I may eventually move this to the Music forum, but I'm not sure everyone reads that section, so I will leave it here for now.
How excellent is this!!
I'm so glad to see Steven get this kind of POSITIVE recognition.
*PLEASE ALSO CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE IN THE GENERAL SECTION ON MTV'S COMMENTS ON THE CD.*
http://www.steven-seagal.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6173
May 29, 2005
Los Angeles Times
This art's vocal, not martial.
By Steve Hochman, Special to The Times
A CD arrived recently with nothing identifying the artist or any credits information, just song titles and a note from a publicist that the name of the performer would come as a surprise.
It was a male singer with a strong, understated voice, in the realm of Jack Johnson but with more energy. The songwriting was accomplished and the production credible, incorporating singer-songwriter elements, dance-hall and Indian instrumentation. One song featured a harmonica solo sounding uncannily like Stevie Wonder.
So who is the mystery man? A veteran star taking off in a new direction? A former teen-popper trying to resurrect a career? The publicist's answer: Steven Seagal.
Yes, that Steven Seagal — action-movie star, martial arts master and, it seems, musician.
"I've been playing my whole life," says Seagal, speaking from his part-time home in Ghana, where he has set up a foundation to deal with AIDS/HIV issues. "It's my first life. I've written about 150 songs. My momma died two years ago, and before she did, she said, 'Son, you've got a lot of songs. Put them out. People like them.' "
Seagal grew up in a Detroit-area neighborhood full of people who had migrated from the South, bringing blues music with them. He learned guitar from some of them and studied such luminaries as Albert Collins, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Lightnin' Hopkins. Even when acting became his career focus, he continued with music, playing alongside such figures as Brown and B.B. King and exploring other directions during stays in Jamaica, Africa and India.
At 54, Seagal has made music a top priority, having recorded his belated debut album, "Songs From the Crystal Cave," with help from Jamaican stalwarts Tyrone Downie and Al Anderson (both formerly of Bob Marley's Wailers), Lt. Stitchie and Lady Saw, Indian singer Kavita Subramaniam and some veteran American musicians. And it is Stevie Wonder playing harmonica on the pointed "My God."
But Seagal is acutely aware of the baggage he carries. He's seen how credibility issues have dogged Don Johnson, Bruce Willis, Russell Crowe, Minnie Driver and other actors who have made albums. Hence the nameless mailing to the music press.
"I'm of course afraid of that," he says of the prospect of being seen as a dilettante. "But that's only in America, and I think we can prove to everyone that this is real."
His manager, Doug Banker, was skeptical when first brought into the project, and he has been honest with Seagal about difficulties they face.
"I explained to Steven that it was an uphill battle," says Banker, a veteran manager working with the McGhee Entertainment firm on the careers of KISS and Ted Nugent, among others. "He said, 'How difficult?' I said, 'Directly in proportion to how big a movie star.' "
The album is already out in Italy and France, selling particularly well in the latter country, according to Banker. Asia, where there seems to be no problem with movie stars crossing over to music, is the focus for the next few months, with Sony Music set to release the disc in October. The company's U.S. wing has the option for the U.S. and the rest of the world.
Tentative plans call for a U.S. tour next spring. However it goes, Seagal says, he's prepared.
"As a Buddhist, we look at life literally as the ocean of suffering, not expecting anything to go particularly smoothly," he says. "One day sunny, a couple of stormy days. Whichever way, I'll be writing songs about it."
How excellent is this!!
I'm so glad to see Steven get this kind of POSITIVE recognition. *PLEASE ALSO CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE IN THE GENERAL SECTION ON MTV'S COMMENTS ON THE CD.*
http://www.steven-seagal.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6173
May 29, 2005
Los Angeles Times
This art's vocal, not martial.
By Steve Hochman, Special to The Times
A CD arrived recently with nothing identifying the artist or any credits information, just song titles and a note from a publicist that the name of the performer would come as a surprise.
It was a male singer with a strong, understated voice, in the realm of Jack Johnson but with more energy. The songwriting was accomplished and the production credible, incorporating singer-songwriter elements, dance-hall and Indian instrumentation. One song featured a harmonica solo sounding uncannily like Stevie Wonder.
So who is the mystery man? A veteran star taking off in a new direction? A former teen-popper trying to resurrect a career? The publicist's answer: Steven Seagal.
Yes, that Steven Seagal — action-movie star, martial arts master and, it seems, musician.
"I've been playing my whole life," says Seagal, speaking from his part-time home in Ghana, where he has set up a foundation to deal with AIDS/HIV issues. "It's my first life. I've written about 150 songs. My momma died two years ago, and before she did, she said, 'Son, you've got a lot of songs. Put them out. People like them.' "
Seagal grew up in a Detroit-area neighborhood full of people who had migrated from the South, bringing blues music with them. He learned guitar from some of them and studied such luminaries as Albert Collins, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Lightnin' Hopkins. Even when acting became his career focus, he continued with music, playing alongside such figures as Brown and B.B. King and exploring other directions during stays in Jamaica, Africa and India.
At 54, Seagal has made music a top priority, having recorded his belated debut album, "Songs From the Crystal Cave," with help from Jamaican stalwarts Tyrone Downie and Al Anderson (both formerly of Bob Marley's Wailers), Lt. Stitchie and Lady Saw, Indian singer Kavita Subramaniam and some veteran American musicians. And it is Stevie Wonder playing harmonica on the pointed "My God."
But Seagal is acutely aware of the baggage he carries. He's seen how credibility issues have dogged Don Johnson, Bruce Willis, Russell Crowe, Minnie Driver and other actors who have made albums. Hence the nameless mailing to the music press.
"I'm of course afraid of that," he says of the prospect of being seen as a dilettante. "But that's only in America, and I think we can prove to everyone that this is real."
His manager, Doug Banker, was skeptical when first brought into the project, and he has been honest with Seagal about difficulties they face.
"I explained to Steven that it was an uphill battle," says Banker, a veteran manager working with the McGhee Entertainment firm on the careers of KISS and Ted Nugent, among others. "He said, 'How difficult?' I said, 'Directly in proportion to how big a movie star.' "
The album is already out in Italy and France, selling particularly well in the latter country, according to Banker. Asia, where there seems to be no problem with movie stars crossing over to music, is the focus for the next few months, with Sony Music set to release the disc in October. The company's U.S. wing has the option for the U.S. and the rest of the world.
Tentative plans call for a U.S. tour next spring. However it goes, Seagal says, he's prepared.
"As a Buddhist, we look at life literally as the ocean of suffering, not expecting anything to go particularly smoothly," he says. "One day sunny, a couple of stormy days. Whichever way, I'll be writing songs about it."
Haven't heard any of it, Maybe just a clip of it a long time ago. Can I barrow it? lol
