Michael Graetzer
Soul Direction
© 2001 Michael Graetzer (634479244520)
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Soul-searching and quirky, this CD blends folk-rock and smooth jazz. Fully produced with sax solos, electric and acoustic guitars, drums and percussion.
tracks
- 1 Soul Direction
- 2 Hey Stars
- 3 Soon
- 4 Sakura
- 5 Wakaranai
- 6 Ana
- 7 Where Can the Love Go
- 8 Lifetime to Go
- 9 Cigarette Baby
- 10 Great Spirit Sky
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Cross James Taylor with Don Henley, throw in some jazz around the edges, add a golden voice and you've got the musical offerings of Michael Graetzer. Solo acoustic or with a trio, this international recording artist moves audiences with his warm presence, lush vocals and masterful acoustic guitar work.
Award-winning originals such as "Soon" (2002 Nashville Songwriting Association International award winner) are interspersed with unusual interpretations of everything from Talking Heads to Doobie Brothers to Eric Clapton. Original crowd-pleasers include the theatrical rantings of "Wakaranai" (about not understanding Japanese), the playful jibes of "Cigarette Baby" and the powerful, Celtic-driven rock of "Soul Direction," the title track on his latest album.
In November 2001 he released his full-length CD "Soul Direction," featuring some of the top jazz and pop players from Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a songwriting student there, he was awarded over $10,000 in merit scholarships. He also served as a judge for the 2000 USA Songwriting Contest.
In 2004, he performed with Broadway legend Peter Howard on the QE2 and QM2 cruise ships and at Manhattan's prestigious Lamb's Club and Chez Josephine. In 2003, he performed twice on the nationally syndicated Joey Reynold's Show (WOR) and his song "Chelsea and Me" was featured on local Fox news. He performs in New York at Triad, Downtime, Red, Don't Tell Mama, Le Bar Bat, Groove, DTUT, C-Note and for HAI.
While working for Roland musical instruments in Japan in 1992, he was featured in the Kyoto Shimbun (newspaper) and on the popular national television show "B-Apple Ni-ji" performing his original song, "Wakaranai (I don't understand)." In addition to weekly nightclub shows, and a 3-week tour with "The Wizard of Jazz," he was a featured performer at the 1200-year anniversary of the founding of Kyoto.
After involvement in the San Francisco theatre scene as an actor, he worked as a full-time sound designer creating sound effects and tailormade soundscapes, an experience that later influenced his rich studio production work.
Michael is currently living in New York City recording tracks for his second album. Working with some of the country's top songwriters, he is incorporating influences from the cutting edge of the eclectic Nashville and New York songwriter scenes.
"'Soon' is a sweet gem of a song."
-Maya Dreamwalker, To Your Health (New York City)
"His vocal quality, similar to Gordon Lightfoot or Jim Croce, nestles nicely with his smooth-jazz/pop songcraft."
-Drew Walen, The City Paper (Nashville)
reviews
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Soul Direction
author: Sherrie AdamsHi Michael- I love the song "stars." Everyone can relate to that dichotomous bittersweet time in our lives when we are uncertain of what direction to go but our faith in ourselves and in the universe is what guides us. I think more music should be this melodic and raw. I love the simple production and the great lyrics! Keep it up!
Oooopppss...I goofed
author: Sophie KleinmannMichael... I continue listening to your CD... each time I hear your words they seem to reach deeper and deeper into the chambers of my heart... your words ease me far off into imaginings where "Great Spirit Sky" ... and "Soon" take me on journeying to ever-hope and ever-faith...where I fly off to LOVE awaiting... ...and...Ooopppsssss... in reading the review I wrote previously I realized I erred... Dan-iel was not one of the three Angel's... the 3rd Angel is Rafua-el... the Angel of healing... ...and..Your songs ARE soothing and HEALING...
...Michael'ss songs... a little-bit of Heaven brought down to earth ....
author: Sophie KleinmannDear Michael... Michael is one of the three angels Mikha-el, Gavri-el, and Dan-iel...that HaShem (the Almighty) had sent to earth to guide, bring contentment and peacefulness, and protect... Your songs...especially...Shakura, Hey stars...are that little-bit of Heaven brought down to earth resonated through your gentle, flowing and soothing voice tones. Tones that bring forth colors of the rainbow... and I am led to the other side and find not just a pot of gold...but...the golden rays of fulfillment of dreams. These songs enter my heart reaching deep, bringing forth expression of yearnings that have not been allowed to surface. I have to admit that I like so many of this era don't give voice to these feelings. Listening to the lyrics and music I feel, at times, as though I am floating on currents of time... trancsending the chronological clock and have been transported to an ehterial place where I LOVE YOUs are not just words spewed to manipulate desires...but...are said sparingly and meant. Your words are likened to a butterfly...its strength is in its delicate and beautiful wings able to soar to unknown heights in the sky...and then... flutter gracefully as it rests on the petal of the cherry blossom.
Charming, Handsome, mellow voice, original material, great guitar
author: Rhoda MinowitzClever and charming original songs, mellow voice, excellent guitar. A pleasant experience!
Take me away!
author: MikiI don't usually contribute to chats, but can't resist a word or two about "Soul Direction." Forget Calgon - Michael Graetzer, take me away! In the evening to unwind or during my morning run (to get my day under some semblance of my control!), these mellow pop/jazz melodies with thoughtful, sometimes clever, lyrics soothe my spirit and stay with me. Thanks, CD Baby, for making music like this accessible and if you're a real person skimming through the site, give "Soul Direction" a listen. I'm glad I did!