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It is frustrating to see marginally talented singers showcased on TV programs such as “American Idol,” “The X Factor,” and “The Voice” when there are so many versatile, accomplished, multi-dimensional performers who have been laboring for years without the recognition and commercial success they deserve. Jeff Larson is an example. Larson is a critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter based in L.A., whose 2010 album Heart of the Valley, a collaboration with America’s Gerry Beckley (“Sister Golden Hair”), garnered rave reviews. Backing Larson on that CD were Rusty Young (Poco) and Jeff Foskett (Beach Boys, Brian Wilson), among others. Over the course of his decade-long career, Larson’s work with Beckley and fellow America band mate Dewey Bunnell (both of whom performed on Heart of the Valley, which Beckley produced) earned him the moniker “the Third American.” Larson evokes the soft pop/rock/country/folk, southern California sound that dominated popular music in the 1970’s—think Dan Fogelberg, Jackson Browne, and (of course) America.
A new studio release by Larson, entitled The World Over, should be out in early 2012, featuring Beckley, Bunnell, Foskett, and other top shelf L.A.-area musicians. In the meantime, Larson recorded a live collection of 10 original songs performed at a house concert in Oak Park, California on January 15, 2011, aptly titled House Concert. Larson’s chardonnay-smooth lead vocals and nimble acoustic guitar are joined by session musician/engineer/producer Hank Linderman (who also mixed the recording) on electric guitar and backing vocals and Jeddrah Schmit with harmony vocals.
The trio delivers a tour de force. House Concert provides a “best of” compilation from Larson’s considerable studio catalog, and a preview of the upcoming release by including three songs from that album: “One Good Lie,” “See It Fall,” and “Approaching Midnight.” The remaining seven tunes from House Concert are drawn from New Antiques (2007) (“I Don’t Mind the Rain,” “Hapless Sky”), Room for Summer (2000) (“Hey!,” “February Passing Through”), Left of a Dream (2008)(“Ghosts of San Miguel”), and Swimming in the Make Believe (2006) (“You Remind Me of the Sun,” “Under the Weather”).
Linderman’s electric guitar shines in “Hey!,” a song with an infectious early Beatles vibe. Elsewhere, as in “See It Fall,” Linderman provides a delicate accent to Larson’s mellow acoustic guitar and vocals. Larson’s lilting vocals are on display throughout, but especially in “Hapless Sky,” a video of which is available on You Tube, and “You Remind Me of the Sun.” Schmit’s harmony vocals—if anything, underutilized-- blend beautifully on “One Good Lie,” “See It Fall,” and “Approaching Midnight.” Larson’s songs are not all sweetness and light. “Ghosts of San Miguel,” one of my favorites, is subdued and moody, as is the reflective “Under the Weather.”
House Concert is an excellent sampler of Larson’s work.
By Mark Pulliam
Recorded a year ago at a house concert in California, Jeff Larson finds yet another opportunity to prove he’s one of the most underrated singer/songwriters applying his craft today. Larson’s studio efforts have always been astute examples of melodic marvels, songs that sound timeless and embracing even on first hearing, and the fact that he’s a close associate of the band America makes perfect sense. Whether strummed simply on guitar or graced by supple keyboards, Larson is a pop purveyor in the classic sense. Here, stripped down to nothing more than guitar and harmonies, the songs still sound radio-ready from the get-go, a fact borne out by the shimmering exuberance of “Hey!” and the gentle lilt of “See It fall,” “Approaching Midnight” and “I Don’t Mind the Rain.” Soft-hued and harmony driven, the music recalls the classic California sounds of the early ‘70s without sounding like they were
directly tapped from the sources. Excellent isn’t a strong enough adjective to describe Larson’s talents, and one can only hope that the rest of the world eventually discovers that which this intimate audience has already enjoyed.
