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19 january 2002 |
shining down, shining bright
It's difficult to describe some artists and their art. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Awhile back, I was introduced to the artist before I'd heard his art. Of course, it made me want to hear his songs, and pronto. If you don't go to live music shows much, make it a point to attend his. He has a heap of talent. When Mike Craver sings, people shoosh you up good. It's listening time. Mike currently has two albums available for sale at his website, www.mikecraver.com. The later is Shining Down, and it is a gem. Upon my first listen, I was struck by the sheer beauty of everything that makes Mike's songs happen: the piano, the guitar, and his keening tenor that occasionally slips into an ethereal, haunting falsetto. It is, for lack of a better word, enchanting. I don't go around letting people cast spells on me, but darn if Mike's music has done it. He's not "just" a singer-songwriter, but has also written several successful musicals and was one of the original Red Clay Ramblers. (They're another review. Old time? Singer-songwriter? Big fun? They got it!) His robust musical experience most certainly shines through on this album. In fact, some of his musical selections appear on the album, with That Wicky Wacky Hula Hula Honka Wonka Honolulu Hawaiian Honey of Mine being an extra-fun one from his musical Radio Gals. I'm already working on memorizing that one for my next sing-along. You should, too. The music that will keep me listening to Mike Craver, though, are his ballads. To sit in a room and hear him sing Argonne Wood, there's nothing like it. It is an unexpectedly timely song, considering the fact that we are looking at a possible war and have sent 150,000 troops to the Mideast so far. Lyrics like this remind you what music can be at its best: "And the order comes and the whistles blow Rarely have I heard music that is as consistently engaging and thoughtful as Mike's. If you're the sort who likes subtlety, intelligence, and depth in your CD collection, then you head on over to MikeCraver.com and add Shining Down to your collection. Listen to gentility.
Mike Craver, "Shining Down" |
