JR Richards - A Beautiful End

I have been a fan of this man's singing since I first heard Counting Blue Cars the first time, and immediately rushed out to buy the Dishwalla album. I remained a fan through the years, and when he decided to go solo, I was totally on board. Last year he put out the album A Beautiful End, and I loved every track. Here is the video for the title track.



For more about JR, check out his official website here.

Sunday Morning with J.R. Richards

With a voice that can break my heart, J.R. Richards is one of those str8 boys I find myself unable to not follow. I discovered him when he was singing lead for the band Dishwalla, a Southern California rock band with a distinctive sound. I found them early on, during the Pet Your Friends time, with songs as varied as Counting Blue Cars and Charlie Brown's Parents. The amazingly clear tone of his voice could handle the subtleties of pop, while talking on the aggression of rock. Yes, he is also easy on the eyes, but I am telling you, I hear that voice, close my eyes and transport.



In 2009 he struck out on his own with a solo venture, a gorgeous album called A Beautiful End. I love it, and in fact, reviewed it on the blog. One of many great songs on the album is Far End of the Black, and here he is performing it live in a radio station about a year ago.



In a separate performance also from last June, Richards takes on a song he co-wrote and sang while with Dishwalla. Opaline is a great song, and custom-made for that incredible voice of his.



For more about this talented man, check out his official website here.

Christmas Music - JR Richards

I have an immense craving for the voice of JR Richards, former front-man of Dishwalla. I posted about his solo release, the lush and gorgeous A Beautiful End, as well as his time with Dishwalla. Well, he wrote and performed First Christmas after the passing of his father, so it is a very personal statement about the holidays.



You can check out JR Richards on his website here, or check out his beautiful version of Silent Night on his MySpace page here.

Str8 Boys Need Love Too - J.R. Richards

J.R. Richards is the lead singer for Dishwalla, a band I have had an unhealthy preoccupation for since the 90s. Part of that fascination has been because of J.R.'s voice, with its wonderful tone and control. When I found out he was working on a solo project, I couldn't wait to hear it. A Beautiful End was released recently, and of course I had to pre-order it, complete with the signed copy. Since the CD was mailed on the day of the release, and patience is not my strongest virtue, I also purchased it from iTunes [immediate gratification is my friend]. A Beautiful End is a wonderful and sumptuous recording, It is softer than the music of Dishwalla, and more piano-driven, but with a fare share of other instrumentation. But the voice, it is spectacular. There is a depth to his tone, a solid strength. J.R. wrote all but one of the songs, making it a personal venture. The emotional textures are there, sometimes a little moody, other times hopeful. It is hard to pick out one song that is particularly better, I love them all.



Today, J.R. announced the release of the first video, A Beautiful End. I have loaded to this post, but you can watch it at J.R.'s website, and download it for free. How great it is the artist is just doing that for fans?



You can buy CDs, t-shirts and posters directly from J.R. Richards at his online store.