john mcIntosh

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everything's gonna be all right

Add to My Profile | More VideosHamilton singer-songwriter comes Long Way in Short Time. Noteable Hamiltonians Lyell, Lanois and Strongman lend support on debut cd ............................................................ .................................................. ............................................................ .................................................. Shortly after John McIntosh met Hamilton recording artist and teacher Ray Lyell, he said ‘I’ve got something inside me I need to get out’. Lyell recognized an eager student and began directing John's journey along a multi-faceted, exponential growth curve in the areas of songwriting, guitar, performance and recording. “Well, Ray put me through my paces, but he was the best thing that ever happened to me. He was very demanding and showed me the path to the next level. He said you’ve got to write, write, write, then you have to learn the dynamics of performance, and you must learn digital recording to save yourself thousands of dollars in the long run. It was pretty overwhelming, but I felt I’d found a true mentor. ” So, john wrote 40 songs and 3 and a half years later, has chosen his first collection of 10 ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ..................................... The debut, Everything’s Gonna Be Alright is an energetic self-styled album shaped by his personal journey over the last decade. The collection oscillates between assertive exuberance and quiet introspection. Each track combines an original tune with a narrative distilled from his experiences, the two knit together by inspired disclosure. Vibrant vocals carry lyrics over rich guitar melodies and express John’s individual blend of optimism and self-reflection, lending this CD vivacity and meditative depth. Though many of John’s lyrics touch on universal themes, they draw inspiration from very local surrounds—either penned over leisurely breakfasts in neighbourhood cafes or melodies coming together during runs along the Bruce Trail. ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................ John’s lyrical signature and eclectic sound incorporate incorporate an appreciation for the positive force of Earth, Wind and Fire and the inspirational tone of Collective Soul. These diverse influence come together in both up-tempo rock songs and emotional ballads that truly convey that Everything is Gonna Be All Right. ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................ Others came on board to help. Friend Jocelyne Lanois was able to lend backing vocals for three songs, including the title track, and also shines on ‘Lost the Light’. John’s neighbour and Hamilton fret-board wizard Steve Strongman contributes some heartfelt slide guitar on the melancholic ‘Angel’, which was co-written by Lanois. Robin Lee lends a Chet Atkins style ambience over 5 tracks, his thumb styling giving a crying edge to tracks like 'Driving Rain' and 'Find My Way'. Tom LaFrance amps it up arena-rock style on the title track, ‘Better Days’ and ‘Other Side’. The pro-feminist “Real Man” has been recognized by the women’s domestic violence forum of bellonline. It begins as a witnesses’ account of an abuse situation and gradually transforms into a positive portrayal of what constitutes a ‘real man’—the writing being heartfelt and moving. ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................ The video for the title track, Everything’s Gonna Be All Right, available at www.myspace.com/johnnymacmusic is a celebration of good time feeling, and features beautiful local geographic landscapes, including Hamilton’s escarpment and valley, along with the beach shore vibe of nearby Port Dover. ............................................................ ................................................. ............................................................ ................................................. Currently an active member of the musical community in Hamilton, Ontario John recently headlined his own show and was a feature performer in the Hamilton Music Scene Festival during 2005. He opened for Lyell’s Running On Faith CD release at Hamilton Place among numerous other gigs, has been a fixture on the local open mic scene, and is also presently playing a monthly show at the High Note Studio in Burlington. Keep your eye out for John in 2007.