DAVID ELIAS: David Elias & XING

David Elias

David Elias & XING

© 2005 David Elias (634479086878)

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Three guys get together one afternoon at Slipperworld Studios in La Honda, California and make a record with just 2 guitars and an upright bass. iTunes named it "Tracks to Watch".

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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  • Great acoustic music!
    author: Hans Simon Dahle

    I love these David Elias recordings! I just got aquainted with his writings skills and singing style, combined with wonderful and sometimes haunting melodies, packaged in a mesh of fine acoustic instumental playing. Music for the heart and the soul! I also highly recommend his two SACDs - The Window and Crossing - they're a treat!

  • Your Way
    author: Farrell

    Very soothing tune and your vocal tone really sets the stage for a relaxing listen. Nice mix with the acoustic bass. The chorus [If I Had My Way] has that infectious sing along appeal. Nice writing!

  • Don't Change
    author: Lothar

    Everything fits beautiful together: great acoustic work combined with perfect vocals (Compliments also to Charlie Natzke for his backing-vocals)! Greetings from Germany

  • It's Time For A Change...
    author: Guy Michetti

    Man I know that my review of this wonderful song [Changing Down] and performance by David, is not even going to come close to how superb this song is. Ok but I'll try... When you hear those guitars at the beginning.. the way they sound sonically, the way they are being played, the notes they are playing, (can we say brilliant articulation and prhasing.. have you read Pablo Casals book?) the mood that is instantaneously created, you have to know that something amazing is happening. Then when Davic starts to sing with that beautiful and passionate voice that creates images and pictures and feels like a friend like you've never known, starts to sing a simple elegy that can radically change your world and make you feel good at the same time. It is a rare thing when a artist of David Elias' caliber comes your way. He is an artist a voice that needs to be heard. The change is coming... The fact that David isn't on the cover of every musical trade journal( yet that is) is indicative to me of an industry that has lost its soul with no direction home or anywhere else. The change is coming... There will be a new morning for music someday, and one of the bright stars on that horizon is David Elias and his music. I was right, I haven't even come close to writing a good review. Just listen to the music. Listen. Listen.. listen...The change is coming...

  • One of the most beautiful songs I ever heard...
    author: eslider

    This [Vision of Her] is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard,the guitars and vocals are wonderful in every way, could not be performed any better, knocked me OUT!

  • It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This...
    author: Guy Michetti - MIX Review Crew

    Simply a beautiful song [One More Savior]. A elegant elegy of introspection! Folks, it does not get any better than this. David has an unlimited supply of muse, and this is one more beautiful tune in what is starting to become a considerable catalog of some of the best independent music anywhere. Yes you can quote me!!

  • New Benchmark
    author: LEXZ

    This [song Changing Down] will become the new benchmark for all other acoustic songs posted at Mixposure. Like "The Riddle Song," it is perfectly played, sung, recorded, and mixed. Superb effort.

  • Simply Beautiful
    author: solipsism

    for those of you who haven't heard David Elias, i can assure you who he is in my opinion one of the best songwriters working today....thoughtful beautiful lyrics meshed with the most beautiful acoustic guitars. soft, gentle and warm this song has everything and more that you'd look for in this genre...it's just about perfect. His vocal performance is stunning and again the soft almost whispering style is perfect for the genre. simply beautiful

  • Just Beautiful!
    author: Bubba Blues

    David Elias is the total package folks. Lyrical genius, beautiful acoustic work, tight rhythm, and great vocals all done flawlesly. This song [Vision of Her] is just another example of all these things.

  • A Reverie...
    author: Maria Daines

    This song [Vision of Her] is so beautiful, it is like the music is filled with sunshine.... Your guitar shades the memories in your voice as it follows you through this tale of plaintive honest human feeling.... Glorious, gentle music that makes the world seem kinder somehow. You are a master craftsman at work bringing your stories and music to life. A class of your own. Thank you.

  • Beautiful...
    author: Melo

    soft as butter, sweet as wild honey. the guitars chime together as one, with the bass pulliing down a kinetic, smoothly propellant groove. this was the first track of david's i heard [take me down the road], and i beetled right over to itunes and had my songwriting bar tidily lifted, way up there. this is homespun, heartfelt folk music at its finest: timeless, elegantly simple, and as familiar as the inside of your favourite backpack. a giant deja-vu, a clear draught from the well. we who love this genre have been gifted in this very fine, sensitive artist. i encourage all to go deeper into this man's work; there are magic moments galore, and the accompanying musicians are worthy of the delicate challenge offered them.

