Album Notes

Luke Sayers is pleased to present a soulful collection of 11 new original songs for people who like honest, melodious, & deep grooving music on his CD “Radio Flower”. This is Luke's third release as a solo artist, and his first full length recording. Luke's last EP “Long Way Back” (2007) was described as “flavorful folk that weaves together blues, rock, country, jazz, and bluegrass, with bang-up harmonies at times recalling Barenaked Ladies”(John Sinkevics – Grand Rapids Press), and received praise such as “Luke Sayers has a powerful, passionate voice, and it's put to good use on the heartfelt, beautifully written tunes on his new CD (Martin Bandyke – 107.1 FM Ann Arbor, MI). Other accolades came in the form of nominations by WYCE's “Jammie” Awards for Best Local Folk Album of the Year, as well as the Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Folk Artist.

As an acoustic American roots artist, Luke begins with the blues, draws on the story telling tradition of country and folk, and brings his lyrics to life through soaring melodies set against the backdrop of energetic grooves derived from pop rock. “Radio Flower” touches on themes that connect us through the common human experience. Searching the radio for a familiar tune while you're lost on a long stretch of unfamiliar highway; being unappreciated in your home town; sticking your foot in your mouth; trying to save a loved one from themselves; even getting involved in an inappropriate workplace relationship. The arrangements are delivered by the tightly knit trio of Luke Sayers (lead and harmony vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, upright bass, mandolin, and percussion), Mark Iannace (harmony vocal, accordion, keyboards, and percussion), and Mike Gabelman (drums). Special guest appearances by Jill Jack (duet vocal) & Pat Shanley (electric guitar) on the two sides to every story-punch drunk love-just leave the bottle torch song “Bitter Wine”, as well as Bobby Parker (trumpet) on the New Orleans influenced groove of “They Don't Want Me” give the recording some wonderfully unexpected flavor.

“Radio Flower” features Luke's song “What I Should've Said” which won first place in the 2005 Great Lakes Songwriting Competition. Here it is stripped down to a duo performance with the seamless harmony that is the result of Luke and Mark singing together at hundreds of shows at the forefront. Another highlight is Luke's arrangement of Johnny Cash's “I'm a Worried Man”, which leans naturally towards the songs Jamaican roots while inspired by Willie Nelson's guitar playing and Paul Simon ala “Graceland” African rhythms.

“Radio Flower” is full of the sound that Christian Czerwinski of the Lansing State Journal NOISE called “easy to listen to even for the hardest of rockers and the most casual of pop fans”.