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MP3 Calvin L. Coolidge II - Seconds
9 MP3 Songs
EASY LISTENING: Soft Rock, ROCK: Instrumental Rock
Details:
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To order this CD, call 800-BUYMYCD (800-289-6923)
"There''s no question that music has a profound impact on people," says Presidential relative Calvin L. Coolidge II. "It can change a mood with it''s slightest touch, it whisks away cares, brings people together, and brings joy to our hearts."
Ask anyone who knows Cal and there''s little doubt that his music leaves a lasting impression.
"His compositions are prime...he does great work" are just a few of the good things people say about his music.
A guitarist, pianist and synthesist his attraction to music spurred him to earn his degree in music. Today he writes Jazz, Pop, Folk, Rock, New Age, Electronic, World, Urban, Classical, Chant, and Blues.
It is because of this diversity that listeners are often surprised to learn that it is one and the same person on his different recordings. "I consider it a high compliment when people tell me that they didn''t even know it was me (playing and composing) on different pieces," says Cal. Compare the ensemble, guitar centered SECONDS to the multi-textured CLUB TIAJ and you''ll know what we mean!
Fans agree. "Both recordings are excellent musically and demonstrate his expertise not only as a player but also as a writer," as one critic put it. "After I heard SECONDS, I expected CLUB TIAJ to be something similar. It isn''t. I''m quite impressed! I must have listened to CLUB TIAJ at least 20 times in disbelief that it really came from the same person."
Another observer says, "A lot of musicians are really good at playing in their one style. But if you ask them to play out of that style, they get lost. Cal is not like that."
"As a guitarist, I''ve heard him easily go from Folk to Rock to Country to Blues without skipping a beat. Then to hear his symphonic arrangements...well, you have to hear it to believe it!" says another.
"Rare is a musician who is so well versed in many different styles. Not many can do that! And you never hear him play the same thing twice!"
"Composing music is like acting," adds Cal. "The objective of a great actor is to play their roles so convincing that the audience is unaware that it is this same actor who is playing another different role. I think this can be done with music too."
His first CD, an intimate recording, Clear Dream Day, showcases his spontaneous compositional skills as these light-spirited solo guitar compositions were recorded on the spot as they were being created.
His second CD, aptly titled SECONDS, adds top musicians from both the West and the East coasts to his masterful guitar playing and his strong musical compositions. SECONDS is often described as "intelligent instrumental soft rock backed up by a smooth jazz ensemble" and shows his ability to effortlessly weave Rock, Folk, New Age, Classical, and Jazz elements into one smooth recording. Several of his fans have told him that they keep this CD in their car players permanently - and no wonder. It is produced by Grammy-nominated artist Paul Speer (David Lanz, Michael Stearns, David Arkenstone) and features the woodwinds of New Age/Jazz great, Richard Warner (David Lanz, Tingstad and Rumbel).
His self-produced third CD, CLUB TIAJ, shows his venture in a new direction and gives each listener an expansive array of sounds. CLUB TIAJ combines Dance, World, Urban, Rock, Pop, New Age, Classical and Ambient styles into one cohesive and upbeat CD. This music is FUN! It is danceable - and songs like TRIBE and NIGHT HAUNT FAREWELL are 2 of the more mysterious songs that are on this CD. CLUB TIAJ is named The Best Recording of 2003 from Wind and Wire along side recording luminary YANNI. (See AWARDS).
"The production of quality music and CD art is very important," says Cal. "Every detail is inspected. The quality of the final recording lies first with the choice of song. Adding just the right instruments at just the right moment is very important. Working also with talented musicians is a must. Helpful too is being mindful of the production and mastering process before recording even begins. Then selecting top-quality and appealing artwork makes all the difference for a quality record." Adding, "I believe people want recordings that make a difference, that make them feel a certain way and ones that become more alive as they listen to them over and over - and be pleased with looking at what''s in their hands too!"
There''s much more to come from this talented and versatile musician as he writes and records new definitive melodic music where each piece remains fresh and contains that "something special."
To keep up to date with the latest information visit the WHAT''S NEW area on Cal''s web site, https://www.tradebit.com.
