DAVID ELIAS: Time Forgets

David Elias

Time Forgets

© 1998 David Elias (714288014320)

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Often compared to John Prine for songwriting and delivery, this has been played on radio station folk shows all over the globe for many years now.

notes

David’s original work and contributions as a pioneer in the unsigned artist’s world of self-produced CD’s put him in front of the folk community nationally and worldwide at a very early Internet age (1995). He achieved numerous and frequent #1 charting on various large musical web communities such as MP3.com, Besonic, SoundClick, Mixposure, and IndieHeart.com (currently #1 artist for most plays) as well as others.

Not restricting his exposure to online outlets (breaking ground with CD Baby in 1998 and eventually Amazon, iTunes and 50+ others) David also attracted the discriminate audiophile community as an innovator in hi-def 5.1 surround sound recordings (SACD’s “The Window”, 2003 and “Crossing”, 2005). This met with industry recognition for excellence, including the Brutus award from Positive Feedback Online for both SACD’s.

David’s songwriting achieved early recognition from the likes of Billboard magazine (honorable mention folk award in 1998) and hundreds of reviews and comments online from fans, musicians and industry professionals. He has been compared to many great songwriters ranging from Jim Croce to Nick Drake to Tom Petty to Dan Hicks to Arlo Guthrie to Bruce Cockburn, Paul Simon, Dylan, Neil Young, among numerous others. His productions continue to be recognized for their outstanding articulation and impact, both lyrically, musically and sonically. He has indeed been referred to as both musician’s musician and a songwriter’s songwriter.

It is somewhat challenging to try to characterize the scope and impact of David’s work either chronologically or in a complete fashion. Working as an independent artist for 15 years, he has been part of the dawn of many new discoveries in music and DIY approaches to sustaining art. Performing in the vicinity of 1000 shows, give or take, since 1994 and teaming up with dozens of different casts of characters from the deep roots of the Irish and Scottish to the quietude or rants of Americana and folk to the eclectic, bluegrass, rock and pop realms of those such as Jane Siberry (Issa), Sally Van Meter, and Roger Powell, David has spun many homegrown musical tales for the environment, local education and businesses, benefits galore, art shows, fairs and festivals, warehouses and lofts, beach parties, pubs and eateries, music halls and local cafes not to mention his own 7 released recordings and endless other collaborations. Perhaps it is summarized best as one fan online wrote: “…music for the heart and soul”.

More details below or see http://www.davidelias.com

• Independent singer-songwriter musician with first self-produced CD “Lost in the Green” released in 1995, with the initial wave of the Internet. This CD got immediate attention and play on hundreds of public and college folk programs across the US and overseas as far as Hong Kong. Original coffeehouse acoustic sounds for both lyrical/poetical impact and musical composition and quality were associated with early Dylan, John Prine, Paul Simon, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and other folk icons.

• Second CD release “Time Forgets” went online with the initial artist subscribers to CD Baby in 1998. “Christmas Blue” from this disc became #1 on the original MP3.com Folk Rock chart in 1998. CD Baby founder Derek compared this disc to John Prine’s music as something loveable. The “Freedom on the Freeway” track received an Honorable Mention from Billboard magazine. David’s songwriting skills were also recognized by the Napa Valley Music Festival as a finalist.

• Also released in 1998, “The Blue Planet” featured a title track used in the Musician’s United to Sustain the Environment (M.U.S.E.) first compilation. This marked the beginning of many contributions to compilations and other non-profit and for profit projects including independent films such as Jason Ward’s “I Want To Blow Up Silicon Valley”. Both special and regular radio performances began during this time and continued on Bay Area stations including KSUP Santa Cruz, KPIG Watsonville, KZSU Stanford, KKUP Cupertino and KALW and KYOU in San Francisco.

• 2001 included the CD release of the ambient folk recording “Half An Hour Away” featuring an acoustic trio (guitar, mandolin, flute/tenor sax) known as David Elias & The Great Unknown. The title track of this song would also be included on the release of the Peninsula Scottish Fiddlers’ second CD. David toured Scotland with the 18-piece Fiddlers orchestra that year performing 14 shows as a supporting guitarist and featured songwriter.

• Working early with Hi-Def recording in the beginning of Sony’s development of the Super Audio CD (SACD) David ultimately released the world’s first hybrid multichannel (5.1) SACD in 2003. “The Window” was a final nominee at the Beverly Hills Surround Music Awards that year in the Emerging Artist category. That same year Pink Floyd’s remixed and remastered “Dark Side of the Moon” was recognized as the best new surround hi-res recording. Over 4000 SACD titles would follow from various labels in recognition of this new high definition format.

