Profile/Biography:Kevin Bartlett (taken from http://auralgratification.com website)
Unless you've been off-planet for the last couple of decades, you've heard Kevin Bartlett's music many times.
HBO? Yup. MTV? Uh huh. VH1, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel ? You bet. American Idol Rewind, Dr. 90210, Bartlett's music is there. Painkillers, banks, restaurants, food, colleges, stores - you name the commercial and he's done the music for it. Remember singing those numbers and letters along with Big Bird? Bartlett wrote that music, too.
He's been the man behind the scenes for some of the biggest acts in rock, designing lighting, sound and managing venues. He's facing increasing pressure to write a book about his experiences, as he's worked with everyone from The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck and Janis, to The Moody Blues, The Velvet Underground, John Cage, B.B.King and Stevie Nicks.
He owns a record label that is celebrating its 26th anniversary in 2009. He's been in bar bands, disco bands and glam bands; he's scored rock operas and the world premier of a Toni Morrison play. He's written music for New York's Circle Rep and The Nikolais Dance Theatre Company as well as the Empire State Youth Theatre Institute.
In 1983, Bartlett opened shop as Aural Gratification to satisfy demand for his unique use of synthesizers, composing for TV and Radio, while also releasing 10, ninety minute soundscapes for museums, art galleries and a mail order catalog.
Bartlett later co-produced and released nine albums by the gifted composer / vocalist, Happy Rhodes. In the mid-90s Aural Gratification released two ambient techno compilations for the European market, on which Bartlett contributed seven tracks and collaborated on another three with composer Bokeno. "That experience," Bartlett says, "refocused me on creativity. Volume 3 is planned for release one of these freakin' days."
Bartlett's 2003 album, "Near Life Experience", hit the ground running. Described by Bartlett as Enigma meets Mike Oldfield at Steve Hackett's house, Backroads Music picked NLE as a Top 5 albums That Matter Most for 2003.
Musical Starstreams voted it 6 of the Top 20 releases that year.
The staff at NPR's Echoes Staff put Near-Life Experience at number 18 of their Top 25 for 2003.
2008's "Glow in the Dark" was welcomed by fans as a return of the musician Echoes' John Diliberto calls "the mutant guitarist". "Glow" was released to rave reviews and high accolades, landing on Echoes Top 25 Essential CDs of 2008 as well as making the top 25 of the Echoes Listener's Poll. WVKR's Secret Music Program saw "Glow" come in at number 8 in their Top 25.
Music from "Glow" is also featured in the soundtrack for this year's release of "Peaceable Kingdom", a film by Tribe of Heart. Kevin Bartlett continues his composing and producing at the Aural Gratification Studios in Woodstock, NY and is beginning to design a live show to support the new release. And there may be some surprises in store. Stay tuned.
DISCOGRAPHY
2008 Glow In The Dark
2006 Parachute-Bar Scott
2005 Voices-Brenda Ray
2005 Self Portrait- Barbara Lombardo
2003 Near-Life Experience
1999 Echoes Livingroom Concerts Vol 5
1998 Many Worlds Are Born Tonight -Happy Rhodes
1998 Sleepy Hollow 25th Aniversary
1996 Puddleskin Waving - Mike Bassett
1996 Echoes Livingroom Concerts Vol 2
1996 The Keep - Happy Rhodes
1997 Aural Gratification Vol 2
1995 Aural Gratification Vol 1
1995 Album Network Adult Rock
1995 Live at the World Cafe Vol 1
1994 The Muse of Intent - Mitch Elrod's Swim Team
1994 Building the Colossus - Happy Rhodes
1993 Rhodesongs - Happy Rhodes
1992 Equipoise - Happy Rhodes
1991 Warpaint - Happy Rhodes
1990 Thing Thang
1989 Spatial Thanx
1988 7
1987 Breadfeet
1986 Evocations
1985 Incantations
1985 Abberations
1984 Automations
1984 Deviations
1983 Rhinebeck Variations
{hugs}
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