Visit Jason Walker for the Holidays

I am a recent convert to the bewitching charms of the voice the brilliant and sexy Jason Walker. He recently released a new album, Leave It All Behind, and I received notice from Rich Overton of RJO Artists, who represent him. Now I am very aware that RJO Artists have promoted some of my favorite artists, so I figured he was worth checking out. I did, and this is what I found/heard.



What a revelation this man is! That voice, it just soars. So I had to hustle over to iTunes and buy the album, and listen. Oh, mama, did I love what I heard. From the opening note to the last one, I was listening to what this man sang, and was buying it all the way. Sign me up, I am on the Jason train, Mr. Walker! And as my new musical crush, I just had to include him on this holiday collection, and he was kind enough to add his thoughts to the blog.



For instance, this holiday season, what music does Jason want to hear playing? "I adore Mariah's All I Want For Christmas," he answered eagerly, "and Sarah McLaughlin's holiday album.....and the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soundtrack with Burl Ives.....and the soundtrack to Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas.....my personal favorite holiday special," he said, smiling.

Lord only knows I can't deny Jason Walker at this point, cause all he'd have to do is look at me with the gorgeous eyes, sing one bar, and I would be at his feet begging for mercy, so I'll have to keep him happy and say that we will now be seeing the video of Mariah Carey singing O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus.



Now, I really am interested in what Jason will answer for the next question. He can and does sing in so many styles, be it Hi NRG dance music to Gospel, to power Pop ballads. I need to know, of all the holiday songs, what song would be his favorite to perform. "O Holy Night," he answered, without hesitation. I think about it, and think I would really like to hear that! But until I can, I will offer up a video of one of my favorite early divas singing the song. Johnny Mathis kicks song ass on O Holy Night.



With 2011 less than two weeks away, what are Jason's hopes for the coming year? "SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!," he says with exuberance. And with his pipes, his amazing looks, and the love he has for the music, I don't know if anything could stand in his way.

I gotta ask it, cause I am such a nosey guy. What music has Jason liked from this year, that he likes to listen to when he's not singing. "That's a tough one...." he ponders, then tells me, "picking one...I loved La Roux, and Robyn's latest 3 EP's, and GaGa." Lots of good stuff, to be sure, but I have to think if Lady GaGa heard his music, she'd be playing Jason Walker on her iPod.

In keeping with the holiday theme, I will return to one of Jason's holiday picks, and post Sarah McLaughlin singing an absolutely gorgeous version of O Little Town Of Bethlehem.



What is on the horizon for Jason Walker? As a fan, I had to ask what he is looking forward to musically in 2011. "More Music!," he exclaimed, "Lots more music!!!!" I will second that emotion, cause I can't wait to hear more from the talented man. I am still wanting to catch a live show, letting him take me places with his performance. Here is an example, with Jason singing the first cut off the album, I Am Changing, at a recent live show in New York City.



Yes, that works for me. A man with a gift, singing a song the way it was meant to be sung. For more about Jason Walker, check out his official website here. Go there an listen to more of his music, and find the links to all the places you can find him. You can find his latest album, Leave It All Behind, on iTunes here. You'll want to own it, I can assure you.

Great Women - Sarah McLachlin

With the Winter Olympics starting in about 2 weeks, I came across the 'theme song' for the Vancouver Games, sung by Canadian National Treasure Sarah McLachlin. The song, One Dream, features some clips form previous Winter Olympics, focused mainly on the skating stars. Stylistically, the song is classic McLachlin, and she is in great voice for it and looks positively gorgeous in the video.



McLachlin started her career in 1988 with the release of her album Touch, which managed to be little more than a blip on the US charts. In fact, it wasn't until her fourth album, Surfacing, that she made an impact on the American audience, but that was huge. The album was #2 on the US Top 200 Albums chart, and was certified 8 times platinum, a major, bigtime hit. The 2nd release, the uptempo Sweet Surrender, showed off a voice that could move around the through her range with ease, making it look easy. The song scored a remarkable #14 on the US Rock chart, and #6 on the US Dance chart.



The 4th single managed to hit #4 on the US pop chart and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, a huge success. Angel featured trademark heartbreak on a ballad that was not only a great song, but the perfect one for McLachlin. Her voice, nuzzled warmly in the mezzo soprano range, slid easily around the notes, in a style that is so very McLachlin. Her vocals are so identifiable on this track, if you have heard it, you are never able to forget them. There is a haunted quality, a vulnerability when you think she is ready to break, but instead she slides up to the note perfectly.



In 1999 a live album was released, Mirrorball. As such, a live version of the song I Will Remember You was released, and it, too, soared up the charts, hitting #14 on the Pop chart, #3 on the Adult Contemporary, helping the album go triple platinum in the US alone.



McLachlin has released 2 more studio album, and both have sold well in the states, earning varying levels of platinum sales. She has sold well over 40 million albums in her time in music, and is still a young woman. But it was the '98-'99 years that established her as the immaculate artist with a strong range and impeccable delivery, communicating great depth of emotions. For more on Sarah McLachlin, check out her official website here. And it was her birthday on Thursday, the 38th, andother reason to celebrate her music. Happy birthday, Sarah.