|
 |
|
 |
 |
| Signature
Sounds Recordings was formed by Jim Olsen and Mark
Thayer in 1995 to promote the burgeoning acoustic
music scene in and around Northampton, MA. Since our
inception, we've released over 50 albums of
singer-songwriter, Americana and modern folk music.
Signature Sounds Recordings are distributed
exclusively in the U.S. by Koch Entertainment. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOUISE
TAYLOR
If awards were given out for smoldering sensuality in the
world of female singer-songwriters, Louise Taylor would have
a mantleful. Praised for combining poetic sophistication
with a husky, powerful voice, a rare feel for the acoustic
guitar, and a commanding stage presence, Taylor is an
unbridled creative spirit who hits the sweet spot album
after album. Her songs don't follow any set rules, but
rather present themselves as individuals ... unique unto
themselves and illuminated by contrasts.... contemporary and
classic, gutsy and tender, mysterious and revealed. Dirty
Linen praised, "When Louise Taylor reaches within
herself to express a song, the world seemingly comes to a
halt. Her music is inherently sincere, drawing on her life
experience for sustenance and inspiration. Taylor seems to
have mastered a unique, sensuous and deeply personal path
with her music, songwriting and beautiful voice."
|
 Velvet
Town — SIG 1276
Like Cassandra Wilson and Norah Jones, Louise Taylor hits
the sweet spot where jazz, blues, folk and country
intersect. Her fifth album Velvet Town is her best yet, a
perfect showcase for her deep-grooving guitar, smokey voice
and laid-back phrasing that is totally unique and
satisfying. Produced by Louise and Annie Gallup, Velvet Town
features 12 diverse and deeply personal songs that create an
atmospheric late night mood that is irresistable.
"Blessed with a voice as rich as blood, an authentic
bluesy edge and a deeply ingrained connection to Appalachian
and Irish forms. "-No Depression
|
|
|
|
 Written
in Red — SIG 1259
If awards were given out for smoldering sensuality
in the music of female singer-songwriters, Louise Taylor
would have a mantleful. Combining poetic sophistication with
a husky, powerful voice that thrives on bluesy nuance, a
deft mastery of the acoustic guitar and a commanding
presence, Taylor's musical vision is truly unique.
|
|
|
|
|
 Ride
— SIG 1241
Louise Taylor's RIDE may just be one of the most breathtaking acoustic
albums...Period. Produced by Peter Galway and featuring guests Chris Smither and
Kelly Joe Phelps, RIDE grounds Taylor's crackling, intense vision in a sound as
haunted as it is exhilarating.
|
|
|
|
|
 Ruby
Shoes — SIG 1233
Fueled by pulsing acoustic guitar, jazz-inflected vocals, and poetic lyrics,
Louise Taylor exists in a league of her own. Produced by Will Ackerman, RUBY
SHOES finds Taylor getting help from Windham Hill veterans Phil Auberg and
Michael Manring, Wendy Beckerman, and Catie Curtis. |
|
|
|
|
|
| ^^^
Top ^^^ |
|
|
|
BROOKS
WILLIAMS
"If Williams' guitar picking gets any sharper, we'll
have to invent new adjectives," wrote the Boston Globe.
Well, they better start inventing because Williams' music,
lyrics, singing, and picking get sharper with every
recording. Critics and writers hail Brooks as "an
acoustic guitar god'" and a "fret monster,"
saying his music is "electrifying,"
"dazzling," and "breathtaking," and that
he sings like the "Angel of Soul." With millions
of touring miles and thirteen albums to his credit, the fans
have seen and heard it for themselves.
|
 Skiffle-Bop
— SIG 1264
With a dozen albums to his credit, Brooks needs no
introduction to fans of great acoustic music. Williams'
influences are wide and varied: Motown to Gospel to World,
and his music covers a staggering amount of ground. On
SKIFFLE-BOP Williams reinvents songs by Miriam Makeba, Sam
Phillips, Pat Metheny, and offers some of his strongest
originals.
|
|
|
|
 Little
Lion — SIG 1255
LITTLE LION is the album Brooks Williams fans have been
waiting for. Long recognized as one of the finest
songwriters on the acoustic circuit, Brooks Williams has
also been lauded as one of the most melodic and tasteful
guitarists anywhere. Little Lion is the first Brooks
Williams album that features nothing but his glorious
fretwork.
|
|
|
|
 Hundred
Year Shadow — SIG 1248
The strength of Brooks Williams' self-produced HUNDRED YEAR
SHADOW lies not in the fiery fretwork, soulful singing, or
sensitive songwriting, but rather in the union of all three.