”The Window” has been recognized by audiophile experts as a reference quality recording for its superior sonic merits. It also has been awarded for its folk music value. As Stuart Robinson from High Fidelity Review commented: “Every great recording requires great music, and that’s what this disc is all about.”

Recorded live at Immersive Studios in Boulder and released without edits or overdubs, it features numerous luminary backing artists including Sally Van Meter, John Magnie (Subdudes), Matt Flinner, Eric Thorin (Open Road Bluegrass, Drew Emmitt) and Marc Dalio (Erin McKeown).

“The Window” has been compared to folk and bluegrass icons’ work such as Jorma Kaukonen’s “Blue Country Heart” also a 5.1 SACD which was nominated for a Grammy in 2002. “The Window” has received longstanding recognition in the audiophile community for its songs, performances and audio qualities.

• Continuing to record in the Hi-Def domain using Direct Stream Digital (DSD), an acoustic trio consisting of Charlie Natzke (guitar/backing vocal), Chris Kee (upright bass) and David recorded a live studio set entitled “David Elias & XING” (pronounced “crossing”) for an iTunes promotion in 2005. This 50-minute, 11-track podcast was named by iTunes as “Tracks to Watch” and received tremendous support and plays online. It went on to be printed as a CD as a result of the online success.

• In 2005 David was invited to join Jane Siberry (now Issa) onstage as a backing guitarist in the Newport Folk Festival. David would open shows for Jane over the next two years at numerous locations throughout California, including the Great American Music Hall, as well as performances in Texas. He also appeared live with Jane on radio in Austin, TX (KGSR with Jody Denberg) as well as KUSP in Santa Cruz, CA.

• As he was being voted “Best Songwriter” in 2005 by the International Online Musicians Awards (IOMA) David created the larger ensemble (up to 8-piece) of David Elias & XING (pronounced “crossing”) for his live performances. Using these local SF Bay Area musicians as well as most of the artists appearing on “The Window”, a second hybrid 5.1 SACD of original music called “Crossing” was produced and recorded at Slipperworld Studios in La Honda, CA.

Recorded to DSD by Charlie Natzke and mixed in Boulder by Gus Skinas (formerly of Sony SACD Project and founder SuperAudioCenter.com) “Crossing” received final nominations in three different categories in the 2003 Surround Music Awards: a) Listener’s Choice; b) Best Made-For-Surround Title; c) Best Non-Orchestral Mix.

”Crossing” received the same level of admiration for songwriting and Hi-Def excellence as “The Window”, described as an “extraordinary recording” by Stereophile Magazine in 2006.

• Shortly after relocating to Hawaii in 2008, David released a limited set of recordings featuring new lyrical songs written and performed on ukulele.

• New News in the near-term horizon (late 2008, early 2009)includes:

- Live CD with the large band David Elias & The CasualTees, recorded to DSD by Gus Skinas in hi-def and mixed/mastered by Charlie Natzke at Slipperworld Studios in La Honda, California. This project was recorded at the San Gregorio General Store over successive nights and features new Elias material on 10-tracks. Musicians backing David as The CasualTees are: Charlie Natzke, John Havard, Scott Beynon, Ken Owen, Roger Powell, David Phillips, Gary McArthur, and Reid Dennis. *** RELEASED IN FEB. 2009! *****

- Hi-Def (HD)downloads in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound of both David Elias SACD’s from iTrax.com. *** ONLINE NOW FOR HD STREAMING AND SURROUND DOWNLOADS ****

- Award-winning "Crossing" has been added to the impressive libraries of online radio at www.pandora.com -- check it out!

reviews

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  • The Last CD...
    author: eslider

    Sad about plastic cd's isn't it,and Tower Records folding. This is a very beautiful song [title track],performed to perfection. Great lyrics and your vox are some of my favorites. Thanks.

  • Tears...
    author: Frank, F.D.Project

    This is brilliant [title track]...thanks for that David. Tears in my eyes...wonderful...

