In a day and age when even established artists are being ignored by the public,its refreshing to come across an artist like Jeff Larson who's been offering up his brand of "West coast Pop/rock" for the past decade. Larson,a California native,has just released his 3rd official solo release,"Fragile Sunrise" with some noteable guest stars including members of the Eagles and America. Without getting into specifics,Larson blames the fickle Music Industry for his lack of airplay-surprising,considering that his new Cd is perhaps his most commercial to date--and probably the best pop/rock you're NOT hearing! "Fragile Sunrise" continues Larsons tradition of Good songwriting and
Beach Boy-type harmonies. As far as his 'sound' goes,Larson told me,"I get 'breezy west coast pop' thrown towards it too--I'm not always sure what that means either. Anyway,I think there's been a slow evolution to the music these last few years. Regarding the Beach Boys,I only got into that body of work
about 5 years ago and was really knocked out with Brian's(Wilson) stuff. When I did 'Watercolor sky'(1998)with Jeff Foskett and Gary Griffin(former Beach Boys band members)producing,I was at the peak of discovering that sound. You mix that with my own musical comprehension and songs,and you have that CD. There is tension in the sound of 'Fragile Sunrise' that I think is healthy--its probably the most complete so far and the most representative of me." "Fragile Sunrise" will also remind listeners of the Eagles and America. Timothy B. Schmit lends vocals to "Changing colors" while America's Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell also contribute. Beckley wrote and produced "Norman" about the late architect Norman Bel Geddes." SayS Larson,"'Norman' was a song I heard at my first concert experience and I always remembered the chorus melody. America never officially recorded the song so I asked about doing it. Gerry had it all worked out and was very supportive throughout the recording process. I love the subject matter and the imagery. Its an original piece and a little daring for that time(late 70's)since people probably expected his ballads to always be love songs" said Larson. "Fragile Sunrise" has already been released in the U.S.,but is taking on another life in Europe and Japan. I asked Larson if there was any kind of marketing agenda being done for the new disk,such as radio airplay? "The radio promo for the record is the song 'Faraway Mary'. 'Norman' could still happen too,along with 'Place where I belong'. In Japan there is some marketing and promotion they are doing for the album",said Larson. And what of the future? I asked Larson how he determines what to
do next? "Good question. I set out in 1997 to try and build a body of recorded work,so I know I will be going back at it soon enough,for my own mental health,and because I think I can do one better. I write alot and have notebooks full of songs and song ideas. Its not cheap and is costly in more ways than one. 'Fragile Sunrise' was my obsession for 14 months,but thats not a negative thing. In the fall I plan on recording Beckley's "All my life". Its good to keep that song alive. I'm also talking with former Lovin Spoonful lead singer John Sebastian about playing on one of the new ones too. There are some other scenarios as well. I guess to sum up the answer,I have no plans to stop". "Fragile Sunrise" is available via Amazon.com and you can also order it through Larson's website at www.new-surf.com/jefflarson Odds & ends...Veteran artists are readying long overdue projects in the next couple of months. PETER GABRIEL'S new studio CD,"Up",has been scheduled for September 24th. Its his first new studio release since "Us" in 1992. JACKSON BROWNE will release his new studio album September 26th in Japan with one bonus track. A worldwide release will follow shortly afterwards. Its the first new studio release for Browne since 1996's "Looking East". TOTO will release "Through the looking Glass" in October. The first single is a cover of an old Bob Marley tune called "Could you be loved". And finally due next week is the long awaited release from JAMES TAYLOR. "October Road" is his first new release since 1997's "Hourglass" and also comes as a Limited edition set with bonus tracks. First single "On the 4th of July" is already a Top 15 Adult Contemporary hit,and the set also comes with his Top 10 Christmas hit of last year,"Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" which has never been available commercially before. Got questions or comments about music? Contact Steve at themusictree@hotmail.com