Custom Songwriting

General Comments

Hi Michael...Free and Flying!
Michael creates a huge landscape with his guitar and voice. So many subtle nuances. Free and flying opens with a lone guitarist on his porch feeling. Beautiful, heartfelt licks opens to a voice that has much truth to it and an almost uncertain quality unsure if he wants to share his message with us. the opening line comes in soft and under cover of his guitar,"Can't afford to kill the time." Throughout the song we are given insightful words, a guitar that to this reviewer speaks like an old robert frost poem, one lick compliments the next and the next creating as i'd like to call the unspoken words of the guitar playing that michael brings to the table everytime...Once again You got the stuff michael and I had already put this one on my radio station!

Shawn 1/05

Passing Away

First off... Amazing lyrics... very thought provoking with a steady rhythm, while staying true to the rhyming scheme. Lyrics are difficult to write, and these are very solid. Your guitar work is wonderful! I really like the intro, instrumental breaks, and outro, where there is almost a solo over the top, very nice effect! Your vocals are great, they're in tune the whole time, good articulation, and the vocal harmonies are right on too! I feel this song more than I do most, its really thought provoking, which makes it very enjoyable to listen to even multiple times! The percussion is very subtle in the background, you could maybe bring those congas/bongos out just a little but not much, its just a little hard to distinguish them at times, but they are a perfect fit to the song. I've found it difficult to find something wrong with your song, its an excellent track, and I enjoyed listening to it thoroughly! Great work, and I think I'll add it to my acoustic station too!

Brock Taylor - 1/05

Passsing Away

I like the way the recording sounds. It has a real live and down to earth feel. It sounds like you used a mic on the guitar instead of plugging it in, or maybe you plugged it in and your vocal mic was picking up the natural ora of the guitar. In other words, you can here a little fret noise and the guitar sounds like its right in the room. Sometimes plugging in the guitar makes it sound artifical. The mix is very well balanced, not too much guitar, which is good cause you don't want to over power the vocals like I do sometimes. The back-up vocals are perfect as well.... they are there, but subtly. The only thing that confuses me, is, are you beating on the guitar or are those bongo drums? Either way, that could be a little louder. But, it sounds like its a live recording so I'm not going to dock any points for that one. I'm not docking any points at all, you get my 5 note rating! You get such an honorable rating because the lyrics are also very well written. Very good job talking about the vet on the street with the sign, with the dozen cars all lined up, with everybody trying to pretend that they don't see him... I can picture that scene perfectly in my head. Thank You for writing a song like this, it makes you think.
Billy's Rating: 5 notes!

Billy Wilkosky 1/05

Spirits - The natural resonance of the acoustic guitar is showcased in this song called Spirit. I found myself jammin with you in my mind. The melody is intoxicating, the lyrics are original and fit so very well with the melody.
The water effects are ok and can be left in the mix but I also imagined the song without them and feel it could carry over well without the affects. Not sure the effects are adding that much to the overall package, besides you have that really cool flute being masterfully interwoven through the melody.
The vocals sound clean and pretty smooth throughout. I paid close attention to the vocals numerous times and the song actually got better. It wasn't you that changed, it was how I was listening to the song. I stick though with my water effects theory. Tim Turner 12/04

Turn Around

Very tasty. I like this song alot. This has an excellent played acoustic rythm and lead. Again the flute masterfully interwoven in and out of this original piece. This opportunity to listen closely to your music I realize how good you are. Being an acoustic player myself I give you high marks. Not so easy to solo and get these results.
The lead gives this melody a bass and a lead feel to it.
' no future 6' down it must be time to turn around' writing is good...

This tune Turn Around showcases your ability and talents as a solo singer/songwriter which you truely are in my opinion.

Tim Turner 12/04

Murphy's Law

Hi Michael, it is an honour to review your material! My 1st thought was where'd this guy learn to play like this? You have made the guitar an extension of yourself... INCREDIBLE... All you acoustic songwriters please go listen to Michael's music. The thing that caught my attention the most is what you give the listener. You offer the listener great rythm, an enjoyable unpretentious voice, fantastic licks on the guitar that are NEVER overplayed and songs that as a listener i would enjoy hearing over and over again. i could go on but i have to go listen to the rest of your tracks!

Soundclick review by Shawn McKendry 12/04.

