Jesus is just alright with us... Christine's influences include: Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Tori Amos, Loreena McKennitt, Sheila Chandra, Enya, CSNY, The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Paul Simon; Steve's influences include: Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Paul Simon, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Peter Frampton, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan, Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny, Keith Jarrett, Vince Gill, Chet Atkins, Earl Klugh, Wes Montgomery, Ralph Towner, Pierre Bensusan, Michael Hedges.
Sweetbird's songs fill your heart with love and hope for humanity. How many artists can make you feel like that?" - Bruce Lomet (Chinaski)
Sweetbird doesn't know the answer to Bruce's question, but they are humbled by his comment about their music. To evoke such a response from a new listener is a blessing. When Connecticut-based singer/songwriter Christine Yandell and guitarist/composer Steve Waite met back in 2001, they had little idea they would be on the path they are on today. After several impromptu sessions, it was obvious there was a strong and unexplainable connection between the two musicians - a connection that is often referred to as "It." When
Christine and Steve played music together, "It" was there.
Sweetbird Is Born
Inspired by their musical connection, the duo set out to record a collection of songs each had written and settled upon the name "Sweetbird," partly in recognition of the enormous influence Joni Mitchell has had on both musicians (the song "Sweet Bird" appears on Mitchell's The Hissing of Summer Lawns). In 2003, Christine and Steve released their first record, Free Spirit Reflection (Broadband Records), which was produced by Grammy-nominated composer Paul Avgerinos. Free Spirit Reflection attracted the attention of music fans and industry professionals alike. After Christine and Steve finished recording the song "I Am Love," Avgerinos remarked they had "a smash hit record" on their hands. Paul did not know it at the time of recording, but he learned later that "I Am Love" was a gift directly from God.
The Voice Of An Angel
Encouraged by the positive feedback from their first record, Sweetbird went back into the studio in 2004 with Avgerinos to begin working on their second release. The fruit of their effort was Soul Fire (Broadband Records) - a record that featured a talented horn section led by veteran trumpeter Don Harris (who has worked with the likes of James Taylor, Celine Dion, and Stevie Wonder) and some inspired original lyrical compositions, including "A Time to Heal," "October's Child," as well as a cover of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Still, You Turn Me On." National music promoter Dr. Eugene Foley summed up Soul Fire this way: "Beautiful songs, intelligent lyrics and the voice of an angel."
New Frontiers
With two records under their belts, Sweetbird began performing more frequently at various venues around New England. Their music has been featured on commercial and Internet radio stations around the world. In 2006, the group was invited to appear on Poughkeepsie Live, a popular, award-winning music show. Christine and Steve have also contributed their musical talent to several ambient recordings by Paul Avgerinos, including Phos Hilaron (Round Sky Music) and the chart-topping album, GNOSIS (Round Sky Music). Christine's angelic vocalizations are also featured on Paul's latest release, Garden of Delight (RealMusic).
The Journey Continues "I gave you wings, why are you hiding them under your sleeves? Please give them a try, you can be more than you'd ever believe." And with the opening chorus from the "The Call," track one of Sweetbird's latest record, Shine (Broadband Records), Christine and Steve continue their journey together. Released in Spring 2007, the group's third record features 10 original, inspirational compositions as well as a cover of "Love Song" from Elton John's album Tumbleweed Connection . Shine may seem like a departure to those familiar with Sweetbird's previous releases. However, there were hints on those recordings indicating the direction in which the group's music was headed. The songs on Shine are a reflection of the powerful transformation that has been ongoing over the past six years in the hearts of Christine and Steve - a
transformation that continues today.
How this transformation manifests itself in Sweetbird's music in the future is unknown. However, if Sweetbird's songs continue to fill hearts with love and hope for humanity, as Mr. Lomet observed back in 2003, the group will have considered their journey together a wonderful blessing and a success.
All recordings mentioned above can be downloaded at iTunes and at other popular digital distribution outlets.
Thanks for listening and thank you for your support!
Christine and Steve Sweetbird
License this music for commercial use through Pump Audio
Every time that we listen & write music... play an instrument... sing & dance... act in a play... or work in some audio/image/video engineering process... something is healing inside...
When we share it with friends... something is healing all over...
cada vez que escuchamos o escribimos musica... tocamos un instrumento... cantamos y bailamos... o trabajamos en procesos de ingenieria de audio/imagen/video.... algo se sana por dentro...
Cuando lo compartimos con amigos... algo se sana en todas partes...
El Amor puede conducir... de manera simple... todo...
Dear Sweetbird, thanks for adding me to your circle of friends. If you like soft relaxed tunes, come listen to some songs on my profile! Enjoy yourself - and good luck on all your ways! Raji
Thank you so much for the invitation you are a pair of sweet birds. Thank you for the beautiful music. I really like trust in me great songwriting, guitar riffs and progression. Peace, Love, and Light !! Earthgirl
yes every thing is going good i tryed calling you but i got the voice mail hopefull everything is going good with you thank you for all your help and god bless
Received your lovely gift of Shine and have thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. It is wonderfully written and beautifully sang. I definitely recommend it.
Truth is one and the same at all times, though it is infinite in its manifestation. But each must find it by the realization of it within himself. And he can realize it only as he seeks to embody it in his life, so that all he is and does becomes more and more beautiful each day.
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