New Memories With Casey Stratton

I really want to see Casey Stratton playing live, but have not been able to yet. I have faith that I will, at some point, get the job done. But I did purchase the DVD of his live performance in Michigan, which I will admit to watching more than once already. To keep myself fooled, I search for live clips on YouTube, and pretend I was there. It doesn't really work, but it does lessen the feelings. This is Shut You Down from a show in New York City. The song was originally on the Memories & Photographs album.



I remember a couple of years ago, when I know who he was, but still hadn't purchased any music yet. I contacted him, and he told me to give the Standing At The Edge album a try. I did. Boy, was he right. I have been a fan ever since! This is a live performance of Blood from that album.

Friday Night Party - Casey Stratton

Photos by Terry Johnston

Back on May 20th, singer/songwriter Casey Stratton had a live show at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Not only was it recorded to be made available for purchase, it was also taped for a future DVD release. The concert was sold out, as Michigan came out to support their talented native son. One of his popular songs is Blood, from the 2004 release Standing At The Edge.



He also performed I Fall Again, a song from the Memories & Photographs album release last fall. The gorgeous ballad is just intoxicating to me.



You can purchase a download of the concert here. I did, and it sounds fantastic, and covers Casey's music from the start of his recording career to the present. I look forward to purchasing the DVD soon!

Casey Stratton - For Reasons Unexplained

Despite being aware of him for some time, I managed to not have a single Casey album in my collection. He has been so prolific as an artist, I was a bit intimidated by the catalog. Since I had seen him on Twitter, I decided to solve the problem, and ask him which album to purchase first. Instead of treating me with disdain, he told me, and he was right, Standing At The Edge is a great album, and it was not my last purchase. But it was the first album reviewed on this blog, and so both it and Casey hold a special place in my heart. From that album, here is For Reasons Unexplained.



Check out the pictures and msuic on his official website here.

REPOST - Latest Purchase - Casey Stratton

This was originally posted on the blog on June 9, 2009, the first musical review for Soundtrack to my Day.

As I set up this beast, I am listening to singer/songwriter Casey Stratton’s release, Standing At The Edge. Casey has a gorgeous voice so crisp and clarion clear. He maintains this technical brilliance while delivering the emotional value. The first track, ‘For Reasons Unexplained’ is a perfect example. His voice maintains the melody, but pushes beyond it to the core of the uncertainty, the angst.

Casey just released a new offering, Altered States: Remixes Volume One, with Electronica/Dance versions of some of his songs. One of my personal favorites is ‘Sacrifice [Ritual Mix]’, with an interesting tribal feel, with a drum line that reminds me of Native American music, at times verging on a Middle-Eastern sound, and an orchestration with a Celtic feel to the reeds. His voice is strong and full, adding to the haunting mix, yet remains urgent with the chorus. ‘You are your own sacrifice.’

‘Violet Room [Ultraviolet Mix]’ has this interesting synthesizer line that is somewhat reminiscent of Depeche Mode, the beat much more driving and dance oriented. The song maintains the 80s influence while keeping a current air about it. ‘Opaline’[Falsified Life Mix] is another strong track, laying down a textured dance beat and allowing Casey’s vocal to soar and glide. ‘Blood [Little Flood Mix]’ is one of two mixes for the song, and it combines the dense club sound alternating with a more sparing and clean feel, adding a dark texture.

I am a new fan of Casey’s, having discovered his work on the web. I actually asked him on Twitter what to buy first, and he ever so kindly suggested Standing At The Edge. He must be right, because listening to it made me a real fan.

Latest Purchase: Casey Stratton

As I set up this beast, I am listening to singer/songwriter Casey Stratton’s release, Standing At The Edge. Casey has a gorgeous voice so crisp and clarion clear. He maintains this technical brilliance while delivering the emotional value. The first track, ‘For Reasons Unexplained’ is a perfect example. His voice maintains the melody, but pushes beyond it to the core of the uncertainty, the angst.

Casey just released a new offering, Altered States: Remixes Volume One, with Electronica/Dance versions of some of his songs. One of my personal favorites is ‘Sacrifice [Ritual Mix]’, with an interesting tribal feel, with a drum line that reminds me of Native American music, at times verging on a Middle-Eastern sound, and an orchestration with a Celtic feel to the reeds. His voice is strong and full, adding to the haunting mix, yet remains urgent with the chorus. ‘You are your own sacrifice.’

‘Violet Room [Ultraviolet Mix]’ has this interesting synthesizer line that is somewhat reminiscent of Depeche Mode, the beat much more driving and dance oriented. The song maintains the 80s influence while keeping a current air about it. ‘Opaline’[Falsified Life Mix] is another strong track, laying down a textured dance beat and allowing Casey’s vocal to soar and glide. ‘Blood [Little Flood Mix]’ is one of two mixes for the song, and it combines the dense club sound alternating with a more sparing and clean feel, adding a dark texture.

I am a new fan of Casey’s, having discovered his work on the web. I actually asked him on Twitter what to buy first, and he ever so kindly suggested Standing At The Edge. He must be right, because listening to it made me a real fan.