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REVIEWS:
"A relative of former President Calvin Coolidge, guitarist Calvin L. Coolidge II recently released his second instrumental guitar album and it''s a winner. Produced by New Age synthesist Paul Speer- and featuring a number of gifted players - Seconds is low key, but don''t let that fool you. Coolidge is masterful at combining deeply meditative instrumental moods and eloquent acoustic / electric guitar performance. Describing the musical makeup of Seconds Calvin adds, "I suppose, for this CD, a broad category might be modern day instrumental, but I suppose that''s ultimately up to the listener." An excellent album to unwind and mellow out with..." Robert Silverstein, https://www.tradebit.com
CALVIN COOLIDGE II
Seconds
30th President Productions (2002)
"Calvin Coolidge II (yes, he is a relative of the dead president) has released a pleasant collection of guitar and ensemble instrumentals that can sit comfortably alongside the recordings of other artists/groups that feature the guitar as primary instrument (e.g. Jamie Bonk, Meadowlark, and Leaving Footprints, to name a few). The music on this CD is varied enough to avoid sounding repetitious but never strays far from the adult contemporary-meets-new age sound that was so popular in the golden age of Windham Hill and Narada (a subgenre that seems to be experiencing a modest resurgence). Melodies are accessible and engaging, rhythms tend to be slow or moderate (although there are two more uptempo cuts), and nothing here is either too revved up or soporific. In short, Seconds is an ideal ''afternoon in the sunroom'' or ''driving through the countryside'' album.
"Besides Coolidge''s prodigious talents on acoustic and electric guitar, Seconds'' pedigree includes some other well-known and respected artists as well, not the least of whom is Paul Speer, who produced the album and played synths. Astute fans of wind instrument artists should recognize the name Richard Warner, who contributes on flute, alto and soprano sax. Other accompanists chime in on bass, drums, percussion, cello, and organ. Everyone does a solid job whenever they are called upon and, even though technically these people are not a group, they all play together with assuredness and a relaxed ease.
"I''m not sure if I like the ''gimmick'' of titling each of the nine tracks as a variation of ''Second'' (e.g. ''Second Place,'' ''Second Born,'' ''Second Dawn''), but I didn''t let the title of a piece get in the way of my liking this album. The music itself is almost uniformly enjoyable, and the standout tracks are, indeed, standouts. Those songs include the opening number, ''Second Place'' (one of two energetic pieces on the album) with solid rhythm section work (Steve Hill on drums and Doug Barnett on bass) along with perfect synth fills from Speer, sprightly sax by Warner, and (of course) cracking good fretwork (on both electric and acoustic guitar) by Coolidge himself. Another winning song is ''Second Love,'' a slower-paced romantic musical affair (with a nicely echoed opening sax solo) and (once again) well-layered synth fills. ''Second Spring'' is wonderfully lively, sparkling with a warm friendly energy that ''feels'' like a walk on the first green day of that season. Coolidge''s playing on this song is among the best on the recording, and the track compares favorably to Bruce BecVar''s earlier recordings.
"The album ends very strong with three great songs in a row. ''Second Dawn'' has a distinct ''new age'' feel to it - the rhythm is relaxed and the use of somber/minor key tones/notes imparts a feeling of contemplation to the track, even when the drum kit is elevated in the mix. ''Second Wave'' opens with bell tree and solo acoustic guitar, and folds in synths and slow tempo percussion to yield a wistful song that evokes a walk along a deserted beach. The addition of flute reinforces the gentle sentimentality of the song. ''Second Storm'' is the other uptempo piece, and it''s a beaut, featuring fiery finger work by Coolidge, dramatic synth strings, lilting flute, and good rhythm section support.
"Seconds may not be perfect (I just couldn''t warm up to ''Second Born'' with its slow march-like cadence and its somewhat overdone sense of emotion), but I enjoyed listening to the CD many times before writing this review. I appreciated the variety of music contained on the album, the consistent quality of Coolidge''s guitar playing, and Paul Speer''s skillful production. I''d also compliment Warner on his sax work, which never slips into faux-jazz territory, instead staying firmly rooted in its complementary role of providing support to Coolidge''s playing. Seldom does sax playing fit so easily into what is essentially an acoustic instrumental/adult contemporary recording. All in all, kudos are deserved by everyone involved - and I hope Calvin Coolidge favors us with another recording sometime soon. I recommend Seconds to anyone who enjoys guitar-based instrumental music that is accessible without descending into over-commercial slickness." Bill Binkelman, https://www.tradebit.com
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SECONDS is a professionally duplicated CD (NOT CDR) at Red Book standards. It comes with a fold out insert in a standard size CD jewel box that includes pictures of the recording sessions - and a full-sized picture of an oncoming storm is right on the disk!
To order this CD, call 800-BUYMYCD (800-289-6923)
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