  • One of the best kept secrets...
    author: Eric Shea

    "Ohio transplant David Elias currently resides in San Francisco. His post-retro Folk is somewhat of an anomaly -- the flower in the sidewalk -- that places freight-hopping hobos in the city's Financial District and hosts ongoing, intimate coffeehouse hootenannies that take up most of Pacific Heights. Elias' warm vocal tones are rich like the notes blown from a broken-in Lee Oscar harmonica. His classic songs are as timeless as his influences. The acoustic guitar resonates a warm, wooden tone that soothingly blends with his naturally textured voice. It's Elias' soaring romantic melodies and heartfelt laments that make him one of the best kept secrets of the Barbary Coast." -- Eric Shea - Listen.com

  • Brilliant Song
    author: Gus Skinas - Sony Music

    I LOVE this song [Freedom on the Freeway]!! As one who frequents the freeway, this song really hits home for me. I can relate. It is BRILLIANT!! It's one of those songs you want to listen to over and over. I'd like to hear more like it. Great work!

  • Exquisitely enchanting -- a beautiful collection of songs!
    author: Riff Gibson, Raging Smolder

    Dylan-esque (Bob, not Jakob) vocals (at times, eerily reminiscent of the late Jim Croce especially on "Changing Circles") with soft gentle acoustic guitar backing. Simultaneously somber and soothing, exquisitely enchanting -- a beautiful collection of songs! Time Forgets is possessed by a melancholia -- almost funereal -- as the passing of friends, relationships, and time weighs on the songwriter.

  • A great collection of original music
    author: James Dostal

    Time Forgets" is truly an amazing collection of original music from David Elias. It is hard for me to convey the true effect this album had on me. Usually too busy to enjoy music, I was overtaken by it's warm sound. I truly became lost in it's lively blend of clean accoustic guitars, sparkling electric leads,and bluesy harmonica solos. David's vocals are soothing yet thought provoking. David's lyrics have that special quality that let's you intertwine your own real life experiences with his music. The alblum made me smile and ponder and imagine and wonder. Each and every song has it's own unique qualities that inspire and delight. I recommend this album to everyone.

  • Feels like a personal, private performance!
    author: Barbara "toez" Hammerman

    David Elias continues to bring the listener to heart as if you asked him to play afew tunes for your personal enjoyment. When I discovered his evocative, live performance a couple years ago while settled in for fireside coffee at San Gregorio Store, I couldn't imagine that the recorded version would live up to that joyfilled spirit. It did, and now, in TIME FORGETS,it does! This CD is a treat to be discovered more than once...Play it and you're sure to keep it handy. It's delicious!

  • The Great Unknown
    author: Tom Mccarter

    David Elias is one of the great unknown folksingers around today. One of the things I love about David is his ability to play intricate guitar lines in back of his music. He writes some terrific tunes, too. Songs that get right to the heart. Elias also chooses little unheard gems by better known musicians, like Townes van Zandt, which I also appreciate. He usually shares the spotlight with another talented musician or two and I understand he's putting together a large group to expand on his music. He does't need them. He knocks me out solo. -Tom McCarter KUSP-FM

  • FAME Review: Lost In The Green by David Elias
    author: Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange Written By Moshe Benarroch

    Lost In The Green is Elias' debut album from 1995. It's the kind of debut album which gets you excited about his next album. Despite the fact that his next album, Time Forgets, has already been released as I am writing this review and more than lives up to this artists' potential, this is still a very good debut cd. While Time Forgets is more electric and better produced than Lost In The Green. The first word that comes to mind in describing Elias' music is Honesty. Elias doesn't pretend to be anything that he isn't. His songs come straight from the heart, and are sung here with minimal instrumentation; mostly guitar, with an occasional fiddle and mandolin. He in the footsteps of Townes Van Zandt, covering two of his songs, Dollar Bill Blues and Nothin. He also reminds one of an early Dylan or John Prine. All the other songs on the album with the exception of these two were written by Elias himself. In "Eternal Youth," Elias sings: "What may well not concern you / it may before too long / the world may overturn you / and kill you when you're strong" I hardly imagine better words to describe how the world is affecting our lives at the end of this century, while we still try to live in our own cocoons. But, there is no way to escape the problems of the world. We have to face them and not ignore them. The music has the vital energy of the sixties; a long lost energy. Vivid songs, songs that make you think put Elias near Richard Dobson, Rex Foster, Guy Clark and all the great troubadours who make our lives easier to bear. If you like your music plain and simple, you can't go wrong by buying Times Forget" or Lost In The Green." So, don't ask ten years from now, when everyone else has discovered Elias, why you didn't read about him before, because here he is: we should all be listening to Elias.

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