Monday, February 28, 2011
PDXReviews: PDX's Blast
PDXReviews: PDX's Blast: "In this edition of PDXReviews Blast from the Past, we premier with 'In the Still of the Night' by the Five Satins. This is truly one o..."
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
PDXReviews: Artist Spotlight
PDXReviews: Artist Spotlight: "'Take me with you' is the 11th track from the self titled 'Trading Voices' CD. The sheer power of this song has placed Trading Voices in the..."
Thursday, February 17, 2011
PDXReviews: A Reprint: New Hats, Solo Careers, Keeping it "Re...
PDXReviews: A Reprint: New Hats, Solo Careers, Keeping it "Re...: "New Hats, Solo Careers, Keeping it 'Real,' and, my review of 'October Valentine' by Chris Kokesh It is a very difficult thing to do. That..."
A Reprint: New Hats, Solo Careers, Keeping it "Real," and, my review of "October Valentine" by Chris Kokesh
New Hats, Solo Careers, Keeping it "Real," and, my review of "October Valentine" by Chris Kokesh
It is a very difficult thing to do.
That is, releasing a solo CD is a very difficult thing to do. The task is made even more difficult when the artist in question has been a long time member of a successful group. The process is wrought with conflict, often pitting the artist’s desire for personal expression against their own expectations and the expectations of their fans. In some cases, these expectations can be extremely high.
As a decade long fan of Misty River, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that one of the groups founding members, Chris Kokesh, was releasing a solo CD. I was first introduced to Misty River during one of their tours through the Willamette Valley, and I immediately fell in love with their unique vocal style and amazing harmonies.
As a group, the four ladies of Misty River set a new standard of excellence in music, and have maintained this standard for over 10 years.
After deciding to review this CD, I began to understand that I would also be battling my own expectations. I was faced with answering the obvious question: "Is it fair to hold Chris Kokesh’s solo CD up to the same high standards that we would have for a CD from Misty River?"
The simple answer, of course, is "NO."
The reality of this situation, however, is not so simple. Regardless of what people say or intend, they will make comparisons between this Artist’s group and solo work. And, there really isn’t anything we can do about this because what people say or intend is beyond our control.
So, you ask: "Is this fair?"
Again, the answer is: "No, it’s not fair."
But, sometimes, life isn’t fair. We all know this to be true. For most of us, we merely try to do the best that we can on a daily basis. We deal with the trials and tribulations that life sends our way. We revel in our successes, and, we are crushed by our defeats. This is especially true when it comes to matters of the heart.
"Why does this happen," you ask?
Well... the answer is to this question is very simple. Dealing with life is part of the human experience. And, how we deal with life defines who you are as a person.
Chris Kokesh is no different than any one of us. She has a long list of positive attributes that go beyond musical talent. Directly from her MySpace page, she is described as a singer, song writer, composer, performer, fiddler, guitar player, band member, and teacher. (We should also add "dog owner" to this list.) She has put together an impressive resume based on many years of hard work, and hundreds of gigs. This includes numerous benefit concerts for charity.
Basically, Chris Kokesh wears a lot of "hats." It shouldn’t be a surprise that she is trying on the new "hat" of being a solo artist. She has earned the respect of people within, and without, the music community. And, she has a reputation for "keeping it real."
For Chris Kokesh, "keeping it real" means "keeping it honest." As such, I believe that it is only fair to review this CD based on this same principle. Regardless of the high esteem I hold for Misty River, I decided that I would do my best to review this CD based on the merit of the CD alone.
So, let’s get to the music:
Artist Name: Chris Kokesh
CD Format: Cardboard Envelope w/foldout
CD Price: $15.00 (CDBaby)
CD Release Date: 2010
Contact information:
Website: http://www.chriskokesh.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chriskokesh
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1251827163
Track List:
1. A Night Like This. A song of exploration, taking risks, and of making connections that include feelings and emotions that make the connection special. So special that the connection transcends time and stays with us forever.
2. Lucy. This is a song of reaching out to the ones you love. Trying to prepare them and protect them from the realities of the world, even if this means protecting them from themselves. There is more to this song than merely passing on wisdom, experience, and love from mother to daughter.
3. I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You. A song focusing on the void created when you lose someone. The flavor of life, even in the simple things, seems lost in the absence of the one you love.
4. Wishing Time. A song of reminiscence and regret, of times passed and opportunities lost. A sorrowful reminder of losing a special moment. This is an excellent song.
