Chasin' Wild Trains

Description

Feb. 8, 2004 'No question about the voice: it's worn, aged, soulful, defiant, utterly lacking smooth edges - an enormously compelling instrument to anyone enamored of blue-eyed soul' David McGee - Rolling Stone Record Guide 'I don't think I've ever enjoyed greater rapport with a singer. With Kim in the studio and me in the booth, the good feelings flowed back and forth almost mystically. A nod of the head and she understood what I was saying, where I was pointing her. She's a fine musician, her sultry voice a marvelous instrument.' Jerry Wexler, legendary producer, from his auto-biography 'Rhythm & Blues: A Life In American Music' The new 'Chasin' Wild Trains' recording project started last year when Kim went into the studio with her band and some of her co-writer friends. She had been busy writing and performing here in Nashville, and it seemed obvious that it was time to share some music. It was so good to be in the studio again with so many amazing players. For the last ten years Kim has worked with a small band and it has given her an opportunity to experiment with her material. There are two versions of the band, a small acoustic four piece, and then the frequent addition of drums & bass. There is so much music here with so many opportunities to play live, and all of these 'live shows' have strongly impacted her performance on the new album. 'Nashville has a great creative atmosphere. It's a small, close-knit and musically diverse community that you can't find anywhere else'. There have been constant 'in the round' shows with such artists as John Hiatt, Michael McDonald, Steve Cropper, Martina McBride, Deana Carter, Al Anderson (NRBQ), Jeffrey Steele, Matraca Berg, Jeff Hanna (Dirt Band),Greg Barnhill, Suzi Bogguss and others that have been enthusiastically received. When time allows, Carnes enjoys taking her acoustic/song-writer show on the road to a variety of notable performing arts centers. From small venues like a vintage theatre in Santa Fe to a 5,000 seat outdoor amphitheatre in Seattle, her live performances are natural, powerful and entertaining. Showing her versatility, she has even performed with the Nashville Symphony Some of her pals who co-wrote and played on the new album are: Richard Bennett (Dire Straits, Steve Earle), Angelo (Kings of Leon), Al Anderson (NRBQ), Chuck Prophet (superb alt. Artist/writer) Jeff Hanna (Nitty, Gritty Dirt Band), Kim Richey, Matraca Berg, Jeffrey Steele, Greg Barnhill, Mark Jordan, Billy Panda, Tim Lauer,& Anders Osborne. Craig Krampf (Kim's drummer from her original band) also played on this CD. Her live band for the past ten years were key players on this album. They are: Tim Lauer: (Keys, Vocals & 'Accordion Boy') Tim is in demand as a session player and writer. He spends considerable time in Europe (mostly Sweden) writing, playing and doing production. Billy Panda: (Guitar, Mandolin & Vocals) Billy is from Chicago where he had tremendous success as a writer-producer-musician. He is currently in great demand as a session player in Nashville. Greg Barnhill: (Guitar, Vocals) Greg is from Louisiana which helps explain the roots of his remarkably soulful style. He has had multiple hits as a writer, two very conspicuous ones being 'Walkaway Joe' by Trisha Yearwood & Don Henley, and 'House Of Love' by Vince Gill and Amy Grant. Dave Ellingson: (Percussion, Vocals) Through the years Dave has co-written many songs with Kim and performed with her on the road. //// A native of Los Angeles, Carnes knew from the time that she was three years old that she was going to write songs and perform them for people. Success was never in doubt. Carnes garnered her first record deal in 1972 with famed record producer Jimmy Bowen. After a stint with A&M Records, she became the first signed artist at the newly established EMI-America (Capitol)in 1978. Soon after, her duet with Gene Cotton on 'You're a Part of Me' became her first top-forty hit. She then took on the unusual task of co-writing, along with her husband Dave Ellingson, an entire concept album for Kenny Rogers. The result was his multi-platinum seller 'Gideon', which included their own chart-topping duet, 'Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer'. Another top 10 hit followed with a remake of Smokey Robinson's 'More Love'. ...Then came the marvelously haunting 'Bette Davis Eyes'. Winning Grammys for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, the smash hit propelled Carnes' Mistaken Identity album to number one in the U.S. and almost every country in the world. Assured of a place in music history, Carnes continued to augment her success through the 1980's. While releasing acclaimed albums like Voyeur (1982), Café Racers (1983), Barking At Airplanes (1985), and Lighthouse (1986), Carnes' album View from The House (1988) yielded 'Crazy In Love', a top 10 Adult Contemporary hit, while Barking At Airplanes produced the top 15 hit 'Crazy In The Night'. She also wrote and sang 'I'll Be Here Where The Heart Is' for the grammy-winning sound track Flashdance, and sang with Kenny Rogers and James Ingram on the top 15 hit 'What About Me?'. In addition, she was part of an all-star chorus on the legendary 'We Are The World' recording and video. Carnes also wrote and produced the top 20 song 'Make No Mistake He's Mine, a duet she recorded with Barbra Streisand. In 2001 Kim performed a duet with Jeff Bridges of 'Burning Ring Of Fire' for his film 'The Contender'. She also has a track ('You Made My Skin Burn') from her new album in his soon-to-be-released film 'The Moguls'. Kim Carnes is a wellspring of soul-stirring lyrics and melodies. In total harmony when composing music, she thrives on the creative process and the opportunity to work with people she loves. Review: Best music I've heard in a very long time - WOW. CDs don't get much better than this. I first noticed Kim when I was a senior in high school and Bette Davis Eyes was THE huge hit of the time. But it's taken many years and many CDs for Kim to break away from the typical CD of the times to bring out truly timeless music. The music is so relaxed and so far removed from the techno, nervous songs of the 80s. Unfortunately, I believe some loved the 80 Kim too much and can't fully appreciate what she is doing now. I'm going to back away from the idea of mentioning what I think are the best songs on the CD. I don't think I could if I tried. After constant listening since the CD arrived about a week ago, I have to say this is a very rare CD. Each song is first rate. The songs are raw and emotional. Each one very carefully crafted and yet recorded freely with the spirit and voice that can only come from Kim. Review: Between 3 - 4 stars - I didn’t know this existed. Huge fan of Voyeur and Barking at Airplanes. This set of music works its way back to folk and tinging in country sounds and mostly ballads. It’s still new for me so I’m going to give it time. So far it’s ok and nothing is grabbing my attention