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DAMIRworld your source for underground Offbeat, interesting News. Images and News drawn from DAMIRs visits around the world.
By jasmine1, 2007-05-09
DAMIR In Space to Myspace: Blogging For Peace: NASAs PHOTOs and DAMIRs Independent Underground Music to Outer Space News: NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas
The new frontier is that where we will be able to find peace or just another extension of war. What are we doing here on Earth, maybe we need to look in from the outside and see that common sense is not so common anymore.
Shooting in the skies for peace. To see more photos of NASA and read the full blog, please visit:
http://blog.myspace.com/damir1
To hear Damir Music Please Click here:
DAMIR world underground music and news and cool photos
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
Albert Einstein
"war is in the minds of the individual, not in my mind."
Damir World
Radio Indy March 29th,2007
Wow - Games is a gem! Whitehouse?s musicianship on this CD is very impressive. The music on the CD has many layers blended together to create a very rich sound, which is nicely highlighted by outstanding vocals. The recording quality and production are top quality. The songwriting is excellent, with thought-provoking lyrics and memorable melodies above an excellent groove. The varied genre of the songs, from adult rock to latin pop, shows the band?s versatility and will keep your interest throughout. "Nobody to Blame" is an outstanding adult rock song that builds to a wonderful groove and hook-filled chorus. "No Me Quejo" is a memorable latin pop song with a catchy chorus. If you enjoy adult rock, adult pop, or latin pop you will enjoy this CD. Pick up a copy today!
It's almost time for our debut album release. We've been working on this since the summer.. recording and producing it by ourselves (and working full time day jobs, ugh!) and it is now being professionally mastered by an amazing engineer:) I know I keep saying it will be out soon but it's going to be really soon now I promise!!! If you're not on our mailing list sign up cause we are going to mail out five pre-release albums to five randomly selected friends on our list. And I've almost secured a place for our release so check back soon so you don't miss it! Visit www.acousticchatter.com for more info.
MiekLyrik performed the great HOT single "What Can I Say (So Beautiful)" @ 721 Productions & Hot 97 DJ Radio Promo Showcase 4-3-07
It was a GREAT performance!!
Check www.myspace.com/MikeLyrik for INFO on future performances
Lawrence Blatt?s ?Out of the Woodwork? debuts at number 11 on the New Age Reporter Top 100 New Age/Ambient/World Radio/Internet Airwaves Chart
By lblatt, 2007-04-03
San Francisco, California: Lawrence Blatt?s new solo album ?Out of the Woodwork? was released to radio stations across the US in late January and early February. Station uptake has been steady and to date numerous radio programs are airing selections from the album. As a result of the station uptake, the album debuted at number 11 on the February 2007 New Age Reporter Top 100 New Age/Ambient/World Radio/Internet Airwaves Chart.
?I am so grateful to the program and music directors for allowing my music to be heard. There is no greater reward to an artist than to know that your music has a chance to touch so many lives. The radio airplay is one vehicle for this.? said Lawrence Blatt when he learned of the news regarding the placement of his album on the top 100 chart.
To view the entire New Age Reporter Top 100 New Age/Ambient/World Radio/Internet Airwaves Chart please click here.
http://www.newagereporter.com/charts/top100.asp
More about Lawrence Blatt
Lawrence Blatt is an independent solo artist who has been playing acoustic guitar for over 30 years. He is currently performing his original compositions for finger-style-guitar in the San Francisco Bay area. His music has been called heartwarming, soothing, and relaxing. His music consists of layers of guitar work decorated with luscious melodies and percussive moods. ?As a solo instrumentalist I have to let my guitar be my voice. I try to create moods and express feelings by using alternate tunings, by careful attention to musical dynamics and intonation and by layering percussive sounds behind the main voice of the guitar. Sometime playing a phase softer or louder can have a significant impact on what is communicated. In some cases being a solo instrumentalist is difficult since I cannot use lyrics to directly express my thoughts and feelings. In another sense, this is highly cathartic as my music can communicate in any language and I can create new patterns of communication through sounds and rhythms.? said Blatt. His latest project is called "Out of the Woodwork" and is a compilation of thirteen original pieces that range from solo acoustic guitar works to multilayered complex compositions.
