NEW WINTERSONG CD featured on: http://myspace.com/michaelmonroemusic1
From vinyl to digital, Michael Monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing nationally in concert, festival, corporate and educational settings. He has travelled many miles since his first paid performance for an audience of 4000 and he recorded his first demo 30 years ago in a ..chicken coop.. studio owned by Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary.
His unique creation of music leaves his audiences mesmerized as he blends his rich vocals, guitar, bamboo and glass flutes, combining musical styles of acoustic folk and jazzy reggae... Michael's original music and compelling energy bring a powerful style that is as much fun as it is innovative,,, music and technology working together powered by creativity... and he recycles his music on stage with his "live" layering/looping technique. Michael Monroe lives and records on the North Shore of Lake Superior in his solar powered log cabin.
His music is across the nation on PBS and Canada in the documentary, "Chased By The Light", about Jim Brandenburg, National Geographic photographer and best selling author. Receiving three national awards for this program, his "Soaring On Mended Wings" received a 2004 regional Emmy for TV documentary. A 2001 McKnight Performing Musician Fellowship Finalist, his eighth Simple Life recording was nominated 2006 "Best Contemporary" Recording from the prestigious JP Folks out of 25000 albums in 81 categories. Its an acoustic collection of tunes inspired by his 11 rustic years hauling wood and water.
The music was also inspired by his new guitars made on the Gunflint Trail by luthier David Seaton. His new tenor, ..Baby Snow Leopard.. and baritone, ..Snow Leopard.. named so as they are made of ..birds.. eye poplar.. wood which resemble spots of a leopard, unique in that they have the sound holes on the top side of the guitar. About his third ..as far as i can see.. recording the Star Tribune named it Top Ten and said, ..Monroe, a rich-voiced eco-folkie, played all the instruments on this touching hymn to nature...A work of art straight from the heart... It was also nominated for ..Best Independent Recording.. by the Minnesota Music Academy and "Best Folk" nomination by JPF. ..Plugged into the sun,.. says the Duluth News Tribune and ..Fully at peace with his subtle, yet expressively powerful, delivery" about his music and life in the woods. In 1980 Monroe released his first record, ..Summer Rain.. on vinyl which was featured May 2003 in the Japanese ..Music Magazine.. and released by the Japanese label "Bittersweet America" (Vivd Sound) in 2006. This album led to performances in the U.S. Virgin Islands and his experiences in India provided the inspiration for his 1992 ..Twice In One Day.. which blends expressive lyrics with an ..island sound.. about which Dirty Linen magazine said, ..This guy could sell a million records.....
Latest recording WINTERSONG, " a collection as warm and full of sparkling light as a roaring fire guarding against an arctic gale. Graced with a dark-toned mellifluous voice, Monroe etches immutable images of north woods winter, interlacing his songs with vivid instrumentals featuring his limpid guitar and scampering flutes, including the haunting "Snow Leopard," which dances on Marc Anderson's scintillating percussion." Rick Mason of City Pages, MN
