Brandon St. James
Only Dreamers Understand
© 2003 Brandon St. James (634479673528)
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Brandon St. James is difficult to classify into one specific genre of music. With roots all over the map, blending folk, rock, pop, jazz and modern country ... up-tempo and ballads, there’s something for nearly all musical tastes.
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PERFORMANCE CREDITS: Five of the selections on "Only Dreamers Understand" were performed and recorded “live” in the ‘solo’ format (vocals accompanied by acoustic guitar or piano). The remaining numbers were produced with Brandon’s multi-instrumental and vocal harmony capabilities, augmenting the production in a full band format. But in actuality, the album’s instrumental and vocal performances were all by Brandon -- other than drums (by ace session musician Tommy DiSabatino) on selections #2, 3, 4 & 11.
PRODUCTION CREDITS: Tracks #1, 6, 9, 10 & 12 recorded by Steve Gabler, of Perfection Recording, Uniontown, OH, who also mastered the entire final mix. All other tracks were recorded at Daniel Recording, Canton, OH, engineered by Dan Fleishour.
A native of the southwestern Virginia city of Roanoke, Brandon St. James' lifelong passion for music started early. By age seven, Brandon had begun piano lessons. Shortly thereafter, his family uprooted and resettled in northeast Ohio. But consolation soon came when the youngster finally found his first guitar was under the tree on Christmas morning.
Brandon played both guitar and piano for programs in elementary school and throughout his junior high years, in addition to playing trumpet in the school band.
While working full-time as a performing musician, Brandon has also been a music instructor, which he began doing since the age of 16. Starting with a few students in a music store, he was soon teaching between fifty and sixty lessons per week. For the next decade, he taught an estimated total of over 500 students, many who are professional musicians and teachers in their own right!
Beginning midway through his high school years, and continuing for the next decade, Brandon performed in many regional bands throughout northeastern Ohio. But, after all the years of playing with various bands, Brandon found his love for acoustic music overshadowing his original desire to try to be 'the next Eric Clapton'. So he began working as a solo act, performing with both acoustic guitar and on piano.
His calendar was soon filled with many long-running repeat engagements in many prominent northeast Ohio nightspots, including a five-year stint at Akron, Ohio's Quaker Square Hilton. Ironically, Brandon got to meet and play for his childhood idol, Eric Clapton who was a guest at the hotel while on tour. It was also from his gig at the Hilton that Brandon found himself playing a duet of "The Boxer" with the song's composer, Paul Simon. Other highlights included performing with the likes of Graham Nash, James Burton, The Moody Blues in his audience.
As a songwriter, Brandon St. James has been a Quarter Finalist in The American Song Festival, and received honorable mention in the Billboard Song Festival.
Although most of his original songs would more likely be considered "pop" or "contemporary folk", Brandon was invited to be a guest on "Country Today". The show was broadcast into an estimated 63 million homes, via The Nashville Network (TNN).
MAILING LIST:
If you’d like to receive notification via e-mail as concert performances are announced, just sign up to be on the mailing list by sending an e-mail to Brandon St. James (see sidebar at left).
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS:
If you’d prefer to download the “Only Dreamers Understand” album – or even just a single selection – doing so can be accomplished by visiting the following site(s) …
AOL Music Now [http://aol.musicnow.com/az/album.jhtml?id=5600523]
BuyMusic.com [http://www.buy.com/retail/searchResults.aspx?querytype=6&searchquery=Brandon+St%2E+James&loc=18250&dclksa=1]
MP3 Tunes [http://www.mp3tunes.com/album_details.php?album_id=33806]
Sony Connect [http://musicstore.connect.com/album/500/000/000/000/010/583/292/500000000000010583292.html?SelectedID=500000000000010583292]
PassAlong Music Store [http://www.passalong.com/Music/AdvancedSearchResults.aspx?selSearchType=Artist&txtSearchKeyword=Brandon+St.+James]
reviews
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- author: Cody White
The "Only Dreamers" cd was recommended to me by the lady that works at Gone CoCo, downtown Roanoke, VA. She told me that I should listen to it because I would like it. She was right. It is GREAT. I have listened to it alot and would love to see you live. I missed you when you played in Roanoke last summer. Keep making beautiful music.
- author: Sue Fout
I picked up the "Only Dreamers Understand" CD after hearing Brandon's concert ... it was by chance that I was in Roanoke, VA while he was in a solo performance at a festival there. It was a real pleasure to watch him work the crowd and watch the crowd respond and grow as the music continued. His calm demeanor and "Frisky Fingers" is what drove me to purchase the recording. Brandon, thank you for your music and sharing your talent with the world. It would be nice to see you back in Virginia, soon...(possibly in Virginia Beach at the Neptune Festival?). I'll put this website in my favorites so I can visit often, and and I'll sign up to be on your mailing list, so that I can keep track of where you are performing. It is so very nice to hear good quality family oriented music with real lyrics!!! Continued Success!!
- author: Christine Taylor
Oh! What a happy New Year. I found your cd at Gone Coco. "It happens in the wink of an eye." Isn't that the truth? I can hear your influence in Paul Simon's mardi gras song. I bet he feels he's the lucky one to have sung with you."On the edge of forever"--what an image.
Brandon St. James hits the mark ...
author: INFORMER MAGAZINE(written by Melani Alleshouse / February 2004) A big dreamer, with even more extraordinary talents, Brandon St. James hits the mark with his latest effort, "Only Dreamers Understand." This disc is a great addition to the many achievements under his belt. The 12-track album was produced by Stark County's Jim Smith. The heartfelt "I'll Be Here" is a soothing ballad with a ton of emotion and definitely became an instant favorite of mine. The lyrics are a warming love poem with ear-catching lines like "So there's just no way I'll ever make you blue" / "For, you see, my life begins and ends with you." "Frisky Fingers" offers a sampling of St. James' amazing talent on the guitar. This instrumental piece has a catchy beat and gives the listener the opportunity to really listen to his playing. The more upbeat number, "What Can I Do", adds contrast to the album. It has catchy lyrics and a danceable beat. this sets it apart from the majority of the songs and makes it another one of my favorites. The soothing tunes make this a disc you can definitely sit down and relax to. I'm not usually a fan of mostly acoustic albums or the laid-back feel of this style of music, but I really enjoyed "Only Dreamers Understand". You can pick up a copy at a local record store or order it online at www.brandonstjames.com.