More about the New Age Reporter
The New age reporter was created to promote the New Age Music industry. In addition to new age music, the site also covers world music, ambient music, electronic music, Native American music, Celtic music, music for healing and relaxation, health and wellness music and many others. It provides a number of terrific services for artists, promoters, retailers and broadcasters of new age music, world music, ambient music, electronic music and other genres.
Lawrence Blatt?s ?Out of the Woodwork? is reviewed in the New Age Reporter in the ?Both Sides Now" Column
By lblatt, 2007-04-03
San Francisco, California: Lawrence Blatt?s debut album ?Out of the Woodwork? is featured in the April issue of the New Age Reporter?s ?Both Sides Now? column. This well known feature contains reviews by renowned New Age music writers Bill Binkelman and RJ Lannan.
?What I liked about all of Lawrence's songs is that they have the feel or distinctive kind of sound of honest first takes. These songs are not remastered over and over again which could have made them lose their earthy feel. Out of the Woodwork is by far one of the best tracks on the recording. It is a song about discovery or perhaps that story of big things out of small packages applies. This album is highly recommended.? said Lannan in his review of the cd
Binkelman added, ?With thirteen instrumentals on Out of the Woodwork, you get more than your money's worth if you love a varied approach to acoustic guitar recordings. Blatt deserves credit for not just his talent and skill on his instrument (which are considerable) but also how he managed to record an album as diverse as this one while infusing it with a single "voice" uniquely his. One of the more interesting guitar releases I've heard in the last year or so, the album gets "thumbs up" from me for both its originality and its overall artistry.?
Both writers highly recommended the cd. The complete review can be found at:
http://www.newagereporter.com/recording/viewreviews.asp?rvwbrd=8&rvwbrdpstn=1&rvwbrdcmmt=429
The Complete Reviews From NAR:
Out of the Woodwork
I found the guitar style of Lawrence Blatt very light. I mean light as in delicate, feathery and nimble. Then the mood changed and I found the music energizing and edgy. The sound of his latest offering Out of the Woodwork is way past contemporary and more reserved than neoclassical.
The tone of Blatt's copious liners notes made me think of him as a "long hair", but you would have to be a child of the sixties to get that. That is a person really wrapped up in classical styles and methods. His approach is to utilize his classical experience and blend it harmoniously with contemporary scoring. His CD jacket, with so much on it that it was printed microscopically, will tell you all there is to know about his approach and thinking. I for one just enjoyed his music.
The first track is sort of a tune up. Called It's Not Baroque, it is a sweet introduction with a Spanish tone and perky harmonics, but it only lasts 55 seconds. First impressions are so important, don?t you think? Then comes Jason's Party. Apparently a good time was had by all as this lively tune celebrates the camaraderie that is to be had when ever friends get together. Blatt's rendition comes across perfectly just as if he were a friend you asked to play at the party.
A couple of tracks have a unique sound. For instance, the style in Where Have You Gone? put me immediately in mind of folk rock legend guitarist Steven Stills. There is power and poignancy in this song of angst that declares that life stinks and fairness is out the door. The punchy guitar licks reappear in the title tune Out of the Woodwork. What I liked about all of Lawrence's songs is that they have the feel or distinctive kind of sound of honest first takes. These songs are not remastered over and over again which could have made them lose their earthy feel. Out of the Woodwork is by far one of the best tracks on the recording. It is a song about discovery or perhaps that story of big things out of small packages applies. (Got to read them liner notes!)
Here We Go was a favorite on the first listen. The tune is a bit elaborate with quirky percussion, but the lead is jaunty and has a lot of motion. This is traveling music no doubt and about the changes and travails we run into when we move around in life. Z-Squared is a song for the children. Lawrence?s two children Zoe and Zack are the inspiration for this animated tune that tried to corral the energies of two youngsters that are like night and day.
