10259 - JEFF LARSON COMPLETE WORKS 1998-2000, DISC TWO (2001)
JEFF LARSON
''COMPLETE WORKS 1998-2000, DISC TWO''
2001
143:26
**********
DISC ONE (75:22)
''ROOM FOR SUMMER'' (2000)
1 Hey 02:57
2 Carol Ann 03:32
3 Sarah's Song 03:13
4 Valentine Note 02:44
5 Lot To Learn 03:37
6 Room For Summer 03:24
7 Lauren 04:16
8 Postcard 03:45
9 The Word Go 03:07
10 Goes Without Saying 03:23
11 Her Heart 03:46
12 All The Sudden Cool 02:45
13 Lauren (Instrumental) 04:48
''WATERCOLOR SKY'' (1998)
14 Nothing But Air 03:51
15 Annabelle 03:23
16 Definite Blonde 04:28
17 Shades 03:28
18 Song For Renee 04:16
19 Coast 03:32
20 Another Highway Song 03:17
21 Pain To See (I'm Gone) 03:41
**********
DISC TWO (68:04)
''WATERCOLOR SKY'' (1998)
1 Touch Of June 04:11
2 King Of Summer 04:12
''UNRELEASED: ALTERNATE VERSIONS, MIXES, DEMOS 1998-2000''
3 Room For Summer (Alternate Version) 03:05
4 Carol Ann (Vocals-Guitar Mix) 03:32
5 Gray Wave (Unreleased) 03:10
6 Everything Is Fine (Unreleased) 02:46
7 Coast (Vocals Only) 03:10
8 Traditional Longboard (Unreleased) 03:07
9 Postcard From Here (Alternate Acoustic Mix) 03:42
10 When She Comes Around (Unreleased Demo) 03:05
11 Coastal Moon (Unreleased) 03:47
12 Girl With Uke (Unreleased) 03:50
13 With Uke (Snippet) 01:37
14 Plain To See (Track Only) 03:42
15 Shades (Original Demo) 03:22
16 Golden Summers (Dutch Single 1998) 04:13
17 Summer Means Fun (Unreleased) 02:12
18 Summer Means Fun (Vocal) 02:08
19 You Just Don't Know (Touch Of June Intro) 00:35
20 Changing Colors (Blueflower Mix Unreleased) 03:13
21 Nothing But Air (Track Only) 03:53
22 Shades (Vocal Only) 01:20
**********
REVIEW
John Holcomb
February 8, 1999
With the acoustic guitar at the forefront of his sound, Jeff Larson has released two acoustic rock CD´s, “Upper Story Landing” (ITS 002, 1995) and the recent “Beggars” (ITS 004, 1997). Larson born and raised in Northern California (near San Fransisco), has spent the better part of the last six years working as a solo acoustic performer opening for such atcs as singer/songwriter John Stewart (Daydream Believer, Runaway Train), the pop group America, and Tonio K. Larson also performs 50-60 dates a year including a weekly spot in the San Fransisco bay area.
In addition he has toured the last three years in Northern Europe in support of his CD projects. In 1997 a change was building – Larson released a 3 song CD sampler titled “Leaving California” which he hoped would gain the attention to turn his musical landscape around. It did….
With the new CD “Watercolor Sky” (New Surf LTD, NC 98-4803) released september 1998, Larson returned completly to his pop-rock influences. Teaming up with West Coast musicians and producers Jeffrey Foskett and Gary Griffin (former touring/recording Beach Boys), Watercolor Sky represents Jeff Larson´s take on the “California Sound”. West Coast imagery, jangly guitars, and very present harmony vocals.
The folloing words is written by John Holcomb (AMPLIFIER).
Jeff Larson’s Watercolor Sky was one of my favorite albums of 1998. Residing at the other end of the continuum from “heavy guitar pop” like Cheap Trick and the Shazam, Larson and co-producers Jeffrey Foskett and Gary Griffin created a record full of beautiful musical pastels, strongly emphasizing melody and musicianship.
Larson’s influences are not dissimilar from other artists who ply their trade in the pop genre, although one band in particular made Larson sit up and take notice during his formative years.
“The records that really caught me were by America in the later 70s, specifically their Hearts to Harbor albums,” says Larson. “Very melodic songs full of imagery that took you places. I started to play (and write) about 1977. The Hearts album specifically was the first I bought because it contained the song “Daisy Jane,” which really made me want to write songs and sing. In general, though, I listened to all pop music that was melodic and painted pictures through the music and lyrics. The feel has always been key.”
Larson’s recording career began with a couple of solo tracks done for a label based in the Netherlands; he toured northern Europe as a solo act. Then the spirit of Brian Wilson looked upon him.