Fallen Star

Quite a few songs you got recorded. How long have you been at it? Anyway, the beginning of the song reminded me sort of a Zeppelin acoustic song. Dissonant and beautiful. The vocals are a mix of Dylan and Clapton. The chord progression is nice and really fits the lyrics and tone of the song. The playing and production are perfect, but the vocals seem off on a few parts, as if you're struggling, and falling a little flat. This may be what you're going for, and it's not that big of a distraction. I dig the lyrics, metaphorical and reflective. I'm sure your wife loves this song, and any girl should feel very special to have such a song written for them. Good job.

Reviewed by the illusion 11/04

Zombie

im liking the intro so far. many different instruments contribute making a nice jazzy feel. vocals are not my favorite, but way better than ill ever do and the harmonizing is well done. well done solo with the two guitars, i like the smooth transition between them. i really am not satisfied with the ending chord, but it fits ok. Overall, excellent job, although the vocals are a bit quiet.

reviewed by stratomaster 8 11/04

I think i reviewed some of your other tunes way back . . can´t remember which one . . but i remember the recording was a bit stiff and i think i said something about how a live-ish version would be cool. This is exactly what I was talking about. The folksy feel of your songs needs this stones-sloppy touch. The flute thing was awesome. It´s amazing how three notes with the right timbre can lift a song so much. Great guitaring, great singing, thoughtful lyrics. I like.

Big ship Music - 10/04

Thwaanng. A funky bright chord leaps out of nowhere to start this song. From there it really gets interesting. And by the time of the hook and flute your in too deep to get out.

Not sure what this reminds me off but I like its eclectic style, funky folkie pop maybe. The song itself is also one to draw you in, a repeated hook rather than a chorus forms the focal point to the verses flowing around it. All sitting nicely on the aformentioned funky guitar. Production wise this isnt bad, theres no undue noise or crackles and the vocals are clearly discernable over their backing.

Overall a really good song and one that im going to have to hear again.

rich - 10/04

Free and Flying

just ate A LOT of food at a birthday party, but I actually feel kinda weak. Has that ever happened to you Michael? You eat so much that you get really weak? Well, now I’m starting to get hot flashes. Thats too much food! But not enough Frazier! David Crosby. Ever here of him? You music reminds me of Crosby Stills Nash and Young music. ITS GREAT! I love CSN! Amazing acoutisic guitar work, i mean WOW man, you are very talented. This is just a great acoustic jamming song... I keep wanting to here some harmonies like CSNY... but, its great without harmonies too. Now I feel like playing guitar, in fact I’ll probably stop reviewing songs now and go play guitar, so thanks to you, these other people are going to have to wait for the reviews even longer now, cause your music makes me want to play!!! Hold on, I’m listening to it again. In case you didn’t know i Love this kind of music... You voice is good as well. The vocals fit PERFECTLY with this song!! Man, Neil Young... I hear him too. Two guitars right? very very very very cool! I can’t think of anything negative to say...

Billy Wilcosky on Soundclick 8/24/04

Hey Michael. Nice to hear from you! I’ve noticed some of your reviews, but I don’t think I’ve reviewed one of your tunes before.

Money Tree! As scripture says, “For the love of money is a root of all evil.” (You could write QED across the newspapers of the land.) The adjectives authentic and intense come to mind.

The authenticity comes from the simple (but real) instrumentation. Somehow it’s like those products with ‘real leather’ on the label when someone sits down and just plays his guitar and sings. I love that. The flute adds a nice plaintive and pretty touch. You play it very well.

The intense adjective relates to the lyrics – particularly the ‘don’t you lie to me’ line. This reminds me of some of Dylan’s early work – not as harsh – but quite good: blunt and true. The lyric isn't highly poetic but it is direct and effective.

Maybe it’s my love of truth that makes me fond of analogue instruments - I don't despise electronics, by any means - but you can't beat analogue acoustics, and you can’t have too many real things!

Cool stuff. cam bastedo 9/04

HULLABALOO - It sure is nice to hear some political songs instead of the same ol stuff. You do this well. I like the quality and choice of words. The rhymes are natural and comfortable - I never get the feeling that you made compromises to fit the words in or to make the rhyme. I'm sure you know that this type of "thinking" song has a limited but loving audience. The only thing holding back your music is the overly simple production. Your stuff sounds like it should have drums and bass at least. It's trying to be more than it can be with only voice, guitar and flute. Hullabaloo is really crying for development with that shuffle feel. BTW - the sound of this music is plain, but it's well recorded. Some gentle aural dressing up with delay, EQ and reverb would expand the appeal of your music. Your performances are very nice - no rhythm glitches in the guitar and a very relaxed feel. People just aren't used to hearing such a natural, dry sound.

