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MP3 Al Soucy - View From The Top
14 MP3 Songs in this album (44:25) !
Related styles: FOLK: Folk-Rock, EASY LISTENING: Love Songs
People who are interested in Bob Dylan Boston Journey should consider this download.
Details:
Al Soucy began entertaining and singing at the age of 5 years old by performing in his neighborhood for adults at dinner parties. At the age of 13 he began learning guitar when he and his brother received electric guitars for Christmas that year from the Sears catalog from their parents. Prior to this they were using tennis rackets and brooms in front of the mirror singing Beatles songs handed down to them from their Uncles.
The guitars were a big improvement and several years later when Al became more proficient on the instrument a band was formed called Midnight Mist comprised of three other members (Tim Soucy, Dave Tassie and Shannon Fickett). This band auditioned for Community Auditions, which was hosted by Dave Maynard for WBZ TV4 in Boston, MA. The band lost on that program but the seed had been planted and a musician/entertainer was born.
All through High School, Al was in a band called Ambush with four talented musicians (Tim Soucy, Dave Thorp, Jeff Longwell and Troy MacPherson). This band was primarily an original rock band. This band honed Al''s skills as a singer/song-writer and bass player. This band would provide Al his first experience in a recording studio (North Country Sounds).
After High School, Al went on the Road with "The Blair Hunter Band" comprised of four other members (Angela Blair, Rick Gelinas, Gary Wytonic and Joe Antonis) which, was under the management of Bill Macek for Clockwork Entertainment out of Haverhill, MA. This was a top 40 GB band. This band played on a circuit that covered: New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine. Al toured with this band for several years and a highlight performance was backing up Jon Butcher Axis at the Frolics in Salisbury Beach. Ariel Jones took the photos of the Blair Hunter Band.
Al, then joined up with a Boston based band called "The Steps" comprised of three other members (Brad Jeter, Bobby Comb and Steven Doyle). This band was an all original band. Al played at all the area clubs in Boston, MA for several years (The Rat, The Metro, The Channel, Bunratty’s, Jaspers and the Paradise). The Steps released one album in 1982 and received airplay on WBCN and WGIR with a song called White Lies. The Steps were under the management of Donna Rodden and would record in Blue Jay Recording and Sound Design studio in Boston, MA
After departing from The Steps in 1984, Al, decided to pursue a career in the studio and began doing session work all over New England. Al’s bass work is on many recordings from studios throughout New England (Blue Jay Recording, Cedar House Recording, Sound Design Studio and North Country Sounds) to name a few. You can hear Al on a CD by Amy Conley at https://www.tradebit.com.
In between this session work Al, played with bands off and on throughout the late 1980''s and 1990''s.
The Switch an all original band comprised of (Al, Jeff Longwell and John Toronto). Three-piece power trio played the Paradise, The Channel and the Boston circuit. Recorded several songs in Boston, MA.
The Keys (Al, Tim Soucy and Duke Peloquin) an all original band. Solid three-piece power trio with good originals.
The Brotherhood an all original band comprised of three other members (Tim Soucy, Norm Levesque and Dave Thorp). This band highlighted such shows as backing up Fahrenheit and Robin Lane and the Chartbusters.
The Crayons (Al, Dave Tassie, Tim Soucy and James Soucy) top 40 GB and original band. This band worked solidly for two years and had a rockn'' sound and good originals.
Project X a top 40 GB band comprised of members (Al, Jeff Longwell, Harley Walker and Dave Thorp). Highlighted show was being the mainstay for the Milford Balloon Festival for many years.
JJ Merryweather band, a top 40 band comprised of members (Jim Fothergill, Harley Walker and Troy Macpherson).
The Branch Brothers a top 40 GB band comprised of members (Steve Branch, Kevin Vigue and Dave Branch). The last hurrah! This band produced some magical moments by playing Hampton Beach several times.
In recent years, Al Soucy has taken to his own studio, Robin''s Nest Way recording for Stapler Records his own recording company and has released 6 CD''s: Out In Time in 2000, Pennywise and Pound Foolish in 2003, SIT With Me in 2005, Temporarily Out of Order in 2006, Follow The River in 2007 and the latest CD View From The Top in 2008.
Al Soucy is a musician''s musician he can play bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums, mandolin, keyboard, he sings lead vocals and backing vocals on all of his CD’s. In the spirit of Paul McCartney, Al, not only writes and performs on all the original compositions by playing all the instruments but also does all the recording on a Yamaha AW4416 24 bit, 16 Track Workstation, mixing, mastering, artwork for CD, packaging and distribution. It''s truly a one-man production.
Each CD that is released includes special cameo guests appearances from seasoned performers from the New England area including: Harley Walker - drums, James Soucy - drums, William Bryer - banjo, Peter Croteau - harmonica, Jeff Longwell - pedal steel, David Tassie – electric guitar, Tim Soucy – electric guitar, Mark Vernon - percussion, Doug Oliver singing lead and background vocals, Randy Arrant - electric guitar, cajon, drums and Mike McGeehan - electric guitar. Having these great players adds a whole new dimension to the music that otherwise would not be present. It has truly been a blessing to be surrounded by such talented musician''s who have given their time so unselfishly to be a part of these CD''s. I feel their collective talent has enhanced the music greatly.
