Set it Free

Robert Graham

Set it Free
Performed By Robert Graham
Album UPC 884502234930
CD Baby Track ID RobertGraham_004
Label Robert Graham
Released 2009-06-17
BPM 115
Rated 0
ISRC ushm90942319
Year 2009
Spotify Plays 125
Writers
Writer Robert E Graham
Pub Co Robert Graham
Composer Robert E Graham
ClearanceFacebook Sync License,Traditional Sync,YouTube Sync ServiceOne Stop
Rights Controlled Master and Publishing Grant
Rights One-Stop: Master + 100% Pub Grant
Original/Cover/Public Domain original
Country CANADA - Ontario
Lyrics Language English

Description

"Ingenious, sophisticated pop music, with more twists and turns than the average Agatha Christie thriller..." (BBC TEES)
"If Billy Joel, Joe Jackson, Ray Charles, and Gary Numan formed a supergroup, they might have produced an album like this...(EMC)

Notes

Robert Graham has always been both a fan and creator of "hooky" music.

Growing up both in British Columbia and Western Australia, from an early age Graham divided his time equally between honing his skills as a piano player and attempting to learn every song on the radio!

Lessons on what makes a catchy song came right out of his radio for free and he learned a lot about the ingredients needed for a song to really have impact.

Now he has released his OWN album.

Together with producer CHRIS BROWN (Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, Kate Fenner, DJ Logic, Tragically Hip), Graham has released "STORM IN A TEACUP", a wickedly eclectic album of songs which has been described as "ingenious, sophisticated pop music with more twists and turns then your average Agatha Christie thriller"

In Graham's music you can hear echoes of David Bowie, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, ELO, Van Halen, the Cars, Manu Chao, Billy Joel, Joe Jackson, Ray Charles, Ben Folds, and Gary Numan, just to name a lot!.

The album is an engaging mix of hook-laden pop, rock, blues and dance tracks with guest appearances by NYC heavyweights TEDDY KUMPEL (Rickie Lee Jones, Trent Reznor), ANTON FIER (Herbie Hancock, the Lounge Lizards), ROB JOST (Tony Scherr Trio, Ursa Minor), and TONY SCHERR (Bill Frisell, Norah Jones), with cameos from ERIC SCHENKMAN (Spin Doctors) and FORD PIER (DOA, the Rheostatics), not to mention Kingston Ontario's own Eli and John Abrams of the fabulous ABRAMS BROTHERS.

Graham has worked as a professional pianist, accompanist, vocalist, music director, and played with many multi-genre bands on two continents. He has toured the UK twice with Canadian roots supergroup "Tanglefoot" (Winner - Best Vocal Group - 2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards) and performed with Australia's "Los Chasquis" and the "Michael George Band" (Kingston Ontario)

He has appeared in opening slots for such diverse acts as the Leahy, David Wilcox, Natalie McMaster, KellyLee Evans, Shooglenifty, and the Cowboy Junkies.

Some recent reviews for "Storm in a Teacup":

"diverse and inspiring"

Sue Marchant - BBC Cambridge

"Robert Graham has played many different kinds of music over the years, from salsa with Australia's Los Chasquis to take-no-prisoners roots with Canada's own Tanglefoot. But he's also absorbed a lot of pop influences as a fan - everyone from Steely Dan to Van Halen. All of these sounds come into play on his highly impressive debut solo album "STORM IN A TEACUP"

"Should have great appeal across the board."

Mark Rheaume - CBC Radio Toronto

"We found Robert's music hard to ignore, especially when your toes are tapping on the floor as if they had a mind of their own! His voice reminds you of past greats like Steely Dan and The Beatles. Every song sticks to you like glue."

- MuzikReviews.com

....full of international flavour....a stellar group of musicians (has been) assembled....

Greg Burliuk - Kingston Whig Standard

"Albums are supposed to belong to specific genre...and if the artist refuses to conform, well, he's "all over the map"....Never mind. Throw away the bloody map. Good music should always strive to exceed its classification. And Robert Graham should take "unclassifiable" as a compliment.
..."Storm in a Teacup" is, at least on the vocal side, more than a few parts Donald Fagen, with a dash of Neil Young......Graham lined up some top notch musicians for this indie effort....an eclectic musical mix.
To be sure, there is a map for listening to Graham's inaugural effort, albeit a big one. But you will enjoy the trip.

Ronald Zajac - Brockville Recorder and Times

"All of the original songs on "Storm in a Teacup" sound like A-sides.....(the songs) show off Graham's virtuoso musicianship, exemplary rock vocals, and smart lyrics...addictive melodies and clever lyrics that turn your head when you first hear them and stick in there long after the song is over....a remarkable pastiche of influences..... (his) scintillating work on the piano and versatile voice...help(ed) bring to fruition Graham's vision of an album featuring stong harmonies, catchy melodies, and hooks you just can't shake."

"Robert Graham would have made an excellent Jeff Lynne. Maybe even a Donald Fagen or an Ian Anderson....a brilliant debut album."

Conan de Vries - St Lawrence EMC Newspaper

"some songs....defy(ing) musical boundaries...born of the blues, pop, rock, or the more experimental leanings of David Bowie and the Beatles. His qualities as a storyteller....and his music and lyrics create characters that are at the same time both quirky and very real".

Richard Turtle - Belleville EMC Newspaper

"...the production quality alone blew me away - it us above and beyond most independent records.....
...the flavours, from jazz, blues, funk, folk, rock....add character and integrity to catchy pop riffs.
....the craftmanship is generous with rich detail and dynamics.....no magical moment has been missed."

Jackie English, Artistic and Entertainment Director - Bread and Circus

Robert Graham has lived in British Columbia, Perth Australia and now lives in Eastern Ontario.
More info about Robert is available at www.robertgraham.org

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