AMG Review of DON'T YOU KNOW Review by Joe Viglione | |
The title track to John Batdorf and Michael McLean's Don't You Know album has a simple philosophy and a strum that goes along with an eloquent melody that is easy to hold on to. In the decades after the reign of Seals & Crofts and England Dan & John Ford Coley, as well as more famous pairings like Simon & Garfunkel, John Batdorf soldiers on impressively, finding a formidable collaborator in the popular Michael McLean. The 11 songs are well constructed and highly commercial, from the very catchy "It's Not Love," borrowing heavily from the Rolling Stones' final (and uncredited) Jimmy Miller-produced hit, 1981's "Waiting on a Friend," to the moving "Heartbeat Away." That the sensibilities are straight out of the '70s and '80s folk-rock era is an indication of where these craftsmen found the components to build their ark. A chorus of backing vocals emphasizes the point as the folksy "It's Not Love" rocks to its conclusion, while "Promised Land" doesn't take as long to set the stage, driving with the spirit of any uptempo Eagles number. And that's the interesting element at play here, for the material is stronger than latter-day America or Eagles music, but with no major-label push or commercial platform, superb titles like "It's Only My Heart" remain hidden performances lost in the shuffle of millions and millions of copyrights looking for recognition. This is truly one of those important discs waiting for a second look, the distinctive voice of Batdorf surrounded by great players and sublime production. It is perhaps a sign of the times that such an elegant composition as "Never Had to Ask" won't be getting major FM airplay on radios across the country without some kind of action in television or film, or perhaps a James Taylor or Don Henley type looking for outside material to push in this new musical era. That would be a positive; however, these performances and this recording are so perfectly put together that the glory should go to the work of Batdorf & McLean on this potential monster album just waiting to be heard by consumers. The themes the songwriters explore are similar from song to song, and like a good book, some of the lyrical ideas reappear in different titles. Pick any track -- "She's the Girl" with Tim Heintz's accordion and Greg Leisz's mandolin or "Never Had to Ask" with Michael Baird's drums-in-a-cavern sound -- and you'll hear masterful players working with a soulful voice on perfectly written pop songs. This 1997 undiscovered gem by the veteran pair comes with a 12-page booklet and is as beautifully produced as it is packaged. Click here to listen to song samples, buy the CD, read the review, see the CD overview and credits and link to the artists' other work© 2007 All Media Guide, LLC. All Rights Reserved. | |
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
AMG Review of Batdorf & McLean's DON'T YOU KNOW
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
"I Don't Always Win" at #13 on Acoustic Pie Radio!
from Kelley Martin's (Acoustic Pie Girl) Myspace Blog posted Saturday, December 01, 2007
 | Top 20 Songs, Acoustic Pie Radio |
Thursday, November 22, 2007
RadioIndy Review "Home Again"
"Home Again" by John Batdorf (Acoustic/Adult Rock Artist from Los Angeles, California (CA))
"Home Again" by John Batdorf, is a very impressive acoustic adult rock CD. The CD is filled with impressive acoustic guitar work, which sounds really good on this recording. John's vocals are especially beautiful on this CD, and include rich harmonies on many tracks. The recording quality is crystal clear, which is especially effective on this acoustic, unplugged CD, and allows the lyrics to cut through nicely. The songwriting combines well thought-out and thought-provoking lyrics combined with memorable choruses. "Home Again," the title track, combines memorable acoustic guitar work and a memorable chorus, with a powerful lyrical message. "Me and You" includes clever lyrics and nice 2-part harmonies. "Something Is Slipping Away" is a remarkably beautiful song. The up-tempo "One Night Stands" is one of our favorite tracks, with it's hook-filled chorus. If you enjoy acoustic adult rock artists of the 60s and early 70s, such as Crosby, Stills, & Nash, you will enjoy this CD. Pick up a copy today!
- Review by RadioIndy staff
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
reviews from around the web #4
Gooder'n Bad Vinyl
The Best Vinyl I've Got . . . Well, mostly vinyl, and mostly good ;-)Batdorf and Rodney - Off The Shelf (1971)
Originally Posted Monday, 2. October 2006 by SoundTown
Although they first met in high school in Hollywood, California, John and Mark got musically together in the mystical desert of Las Vegas, Nevada in September 1970.
John, originally from Dayton, Ohio was in a Cowsills type band called the "Loved Ones", featuring soap opera star Patty Weaver and her brothers. He was 15 at the time. They signed with Atlantic Records chairman Ahmet Ertugen and moved west, but the band went nowhere.
Mark, who grew up in Hollywood, California came from a famous musical family. As a teenager, he played in various blues bands and jammed with famous bands like the orginal Blues Image, Jimi Hendrix, and many rock stars in Hollywood clubs.
By 1970, both John and Mark had tired of the Los Angeles scene and were both interested in the new music revolution of the 70s....acoustic music! They re-connected in Las Vegas and started playing acoustic guitars together. They were both heavily into the new sound of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Neil Young, James Taylor, and Simon & Garfunkel. After three months, they had conquered Las Vegas and had enough originals to head back to Los Angeles. By a magic coincidence, Ahmet Ertegun was in Los Angeles and offered to audition them. He immediately signed them to Atlantic Records and produced them himself in legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
The group eventually recorded three albums on Atlantic, Asylum (one of their first releases), and Arista Records. The three A's! They toured for five years with groups like Bread, The Youngbloods, Loggins and Messina, Three Dog Night, Dan Fogelberg, Chicago, Seals and Crofts, and every group from that era. They had several regional hits but never broke nationally before they had enough of the business. Batdorf and Rodney were actually before groups like America, Seals and Crofts, and Dan Fogelberg. They were always considered a major influence of that sound.
reviews from around the web #3
Categories: Pop/Rock/Country, Eclectic Mix They made records and toured this country and Canada for most of the 70s. Now in a new millennium, John has recorded a new CD with James Lee Stanley "All Wood And Stones" along with his first solo EP, "Side One." His latest solo CD, "Home Again" is comprised of seven new originals and three songs for the Batdorf and Rodney days. This CD is an acoustic guitar and vocal enthusiasts dream come true. It was also the first time that he had a chance to work with Mark Rodney since 1975.
John Batdorf began his career in the 70's as a recording artist with Batdorf and Rodney. John and Mark Rodney were both heavily in the new sound of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Neil Young, James Taylor, and Simon & Garfunkel.
Copyright © 2007 ArtServe Michigan and MediaSpan |
reviews from around the web #2
Originally Posted Wednesday, March 7th, 2007
MUSIC REVIEW:
Batdorf and Rodney are home again
By JIM CARNES, The Sacramento Bee
More than three decades after putting an end to Batdorf and Rodney, John Batdorf and Mark Rodney are singing together again - and it's great. Just like old times. Except with a maturity of songwriting on Batdorf's part that imbues this set with warmth and depth. Batdorf refers to "Home Again" as "the Batdorf and Rodney album that was never made," which is sure to delight a bunch of old fans.
It includes three songs from the duo's days together - the title track, which is performed here in a version that's even better than the original; "Ain't It Like Home," which Batdorf performs as a solo; and "Where Are You Now," a duet that has never appeared on a studio album - plus seven new songs.
Those two "home" songs are a clue to a major theme of this set. It's about finding a place of safety and comfort. Other fine songs include "Solitude," "Me and You" and "One Night Stands," which is only about extramarital affairs in that it's about a performer's love of his music and the one-night concert stands on the road.
This is a really fine collection.
**** out of four stars.