I would like to take a moment to discuss my new CD “View From The Top” everything I have written and performed on this CD could always sound better despite the obvious anomalies. However, as long as I improve as a player, my songs improve as does the fidelity of my music then I have met my goal. That is to pursue my craft and passion. I stumbled through this entire CD. I purchased the Yamaha AW4416 24 bit workstation and the Yamaha DTExpress Electronic Drums. The learning curve for me was enormous in many respects.
There were many mistakes made during the recording not to mention that this CD had more cameo appearances than any of my previous works. Making schedules work had its complications. However, I made it through and completed it despite the challenges. That is success to me. I tried my best to produce something that I would be proud of and I feel for where I am in the process I did that. There is the law of diminishing returns and that threshold had been met.
I want to thank everyone who helped me make this CD. I want to first thank my wife Connie for the CD cover picture which she took from the top of the Empire State building on a trip we took to NY and for the cover title. Connie has a great eye and knack for timing. All the players who gave of their time unselfishly: James Soucy on drums, my brother, my friend and such a talented musician, Ms. Malynda Larocque for her wonderful lyrics that made the song “Where I Want To Be” come to life. The lyrics are fresh and innocent and lent themselves to my music beautifully.
Dave Tassie my engineering mentor and a very talented guitar player, Harley Walker my steady drummer who is moving and I’ll miss him terribly, Peter Croteau who brings such a unique vision to his playing and tasteful melody that enhances the music beautifully, Randy Arrant on the cajon, electric guitar and drums. I never knew what the cajon even was before I met Randy. What a sound this drum produces. Randy’s drumming and guitar playing are also featured and are nothing less than top shelf, William Bryer on the banjo, William is such a great picker and I try to put something on every CD just for William because I enjoy his playing so very much. I wish I could pick like that.
Mike McGeehan on guitar, Mike is amazing, he came into the studio and within a matter of a few hours left me with some wonderfully creative tracks. What a great and talented musician. Mark Vernon on percussion, Mark thinks he has no rhythm but he has lent his rhythmic style to my work and I feel added a whole dimension in percussion sound that enhances the music. I want to thank “Notorious Greg’s Music for the Electric guitars used on this CD. This guy has some great guitars and I had fun playing them. What a joy to play beautiful guitars. You’re too kind!!
I owe my biggest debt of gratitude to Dave Tassie who without I could not have even made this CD. If it were not for his tireless patience as a teacher in engineering I could not have learned the concepts or technology to engineer the CD. Dave Tassie cut down my learning curve by tutoring me on the gear I purchased and the overall recording of this CD. This CD would have been delayed for quite a bit longer without his support, direction and guidance. Thank you so very much Dave!
Every song is an experiment and some experiments are successful and some are not. It’s the roll of the dice and I’m always surprised. The unpredictable is often a blessing in disguise. There is no value in zero productivity whatever your passion or dream. So, you find a place and you cut the chord. Some songs you’ll like and some you’ll dislike. It’s a year of my life documented for posterity in these 14 songs. As long I can continue to write, play, and record my material I’m fulfilling my dream. It’s always been about the music for me. I’m very grateful for all my blessings, especially the opportunity to pursue my passion. Thank you for listening! I feel this new CD has improved over the last in many ways but there are miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep. To quote Robert Frost. Enjoy!!
The original compositions you will listen to will provide you with a glimpse into the psyche of a romantic at heart. The songs discuss one individuals perspective of hope, angst, love, faith, reality, fantasy, change and stability or lack there of at times.
Here''s a few juicy tidbits about this CD to listen for: my favorites are "Broken Promises", Don''t Reply, Learn to Love Again and Don''t Let It Slow You Down. Listen closely for the chorus effect on the tail end of There''s Only One Way, the Mandolin on Broken Promises (I wrote that song on the mandolin and then built everything around it), Sudbury Dreams which is a true story, Don''t Reply - a buddy of mine Randy Arrant is playing the cajon on this with a tambourine. Listen to the https://www.tradebit.comy end of I Remember and I play a tiny guitar part that comes in with the banjo that is very kool and took hours to get right or the way I wanted it lets say. Lastly Where I want to Be- the lyrics were written by my niece Malynda Larocque. She asked me to write a song to her lyrics, which I did and its good.
Al Soucy is an authentic spiritual man who believes in Karma and is always stretching his own knowledge and understanding of his own human experience. I do hope you enjoy listening to the compositions as much as I enjoyed writing, playing and recording them. I also hope that this music causes the listener to question their own human experience and seek the answers to the questions in their own lives. A great deal of work and care has gone into each and every song and I hope the songs reflect this.
Most importantly: I would not be able to produce one note of music or invest this effort in my musical endeavors if it were not for my beautiful, loving, kind, compassionate wife, Connie Camber-Soucy. She is my muse, my inspiration and has provided me with an environment that is conducive to writing. Her love and creative direction washes over me like a river. Her guidance saves me from myself. I love you Connie and thank you for allowing me to be a witness to your life.
Thank you all in advance for your time, for visiting and for listening to what I feel is among some of my best work to date.
Warmest Regards.....
Professionally,
Al Soucy
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