  • AMAZING!
    author: Brocklev87

    Excellent guitar work [on Take Me Down The Road]. I really like this song, it has an awesome feel to it, and the mix is perfect. sounds well produced. I especially like the harmonies played in the little bridge thing. steady bass line that carries the song. I like it a lot, and I don't really have much to say to criticize it. Lyrics are great. your vocals fit the style perfectly. this one is being added to my radio station, excellent work! :)

  • Nice & Fun, Nice & Fun, Nice & Fun!
    author: Doc Quinn

    What a cool song [The Riddle Song], I love it! The guitar work here is great to say the least. Sounds like a fun performance and fun means a lot in this business. This lil' song/jam made me pick up my guitar and play some with ya'. Keep um' comin' like this man. We can use a lot of this now days. Fun. Fun, Fun! This is great medicine man. All 10's from this Bluesman! ~ Doc

  • Stand Up and do a Dance!
    author: Stephen Copek

    very well done! made me want to stand up and dance. Love the upbeat feel, and love the instrumentals. you have a killer voice. I see a purchase in the near future... keep it up!

  • Oh So Nice!
    author: Epiphany

    As I listen, I'm tapping my toes and I have a smile on my face! Really nice performance and delivery on this one. Great Guitar playing! Nice harmony! Happy fun song [The Riddle Song]. A-1 all the way!

  • So Easy...
    author: Loren

    the guitar playing is beautiful. nice harmonies. you make it sound so easy.

  • The Riddle Song got me in a full nelson...
    author: LEXZ

    Guy said there was this "newcomer" to Mixposure that we should all check out - IMMEDIATELY. Now I see why he wanted us to rush over. This is absolutely impeccably recorded fine acoustic music. Great guitar work and masterfully delivered vocals - no riddle why this song plays so well on my mind.

  • Nicely Done!
    author: Edrurv

    Great live performance. The guitar work is clean and very cool. Great enthusiasm in the vocal selling the lyrics all the way. Rock solid steady on the tempo [The Riddle Song] and just plain good.

  • What Can I Say...
    author: DiCarlo

    WHAT CAN I SAY, EXCEPT........ ANOTHER EXCELLENT SONG!!!!!! [ Transcendental Deprivation Part II + Straw Dream] You guys are soooo tight. Great guitars and bass. Nice vocals and vocal harmonies and excellent lyrics as well. All recorded beautifully. What can I say? Great work.

  • Masterful
    author: Valkir

    This is a breath of fresh air...I can't believe this is live...ithis sounds perfect...such a joy to listen to someone that has pretty much mastered his craft and is completely comfortable with his instrument in every situation..where the instrument is an extension of himself...this is a masterful performance by all 3 of you gentlemen...I tip my hat to you all. 4X Yes, MIX PIX

  • Two For The Price Of One
    author: mbridge

    This [Transcendental Deprivation Part II + Straw Dream] is a very unconventional song, mixing a pure instrumental piece on the front end and then finishing it off with connected by different song with instrumentals complimented by voice. At 9:18 this is a long song, but fear not, it will leaving you wanting another 9:18. The front part of the song reminds me of early colonial music. The musicianship is remarkable. Beautiful finger picked harmonies weave between guitars and bass making you just want to kick back with a glass of wine and sit in front of a fire and reflect. If this were purely instrumental I would be satisfied but wait...there's more. The backend of the song slows down but continues with beautiful guitar picking but adds lead and backup vocals that add to the reflective/contemplative mood set by the guitar playing with their soft tones and harmonies. What a warming treat on this cold Tuesday morning in Boston.

  • loved it
    author: Lloyd Towne

    came thru the US Post in fine fettle. have listened to it several times already.

  • Not all guitar is wailing, distorted shred lines!
    author: Alan Wagner, Kelowna, BC

    I am a guitar instructor in Kelowna, BC Canada and I am trying to teach my students that not all guitar is wailing, distorted shred lines. That you can take an acoustic, put away your pick, and make some music that is more "musical" than most of what you hear on radio, MTV etc...So I was searching Google for acoustic guitar music and eventually hit your webcast. I clicked to have a quick listen and sat through it in its entirety and enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks, Alan Wagner

  • excellent!
    author: andyman

    David is always the best!

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