Album Notes

Larry’s latest CD, ‘No Place Special’ is a wonderful collection of songs that branch out beyond one genre.There is an honesty and down-homeness in Larry’s voice, reminiscent of James Taylor and Gordon Lightfoot, or for a more modern reference, John Gorka or Jack Johnson.

‘Truly’ (sung from a dog’s perspective of getting hit by a train.) has been described as a masterpiece, a song that inspires a universal truth for all of us that” if you live your life fully, dying doesn’t hurt.” ‘Chief Sagamore’ parallels the meaning of ‘land’ in the New England theme (from a current Alaskan/former New Englander’s point of view)

Sarah Bayle from Metronome Magazine writes “My personal favorite is ‘Morning Coffee’, in fact if I could listen to Larry sing that song while I had my morning coffee, I’d be a generally happier person.”

Larry’s at his best with just guitar and voice. The song ‘Quiet Life’ is a great example of this. Recently chosen as a winner in the Flatrock Music Festival Songwriters Contest, it will also be on the compilation CD ‘Songs for a Better Planet, Volume II’

When asked how he came to live in Alaska…. “Life felt too easy for me after high school, even during high school – I worked, paid the bills, I wanted to go somewhere and struggle a little bit, I think I’m a glutton for punishment sometimes. Also I wanted to see mountains and live close to the land and build a place of my own. I wanted to sing and play my guitar. That’s when I really started to write, I lived pretty simply without electricity and running water for a long time and it seemed songs were everywhere.”

Larry Zarella, has spent the past 16 years living and working in Alaska. He has worked every type of job from fishing boats, washing dishes, to building log cabins. Originally from Sagamore Beach, Ma., he attended Boston’s Berklee College of Music, where he learned that class room music was not what he wanted to do.

In 1990, his first year in Alaska, Larry formed a band, The Denalli Cooks…… released two CD’s with the band and 3 solo CD’s. As a solo artist, he has opened for many national touring acts, including, The John Butler Trio, Todd Snider, Janice Ian, Dan Bern, Chris Smither, Susan Werner and Luce.

Larry’s greatest performances are the live ones. There is a magic in his stage presence, there is drama and humor. When Larry sings, you not only believe him, you know him and therefore know your own feelings all the better. Whether the song is quiet and understated, loud and triumphant, or simply tickling our funny bone, Larry captures and wins over the audience. This isn’t a capture like that of an opera diva or the Mormon Choir. It is the capture of a friend’s voice around the campfire or in a living room on a dark evening after a wedding or a blizzard or a long canoe paddle.

For more information on Larry Zarella, visit www.larryzarella.com