DAVID ELIAS: The Window (hybrid SACD)

David Elias

The Window (hybrid SACD)

© 2003 David Elias (783707737829)

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Award-winning folk style acoustic production -- HD live studio sessions -- featuring gifted players and highly acclaimed songwriting. The real deal.

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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  • Thumbs Up!
    author: David Picarsic

    David Elias is one for you to select if you like good acoustics.

  • David I love your SACD
    author: Jo Cools, Belgium

    The Old King is my favorit song but the entire album pleases me. Music, lyrics and the (DSD)recording is fantastic! extraordinary! Great stuff! I received The Window & Crossing SACD's (in high speed) and have been listening non-stop. These is are of my best SACD's. David go on!

  • If you want to know what SACD is all about
    author: S. Whittenton

    ...then get a SACD player and this SACD. Every time I queue it up in my 5 disc changer/player, even if I start doing something else in the interim, I stop and sit and smile for at least a song or two when this one comes up. David's voice and acoustic guitar, the supporting musicians, the clarity of the recording, the overall production of the album are second to none. Many, if not most, other SACD recordings are mixed into the SACD format either after being recorded before DSD/SACD format was invented or after being recorded on the more typical/standard studio equipment; a true DSD recording, such as this one, is still a rarity. If you're an acoustic music fan this one is a must have.

  • Love It
    author: Scott Truman

    when do I get to record with that band????? that trance of a rhtym is gorgeous. the recording is absolutely beautiful. dont know how I havent came across this yet. nice...

  • I Can't Stop Listening...
    author: Seachild

    Perfect instrumentation and gentle vocals move the listener through vivid scenes right out of a medieval funeral. The song [The Old King] evokes the intimate grief of those caught up in the drama of a dark era coming to its inevitable end. I don’t know how David wrote this, but I think he must have been there in a former life! Beautiful. This song gives me chills every time.

  • Long Live the King!!!
    author: Mike Kissel

    Man, what a beautiful, mournful, depressing song [The Old King].... I LOVE IT!!! The fact that' it's a live performance recorded and produced so magically is makes it even greater!!! Your voice is excellent, the lyrics, as I said, are very emotional, and the arrangement is perfect. That bass is indescribable!! What a great performance.

  • "Window" has it all. Sonics,Poetry,Music. Will transport you.
    author: Tom Huffstutler

    Window. has it all. Sonics,Poetry,Music. Will transport you.

  • Simply amazing!
    author: Steve

    I really enjoy The Window which I picked up a few months ago. It is unlike anything I ever heard and is simply amazing!

  • A wonderful piece of music
    author: Christpher Yeleighton

    It feels great listening both at work and at leisure time. Its warm tunes perform a soothing effect. It will also make a perfect gift for your loved one.

  • What a nice surprise!
    author: Larry Bogert

    I received The Window CD a couple of days ago and have been listening to it non-stop. It's terrific! I will be recommending it to all my friends. Thank you and your backup musicians (they're really good) for a truly enjoyable album!

  • fantastic album
    author: Al Wagner

    As I listen to this cd more I find layers of depth not heard initially, I find myself humming and whistling the songs throughout my day and it has been sometime since an album has affected me this way.All the musicians playing did a superb job and when I listen with my eyes closed I am in the studio with them. Fantastic cd all around. Do yourself a favour and buy a copy for yourself and get a copy for a friend they will love it too.

  • The Absolute Business...
    author: Richie

    Then, the absolute business. The title track, and its intro, are a musical journey into darkness- haunting, ominous, and downright startling in their production. This is a piece of music you'll be using to show off the quality of your hi-fi. Awesome...The Window is an important album, make no mistake. It gets played in our house on the sort of evenings that previously we would have reserved for Simon and Garfunkel, and is my personal favourite EVER night driving album. Need I say more?

  • David Elias - The Quintessential Singer/Songwriter
    author: Guy Michetti

    I have been listening to David's music alot this past week. And it's not because of the Fokker Feature over at songplanet.com, although I was really happy to see that David was on with Lucky and I listened to it yesterday. It was a great interview!!! David writes songs. Really good songs. He is an awesome talent and the world needs to hear him sing his songs. As a songwriter myself, it gives me faith that the music in the independent music scene is so strong, that people like David Elias will reach the widest of audiences. He's what I think many songwriters aspire to. He also knows almost intuitively what each song needs as far as instrumentation. Listen to "Freedom on the Freeway" and you hear all the elements I just mentioned. It's no surprise that he won honorable mention from Billboard in the 2004 song contest. As an artist listening to David's music, it inspires you to better your craft. Listen to "Summer Wind", this is a perfect example of melody, lyrics, vocals and instrumentation that is simply perfect. Of course it would be hard to make "Summer Wind" sound bad, the song is that strong! For those of you think David pay me to say this, please perish the thought. At songplanet, the listener is king and so I am only exercising my god given rights to be a listener who has found a great singer/songwriter and sharing that with the community. I hope David reaches a large audience with his music. He not only deserves to, I would think that people would be deprived of some wonderful music. all the best, guy

  • Fantastic
    author: talli

    Wonderful folk music and outstanding recording

  • great contemporary folk
    author: Harold Hill

    This is a first rate recording of some very fine folk singing. It is certainly worth the price, if you love this genre. CD Baby filled my order at warp 9. Eat your heart out, Amazon!

