Some of the original reviews & write ups... 1998
by
Mike Livingston
"Mike is a gifted lyricist who has the ability to create mood, not only with great words and music, but with voice inflection you can actually feel."
Bobbi Ryals, Planet Earth Music
"I thought the album was great. Mike did a fantastic job all around; writing, playing, producing."
Vince Charles, Percussionist with The Neil Diamond Band
From the Artist
"Well, gang, this is it! My first album of music that came out of my very own brain!! WOW!!!!! Okay - enough exclamation points. "Tales..." is an album concept I thought up years ago. It seemed that whenever I'd fall in love, my level of worry would rise. One thing led to another, and then BOOM - I'd be on the sidewalk again! Love - Worry - Worry - Love... they seem to go well together. "Was It Me?", "What Do You Want From Me?", "Here We Go Again", "Now It's Goodbye". Gee... do you detect a pattern here?!? Oh yeah - I've (not so) subtly put in homage to some of my musical heroes in the arrangements. So if you think you detect a bit of Queen, E.L.O., Neil Diamond, Paul McCartney in there - you're not imagining things! PLAY IT LOUD BABY!!!!"
- Mike (1998)
One more thing... I recording this CD on an old Tascam 8-track cassette machine. I also only had 6 hours to do the mix down! I found out that the mastering date had been moved up without my knowing it. AAaaaaaauugh!!!
- Mike Livingston (2008)
About the Artist (1998)
Mike Livingston has been performing professionally for almost 20 years, beginning as acoustic and electric lead in a variety of local, New Hampshire bands.
In 1985, Mike went out "on his own", backed by the newly formed Mike Livingston Band. It enjoyed a busy engagement schedule and a following that burgeoned in the course of five years until, in 1990, Nashville called his name, and Mike answered.
Two years in Music City saw the name of Mike Livingston becoming known, success turning her face toward him, people starting to ask for him. But the sojourn in Nashville ended up a what-might-have-been when, one night, all of Mike's equipment was stolen from his van as it stood parked outside a movie theater. Disheartened and disillusioned, he gathered his belongings and headed home to New Hampshire. So profoundly disturbed was he by this cruel finale to his Nashville aspirations, a full year would elapse before Mike returned to public performing in 1993.
Before leaving Nashville, though, Mike had purchased an old Ovation Custom Legend guitar for $50 from a pawn shop. He called the guitar "Ol Krusty" and it remains his favorite. He plays it on-stage to this day.
Mike's reputation has solidified throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He is equally at home unplugged or on a concert stage with his band behind him.
In January 1999, with his debut album, Tales of Love and Worry put to bed, Mike Livingston and The Mike Livingston Band began a series of engagements in which they performed original music almost exclusively ... the only exceptions being a small handful of tributes to his greatest influences; Queen, Jeff Lynne & ELO, X.T.C.
Band members: David Freund -- Drums, David Comtois - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Rick Manning - keyboards.
Product Description
From the exquisite ballad, "You're Not Alone" to soft-rocking "Cruisin' Through The Afternoon", "The Voyage", an imaginative handshake with islands cadence and steel drum sounds, and the contagiously country "When A Heart Is Healing", this 11-song collection demonstrates the essence of the writer's and performer's gift, and presents a cross-section of musical styles with blanket appeal. Mike Livingston's style is dynamic but at the same time soulful. Listeners may detect the influences of the artists Mike reveres most; Queen, Jeff Lynne & ELO, X.T.C.