“I made the decision that I needed a producer who would be sympathetic to the material and fit what I was trying to get across musically and lyrically,” says Larson. “I started listening to the Beach Boys very heavily about four years ago; that led to me picking up some publications related to them. Enter Jeffrey Foskett? I picked up his Thru My Window CD, which pretty much became a soundtrack for the summer of ’97. I had just finished a three-song sampler (demo) CD in the direction I wanted to go. The production was sparse, but the songs were there. I sent it out to many in various circles I was interested in; needless to say it got to Jeffrey and a few months later I did “Nothing but Air” and “Shades” with (him) and Gary (Griffin) producing.”
“Nothing but Air” is a spectacular tune that featured one of 1998’s most memorable melodies and choruses. Larson suggests that he didn’t have to look far for inspiration. “It was?one of those songs I wrote in about an hour,” he admits. “I wrote it for my wife and was pleased with the outcome since it reflects something further along in a relationship and not only the infatuation at the start. Its main point is how life is made lighter by the effect of someone to where there’s freedom to move. In my case (that meant)?being a songwriter, musician, etc. and (having) that support behind my actions-something I had not had previously? More than any other song, “Nothing but Air” signifies the music and mood change I wanted for this project and fittingly opens the disc.”
The recording of another track allowed Larson to meet the influential Gerry Beckley, author of the Watercolor Sky track, “Annabelle.” “Gerry is a good friend of Jeffrey’s; (they) have sung on each other’s projects in the past. As I understand it, ‘Annabelle’ was a song written between Gerry’s solo CD Van Go Gan and the upcoming America album [since released as Human Nature-ed.], and was unreleased. I was considering doing an older tune of America’s as a cover and somewhere in a conversation between Jeffrey and Gerry, ‘Annabelle’ was suggested. I flew down to Los Angeles and we met at a Starbucks where I was basically handed the lyrics, track, and a demo to learn the song. I’ve been influenced by (Beckley’s) work ever since I picked up an instrument so it was an obvious thrill to sing and record this song.”
Perhaps Watercolor Sky’s most intriguing song is “King of Summer.” Larson suggests that there is one one-and-only “king.” “The king of summer is a reference to Brian Wilson/Beach Boys-the effect of that music and its ability to move and actually bring you out from somewhere to a better place,” says Larson. “‘King of Summer’ is a celebration in a way.”
As is the entire contents of Watercolor Sky. A beautiful record to put on early in the morning or late at night, it is one of those all-too-rare records that grows on the listener with each listen.
**********
WEBSITE
**********
TO THE TOP
**********
''COMPLETE WORKS 1998-2000, DISC TWO''
2001
143:26
**********
DISC ONE (75:22)
''ROOM FOR SUMMER'' (2000)
1 Hey 02:57
2 Carol Ann 03:32
3 Sarah's Song 03:13
4 Valentine Note 02:44
5 Lot To Learn 03:37
6 Room For Summer 03:24
7 Lauren 04:16
8 Postcard 03:45
9 The Word Go 03:07
10 Goes Without Saying 03:23
11 Her Heart 03:46
12 All The Sudden Cool 02:45
13 Lauren (Instrumental) 04:48
''WATERCOLOR SKY'' (1998)
14 Nothing But Air 03:51
15 Annabelle 03:23
16 Definite Blonde 04:28
17 Shades 03:28
18 Song For Renee 04:16
19 Coast 03:32
20 Another Highway Song 03:17
21 Pain To See (I'm Gone) 03:41
**********
DISC TWO (68:04)
''WATERCOLOR SKY'' (1998)
1 Touch Of June 04:11
2 King Of Summer 04:12
''UNRELEASED: ALTERNATE VERSIONS, MIXES, DEMOS 1998-2000''
3 Room For Summer (Alternate Version) 03:05
4 Carol Ann (Vocals-Guitar Mix) 03:32
5 Gray Wave (Unreleased) 03:10
6 Everything Is Fine (Unreleased) 02:46
7 Coast (Vocals Only) 03:10
8 Traditional Longboard (Unreleased) 03:07
9 Postcard From Here (Alternate Acoustic Mix) 03:42
10 When She Comes Around (Unreleased Demo) 03:05
11 Coastal Moon (Unreleased) 03:47
12 Girl With Uke (Unreleased) 03:50
13 With Uke (Snippet) 01:37
14 Plain To See (Track Only) 03:42
15 Shades (Original Demo) 03:22
16 Golden Summers (Dutch Single 1998) 04:13
17 Summer Means Fun (Unreleased) 02:12
18 Summer Means Fun (Vocal) 02:08
19 You Just Don't Know (Touch Of June Intro) 00:35
20 Changing Colors (Blueflower Mix Unreleased) 03:13
21 Nothing But Air (Track Only) 03:53
22 Shades (Vocal Only) 01:20
**********
REVIEW
John Holcomb
February 8, 1999
With the acoustic guitar at the forefront of his sound, Jeff Larson has released two acoustic rock CD´s, “Upper Story Landing” (ITS 002, 1995) and the recent “Beggars” (ITS 004, 1997). Larson born and raised in Northern California (near San Fransisco), has spent the better part of the last six years working as a solo acoustic performer opening for such atcs as singer/songwriter John Stewart (Daydream Believer, Runaway Train), the pop group America, and Tonio K. Larson also performs 50-60 dates a year including a weekly spot in the San Fransisco bay area.
