Michael Tracy's Latest Release Gonna Smile
When you hear a song or listen to a melody and try to imagine a scene, your mind conjures up thoughts of what that sound you are hearing means to you in a personal sense. The expression, the beat, and the fullness of the sound can give you a flourish of emotions from the moment the music begins, and can last for as long as the music goes on until it reaches it’s sometimes unfortunate conclusion. This compilation of tracks laid down on Michael Tracy’s latest CD is that perfect mix of emotion, sensibility, melody, and diversity. Written and produced by Michael and co-produced and engineered by lead guitarist Boo English at Knothole Recording Studio, this grouping of songs will leave you guessing ”what could there possibly be next” as each track cues and plays through its entirety and the next song begins.
The first track “Enough Small Talk” is filled with powerful vocal harmonies, blistering fast blues lead guitar riffs and catchy lyrics that can equal or surpass any major label song released this year. Track two, “Fashion and Fame,” exudes soft flavorful vocal work on the verses which build to a potent and energetic chorus that is sung with authority and finishes as strong as it started. Next, “Wait For Me” takes the album on another twist you would never see coming. A blues boogie beat thrown in with astounding saxophone work. Amazing background harmonies and an ever changing blues feel to the guitar work add a wide range of sounds that is indescribably pleasing to the ear. “Ever Old, Ever New” is a haunting song filled with lyrical memories; penned to an airy sounding keyboard fill that brings the song to a new life as it is played softly in the background. Add a truly felt, soulful guitar solo and you get a song that will stick with you for years. Track 5 “Sing Together” is soulfully written for anyone to sing along with while it is playing on the radio and will help you forget about any stress that will be going on in your life. It’s upbeat fast tempo keeps you tapping your foot and clapping your hands through the entirety of the song. Track 6, “Raven,” is my favorite on the CD. A song that captures you from the moment it begins. You can hear the emotion begin to pour out of the speakers as the song starts to take shape from the very first note played. Michael sings this song with such feeling and sense of hurt and loss that it will drag you into the song and make you remember good times and bad times and the cruelties of life as each word comes pouring out across the empty space you are listening in. Track 7 is the title track “Gonna Smile” which immediately pops out of the air waves to a feel good boogie and then twists into a blinding swing that instantly gets your heart racing and doesn’t slow down until an anthemic bridge that brings the song to a sudden but very inventive conclusion. Track 8, “Red Sky” is about as indescribably amazing as any song I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. Very eclectic and unexpected tempo changes, powerful vocals, beautiful keyboard and organ work, and blinding fast and beautiful guitar work makes this song a wonder on the CD and brings it to life when you think it couldn’t get any better. Then there is the ever exuding soulfulness of the song “Devil Dancing.” Michael is the only songwriter I have heard who can make a song as dark themed as this particular single is, and make it a beautiful mix of true to life realism with grace, softness, and power. It captivates your senses and almost makes you close your eyes and wonder what he is thinking and feeling while he is penning this song on paper. The last and final song on this compilation finds the acoustic version of the song “Raven”. It’s the same song and lyrics as the electric version but builds on the emotion and traps the harmonies in a beautiful mix of fullness and airiness that brings something new to this tune. The collection as a whole is definitely an inventive and carefully produced selection of songs written and put together through 18 months of sweat, hard work, and emotionally driven hours in the studio.
This is an astounding array of songs that will leave you speechless. Each song has its own personality and it's own feeling behind it. If you have not purchased this latest release by Michael Tracy, then I have no idea what you are waiting for. It is one of the best independent pieces of work I have had the pleasure of listening to this year.
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http://youtube.com/michaeltracy http://facebook.com/michaeltracysongwriter http://michaeltracy.bandcamp.com/album/gonna-smile http://www.emusic.com/album/michael-tracy/gonna-smile/14937521 |