Just about everyone I've ever heard has influenced me in some manner. Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Hank Williams (Senior), Merle Haggard, Joe Pass, Thelonius Monk, The Funk Brothers, and many, many more....all for different reasons and to different effect.
Oh, and by the way:
Someone once hollered out at a show "Sting meets the Beatles!".....uuuhh, for the life of me I can't think of a higher compliment. There are certainly other elements involved but if you're gonna put it in a nutshell that one's fine by me!
I'm what they call a performing songwriter. I write, play and sing my own music. The next question of course is always; "So, what kind of music do you play?" and my stock response is something like "It's the sum of my influences and experiences and is therefor ever changing"....but in musical reference terms, well, I'd have to say it's my own blend of jazz, blues, rock, pop, and folk influences. lemme see...Sorta like Louis Armstrong is the conductor on a train, and while the Beatles and James Taylor are drinking gin and playing rummy in the observation car, Hendrix watches and pets a cat. I play a LOT... I play all over Southern California, the Southwest, and all the way up the west coast through Oregon and Washington. Just me and an acoustic guitar....though I spent years (and years, and years) in bands, I realized somewhere around 2002 that in order to play as much as I want to (I played a little over 200 shows in 2005) I needed to trim down to the essentials - and keep the overhead WAY down - so now it's just me and my guitar on the never-ending "Aerostar-Road-Rocket-Tour".... :^)
And there's also a Yahoo group you can join....
This nifty little link allows you to search all the music download sites at once!
Here's the video from Alyson Productions of the song "What might have been" from the my new album "Tempest in a teacup"
...And here are a couple videos from some recent shows...
How wonderful to see you at FAR-West. We're sad we weren't able to catch more of your performances although you rocked on "Mountain" and that happens to be a favorite!
I had a listen through your tunes again. Imaginative, sophisticated, romantic and knowingly arranged. Your well deserved exposure continues to grow. May many more people hear your lovely songs.
Hey James ; Welcome to Indie Showcase !! Thanks so much for adding us here. Fantastic music James. Yours in the music Shashona Indie Showcase www.indieshowcase.net
Just wanted to say we had a great time playing with you last Saturday at Acoustic LA - LIVE! Your contribution to the show was truly inspirational and heartfelt. You just keep getting better and better man -- and that doesn't seem possible!
We're really looking forward to our Acoustic LA - LIVE! show with you this Saturday at Hallenbeck's. It will be a pleasure to once again share the stage with you.
Hi James I hope you are well. My new CD "Lemonade" is out and you can hear a few samples on my myspace page. First one in 10 years! Just go to: http://www.myspace.com/folkjazz It was a joy to record, we did it as a trio and live in a circle without headphones. I hope you enjoy it!
Sorry for not having been in touch awhile - been rather busy! Just wanted to say that your valued friendship continues to be appreciated. Have you checked out my MySpace and web site (www.faberoptime.com) recently? Oh and did you subscribe for my free newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!)? You might also like to take a look at some of my vids on my YouTube channel too! www.youtube.com/faberoptime Take care and keep in touch. Best, Faber. "Just a guy trying to make the world a better place."