As a long time fan of Larson, I had my doubts about this change of producers, from Hank Linderman (#1 Independent Producer) of his last five albums, to Gerry Beckley (America), no slouch either, but more of a writer/performer reputation.  How wrong I was.  This album has a flow to it you expect from a classic America or other 70's album.   Larson shows more emotion in his vocals, and we miss his acoustic guitar work, but Beckley more than fills the gap here.  There's a reason this album is #1 in this genre.  For the uninitiated, buy this release, then work your way back about seven years...
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Hi I've been hitting the replay on this cd since it has arrived. I knew at the first mention of Gerry Beckley (America) and Jeff Larson getting together and putting together this new cd, that it was going to be a Magical Masterpiece for sure. Getting to hear these songs in their entirety was like spending comfortable time with a friend. It is very hard for me to pick a favorite on this set of songs. Each and everyone of them have a unique well rounded blend of Gerry & Jeff and a touch of new magic. The lead song Heart of the Valley is full of rich acoustics and smooth piano accompanyment, add from the heart harmonizing vocals and lyrics, and this completes this sincere gem. This song settles in your bones quickly and you will find yourself humming along with the haunting outro inspired by Neil Finn (Crowded House) and brought to life nicely vocally by Jeff Foskett. I can hear a nice hint of Timothy B Schmit in Jeff's vocals on this song. Sudden Soldier captures me right from the get go, once again we are treated to a well blended rich acoustics, drums, and keyboard wizardry. I love, Jeff & Gerry's vocals, harmonizing and the way this song climaxes in a rocking way. Matt Beckley's touch of magic producing this is right on. The right back at you magic that is going on between Gerry & Jeff will carry you on to each song and will have you wanting more. Airport Smiles is a gentle blurr, even though it is short, it is packed full of the heartfelt magic between Gerry & Jeff, Jeff's neat added Airport clip sets the setting nicely. Minus Marci is a shinning, toe tapping gem, this song needs to find it's place in a movie soundtrack or tv show. It would make a real nice live show, jammin treat as well. Calling is filled with Gerry's sentimental ballad side, as well as his love for orchestrated backing, I also love how Jeff's vocals bring this sentimental gem to a nice visual blurr. I love how the trombone and euphonium add a soft sensual blurr to complete this in a much appreciated way. Ryland Steele (was in Matt Beckley's group TEA) adds his drum style to round it off in a new way. I also love the way the acoustics and piano play back and forth to each other in the middle bridge of this song. Next up is One Way Ticket and this song has won me completely, I love the freshness of it. I love knowing that Gerry's son Matt Beckley added his magical touch in producing this new rockin gem. This song has it all, rich, rocking acoustics, harmonizing that takes you a level higher and I have no problem hitting the replay on this song. I would have loved to be in the recording studio watching this gem unfold. Jeff shines brightly on Five Mile Road, his way with fitting his vocals to each song is very evident on this song, it gives that hauntingly mesmorizing blurr, that I sooo love to hear in Jeff's songs. Rusty Young of Poco adds a nice touch with the steel guitar. Southern Girl shines every sooo brightly, Jeff's bluegrass, country edge side is accompanied nicely by Dewey Bunnell's (America), you will love humming along with the harmonizing vocals and rustic acoustics. It is sooo easy to hear all the heartfelt collaboration going on in these songs. Jeff's way with Two People at Once captures you in a heartbeat. Simply Jeff and Gerry shining their softest sentimental sides. The lyrics in this capture my curiousity. I simply love this song. The harmonizing part in this song carries you back to the early days of the Beach Boys sound and makes you wish you could turn time back and be a part of that time era once more. Wishing Well is filled with the magic that I have always loved about Gerry's way with lyrics, as well as Jeff's individual lyric and vocal style. I feel that they have connected 100 percent on this song. One Lit Window is the perfect magic to end this new cd. The softness of this song spells out the collaborated magic that has become realization in the completion of this Gerry \ Jeff Heart of the Valley cd. Thanks Gerry for the new gems,it's always a pleasure to be treated to your Kiss of Life way with your love for music. It's nice knowing that Gerry & Jeff wrote 2 of the songs together on this cd, Minus Marci, and One Lit Window. I have been a long time fan of America's,Gerry Beckley's solo works, as well as Jeff Larson's works, and I will always look forward to new cds coming our way. Congratulations to Gerry, Jeff and Hank Linderman, Matt Beckley, and all that are a part of this new gem. I gladly recommend this cd to all! My Life Highway is sooo much richer because of having this music to accompany my days and nights. Shine On Jeff & Gerry!
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