  • Very realistic SACD of absolutely wonderful Folk Music
    author: Teresa

    Never heard of David Elias, his SACD "The Window" was recommended by several posters on the High-Rez Highway as one of the best SACDs for music and sonics. I agree all the instruments sound REAL and David Elias on of the most beautiful voices in folk music. And all the Songs are fantastic, every single one! This is one of my best SACDs! Highly, highly recommended!

  • Remembered as one of the last poets on north-American soil
    author: Markus G. - RockMetalBands.com - Italy

    ...He'll be remembered as one of the last poets on north-American soil to release high-quality music under every aspect. Undoubtely being conscious of having written immortal songs is worth more than a truckful of bucks in the long run when your financial situation already sails on calm seas.

  • I Knew They'd Be Dumbfounded...
    author: Colin Lynch, Scouts Digest Review

    I have played this album to a number of people, all of whom have different musical tastes and all of whom come from a wide variety of backgrounds..in Canda, in England and in Australia. Yep...I knew they'd be dumbfounded and as knocked out as I have been and it all goes back to what I said at the beginning of this review...this album's appeal goes far beyond the 'genres' it will be associated with..but that's quite alright!

  • Great existential Folk artist and a great recording
    author: R. Epstein

    This is a great CD, and David Elias is a great discovery. He has the clarity of having his own voice, not a commercial voice contrived for some manipulative aim. The band is tight as a drum, each musician contributing to the whole. I have the impression or illusion that I can hear the great specific sound separation of the SACD even though I just have a regular old $200 Sony mini system. I am especially fond of David's ballads, if they can be called that, where he sings as if he doesn't want to disturb the quietness of some carefully balanced set of relations around him. "We're only here to disappear" is a simple but profound line which resonates after it is gone.

  • Zu Herzen gehend, zärtlich, sanft Sehnsucht weckend und Erinnerungen
    author: JS (Joerg Sommermeyer)

    Einfach, nicht simpel, vielmehr schlicht und vollkommen. Bestechender, innovativer Surround-Sound, eine klare, natürlich-delikate, dezente Band, besetzt mit lauter Meistern ihres Fachs. Und dann diese magische, unglaublich präsente Liebeserklärung in jedem einzelnen Ton, zu Herzen gehend, überwältigend, wehmütig und wissend. Zärtlich streichelt der Sommerwind uns durchs Haar, sanft Sehnsucht weckend und Erinnerungen: Haut, Meer, Sonne, Wind, Glücksmomente, ihre Vergänglichkeit und all das Positive, das unser Leben lebenswert macht!

  • Wow, a SACD that made me listen and love folk music.
    author: Mhantra

    Wow, a SACD that made me listen and love folk music. Never thought it would happen. Most of the things I would have said have been said (see below) but I can say the artistic value inherant here is phenomenal in both the music and technical areas. This is a prototypical SACD.

  • David Who?
    author: Phil Kane

    I had never heard of David Elias. I only purchased this disc because I read a review that drooled over the ultra high quality of the recording. The SACD soundstage was said to be incredible. Well, now that I've listened to the recording, I can say that everything I read is true. However, I unexpectedly discovered in the process of listening, that David Elias' music is every bit as wonderful as the high quality recording that presents it. David's music is a breath of fresh air, nothing pretentious going on here. There are hints of folk, bluegrass and celtic music. Wonderful melodies, great arrangements and really fine musicians. I really love experiencing art such as this.

  • Every “great” recording requires “great” music, and that’s what this disc is all
    author: Stuart M. Robinson - High Fidelity Review.com

    The result can truly be considered a work of greatness. From the moment the disc begins, one is instantly grabbed by the intimate soundstage; Elias sings the majority of lines no louder than a whisper, almost as if all the songs are lullabies, but it sounds as if he’s doing so while sitting on your lap, such is the feeling of a real, confined acoustic space and a close proximity to the performers. The experience is startling, even to a hardened listener such as myself.

  • Bound to be a favorite of folk music and bluegrass fans as well as SACD fans
    author: Brian Moura - High Fidelity Review.com

    'The Window' features David Elias and an all star band performing 13 tracks written by Elias. The music was recorded live at Immersive Studios in Boulder, Colorado on November 24th, 25th and 26th, 2002. The sessions were captured direct to the Sony Sonoma 8 Channel Direct Stream Digital (DSD) workstation by Gus Skinas of the Sony SACD Project's Boulder, Colorado office. The detail of the instruments and vocals on the album are outstanding and really show what a well made high resolution audio disc can sound like. This one is bound to be a favorite of folk music and bluegrass fans as well as SACD fans who want to listen to a well recorded album.

