Looking Back at the Year 2011

Clockwise: Tom Goss, Eric Himan, Jake Walden and Garrin Benfield.

They are just the beginning to the list of names of talented artists I shall be mentioning over the next few days. I shall be taking a look at the new music of 2011, much of which I have covered here on this blog. There was a number of amazing LGBT musicians who released new material, and I was lucky enough to see several of them live. But I shall start with what was a bit of a first for me, and that was appearing in a music video. I was able to do that with the gracious assistance of Tom Goss when he was filming the first single off his latest album, Turn It All Around. It's All Over is the joyous first single off a great album, one that really rocks!



You can purchase Turn It Around from iTunes, Amazon, and from Tom's online store.

Another favorite of mine released a new album this year. Eric Himan worked with the the talented Namoli Brennet on Supposed Unknown, a brilliant album that shows Himan's growth as a songwriter and as a performer. It also had a gritty and sexy video for the first single, Dust.



You can purchase Supposed Unknown on iTunes, Amazon, and at Eric's online store.

I managed to catch Garrin Benfield twice in the last 12 months or so, and am grateful for each opportunity. I swear Garrin's music enchants me, and brings me to a place I'd love to live full-time. I was beyond thrilled to make it to his New York City album release party for The Wave Organ Song. It is an outstanding album, one I am listening to once again today, and still can't get enough. Here is the video for the first single, Walkin' Time Blues.



You can purchase The Wave Organ Song on iTunes, Amazon, or on Garrin's online store.

I was introduced to Jake Walden by Tom Goss, and have been blessed to have gotten to know the talented and handsome man. So when he hit the road earlier this year to support the release of his latest album, Same Something Different, I couldn't wait to see him. And I was not disappointed. The new music was great, as you can see in the video for the first single, Even In Your Doubt.



You can purchase Same Something Different from iTunes, Amazon, or Jake's online store. If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to see any or all of these talented artists performing live, I would say do it, without hesitation.

Dust - New Video from Eric Himan

Eric Himan has released the first video from his latest CD, Supposed Unknown. The single is Dust, a rollicking rock song that drives to the beat of a heart questioning everything. It seems like dust is more than just the minute particles floating around in the air. It's also the particles of envy, of self-doubt, of mistrust. Dust, like many emotions, is everywhere, and sometimes it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth...



For more about this incredible artist, check out his official website here. You can also find him on Twitter here, and on FaceBook here. You can purchase the single on iTunes here and on Amazon here, and the album on iTunes here, on Amazon here, and on CD Baby here. I think it is Himan's strongest album to date, and that is saying something as I have been a long-time fan who thinks the music has always been the thing! Shake the Dust off your collection and add Supposed Unknown now.



But while the dust is settling on your mind, I thought I would also give you a few more videos that didn't make it into the post about the show, but I am sure you'd enjoy hearing. The first here is a cover of a popular Phil Collins song, In The Air Tonight. Seems one of the wait staff requested he sing a Phil song, and this was the one Eric chose.



The voice is amazing, isn't it?



And finally, we have Eric singing a classic song of his own, Bartender. I first remember hearing the song on his One Night Stands album, a collection of live songs released in 2005 I still play today. Eric is joined on stage by Joe Stevens of Coyote Grace.



And, as an extra bonus, I thought I would include two pictures I took of Eric at different shows he played in Philadelphia, at the World Cafe Live! in 2007. I've always liked these shots!

Eric Himan Releases Supposed Unknown

Eric Himan has a new release available in all outlets, and it is well-worth purchasing now. Supposed Unknown is a 13-song offering, was recorded in Tuscon, Arizona, with the help of producer and singer/songwriter Namoli Brennet. Make no mistake about it, I am a fan of Eric's, and have been for several years. But Supposed Unknown is the grittiest, strongest and heartiest album to date. An that is saying something.



The album starts off with the reflective Is This My Life?, soft and smooth. But we are quickly thrown into the blues line with Blood On Her Lips, a soulful ode to friends lost to "that" woman... That brings us to the driving sound of Lonely No More, one of my favorites off the album. It is an amazing travel song, filled with energy and honesty. Save The Afternoon is up next, a sweet and haunting ballad, with a slight western feel. I listen and wonder how long before Reba is singing it. Absolutely dripping with charm and wit, You First, making me just a little bit happier than I thought I could be. It also inspired a very cool t-shirt, one I love to wear. Next comes the first single, the rock-edged Dust, which won a Tulsa radio station contest 4-weeks running. Check it out.



You Come Around o[pens with a bluesy feel, and it slides along, blending the Pop and Blues feel to perfection. With Theme Song of a Former Pushover, Eric returns to his Folk/Rock sweet spot, with more guitar-driven blues, feeling like a great club. The next track, Gonna Make It Work, appeared on the last album, driven by the piano. Here is it a band-song, making it even better.



A soulful ballad is on the list next, something that Himan does with such a deft hand. Somehow, he manages to feel so beautifully isolated on the track Left Out. That is followed by Always Here, which has a light, almost ephemeral feel. Eric returns to classic folk with Out in the Outer Banks, which paints a lovely picture of a weekend escape. Finally, the album ends with Gonna Make It Work (Reprise).



This album is such a winner, I just can't explain. The album captures the spirit of the gifted artist, and really reminds you of the reason you love him. It is that incredible voice of his, as well as the unique phrasing, which is always on target. The music is strong on the album, and the arrangements are in strong support. I would have to believe the addition of Namoli Brennet to the team was a great move. You can [and should] find it on iTunes here, on CD Baby here, and on Amazon.Com here. You can also find for about Eric on his official website here.

Dust - New Single from Eric Himan

Singer/songwriter Eric Himan sings his latest single, Dust, at the studios for radio station 104.5 The Edge in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Eric brought along drummer Erin Nelson. This was for the Homegroan show with DJ's, Drew McKenna and Ashlee McManus on April 18th, 2011. The song had won



You can get your copy of the studio version by stopping by iTunes here. You can find out more about Eric by visiting his website here.