Jim of Jim-n-Lisa from Sound Click

A TEAR: Hm... I remember this one! I've listened to it before!!!

First off, I love the message in this one. The lyrics are more complex than I think most would write, and I find your capability in combining business of music with such a personal, sensitive message to be extremely commendable. Yes, indeed... the lyrics have great depth, and not only provide exceptional meaning to the originally intended message, they provide other meanings for different people at different times.

The strumming rhythm makes me think of the 60's and nature-loving hippies.. (yeah, Rey... I know... ). Anyway, names like "Woodstock" come to mind, as the sound of music (pun intended) paints such a vibrant picture of that time, and of those feelings. Which, in my opinion, enhances your message all the more. Very clean playing, and I especially like the double guitar play... the lead has a very effective melody line.

I thought the mix on this was done very well. If I'd change anything, I'd see about tweaking the sound on the strummed guitar to give off a more crisp sound... a weak critique, since everything does sound good... but I'm trying to find something to offer you as a suggestion for a better sound, and this was really about all I could come up with. I thought the vocal volume was set perfectly. Hm... ya know... another thing I think I would've liked to have heard, is more panning of the melody guitar in the R channel, while keeping the strummed guitar a tad bit panned to the L. More panning with the R, though, than the left. I think that would've created a neat effect.

A powerful song, with a powerful message in it, Mike. Nicely done.

Sharma Kay 7/04

I went to the trouble of getting "Into the Fire" and was glad I did. It is one of the most professional sounding and well crafted songs I've heard on Soundclick. I'm quite jealous of your voice.

Jim-n-Lisa - 5/04

Review of Spirits: It is refreshing for me to hear lyrics and music written with a bit of consciousness involved. On a personal level, the music I listen to needs to be coming from such a place. Out of all the music I've reviewed here, it is one of very few I will keep for my own enjoyment. The quality of the recording itself is extremely well done, all parts are clear and well defined. It feels like you love what you are doing and that is reflected in the energy of the music. It is not contrived or molded in to a package for marketing and sales. It feels more like you are putting it out there purely for the listeners enjoyment, rather than to feed your ego. Nice clear, crisp guitar sound and vocals!

Michael Sky - 4/04

Good melodic track. The acoustic is very steady and lays well against the piano and the bass. The vocal has a good desperation to it, and helps to sell the song to the listener. The lyrics are concise and stay on-topic well. Tells a good story and avoids all the cheese that usually comes with songs like this.

As far as what I think it could do with, maybe some percussion, not so much right off the bat, but maybe after the first chorus. The song has an easyflow to it and it never jumps time, but after a minute and a half, it starts to sound a little stiff, to me at least.

I mean everything is played well and there are no real gaffs to speak of, its just that the melody is so ambient and dependent on the lyrical interpay, that it loses its own identity pretty fast. It just becomes the soundtrack to the lyrics, and while that's good for some songs, this one needs a little more punch to it for dramatic impact.

Its a good song as it stands right now, but it could be a great one with a tad more spice to the arrangement. A good subtle slide guitar pass would do wonders in my opinion.

Louie McNeal - 4/04

Free and Flying - This is the first time I've ever laid ears on this artist. The Acoustic genre alone is interesting enough, since it will let you know right from from the start, if the artist is talented or not. I've listened to other songs in the Acoustic Genre, which really were not entirely mere acoustics and vocals. This one, however is!

Right from the opening, you will have to agree with me that this is some great guitar work to start the song with. The vocals set in - pretty good voice! The lyrics are great. All in all - I am loving this.

- this song is musically very entertaining (only 3:29 minutes - seemed more like 2 minutes)
- the composition (and the way the tracks for the guitars have been recorded) is excellent
- Overall great production/mixing work.

That's all I'm gonna write about this one. If the listeners out there will take a few minutes, they will know that any more words would be a waste of time. This song is a very good one!!!!

Way to go, Michael!!! Mike Kohlgraf - 12/03