5. Risk My Heart. Our heart is a port of us, a reflection of who we are. Letting your heart make decisions for you can be dangerous, and fulfilling at the same time. Love is always a risk.
6. Rose of My Heart. Your view of yourself, and the world around you, can be transformed when you find the one that makes you whole.
7. I Hear the Trains. Focusing on a moment in time, and questioning whether those around you share your interpretation of that moment can be a lonesome and enlightening experience.
8. Finding the Edge. There is a strength in love. This strength, and the connection from where it comes, can see us through the lowest times in our lives.
9. Radio Soul. A song of losing and renewing faith not only in the world around you, but also in yourself.
10. Planting a Garden in October. Expectations and hope seem to clash in this song focusing on "what could have been." The best laid plans, and the best of intentions, do not always lead us to the place where we want to be.
11. Hell of a Year. A great conclusion to this CD. A song of reflection and regret, of renewal and hope. More than a simple statement, "Hell of a Year" leaves the listener with a sense of resolve, growth, and accomplishment.
Rating:
Song Quality ``` 9.3
Song Relevance 9.4
Song Selection 9.3
Song Order and Variation 9.0
Production: includes technical aspects 9.2
Post Production: includes Marketing, Advertising, Sales 8.7
Finished Format: including Artwork, Liner Notes, etc. 8.9
Availability 8.9
Price 8.7
Overall Rating (On a 10 Scale) 9.04
* N/R - No basis for rating.
Three Tracks to listen to:
If you really want to get a fair representation of this Artist’s work, listen to the following three tracks:
1. A Night Like This.
4. Wishing Time.
8. Finding the Edge.
Final Comments:
"October Valentine" is an exploration of how we seek and experience different types of love. A common thread intertwines these songs focusing on how we find. and sometimes lose love within the connections we make with those around us. Straddled between risk and reward, turmoil and fulfillment, love not only serves as the true meaning of life, it also serves as the true irony of life.
As an artist, Chris Kokesh has the ability to mesh honest, "hard hitting" lyrics with a high level of instrumental excellence and a vocal acuity that allow her a freedom and a diversity in her musical expression.
Hopefully, Chris Kokesh has become comfortable wearing her new "hat." It seems to suit her well.
Purchasing this CD:
You can purchase your copy of "October Valentine" by clicking the following link to CDBaby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ckokesh
And, remember to pick up your copy of "Believe," a CD that benefits The Relay for Life. You can pick of your copy of "Believe" by clicking the following link to CDBaby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/believecomp
Thank you for reading my review of "October Valentine" by Chris Kokesh. It was an extreme pleasure to review work by this Artist.
Thanks again.
-Phil Adams
PDXReviews
It is a very difficult thing to do.
That is, releasing a solo CD is a very difficult thing to do. The task is made even more difficult when the artist in question has been a long time member of a successful group. The process is wrought with conflict, often pitting the artist’s desire for personal expression against their own expectations and the expectations of their fans. In some cases, these expectations can be extremely high.
As a decade long fan of Misty River, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that one of the groups founding members, Chris Kokesh, was releasing a solo CD. I was first introduced to Misty River during one of their tours through the Willamette Valley, and I immediately fell in love with their unique vocal style and amazing harmonies.
As a group, the four ladies of Misty River set a new standard of excellence in music, and have maintained this standard for over 10 years.
After deciding to review this CD, I began to understand that I would also be battling my own expectations. I was faced with answering the obvious question: "Is it fair to hold Chris Kokesh’s solo CD up to the same high standards that we would have for a CD from Misty River?"
The simple answer, of course, is "NO."
The reality of this situation, however, is not so simple. Regardless of what people say or intend, they will make comparisons between this Artist’s group and solo work. And, there really isn’t anything we can do about this because what people say or intend is beyond our control.
So, you ask: "Is this fair?"
Again, the answer is: "No, it’s not fair."
But, sometimes, life isn’t fair. We all know this to be true. For most of us, we merely try to do the best that we can on a daily basis. We deal with the trials and tribulations that life sends our way. We revel in our successes, and, we are crushed by our defeats. This is especially true when it comes to matters of the heart.
"Why does this happen," you ask?
Well... the answer is to this question is very simple. Dealing with life is part of the human experience. And, how we deal with life defines who you are as a person.
