Search - Jon Michaels :: I Hear A Clock

Songs from his heart

Edward J. Hryhor | Ballston Spa NY USA | 03/19/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I Hear A ClockI was introduced to Jon about 2 and 1/2 years ago by my partner and have followed his career ever since.



I have seen him live on a couple of occassions and have met him personally. He is definitely the real thing. The songs are written from his heart and he performs them the same way.



"I'll be there for you" was written for his wife but many a passionate man or women could imagine playing this for their love.



Hopefully with the release of this album, John will finally realize the success he has been chasing and people will get to also enjoy many of the wonderful 'from the heart' songs that were on his two previous albums.



I strongly suggest you listen to the samples on the amazon.com website[...]

ED"

+1/2 -- Smooth country that crosses winningly to adult conte

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 02/03/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Michaels is a Nashville songwriter and performer whose songs have been recorded by Clint Black and Tracy Lawrence, and whose own performances have been showcased weekly on the PBS show "Chistina Cooks." His third self-released CD offers original ballads and mid-tempo numbers that favor the warm vibrato of John Denver, but with a hint of Raul Malo's romantic flair. His music is exceptionally easy on the ears, but unlike Nashville's cross-over product, Michaels leans to adult contemporary rather than pop or rock sounds. The result is surprisingly moving and devoid of the practiced artifice of major label country product. The lyrics may be a bit tender for the average male country music fan, but female listeners will appreciate Michaels' sensitivity and openness. He sings of his need for companionship, the extended ache of a break-up and his mid-life realization that his own biological clock is running out of time. He sings several love songs to his wife, provides a folky three-minute autobiography on "Chasing Dreams," and bounces in the tropical sun of "Shangri-La." His sly blues "Mother Trucker" provides one of the very few thematic segues from Kay Adams' "Little Pink Mack," and he turns upbeat for the bluegrass paced "Who's Fooling Who?" The album closes with the touching "Until We Meet Again," co-written with Dinah Brien after her mother's passing, and sung by Michaels' at his own mother's funeral. Though Michaels is quite sentimental, he's also completely earnest, which keeps his songs from turning to treacle. If you approach this as adult contemporary, along the lines of John Denver, Jim Croce, or James Taylor, but with country inflections, you'll find much to like here. 3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2008 hyperbolium dot com]"