Finally, Keiki's Lullaby played on a ukulele is a sweet reminder that the world?s children need tucking in and a kiss on the forehead no matter where they are. This album is highly recommended.
Rating: Very Good+ - RJ Lannan
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Lawrence Blatt?' acoustic guitar recording, Out of the Woodwork is a multi-hued collection of pieces that vary not just in mood and tempo but also in regards to accompanying instrumentation (some cuts are solo guitar while others feature assorted percussion, electric bass, synthesizer, and even a ukulele makes an appearance on the last song). Regardless of the rhythm, evocation or musical motifs on any individual track, the quality of the music and the care which Blatt exhibits in not just his playing but also the production is always apparent (as is Gary Mankin's excellent mixing and mastering). While the CD may lack the cohesion that some new age music fans seek (i.e. establishing and maintaining a single mood), this variety is what I found refreshing. Also, there is a unified "feel" to Blatt's playing no matter whether he is toning it down to a whisper or whipping through it with a frenzy of passion.
After a short prelude piece (It?s Not Baroque), Jason's Party kicks things off with a light-hearted midtempo tune which juxtaposes the happy melody and bouncy rhythm with a surprisingly subdued overall sound (a unique and enjoyable twist). Say Hello to Yesterday slows things down to a more "traditional" new age acoustic guitar sound, as Blatt (playing only guitar) patiently unwinds the gentle refrain and bridge. It's a (dare I say it?) pretty song. Contrast that with Where Have You Gone which begins in a dark almost foreboding mood. When electric bass and dramatic percussion enter the picture, the setting gets even darker. The title track is another "atypical" slice of music that carefully balances delicate fingerwork against a pervasive mood of mystery eventually folding in pounding drum kit rhythms to elevate the drama even more. Synth chorals at the track?s close fit in perfectly. Standing in the Rain feels surprisingly (given its title) upbeat (I was expecting a somber reflective number). The Road to Poipu has Blatt plying his craft with some Hawaiian slack key guitar as well as an added touch of some fine percussion work. A lilting lively track, the song builds from a soft beginning to become an energetic tune. Blatt closes the CD with another Hawaiian-influenced piece, the ukulele number Keiki Lullaby which despite its jaunty pace still reflects a softer musical aspect of the artist?s personality.
With thirteen instrumentals on Out of the Woodwork, you get more than your money's worth if you love a varied approach to acoustic guitar recordings. Blatt deserves credit for not just his talent and skill on his instrument (which are considerable) but also how he managed to record an album as diverse as this one while infusing it with a single "voice" uniquely his. One of the more interesting guitar releases I've heard in the last year or so, the album gets "thumbs up" from me for both its originality and its overall artistry.
Rating: Very Good - Bill Binkelman
.With influences and inspirations as far afield as The Clash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, 3 Doors Down, Pink Floyd, Vangelis, Led Zepellin, The Stone Roses, BB King, James Brown, Sly and The Family Stones, Poco, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Peter Frampton, Bob Marley, Aerosmith, Bob Seger and The Rolling Stones , they could only sound like him.
His sound is like nothing else around at the moment, and has been described as "Awesome Entertainment". Daniel Gray Untamed describes himself as melodic, layered, driving, well thought out, thought inducing and passionate.
To keep up to date with all the latest on J2 try visiting the official J2 website
Alternatively you can add yourself as a fan to the J2 myspace page and stay abreast with all the current affairs.
The word free seems to make everyone look. lol
Just lettin you guys know that the new J2Mix CD titled 'The J2 archives vol.1' is now available for download.
and yes it is absolutely free! just click on the image and the download will start so why not. Its a free album after all from "the most talented and gripping artist to ever emerge from the UK."

www.Myspace.com/J22006
www.J2Music.Info