Guitarist/singer/composer Chuck Perrin’s latest self-released recorded project, 44 Minutes of Love – a reference to the length of the CD, finds the quasi-folk singer wrapped in a smoothly new-age-ish Pro Tools soundscape of warm acoustic sounds and mellow drum-machine-ish electronics.  At the heart of the recording is Perrin’s distinctive voice.  Even though he sings in a very breathy style his tonal quality still has a warming embrace that works best on his originals.

“I Gotta Have You,” a Perrin original and the CD’s lead-off cut, shows off Perrin’s unique voice quality to its best.  He really knows how to wrap his acoustic guitar accompanied voice around the likable poetry and we really get the sense he cares about the material.  “A Letter Home” is also exquisitely well sung.  His thoughts of longing are well conveyed and the slight vocal breaks only serve to add well-placed emotional inflection.

Helping to keep the recording from being overwrought with sameness is the addition of some great guest artists.  Included in the assemblage are New-age electric bass master Michael Manring, whose solo on “I Gotta Have You” is absolutely great.  Manring knows in this genre it’s not about a playing a ton of notes, but playing the right one at the right time.  Matching the style perfectly, Manring is a welcomed addition.

Thoughtout the recording, Perrin’s use of guest soloists to track on top of his demo-ish tracks really make this recording something special.  New-age saxophonist Hollis Gentry III, jazz keyboardist Rob Whitlock, flutist Arthur Fisher, guitarist Brian Price and pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz add such warm colors and sounds to the recording it’s impossible to conceive of this project without them.

If you’re looking for an out of the way folky/new-age singer, you really should check Perrin out.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
This extremely refreshing and palatable 44 minute ride of pop jazzlight is a beautiful collection of music, message, and soul, equal parts make-out music and universal wisdom. Perrin's ambitiously original songwriting borrows nothing but instead opts to look deep within his soul in search of something truly beautiful. 
The tracks are all stellar - outstanding and passionate. Surrounded and supported by a phenomenal cast of musicians, 
his vocals are "pillow-talk" sweet yet urgent at the same time.
The ideas are slyly wow!, while the arrangements are not at all obvious, making it extremely stylish, deliberate, and genuine. It starts out great, and then it grows on you with each listen. If you let it, this CD will start talking to you. The recording is of course, pristine - oozing and oozing with excellence. And, its soft, dream-like and "zenny" quality prompts me to complain only once, which is that I wish it played for 4 hours and 44 minutes.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
With his fresh, gentle breeze of a voice blowing through some old school soul, Chuck Perrin has assembled a cast of beautiful players to join him on a smooth grooving ride. In a world aching for tenderness, "44 Minutes of Love" is a balm for troubled times, even if it ends far too soon.
                            Read more...