Cracked Open by Arthur Lee Land
Arthur Lee Land asks a single provocative question “How come my heart feels cracked open?”
The Lyons Colorado based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and unforgettable Loop Artist Arthur Lee Land, will release his 4th album Cracked Open, May 14, 2013 on Perfect Groove Records. Arthur offers a groundbreaking style that is driven by the integration of sophisticated musical, emotional and spiritual juxtapositions. “Fresh!.... Arthur has a unique creative approach in his music.” Grammy Award winning producer Bil Vorndik (Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck, Doc Watson)
Whether it’s our own world or the world at large falling apart around us, Cracked Open speaks of the suffering and the transformation that is taking place in these times of uncertainty. Ironically for Arthur, shortly after finishing the album, it was losing his voice completely, finding a polyp on his vocal cord (and the miraculous healing without surgery 6 months later), relocating back to Colorado and then being diagnosed with Graves (Hyperthyroid) Disease that forced him to wait almost two years to finally release this album. Those experiences ultimately became a test of faith that “cracked him open deeply” and in the end strengthened him as a person and an artist.
Musically speaking, Electro-Americana may best describe Arthur Lee Land’s eclectic fusion of folk-rock, AfroGrass (worldbeat/bluegrass) and electronica, but cannot fully explain the unique dynamics at work when Arthur enters the studio or takes the stage. The multi-talented performer blends elements from distinctive parts of his career for this recording: his longtime wheelhouse as a touring musician playing folk-rock, country and roots; a world beat/bluegrass hybrid, inspired by a tour of West Africa; and his Art of Live-Looping techniques which have defined his solo live shows since the early 2000s. Then add to this mix - co-producer, engineer and DJ Aaron Shier, who brought in his influences of electronic, house and pop music.
From the first day of production, Cracked Open unfolded as a "whole Album" in the truest sense of the word, taking on a life of it’s own. “We recorded one song a week in my home studio, and we didn't know what the next song would be until the day before we recorded it. It was always like "what's next?" We had about 40 songs to choose from but we had no idea what songs were going to end up on the record and we had to trust the process,” says Arthur. In fact the song order on the CD is the exact order that the tracks were recorded in. One of the lines in the song True North comes to mind: “there’s something bigger going on, so learn some trustin’ ”
Arthur’s autobiographical song and music video “Good Enough” are a key part of an internet based charity widget that will raise money for AbleChild: Parents for Label and Drug Free Education—a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to parents, caregivers and ADD/ADHD children’s rights. AbleChild Co-Founder Sheila Matthews says “AbleChild is thrilled to see such a talented musician recognize that children possess an innate, creative spirit that needs to be nurtured and channeled rather than subdued by psychiatric labels and drugs. Arthur should be viewed as a role model for all our children so that they know they can be themselves, learn, and succeed” All proceeds of sales of the song will go directly to raise money for this charity. If you or anyone you know has children that are labeled "ADD/ADHD" please check out: www.ablechild.org
Arthur tours as an innovative solo act using the Art of Live-Looping to create an “on the fly” full band sound by layering acoustic guitars, six string banjo, mandolin, B-Bender Telecaster, bass, African percussion, drum samples, beat boxing and other electronic sonic textures and effects.
Electro Americana is where High-Tech meets grassroots! “This guy exudes musical magic!”
--Steve Szymanski, V.P. of Planet Bluegrass
(Promoters of Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival)
Arthur’s intuitive collaboration with his non-performing lyricist/wife Carol Lee is an integral part of the artistic landscape of Arthur Lee Land….”How come my heart feels so cracked open / When the love is running deep / Someday we all will cross over / Maybe right now is all we’ll ever be.”
Tracklist
| 1. | Cracked Open | 4:44 |
| 2. | After The Eclipse | 3:44 |
| 3. | Left Hand Creek | 4:18 |
| 4. | Good Enough | 4:03 |
| 5. | Do You Ever Think Of Me? | 4:27 |
| 6. | Into The Waters | 4:49 |
| 7. | Undertow | 4:06 |
| 8. | Hawthorne Tree | 4:01 |
| 9. | True North | 3:45 |
| 10. | Drum & A Chair | 8:55 |
Credits
Arthur Lee Land: Vocals / Guitar / Banjo / Mandolin / Bass / Percussion
Aaron Shier: Electronic Drum Programming, Sampling, Synthesizers and Atmospheric Sound Design
Beth Nielsen Chapman & Leigh Nash: Background vocals on Hawthorne Tree
David Hurlin: Tablas on Drum & A Chair
Carol Lee: Lyrics (Except "Good Enough")
Produced & mixed by Aaron Shier & Arthur Lee Land
Engineered by Aaron Shier
Recorded & mixed in Arthur & Aaron's home studios
Additional mixing at Ocean Way Nashville Studio B
Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering, Boulder CO
Photography: Jeremy Cowart
Artwork / Design: Brad Davis
Acknowledgments:
We give thanks to the Great Mystery, The Source from which all inspiration and creativity flows.
Aaron Shier: Dude, you are a Master of Spiritual Sound Sculpture! Your gifts of musical interpretation and mad digital skillz are truly awesome. THANK YOU!
Leonard Spade and Denise DeVito for your belief and trust in us as Artists. Your loving support allowed this project to manifest in a paradigm we had only dreamed possible.
Tom Morgan, Brett Manning, Dave Brooks, Jason Catron, Leigh Nash, Shelby Rollins, Chris Keller, Pat Pattison, Bil Vorndik, Mac Wilson, Pat McMakin and everyone at Ocean Way Nashville Studios, Colin White, Alexa Chapman and all my Artist Way Peeps. Xiren, Amanda Alexandrakis @ Music Promotion Inc, Jennifer Lyneis @ Ue3 Promotions and Brian McRae for the connection.
Arthur Lee Land thanks: Elixir Strings, Ernie Ball Strings and Accessories, Deering Banjos, Apogee Electronics, Korg, Fishman, Akai Professional, Ableton, Seymour Duncan & D-Tar, Circular Labs, Lakland Basses & Native Instruments.
And to Carol Lee, with all the love possible, thank you for your extraordinary artistry, aesthetics, wisdom and friendship that has helped make me who I am. Your ability to craft a lyric is truly a gift from God. I am inspired and continue to experience new meaning and feelings every time I sing our songs!
License
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Arthur Lee Land is a vibrant performer, songwriter, recording artist, bandleader, live-looper, producer and educator. Based out of Lyons Colorado, Arthur Lee Land renders a modern eclectic fusion of electrified Americana and acoustic driven roots rock. At the heart of “ARTHUR LEE LAND" is the creative songwriting collaboration of Arthur and his non-performing lyricist and wife Carol Lee.