Summer Storms

Clockwise: Album covers from Long John Baldry, Declan Bennett, Jake Walden, and Jeremiah Clark.

Here on the East Coast of the United States, we've had some weather moving through. Yesterday, today, and possibly tomorrow, there have been flash storms, with wind, rain, thunder and lightening that have been moving all around. So far, we've been pretty lucky, and the worst has missed us, but as summer progresses, you don't know what will happen. So I thought I would offer up this post to the weather Gods, and see if singing about storms will suffice. There are four entries for this post, and they all have their own sounds, and a different feel. I will begin with a personal favorite of mine. I am a huge fan of Long John Baldry, the legendary Blues and Rock man I still love to hear. My first offering is Long John singing "Stormy Monday Blues". This is from a performance in 1968.

The song can be found on his album 'On Stage Tonight: Baldry's Out!'. You can find the album on iTunes and Amazon. Next up, I have another favorite. I am still just as crazy about Declan Bennett as I was when I first discovered him a few years ago. Declan recently finished a stint on London's West End, starring in 'Once, the Musical'. I wish I could have made it to England to see him! I thought he was a perfect guest to invite to the party, so this is Declan Bennett singing "Storm" off his album 'An Innocent Evening of Drinking'.

For more about Declan Bennett, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. You can find 'An Innocent Evening of Drinking' on iTunes and Bandcamp. I first discovered the music of Jeremiah Clark through Tom Goss, and I can thank Tom for that. I do enjoy Jeremiah's music, and listen to it still. This is Jeremiah singing "The Storm Song" off his wonderful album 'Just Another Sad Song'.

For more about Jeremiah Clark, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. You can purchase 'Just Another Sad Song' on Bandcamp. And for the final offering to the Gods, I have another of my musical favorites. Jake Walden is a sweet and talented man, and I am a big fan. I didn't think I could do this post without including his song "The Storm", off his album 'Alive and Screaming'.

For more about my buddy Jake, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. You can purchase 'Alive and Screaming' from iTunes and Amazon. I hope I have appeased the Gods, and we all get some mild weather for the next few days.

Jeremiah Clark • It's Gonna Be Alright

I first head of Jeremiah Clark through Tom Goss, and I even saw him playing with Tom back in 2009. Since then, Clark has two releases out, and I am proud to say both are in my iTunes. We all know I love a talented out and proud singer/songwriter! The latest release is Born & Raised, a highly personal acoustic journey. On it, the Pittsburgh-based singer/songwriter shares a good bit of his heart on the nine tracks. There is a real purity to Clark's voice, a clarity of tone that is a joy to my ears. The album is filled with some amazing moments, but I think my favorite could be the fifth cut, "My Brightside". There is something wonderfully revealing, and insistent on the song that just made me listen three times in a row, never losing my smile. Give a listen and tell me what you think.

However, it is tough to find a song that could touch my heart more than the third song, "It's Gonna Be Alright". I'd read that Clark wrote the song about the experience of a friend battling cancer. That does hit home for me, a cancer survivor myself. There is a bold honesty, a journey explored here. I remember telling myself on more than one occasion that "It's Gonna Be Alright". Check out this live version of the song.

And there are several more tracks that immediately caught my attention. "4-3-2-1" has a different feel, yet maintains that honesty. And "Ghosts" offers a look those ghosts of memories, of former lovers whose shadows still live in our minds. And the simplicity and beauty of "My Final Hour" is just an acapella treat about a life well-lived. Throughout the album, I never lose the feeling Jeremiah is offering up his journey for us all to take a look, and realize how connected we all are. For more about Jeremiah Clark, visit his official website. You can purchase Born & Raised on Bandcamp.

New Video - Tom Goss & Jeremiah Clark

Tom Goss left, and Jeremiah Clark on the right.

Tom Goss released this video of him playing with singer/songwriter Jeremiah Clark singing Back To Arkansas, a truly beautiful song from Tom's Back To Love CD. Of course, I am a huge fan of Tom, so I might be prejudice, but I love this.



You can find out more on Tom Goss by clicking here, and about Jeremiah Clark by clicking here. Tom is running a great creative arts contest and the winner will get a house concert. Check it out on his site and you never know, you might get a chance to hear Tom in your living room!


Jeremiah Clark left, and Tom Goss on the right.