The cover shot of the 101 creeping through the San Fernando Valley is a visual indication of the sunkissed Southern Californian soft-rock on Jeff Larson’s Heart of the Valley. Larson achieves that vibe with the assistance of Gerry Beckley, one of the architects of the sound during his days with America. Heart of the Valley isn’t a strict collaboration and it’s something of a departure for singer/songwriter Larson, who usually pens his own material. Here, Larson devotes himself to interpreting a set of new songs from Beckley, giving them richly sensitive readings that evoke America’s ‘70s heyday while still sounding contemporary and faithful to Larson’s own work. It’s a tricky move but it’s performed with considerable grace here, largely because everybody involved plays with a light, easy touch that brings out Beckley’s rich melodicism. What Larson winds up with is a record that feels classically Californian in its spirit and sound, yet its appeal extends far beyond the West Coast as its sweet, mellow tunes have an appeal that transcends geography or even time, as this winds up straddling the past and present quite fetchingly. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Borrowing some of what was best of the L.A. singer-songwriter scene, Jeff Larson's new album Heart Of The Valley--produced by America's Gerry Beckley--doesn't try to change what made popster Jeff Larson popular, but emphasizes his artistic side with catchy songs and Valley-meets-Laurel Canyon sensibilities. Start Here: "Minus Marci," "Heart Of The Valley" and "One Lit Window"
Over the past decade or so, Jeff Larson's consistent string of smart, hooky and alluringly accessible albums have borne clear references to the Southern California sound of the mid-to-late '70's. So it seems fitting that for the lovely and evocative Heart Of The Valley he has collaborated with America's Gerry Beckley and welcomes appearances from soft-rock stalwarts including America's other half, Dewey Bunnell, Poco pedal steel player Rusty Young and Brian Wilson associate Jeff Foskett. The America signature is immediate and unavoidable, given that Beckley penned the majority of the songs, produced the sessions and contributes the lion's share of the instrumental duties -- guitar, keyboards, bass, accordian, percussion and programming among them. Consequently, the album basks in a hazy supple sheen that helps ballads like the title track (Heart of the Valley), "Airport Calling", "Southern Girl" and Five Mile Road" to invite an instant embrace. Credit Larson's radiant vocals with accentuating the appeal, giving this set potential placement on adult-oriented radio - or for that matter, any arena where beautiful balladry, well-crafted compositions and studio savvy still have an opportunity to shine.
Following on from his last release Left Of A Dream that was a collection of original material showing just what a great songwriter Jeff Larson is, he now returns with a collection of eleven songs mostly written by the one and only Gerry Beckley whose America hit Sister Golden Hair must be one of the most well remembered hits in the West Coast country rock genre. Gerry and Jeff have been great friends for years and it certainly shows on Jeff's subtle and smooth delivery of these superb songs along with Gerry in the producer's chair. Jeff supplies lead vocal and piano and Gerry gives us backing vocals, guitars, percussion, keyboards, accordion and bass. Additional musicians include fellow America band mate Dewey Bunnell on vocals, guitarists Larry
Treadwell and Hank Linderman, Rusty Young on steel guitar and making a guest appearance on vocals Jeff Foskett, a formidable line for a great album. Opening and title track Heart Of The
Valley displays what a great voice Jeff has, so commercial, this could well be hit or would be perfect for a film score. The album does have a very America feel obviously, but that's no bad thing when you listen to music of such quality as this. Sudden Soldier follows with a great hook and chorus, one again so easy on the ear. Radio 2 presenters and producers should be queuing up to get this aired on several of their radio shows. Jeff gets to show off his song writing credentials on the excellent Airport Smiles, a piano led ballad, short but very sweet, and co-wrote on two other songs, the once again radio friendly and jangly Minus Marci and the album closer One Lit Window, just piano, strings and euphonium backing Jeff's heart rending vocal delivery. Prime cuts for me are without a doubt the superb Southern Girl, a classic country rock ballad and Two People At Once, a heartfelt reading of what sounds like a very personal story line. The whole album has a very romantic feel, this in part to Jeff's emotional delivery, just right for a late night drink with a loved one. This one is definitely going in my personal stack of must listen again CDs for future aural pleasure, highly recommended.