In addition he has toured the last three years in Northern Europe in support of his CD projects. In 1997 a change was building – Larson released a 3 song CD sampler titled “Leaving California” which he hoped would gain the attention to turn his musical landscape around. It did….
With the new CD “Watercolor Sky” (New Surf LTD, NC 98-4803) released september 1998, Larson returned completly to his pop-rock influences. Teaming up with West Coast musicians and producers Jeffrey Foskett and Gary Griffin (former touring/recording Beach Boys), Watercolor Sky represents Jeff Larson´s take on the “California Sound”. West Coast imagery, jangly guitars, and very present harmony vocals.
The folloing words is written by John Holcomb (AMPLIFIER).
Jeff Larson’s Watercolor Sky was one of my favorite albums of 1998. Residing at the other end of the continuum from “heavy guitar pop” like Cheap Trick and the Shazam, Larson and co-producers Jeffrey Foskett and Gary Griffin created a record full of beautiful musical pastels, strongly emphasizing melody and musicianship.
Larson’s influences are not dissimilar from other artists who ply their trade in the pop genre, although one band in particular made Larson sit up and take notice during his formative years.
“The records that really caught me were by America in the later 70s, specifically their Hearts to Harbor albums,” says Larson. “Very melodic songs full of imagery that took you places. I started to play (and write) about 1977. The Hearts album specifically was the first I bought because it contained the song “Daisy Jane,” which really made me want to write songs and sing. In general, though, I listened to all pop music that was melodic and painted pictures through the music and lyrics. The feel has always been key.”
Larson’s recording career began with a couple of solo tracks done for a label based in the Netherlands; he toured northern Europe as a solo act. Then the spirit of Brian Wilson looked upon him.
“I made the decision that I needed a producer who would be sympathetic to the material and fit what I was trying to get across musically and lyrically,” says Larson. “I started listening to the Beach Boys very heavily about four years ago; that led to me picking up some publications related to them. Enter Jeffrey Foskett? I picked up his Thru My Window CD, which pretty much became a soundtrack for the summer of ’97. I had just finished a three-song sampler (demo) CD in the direction I wanted to go. The production was sparse, but the songs were there. I sent it out to many in various circles I was interested in; needless to say it got to Jeffrey and a few months later I did “Nothing but Air” and “Shades” with (him) and Gary (Griffin) producing.”
“Nothing but Air” is a spectacular tune that featured one of 1998’s most memorable melodies and choruses. Larson suggests that he didn’t have to look far for inspiration. “It was?one of those songs I wrote in about an hour,” he admits. “I wrote it for my wife and was pleased with the outcome since it reflects something further along in a relationship and not only the infatuation at the start. Its main point is how life is made lighter by the effect of someone to where there’s freedom to move. In my case (that meant)?being a songwriter, musician, etc. and (having) that support behind my actions-something I had not had previously? More than any other song, “Nothing but Air” signifies the music and mood change I wanted for this project and fittingly opens the disc.”
The recording of another track allowed Larson to meet the influential Gerry Beckley, author of the Watercolor Sky track, “Annabelle.” “Gerry is a good friend of Jeffrey’s; (they) have sung on each other’s projects in the past. As I understand it, ‘Annabelle’ was a song written between Gerry’s solo CD Van Go Gan and the upcoming America album [since released as Human Nature-ed.], and was unreleased. I was considering doing an older tune of America’s as a cover and somewhere in a conversation between Jeffrey and Gerry, ‘Annabelle’ was suggested. I flew down to Los Angeles and we met at a Starbucks where I was basically handed the lyrics, track, and a demo to learn the song. I’ve been influenced by (Beckley’s) work ever since I picked up an instrument so it was an obvious thrill to sing and record this song.”
Perhaps Watercolor Sky’s most intriguing song is “King of Summer.” Larson suggests that there is one one-and-only “king.” “The king of summer is a reference to Brian Wilson/Beach Boys-the effect of that music and its ability to move and actually bring you out from somewhere to a better place,” says Larson. “‘King of Summer’ is a celebration in a way.”
As is the entire contents of Watercolor Sky. A beautiful record to put on early in the morning or late at night, it is one of those all-too-rare records that grows on the listener with each listen.
**********
WEBSITE
**********
TO THE TOP
**********
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