  • The Perfect Gift CD For Yourself or Another Folk-Music Connoisseur
    author: Queenie -- Singer-Songwriter

    It's soothing, relaxing music that is better than any major-label artist CD you have bought in the last 20 years. David Elias and his band have captured the old Simon and Garfunkel sound, yet the tone of the CD is modern and refreshing. The perfect gift for folk-music fans who love quiet yet provocative music. David will make you laugh with his often tongue-in-cheek lyrics and he'll bring tears to your eyes with his profound musical sensitivity. The simple track "The Old King" makes this entire album worth the purchase price, but the entire album pleases me, the most finicky of listeners. His music is soothing but it isn't cheesy like some folk music. It would be a wonderful listen in the car when you are trying to calm down. You won't be disappointed by this beautiful CD, which I have called a "work of art".

  • one of the most musical, detailed, and spacious recordings I've ever come across
    author: Epinons Review

    I've been crying for the longest time about crappy sound. 90% of mainstream CDs sound like every instrument, and every vocal was captured in some sound booth; and then run through Pro Tools a million times, with sterile and cold results. Thankfully that is not the case here. Produced by Elias and KC Groves, with Gus Skinas handling the DSD mixing and mastering, something wonderful (musically) was the result. How did Elias get Gus Skinas, a guy that assisted with the 5.1 mix for Floyd's Dark Side to assist him? My theory is that Elias met up with Skinas someplace and moved his hand through the air like a Jedi and told Skinas that he would assist. Disclaimer I cannot confirm or deny that Elias is in fact a Jedi.

  • Purchase the Art Masterpiece of Music that you need...
    author: Mary Rudy - Muzik Reviewz

    David Elias and his CD 'The Window' is the most spectacular and superb piece of art I have ever heard. Like a fine painting, he has taken and put all the strokes of the brush to the canvas and the outcome of this is the production of 'The Window'. An Art collecting friend once commented that every home should have at least one piece of art in it, that is when you come to appreciate the talents, love and energy that an artist puts into his work. Well Folks! This is that piece of art you need, and believe you will appreciate every second, every minute, every instrument, every verse, every lyric.

  • Supreme lyrics and amazing music
    author: Peter Fjågesund

    Who can describe these songs and do them justice? Not to worry, The Window is not dependent on praise. Like a pillar, it is going to be visible in the musical landscape for a very long time. First of all, the lyrics represent in their own right a beautiful collection of poetry, deserving of profound pondering and close reading, and achieving a perfect balance between sadness and stoicism, on the one hand, and black humour interspersed with melancholy carpe diem motifs, on the other. At the same time, these tracks offer a display of musical accompaniment and contemplative instrumental interludes by a group of kindred souls perfectly tuned to Elias’s material. While in complete control, these musicians miraculously bring out the energy and the vigour of the songs in the form of the laid-back and the almost subdued. All in all, The Window has all the immediacy and genuine unedited atmosphere of a successful concert recording and the fantastic sound quality of the studio. Favourite tracks? “Her Name Is A” is a future anthology piece among love songs and the jewel in the crown; “The Old King” is a profound poem on life and death, suggesting the silence of the tomb with the slow heartbeat of the distant drum and Elias’s slow, whispering words; “Half An Hour Away” is a tune so timeless in its Celtic simplicity that you believe you must have heard it in your mother’s womb or in another life. Then there is “The Window”, “Summer Wind”, “Go Down Easy”, “Season of the Fall”, and not to forget “A Picture of Nothing”, a slow, bleak and depressed C&W track sung, I believe, with a wry smile. It is indeed difficult to choose (Peter Fjågesund, Telemark, Norway).

  • "The Window's" music and lyrics are just FANTASTIC!
    author: Micah Solomon, President & CEO, Oasis CD Manufacturing

    "The Window's" music and lyrics are just fantastic! And needless to say the recording is just extraordinary. Great stuff! It reminds me of music from a beautiful era I'd forgotten -- very early Allman Brothers almost, twinged with bluegrass, but every time it gets close to the instrumental prowess of the great players taking attention away from the great lyrics of the songs themselves, the players expertly step back from the foreground. This is a MUCH different experience from almost any contemporary bluegrass, even though it is informed by the same. BRAVO!

  • Absolutely Fantasic
    author: Tony Flores - Epinions

    The sound of the album is absolutely fantastic. FINALLY someone did something simple like mic a band and record it. Well maybe it wasn't that simple, but that's how it sounds.

  • Amazing emotional songs...
    author: Uwe Steinmueller - outbackphoto.com

    David Elias is a Bay Area acoustic Singer/Songwriter who creates amazing emotional songs. If we could only keep 10 CDs of our maybe (800 CD and LPs) most likely 2 would be by David. During the last 6 years we heard David many, many times at the San Gregorio General Store and his music is as good also live. We just want to make you aware of this great musician. Play the MP3 tracks to get started. The new CD is a SACD (Super Audio CD).

  • ...it's become part of my life...
    author: Dawn Frank, Sony SACD Project

    You know, I'm listening to your record right now, I've listened to it about 12 times completely, and a few more times to particular songs over these last few months. I've always liked it, right from the beginning... but now... I have become so attached to it... it's become part of life, something that draws me to listen... it makes me feel very happy each time and am sorry when each song ends and I leave it behind.

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