GEORGE & G. – So Much To Say (2011)
The project “George & G – So Much To Say” was initiated by George (Jerzy) Grunwald, a multi-talented musician and arranger who was born in Poland, raised in Sweden and also lived in New York City during his teen years.
In the early 80s after having lived in Sweden for some time George decided to move to San Diego, California, where he made his first experiences in the professional music business. One of the key figures became studio contractor Benjamin Barret.
Through Benjamin’s connections George had the chance to meet lots of the top session players of the L.A. music scene and to be present in the studio when they recorded multi-million selling AOR albums.
It was also the time when George perfected his musical skills and his musical taste was defined. Among his favourites were artists like The Eagles, TOTO, Journey and Christopher Cross.
After some time in the States George moved back to Sweden, where he is still based today. During the ’90s he mainly worked as an arranger, song writer and session player for other artists and he met musicians that became friends and would later take part in the recording sessions for “So Much To Say”, like producer / guitarist Håkan Mjörnheim and sax player Eric Marienthal.
“So Much To Say” was written over a longer period of time and the basic tracks were recorded with a great cast of talented musicians in various studios in Denmark, Sweden and Poland, before the background vocals were arranged and recorded in Bill Champlin’s studio in Los Angeles.
Perfectly arranged and sung background vocals have always been an important part of the AOR / Westcoast sound, so the choice to involve some of the best vocalists of the L.A. studio scene at the time was an obvious one.
The amazing combination of Bill Champlin (Chicago), Jason Scheff, Joseph Williams (TOTO, Lou Pardini, the amazing Warren Wiebe and Alex Ligertwood on one album can hardly be found lately.
More high profile contributions on several songs come from David Garfield on keyboards and Eric Marienthal on sax.
This is a stupendous summer-breeze AOR album, leaning in style towards some of George’s influences, with the American Rock feel of Toto, Steely Dan and The Eagles rubbing shoulders with the likes of the softer Chicago, Michael McDonald and Christopher Cross.
The title track “So Much To Say”, ‘You Know’ and “Have I Lost My Girl” are the up-tempo numbers with catchy choruses, while the great “Touch The Sun” has a big TOTO influence.
There are also plenty of gentle ballads like “With Every Breath”, “Mystery Girl” and “A Love So Right”.
The two bonus tracks are “Why Don’t You Stay”, a smooth ballad that again reminds me a little of TOTO, and there’s also an instrumental smooth version of “Save My Love”.
A ten track version of the album was first released in 2006 as ‘Jerzy Grunwall – So Much To Say’ in South East Asian territories. Then, Japanese version featuring 2 bonus tracks followed in 2007.
Now is being released for the first time in Europe including the same 2 bonus tracks as the Japan version.
“So Much To Say” is immaculately crafted, arranged at the maximum detail and awesomely performed. You may expect material in the vein of classic acts like Airplay, Chicago, Pages or TOTO.
The state-of-the-art sound of the album is courtesy of the internationally renowned Danish producer, songwriter and musician Oli Poulsen, who produced and mixed the record.
Another true gem for all AOR and Westcoast fans and music collectors.
01 – So Much To Say
02 – Save My Love
03 – You Know
04 – Have I Lost My Girl
05 – I’m Emotional
06 – Touch The Sun (Duet with Alex Ligertwood)
07 – With Every Breath
08 – Mystery Girl
09 – A Love So Right
10 – Don’t Give It Up
11 – Why Don’t You Stay [Bonus track]
12 – Save My Love (Instrumental version) [Bonus track]
George Grunwald: Lead & Background Vocals, Guitars
Alex Ligertwood: Lead & Background Vocals (Track 6)
Hakan Mjornheim, Hans Poulsen, Finn Verwohlt: Guitars
Oli Poulsen: Bass, Piano, Rhodes, Keyboards, Guitars, Percussion
David Garfield: Piano, Wurlitzer
Jan Lysdahl: Drums
Jacob Andersen: Percussion
Eric Marienthal: Jens Hack: Horns
Background Vocals:
Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams, Jason Scheff, Lou Pardini, Warren Wiebe, Tamara Champlin, Trille Palsgaard, Stine Findsen, Mark Leadford, David Blamires, Oli Poulsen, Daniel Zimerman
BUY IT !
http://tinyurl.com/buy-So-Much-To-Say
