Michael King has been working in Detroit as a Producer for the last decade with over 30 CD's to his credit. In 1999, 2000 and 2001 he was nominated Detroit Metro Times Producer Of The Year. Here are each of the bands King has produced along with producer comments.
Some of the CD's Michael has recently completed or is currently working on include: JD Lamb "Feel That"--2006 Metro Times Best Recording, Steve Acho "Hard To Be Cool", Chris Cheshire "Thank You", Melissa McClain "Pocket Full of Stars", Blue Tango "What's True", Terry Farmer, Hope Orchestra, and The Gremlins.
Stewart is one of Detroit's most prolific and consistently solid
songwriters. His work contains the perfect mixture of brains and heart.
It was a great joy working on this new CD, "Wheel Of Life". When songs are
that great, ideas for production come quickly and in great quantity. Our
biggest challenge was what to leave out. I certainly believe that what
remains is a number of songs that will move your emotions, challenge your
mind and most of all accompany you as a beautiful and sublime soundtrack on
your own wheel of life. Enjoy!
Chuck Shirock is one of the most prolific and creative artists I've seen in quite a while.
Completely daring and unabashed, he creates with an abandon that is really inspiring
(kind of like Ryan Adams). His expressive and emotional voice is idiosyncratic but
accessible. His songs have a way of working their way inside…the more you live with them,
the more they live with you.
The same creativity and originality that Chuck applies to his usual alternative
music is evident in this worship CD. While he seeks his own space along the cutting
edge, he never loses cite of the spirit, heart and conviction that makes this CD a
true act of worship. The third track, "No Greater Love", is one of my favorites.
What can I say about Barb other than, Barb Rocks! Her energy is everywhere
on this CD. Check it out and then go see her live. you'll dig why she's
one of Detroit's most exciting performers. She's the earthiest diva I know.
For a young songwriter Annie has amazing depth and maturity. She combines
the intensity of Tori Amos with the melodic sweatiness of Carol King. Her
music seems timeless to me. This EP is a sampling of what I believe will
be a great body of work from Annie.
Thirsty For More's sound centers around the powerful and resonant voice of Travis
Whiticker. Wise beyond his years, Travis can express the joys, struggles, triumphs and
fears of life with astounding power. Unwavering in his devotion to God, his music
instructs but never falls into peachiness. Travis' big voice is perfectly complimented
by the airy beauty of Kerry's voice. Together, they give TFM a universal sound. All
this comes with a band that rocks.
The Ruffwater String Band takes us back to the purity and beauty of authentic American
folk music. On any given day, the band consists of eleven musicians. They weave dulcimers,
guitars, violins, bass, voices, banjos, mandolins, etc., into a rolling, frolicking sound
that is infectious. This music is so joyful and fun that I defy anyone to stay seated
while listening. Hey, even I can dance to this stuff.
World of Survivors are a group that epitomize musical freedom. The performances on this
CD were mostly done in one take and with minimal overdubs. It's refreshing to hear such
spontaneity and joy. Mark Hershberger brought this group together. Along with his sax work,
check out Muruga's hypnotic percussion playing. It's amazing (prepare for total consciousness).
The "Will Danforth Live" CD presents Will in his most natural and immediate light.
His joy in performance is evident throughout. The story like quality of his songs
come to life when he's in front of an audience. One man, one guitar, one harmonica
and one microphone; if you can't get to a coffee house one night, then stay home
and put this on.
Silverweed's music contains everything I like about good pop-rock. On the
surface, it's catchy and direct, yet within it are dozens of little nuances
and hooks that allow it to evolve on repeated listenings. Spearheaded by
Steven Pitts, this band is sophisticated, but they never forget to rock.
This CD is a fanastic debut.
This dynamic duo packs more punch than most bands twice its size (or
height). Gary Jibilian is quickly becoming a master of the NS-Stick. This
instrument is essentially a hybrid; kind of a cross between a bass and a six
string guitar. In the hands of someone like Gary, it sounds like two or
three instrumentalists playing in a perfect contrapuntal, polyphonic frenzy.
With the powerful, earthbound drumming of Todd Glass, the music edges toward
the experimental, while retaining a soulfulness not often found in so called
progressive rock. Gary and Todd describe what they do as "progressive
music, for open minds." I agree, but hasten to add, it's progressive music
that has soul. This new record will turn your head and win you heart.
Melissa McClain's
song writing balances strong, direct melodic statements
with lyrical passion and complexity. She brings a literary intelligence to
her songs, while retaining an absolute genuineness. More than once while
working with her on this record, I found myself choking up with emotion.
Somehow, her music found its way inside. So much for the producer's control.
These songs will not only entertain you; I believe, if you let them, they
will become a part of your interior world as well. Opening up to her work,
is well worth the risk.
