album of ambitious orchestral psychedelia, "Private Playe
author: The Newyorker Magazine
The New Yorker The Knitting Factory Sept 16, Tonic Sept 15: “The singer-songwriter James Angell comes out of the Portland, Oregon, scene that gave birth some ten years ago to the Dandy Warhols...” (he was the front man of a band called Nero's Rome with the Dandy, Courtney Taylor as drummer.) “After dropping out of the music world to raise a daughter and build a house, Angell returns with an album of ambitious orchestral psychedelia, "Private Player," that's earned justifiable comparisons to the hallmark of the genre, Love's "Forever Changes." - John Donohue The New Yorker
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“Ooh Love” is a tease, flirting and breaking promises. Angell hangs onto slow,
author: Magnet Magazine
Magnet Magazine …Angell’s piano, songs & vocals—the latter sounding at times like the whispered sing-speak of Ira Kaplan or Freddie Mercury subdued by the purr from a pack of affectionate house cats—that row this skiff of an album over placid waters. “Dear Dying Friend” chugs along to the rhythm of an electronic camel, becoming friendlier with each chorus, the synthesized push-and-pull finally giving way to a more organic version of this lugubrious tempo. “Treat Song,” with Eric Matthews’ muted trumpet, lopes along like the heart of Saturday night as Angell lullabies his daughter into dreams of spaceships and log-perched ponderances. “Ooh Love” is a tease, flirting and breaking promises. Angell hangs onto slow, elastic cadences and comes up with an album just odd enough to have never given bloated and pallid arena pop such as ELO or Elton John any trouble, though he often sounds like a smarter version of both. - Bruce Miller Magnet Magazine
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This is “Baroque orchestral rock that’ll make you feel like you’re smashed on ab
author: Alternative Press
Alternative Press This is “Baroque orchestral rock that’ll make you feel like you’re smashed on absinthe. How is it? With its beautiful tunes and emotive vocals ‘Private Player’ introduces a major new talent. Kindred spirits: David Bowie, Tim Buckley, Rufus Wainwright…” - David Segal Alternative Press
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