Album Notes

A Million Lights...

What a delightful gem "Shotgun" is. The strongest track is the addictive title track with its driving rhythm, "Take it to the limit, take it downtown, rock it to the rhythm of the California sound." Not bad for a CD recorded in Massachusetts! The opener "Cold Heart" is also a musical banquet with its swaying midtempo rhythm, the unusual musical touches (an inebriated organ?) and Beatty's voice like a caress, "An angel without wings & a box of broken dreams, I never thought of growing old." "Accidental Tourist" is also a very sweet, gentle folk-flavored confection, "A million lights were shining underneath my plane like a million broken hearts that have been left out in the rain." On "Ghostlight" Beatty's piano-based melody does sound like a classic Carole King tune, which is an entirely good thing in my book! "Battle Scar[s]" is a rhythmic blast with excellent percussion. Beatty mines "The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood" from 1968 on this Richard Farina tune. It's a dreamy soaring melody that Beatty builds, "Love is Lord of all." There are no weak tracks on "Shotgun," an excellent discovery! Enjoy! Lee Armstrong -Amazon.Com -Spotlight Review



And a Lost Highway Home...

Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Michael Beatty captures a unique musical vision with his third CD release.
From the bass thumping city streets of the title track to the lyrical wanderlust of a Lost Highway Home -Shotgun- showcases Beatty’s song craft and voice like never before. “Infectious and smartly produced...a smooth mix of eclectic pop...a fresh direction with surprising results” -City Musician

Shotgun -a collaborative effort, was produced by BMG/Sony’s Brad Young for Underground Productions. Young’s other musical collaborations include Kim Fox, Jude, Tracy Bonham, Queen Latifah, & N-Sync. Young has earned five Platinum and Gold albums. With Beatty’s eclectic acoustic style and Young’s signature pop sound -Shotgun- propels the team into a satisfying musical arena. Joined by bassist Mike Rivard (Jonatha Brooke, Aimee Mann, Jon Brion, The Story, Club d’Elf,) guitarists Gary Backstrom (Jiggle the Handle,) and Ed Jurdi, as well as drummer Larry Finn (Paula Cole, Susan Tedeschi,
& Al Kooper.)

“Beatty crafts striking songs” says -The Boston Globe. He is a strong live performer who proves a hard act to follow. Dirty Linen Magazine has expressed “Excellent taste...Michael Beatty is an interesting performer off to a great start.” He currently resides in New York City where he is recording a new album of urban style piano based pop.


“Definite style coupled with substance” -Spotlight Magazine


Shotgun notes:

Michael Beatty: Vocals, acoustic guitars, keyboards, background vocals

Brad Young: Keyboards, techno alchemy, background vocals

Gary Backstrom: Acoustic and electric guitars, talk box, background vocals

Ed Jurdi: Acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica

Mike Rivard: Bass

Larry Finn: Drums, percussion

Anthony Grant: Horns

Dave Limina: Accordion


Produced, recorded, and mixed by Brad Young for Underground Productions