Jill Jack
is one of the hardest working performers in Detroit. One of the biggest
challenges in producing Jill was to capture the joy and energy
that she conveys in her live performances. "Too Close To The Sun",
Jill's second release, is both direct and honest. Jill's songs have a natural
narrative sense to them and because I love to hear a good story, it was easy
for me to be drawn into Jill's work. It was also great fun working with
Billy Brandt, whose guitar
work creates much of the back drop that you'll hear in Jill's music. Billy's
playing continues to evolve much like Jill's voice. If you get a chance
definitely see Jill live.
If I had to say one thing about Sister Seeds' music it is that their work has a
spirit about it that is totally evocative. Both Alicia and Christine are great
singers and their work stretches from the intimate and emotional to the
celebratory. There's a universality about this music that seems undeniable to me.
"If You Were Me" is their second release and working on it was a
challenge not only as a producer but as a musician as well.
In the spring of 1998, I finished production on
Hope Orchestra's
third CD, "Gift". I co-produced this one with Danny Cox, who some of
you may know from his project, "Daniel's Crossing". This was a
thrilling, sometimes, arduous, recording to make; but the effort paid
off. For those of you who like a band with a strong creative direction
but with the courage to push the limits of their own unique style, this
is a CD for you. Their sense of melody coupled with rock and international
rhythms make every song worth listening to. Check out their web site
for more info and live performance dates.
Will's CD, "Skeletons" is an earthy, heartfelt collection of modern
folk songs. I brought David Mosher on as a co-producer and together with Will
we enjoyed a wonderful three-way collaboration that resulted in this excellent
CD. Will's voice has a deep, soulful resonance about it that perfectly
compliments his poignant lyrics. Will is performing throughout the Detroit area.
I worked with the Diablos on their first CD, "Beatnik Mambo",
as Co-Producer. This band has an incredible underground following. They are
one of the best live bands in the city. You can catch them at the Bear's
Den in Berkley on Sunday nights. Check local listings for other performance
dates. Look for the Diablos to break out of Detroit and into the national scene soon.
Howling Diablos PO Box 1252 Royal Oak Michigan 48068
The CD Working with the Wailin' band on the CD,"Rhythm of Life",
was an experience with Rockin' Blues. The CD received Detroit Music Award's,
Record Of The Year.
I first met John at the Gotham City Cafe during an open Mic session.
We got to talking and he invited me to appear a few weeks later at the
Magic Bag as part of his Ferndale Tonight show. John was the M.C., which is
not a surprise to anyone who knows John. I produced his CD, "A
Novel Day". It focuses on solid lyrics often times detailing life in
the Mid West. For me this CD is like a fine bottle of wine, it only gets better with
age.
John's website is at www.jdlamb.com
David Folks
is a powerful voice in the Detroit Folk Scene. David and I worked together
as Co-Producers during the development of his second CD, "
Refusing To View". Folk's lyrics are descriptive, creating
vivid images of people and places. David is also the founder of The
Michigan Alliance Musicans Association (MAMA). He has played at the Ark and The Raven Gallery as well
as many other prestigious Venues.
The Portable Recording Co. 1906 Evergreen Royal Oak, MI 48073. (248) 546-5153
Julie's music defies categorization. Her work is truly unique incorporating
vocals, keyboards, guitar and flute. She approaches her work like a composer
composes a symphony, very well arranged but in her case with great songs
as well.
After the positive collaboration on her first CD, Julie and I decided to work together
again. Her second CD shows Julie's continued maturity as a song-writer. The joy of
this record is the contrast between very layered songs with songs that are broken down
to just piano and voice.
Rhythm Factor Records, PO Box 866 Lake Orion, MI 48361.
Some of you may remember Terry as the leader of The Bead Band. It's nice to see Terry
back recording his music again. This CD shows not only Terry's high-spirited side,
but a more personal and intimate side as well.
Terradactyl Records
For More Information Call (734) 428-0304.
Jeffrey Wells has always been a very natural, prolific and creative song-writer. Teaming
up with his sister, Catherine Wells, the duo brings back the notion that classic
song-writing is alive and well. These songs are well crafted and filled with beautiful
melodies.
WELLS P.O. Box 71933 Madison Heights, MI 48071
King’s latest CD is a departure from the singer-songwriter style
fans may be expecting. "Motion" has songs filled with King’s affected guitar
sounds, reminiscent of Pink Floyd combined with progressive live drumming and
loops as well as layers of piano parts, all this with King’s trademark song
writing.
"Nevada" was released in 1997 and was my first exploration into my own solo work.
As the Producer of this CD, I choose to bring in several of Detroit's finest players
to help me realize the potential of these songs. Now the music has taken on a life
of its own.
With "A Thousand Faces", I choose a different approach. This is very much a band CD.
Joe Lambert, Todd Glass and myself cut 17 rhythm tracks in two days at Big Sky, with
Geoff Michael. We were able to capture the exact energy we create in our live performances.
Ultimately, I selected the 12 songs that I felt worked together best. "A Thousand Faces",
offers a story for everyone.