Chris Kokesh is no different than any one of us. She has a long list of positive attributes that go beyond musical talent. Directly from her MySpace page, she is described as a singer, song writer, composer, performer, fiddler, guitar player, band member, and teacher. (We should also add "dog owner" to this list.) She has put together an impressive resume based on many years of hard work, and hundreds of gigs. This includes numerous benefit concerts for charity.
Basically, Chris Kokesh wears a lot of "hats." It shouldn’t be a surprise that she is trying on the new "hat" of being a solo artist. She has earned the respect of people within, and without, the music community. And, she has a reputation for "keeping it real."
For Chris Kokesh, "keeping it real" means "keeping it honest." As such, I believe that it is only fair to review this CD based on this same principle. Regardless of the high esteem I hold for Misty River, I decided that I would do my best to review this CD based on the merit of the CD alone.
So, let’s get to the music:
Artist Name: Chris Kokesh
CD Format: Cardboard Envelope w/foldout
CD Price: $15.00 (CDBaby)
CD Release Date: 2010
Contact information:
Website: http://www.chriskokesh.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chriskokesh
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1251827163
Track List:
1. A Night Like This. A song of exploration, taking risks, and of making connections that include feelings and emotions that make the connection special. So special that the connection transcends time and stays with us forever.
2. Lucy. This is a song of reaching out to the ones you love. Trying to prepare them and protect them from the realities of the world, even if this means protecting them from themselves. There is more to this song than merely passing on wisdom, experience, and love from mother to daughter.
3. I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You. A song focusing on the void created when you lose someone. The flavor of life, even in the simple things, seems lost in the absence of the one you love.
4. Wishing Time. A song of reminiscence and regret, of times passed and opportunities lost. A sorrowful reminder of losing a special moment. This is an excellent song.
5. Risk My Heart. Our heart is a port of us, a reflection of who we are. Letting your heart make decisions for you can be dangerous, and fulfilling at the same time. Love is always a risk.
6. Rose of My Heart. Your view of yourself, and the world around you, can be transformed when you find the one that makes you whole.
7. I Hear the Trains. Focusing on a moment in time, and questioning whether those around you share your interpretation of that moment can be a lonesome and enlightening experience.
8. Finding the Edge. There is a strength in love. This strength, and the connection from where it comes, can see us through the lowest times in our lives.
9. Radio Soul. A song of losing and renewing faith not only in the world around you, but also in yourself.
10. Planting a Garden in October. Expectations and hope seem to clash in this song focusing on "what could have been." The best laid plans, and the best of intentions, do not always lead us to the place where we want to be.
11. Hell of a Year. A great conclusion to this CD. A song of reflection and regret, of renewal and hope. More than a simple statement, "Hell of a Year" leaves the listener with a sense of resolve, growth, and accomplishment.
Rating:
Song Quality ``` 9.3
Song Relevance 9.4
Song Selection 9.3
Song Order and Variation 9.0
Production: includes technical aspects 9.2
Post Production: includes Marketing, Advertising, Sales 8.7
Finished Format: including Artwork, Liner Notes, etc. 8.9
Availability 8.9
Price 8.7
Overall Rating (On a 10 Scale) 9.04
* N/R - No basis for rating.
Three Tracks to listen to:
If you really want to get a fair representation of this Artist’s work, listen to the following three tracks:
1. A Night Like This.
4. Wishing Time.
8. Finding the Edge.
Final Comments:
"October Valentine" is an exploration of how we seek and experience different types of love. A common thread intertwines these songs focusing on how we find. and sometimes lose love within the connections we make with those around us. Straddled between risk and reward, turmoil and fulfillment, love not only serves as the true meaning of life, it also serves as the true irony of life.
As an artist, Chris Kokesh has the ability to mesh honest, "hard hitting" lyrics with a high level of instrumental excellence and a vocal acuity that allow her a freedom and a diversity in her musical expression.
Hopefully, Chris Kokesh has become comfortable wearing her new "hat." It seems to suit her well.
Purchasing this CD:
You can purchase your copy of "October Valentine" by clicking the following link to CDBaby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ckokesh
And, remember to pick up your copy of "Believe," a CD that benefits The Relay for Life. You can pick of your copy of "Believe" by clicking the following link to CDBaby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/believecomp
Thank you for reading my review of "October Valentine" by Chris Kokesh. It was an extreme pleasure to review work by this Artist.
Thanks again.
-Phil Adams
PDXReviews
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