Album Notes

The collaboration between Jez and Stephen began in July 2005, when Stephen contacted Jez after hearing his version of "Be Still", a Stephen Kalinich/Dennis Wilson song that is on The Beach Boys "1968 "Friends" LP. Jez's version of "BE STILL" is the opening song on Jez's 2004 solo piano CD "Jez Loves You" and also is featured on the CD "TWO STEPS FORWARD" a tribute to Brian and Dennis Wilson which was produced by Jerry Boyd.

Pianist/Singer/Songwriter Jez Graham has been in demand on the Atlanta scene since 1988 when he and his wife headed south to raise a family. You Can Soar is his 7th CD release. Inspired by Stephen's words Jez produced this mix of music and poetry near Atlanta with many of his favorite musicians and people. Stephen's poetry was recorded at Chinatown Studio's in L.A. The Cd was completed in summer 2006 and Jez and Stephen performed at several venues in Atlanta. After the Atlanta events, Stephen went to England where he has continued to perform his poetry and songs.

A little about the songs-
Start Your Day With Gratitude-An upbeat pop/rocker, features Jez's Daughter Janna on Drums.

Unsung Heroes- Stephen's words bring to light the many Unsung Heroes that walk among us. It's a true story,

Alameda Symphony-Part 1 is a rock and roll song that takes place on Alameda Street in Los Angeles. Part 2 is a recitation by Stephen over some keyboard ambience.

Goodness-Gospel Funk. Features Will Bernard, Francine Reed, and a horn arrangment by Jez's son Bill.

Smoke This- This one represents the long form nature of Stephen's poetry merged with Jez's free flowing Pop/Jazz journeys. Features Bobby Robles on Guitar.

You Can Soar- Dreamy, soothing music, uplifting, inspirational lyrics

Life Against The Wind- One of Stephen's most pointed and hard hitting lyrics about the plight of refugees and how much of the world looks at the Homeless.


Stephen's Bio-


Words come naturally to Stephen Kalinich; they have ever since he was ten years old and penned his first poem. Since then, Stephen’s talent with words has taken him on a creative journey through a wide variety of writing fields including poetry, lyrics, and children’s books.

Born in Endicott, New York and raised in Binghamton, New York, the seasonal changes and colors of the beautiful country of his childhood made a deep impression on him, which eventually found its way into his work. He knew from an early age that he excelled at expressing himself and realized he wanted to pursue a career using words to evoke visual and emotional imagery.

After college, Stephen moved to Los Angeles in order to pursue a career in the film industry. He was quickly sidetracked by a budding poetry career, which in turn led him to a highly successful career as a lyricist working with such notable talents as Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, P.F. Sloan, Art Munson, Kenny Hirsch, Jobete Music, Irving Almo Music, Randy Crawford, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Odyssey, Clifton Davis, Diana Ross, among others. In addition to writing lyrics, Stephen is an accomplished musician.

Stephen’s talents weren’t limited to the creative side of the business and he soon found himself an executive manager and producers of videos, books, and various other projects, including an American TV special, "Steve Kalinich on America," for Storer Cable Network. Stephen’s most recent collaboration with Rupert Hitzig, "The Ooglebees" an animated children’s project, has brought him full circle as he comes back to the multimedia and film industry which first called to him so many years ago.

Stephen’s upbeat, exuberant personality has made him an inspiration to those who work with him, as well as garnered him many positive contacts in the entertainment industry. He also donated his time and energy to the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Weingart Center in Los Angeles.
2004 found Stephen co-writing 2 songs with Brian Wilson for his CD including a duet with Paul McCartney. Since then Stephen has been busy and prolific. He has co-written songs on recent CD's by P.F. Sloan, David Marks, and Alan Boyd.

For more info-
www.myspace.com/jezgraham
www.jezgraham.com
http://myspace.com/sjkalinich
http://stevekalinich.com
http://stephenkalinich.wg-net.com/

No matter how rough it gets
We must start every day with gratitude
No matter what appears what condition-
Through illness or depression.
Gratitude is the key
It unlocks the doors
And we must express it
Not just in thought but in action.
We must overcome the evidence to the contrary.
We must allow no room within us
For jealousy
Or resentment.
We must not envy others-
Or allow hurt feelings
By saying they are natural
Because they are not.
They come from self
Being self centered
And self preoccupation.
We must beat down
That nasty little self
As I call it.
The big sin is
we have to fall out of love with our limited selves
and stop trying to preserve its comfort.
It will keep us in slavery and bondage.
We must start the day with gratitude
End the day with gratitude
And live the day and night with gratitude
There is no room for any thing else.
We must take the conviction
All the way
And not react to how others feel about us.
It will bring us down every time.
We must overcome our own demons.
We are not that great
But there is greatness
In the love that is in us
And we must express it.
Our talents are to use and share
With our families
And those in need
And until we care about others
Like we do about our own
There will be no transformation in the world.

Stephen John Kalinich
C.2007
AllRights Reserved