- JHS, Maverick Magazine UK
It's the welcome return of Jeff Larson. This time rather than just having America's Gerry Beckley do a few songs, the album is more of a mutual collaboration. The combination of Beckley's songwriting and Larson's sweet guitar/vocals are just magic together. The memorable adult contemporary songs are lead by the stellar "Heart of the Valley" - with a catchy hook and lovely Jeff Foskett outro. The collaboration of the Larson/Beckley vocal combo is best shared on the next track "Sudden Soldier" with a rich story and musical experience here. The albums theme is
the myriad of stories wrapped around travel, beginning with the "Airport Smiles" mini-intro. My favorite on this album is the guitar rich jangle of "Minus Marci" which starts typically, and then bounces into a chorus that's as catchy as a TV sitcom theme. "Calling" and "Southern Girl" are laid back pop gems in the style of America, and "One Way Ticket" will appeal to fans of Christopher Cross or Dan Fogelberg. The soulful "One Lit Window" is just "classic" Larson. Simply put, every track is a winner here. I knew Jeff was getting close to his musical sweet spot with each successive album, and I think he's found it here. It makes my top ten this year... nice job, Jeff.
- Powerpopaholic
… I’ve yet to be disappointed… there’s no doubting both the quality of the material Larson has released and the musicians he’s attracted. Heart Of The Valley is produced by Gerry Beckley (one half of legendary folk popsters America), a name that regularly appears on Larson’s albums, and predominantly on this one. Described by the press release as “a singer-songwriter
approaching another singer-songwriter’s (unreleased) work” this collection of Beckley’s songs (there are two co-writes with Larson) is more a full-on collaboration than anything the pair have been involved with in the past. Heart Of The Valley is a classic pop album… anyone with an interest in any of the above would do well to track Larson and Heart Of The Valley down, pronto.
- Leicester Bangs, UK
If George Martin, Billy Preston, Murray the K et al. have been known as the "Fifth Beatle", then Jeff Larson could be called the Third American, as in America the band. Larson has closely worked with America's Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell over the years, but he takes it to a new level here with Heart of the Valley, which features eight original tunes penned by Beckley, two co-written with Beckley, and one Larson original. Beckley also produced, engineered and recorded the album.
Last year I wrote when reviewing Larson's last disc that "we all know the cliche about death and taxes being the only certainties, but there's another one to add to the list: about once a year, Jeff Larson will release a quality disc of laid-back California pop in the vein of America, Dan Fogelberg and The Eagles and make it sound effortless." With Beckley's help, he's done it again. The title track sets the template for the disc: an easygoing melody, fine singing from Larson and backing vocals from Beckley. "Sudden Soldier" is more in the vein of upbeat America, a la "You Can Do Magic", and "Minus Marci" (a Larson co-write) might be the album's best track with its irresistible chorus, fine Larson-Beckley harmonizing and some quality guitar work. Elsewhere, "Calling" is a great rainy day ballad, "Five Mile Road" sounds as well-worn and rustic as its title, and Bunnell himself sings backup on "Southern Girl", making the America connection complete.
Let's face it: a Jeff Larson disc is a no-risk proposition. If you enjoyed his previous releases and/or a fan of America and/or a fan of the laid-back 70s California sound, you've got your album of the year.
- Absolute Powerpop
"... lingering melodies boast enough hooks to supply a fishing fleet, and his supple vocals are both beautiful and beguiling without sounding saccharine. Left of a Dream is a nocturnal delight, and its best track, "Where Is Indio, CA" suggests a visit is long overdue" -- Lee Zimmerman, New Times
"... He has created another superb album, filled with perfectly crafted songs and smoothly satisfying sounds. His pleasing vocals, intelligent lyrics and irresistible melodies make him deserving of much greater recognition. Among the friends providing backing vocals are Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley of America" -- Paul Freeman, The Daily News
"This is a creative and passionately infused release of easy listening music with substance. A real corker for those late nights with a glass of wine" -- Maverick Magazine (UK)
