Greetings from Anchorage, Alaska, where tonight I’ll play a concert in my fiftieth state. Great fun to be here, to play music for folks, to see some old friends, make some new ones, and if all goes according to plan, to go visit a glacier tomorrow and get in a bit of a hike before heading on to Fairbanks.
Yesterday, on the way up from a show in Pleasant Hill, California, I stopped in Seattle for a layover and got word that my new CD, The Other Way Around, was the #8 most played record on the Folk-DJ list this month. That sure makes my day.
After over a year of being immersed in the creation of the album, it is so exciting to finally have it out in the world, and to have other people connecting with it. If you haven’t got a copy, and would like to pick one up, either as a physical CD or a download, you can do that here.
Respected music journalist Bill Kopp interviewed me about the new record, and his blog piece on it is here, if you’d like to give it a read.
And DJ John Sillberg, from CKOL in Ontario, had this to say…
We often get caught up in ‘doing things’ whether it is preparing for a radio show auditioning music, performing duties at work or organizing things at home. In that process, we forget to stop and take in the world around us – the natural beauty, the history, the joy of its people. ‘The Other Way Around’, David LaMotte’s first release in over a decade, makes one take notice. He and co-producers Chris Rosser and Tom Prasada-Rao have created a tapestry of music that makes you want to take the time to listen. They have assembled an impressive ensemble of musicians from all over the world. There is the percussive genius of Canadian-born (had to mention that) River Guerguerian, the delightful piano of Ian Ridenhour, the Western African dance rhythms of Diali Cissokho on the kora, the rhythms of master multi-instrumentalist Kinobe and a wonderful chorus of back-up singers. Add these elements woven together with the engaging voice of LaMotte to create a sound that is as clean and crisp as a sunny fall afternoon in the north. The highlight for me is the joyous and hopeful ‘Drink Deeply’.
So take the time. Grab some refreshments, gather family and friends and give ‘The Other Way Around’ a real ‘listen’. You won’t be disappointed.
The digital download comes with a PDF of the insert booklet that is formatted for 8.5 x 11 paper, which you can print out or just read on screen. It has lyrics, notes about the songs, photos, and a little essay I wrote about the role of music and art in our lives, and the creation of this album in particular.
Here’s a sample page from the digital booklet…
Thanks so much for your support of my music. Hope to see you out there in one of those states. Having now played in all of them, I guess it’s time to start over!
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