In addition to seven new self-penned classics, Williams
wraps blues, gospel, country, soul, and Hawaiian slack key
guitar influences around interpretations of tunes by Buddy
and Julie Miller, Ted Hawkins, and Lennon & McCartney.
|
|
|
|
 Nectar
— SIG 1275
After a dozen albums and countless tours, Brooks Williams
has become recognized as one of America's great musical
treasures. His new album Nectar is his finest achievement to
date, a lush and profoundly melodic song cycle. Clocking in
at just under 40 minutes, there isn't one wasted moment on
the whole recording. Here Brooks marries craft and emotion:
from the Beatle-esque Aztec Camera cover "Birth of the
True," with its pulsing tremolo guitar, to the Memphis
Slim classic, "Mother Earth," complete with Phish-meets-Bill
Frisell-like guitar chords from Brooks while Madeira calls
on the heavens with his trusty B-Bender guitar, to the
driving riffs of "Forget About Him," which explode
from funky fingerpicking to power chords on the chorus.
Produced by noted Nashville musician Phil Madera (Buddy
& Julie Miller & Greg Trooper), Nectar is a sweet
concoction indeed. "...an artist who only gets better
with each release" -MOJO
|
|
|
|
 Ring
Some Changes — SIG 1238
Jim Henry and Brooks Williams have made a warm, organic
all-instrumental acoustic album featuring gorgeous originals
alongside compositions by Robert Johnson, Django Reinhart,
and Richard Thompson.
|
|
|
|
|
| ^^^
Top ^^^ |
|
|
COMPILATIONS
|
 live
at the iron horse — volume one — SIG
1240
Have a front row seat at the Iron Horse, one of America's
premier listening rooms. Many long-time Iron Horse favorites
are featured on this live recording, such as Richard
Thompson, Patty Larkin, and Mary Chapin Carpenter, among
others. |
|
|
|
|
 Main
Stage Live (Falcon Ridge Folk Festival )— SIG 1253
Tucked away in the rolling hills of eastern New York, the
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is a favorite of performers and
fans alike. MAIN STAGE LIVE gives a taste of the Falcon
Ridge magic with tracks by Dar Williams, Moxy Früvous, Greg
Brown, Richard Shindell, Vance Gilbert, The Nields, and
others.
|
|
|
|
 Wonderland
- A Winter's Solstice Celebration — SIG 1268
Signature Sounds is proud to present Wonderland - a
Winter Solstice Celebration. Rather than reprise the same
tired material heard on so many Christmas albums, all of the
Signature artists and some special guests have generously
offered an eclectic collection of songs for the holiday
season including many original compositions. In the spirit
of the season, partial proceeds from the sale of this album
will benefit The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
|
|
|
|
 Respond
— SIG 1247
RESPOND is a compilation of Boston's finest women
songwriters that benefits a local domestic violence service
organization, Respond, Inc. Hailed as the "Top album of
1999" by Billboard Magazine, this two CD set features
27 female artists from the fertile Boston scene including
Catie Curtis, Melissa Ferrick, Juliana Hatfield, and Patty
Larkin.
|
|
|
|
 Respond
II — cat 5004
Following the great success of the first RESPOND album in
1999, RESPOND II branches out to include a dazzling array of
international female talent. The specially priced two CD set
features 15 Grammy nominees, and includes songs from the
Indigo Girls, Dolly Parton, Suzanne Vega, Ani Difranco,
Aimee Mann, Joan Baez and many others. From folk to funk,
indie rock to world music, RESPOND II is a remarkably
eclectic and rewarding listening experience. Once again, all
proceeds from the sale of this album benefit Respond Inc.
and other domestic violence prevention charities.
|
|
|
|
| ^^^
Top ^^^ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
