| Good Music For Good People |
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Jeff Larson - Swimming in The Make Believe |
2006 studio album from the always awesome Jeff Larson, long a favorite with many scores of you out there in Not Lame land and as he always does, he delivers with heavenly vocals and a support cast of veterans that brings confidence in every track, including Jeffrey Foskett, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell(America), Randell Kirsch, Robert Lamm(Chicago) and more! I`ve not done this yet, but here`s a quote from a happy Not Lame customer: "It`s amazing that Jeff Larson keeps churning out these killer albums. This CD sounds alot like his earlier "Room for Summer" CD but the production values just keeps getting better. The song "Play Through" (from 2 part
confessional) now with Robert Lamm is great. If you like Beach Boys, Eagles, America, Byrds, Poco, you will love all of Larson`s work. Can`t wait for this release.". I would add this material, also, reminds me of the great AOR vocal band Venice and lost 70`s faves Pousette-Dart Band, as well. Amplifier wrote of Jeff`s music-"the amazing crystallization of Larson`s influences (Brian Wilson, America) is the aural equivalent of a refreshing ocean breeze in your face, and is music worthy of his idols". Artwork by Jason Munn. This CD is lighter and more up in feel than the previous Sepia
(2004) and completes a trilogy that began with 2002`s Fragile Sunrise. While not a classic power pop record as many here are used to, if you like your pop on the soft side of the fence.
A Top Ten disc for 2006 - no ifs, ands or buts about it! In another universe, Jeff Larson would be swimming in AM radio hits. Jeff`s "sound" is derived from the pop of the 60s (Beach Boys and Byrds) and the "California soft rock" of the 70s (America, Eagles). Guest artists include Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley of America ... along with Jeffrey Foskett and Randell Kirsch. From start to finish, Swimming In The Make Believe is a testament to Jeff`s talent as a singer, songwriter and musician. For those who are already familiar with Jeff Larson, this is his finest effort yet! For those who are unfamiliar with Jeff, snap this disc up and seek out his previous releases. Jangle enthusiasts will dig "Southaways," but pop music fans will delight in all of the tracks that collectively wisk the listener to a California state of mind. Note to the members of Bryndle (Karla Bonoff, Wendy Waldman, Kenny Edwards): when you do
decide to fill the gap left by Andrew Gold, I encourage you to recruit Jeff Larson. I can`t think of a better compliment than that. Long may you run, Sir Jeff!
Eric Sorenson, Fufkin.com
Extremely Highly Recommended!!
 Southaways - mp3
You Remind Me Of The Sun - mp3
Play Through - mp3
Summer Fades - mp3
Rain On Me/In The Rain - mp3
She Has To Know By Now - mp3 |
| Customer Reviews |  | |
| Larson hits a home run again | |
| Reviewer: Gary Scharg | | It's amazing that Jeff Larson keeps churning out these killer albums. This CD sounds alot like his earlier "Room for Summer" CD but the production values just keeps getting better. The song "Play Through" (from 2 part confessional) now with Robert Lamm is great. If you like Beach Boys, Eagles, America, Byrds, Poco, you will love all of Larson's work. Can't wait for this release. Thanks Hank, Jeffrey and Jeff! |
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| A Refreshing, Harmonizing, Brilliant set of songs! | |
| Reviewer: Nancy Holtz | | Hi ~ I have to say I have been hitting the replay on my "Swimming in the Make Believe" cd since it arrived last thursday. Jeff's way with his songs, never cease to amaze and capture me nicely. I love all of the nice Harmonizing found in these songs. I love how I can hear that early America, Beach Boys, Chicago's acoustic and harmony magic. Add Jeff's own unique sound and blend in Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell (America), Robert Lamm, Jeff Foskett, Randall Kirsch, Mike Campion's backing vocals and you end up with some really nice ear candy. Jeff's Lyrics have always painted nice visuals to go along with his nice free flowing acoustic harmony. My first Jeff Larson cd was Fragile Sunrise, then I got Sepia, and then worked my way back to his Room For Summer, and Two Part Confessional EP. I really have enjoyed how I can hear all of Jeff's early on music inspirations in his song styles. He has stayed consistent to this, yet bringing out a refreshing newness in his new songs. At this moment my favorite song on this new cd is "Runaway Girl" all of what I just mentioned comes across soooo clear in this song. I really have enjoyed how Jeff's work with Gerry Beckley have brought some really nice gems my way. I like how I can hear each of their versions done on "Cryin" from the Sepia cd, and "I'll be Gone" on this Swimming in the Make Believe cd. I really enjoyed getting to hear Dewey shine nicely with Jeff on "Hand me Down, this song is sooo nice. It also is very clear the magic that Jeff Larson & Jeff Foskett bring out in each others vocals. I don't feel I can say it enough, the Harmonizing and the acoustics are sooo nice, like a warm cozy friendship, that is nice to have accompanying my everyday life. I highly recommend this cd.. I am sure when you listen, you too will find all that I have tried to put into words here and more. Take care, and Shine on Jeff! :) Nancy Holtz, Hastings, Pa |
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| Stunning! Without doubt his best and strongest album to date | |
| Reviewer: Mike Wilson | | I’ll get straight to the point…this album is absolutely brilliant and without doubt Jeff Larson’s strongest and most commercial album to date. In Jeff’s last outing he gave us the six track mini-CD “Two Part Confessional” which I felt was slightly under produced and had a sort of intimate ‘living room’ feel to it but this latest offering moves one step up from that and has a real polished finish to it. It has the ears awake and listening from track one, the cracking “You Remind Me Of The Sun”. It’s a glorious start to a truly wonderful album.
It’s crammed full of those lush harmonies that are now Jeff Larson’s trademark with beautiful ‘jingly jangly’ acoustic guitars all over it that give the album a real summer feel-good factor. The best thing of all though is not the wonderful production but the songs – they are just so great! To pick out a favourite track on this jewel of a CD is almost impossible (and every listener will have their own favourites of course) but if I had to choose then there are three songs that standout and shine just a little bit brighter than the other gems for me. The heart wrenching “I’ll Be Gone”, the Brian Wilson influenced “Summer Fades” (which is just screaming out to be a summer hit) and the beautifully sung ”Hand Me Down”.
Those of you that are familiar with his previous work will not be disappointed with this latest offering. Could “Swimming In The Make Believe” be the album that finally breaks Jeff Larson into the mainstream? I really hope so. Although one of rock music’s best kept secrets this artist is a shining beacon in the singer songwriter genre and produces music of the very highest quality and with backing musicians like America’s Gerry Beckley and Brian Wilson Band leader Jeffrey Foskett helping out perhaps it’s hardly surprising. If you like your music to be full of California sounding rock harmonies and you have a penchant for The Eagles, Beach Boys, CSN, Poco and America then this CD is definitely for you.
I am amazed that this talented artist hasn’t been more widely recognised yet. As someone who lives across the pond rest assured that there will be a small corner of England that will have this CD playing endlessly this summer. Let’s just hope that this new album brings Jeff Larson the success he, and his talent, so richly deserves. Highly recommended – buy it! |
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