Greg Laswell
First impressions – If this is how his day sounds, he will find some folks who will agree and enjoy those sounds.
Greg Laswell’s EP "How The Day Sounds" is easy to listen to, so that probably makes it easy listening on some playlists. But let’s just put it in the music that is nice to listen to category.
Laswell has a CD from 2006 Through Toledo (Vanguard) that contains a dreamy sort of tune "Do What I Can." This is not for the fan seeking heavy, philosophy lyrics. The message is as simple as the title. "Sing Theresa Says" from the same CD starts with a few bars of violin sounds that might be frightening at the beginning of any other song. The rhythm of this tune is delightful in its snare drum way. "High and Low" from the same CD is held together by piano that doesn’t need to be complex to work. Sounds a bit like Andy Davis and that is a good thing. (Or does Davis sound like Laswell?)
The ever-present Brandon assists Laswell, though sometimes the singer works with Pete McNeal and Zak Schafer on the west coast, as well as Matt Johnson and Tim Edgar on the east coast.
Don’t look for Greg Laswell, his buddy Brandon or musicians from either coast working on a Laswell project at this point. He is going to be all over England and the European continent in April and May.
Tags: Greg Laswell, indie, independent music, music, indie music
I participated in a radio show and got a CD which also had songs by Greg Laswell. I did not like his music as its not soothing and also there cannot be any stage performance on his music.
What a Day sends goosebumps up my arms. Indeed, it’s meant for easy listening, but it’s a song that the casual listener can relate to in one way or another. I do think that at some points, Greg Laswell goes a bit too low than he needs to, to make the song work well, but with the instrumental and vocal accompaniment that follows right after, I can forget that and just enjoy the song overall. Definitely a guy and band worth listening too, especially if your into easy, peaceful but meaningful music.
Laswell is definitely not for everyone, and usually I love this slow easy listening type of music, but a few of his tunes bored me. The exception is “What a Day”. This is beautiful song and reminds a bit of a slow ballad by The Counting Crows. However, there is something about his voice that I don’t like. He seems to sound the same exact way on every single song with no variation at all and after a while it becomes irritating. Aside from that though, another one worth a listen is “Sing Theresa Sing”.
I agree to put it in the “Music that is nice to listen to category”. Completely different from “easy listening”.
He could use a bit of spice in his ways. Not to spice up the songs, they are fine. But his personality when singing is a bit monotone or something.
I can’t really put my finger on it.
I agree, Greg fits into the category of most singer/songwriters… nice to listen to. BUT… I’ve seen him a coupla times and his live shows definitely kick it up a notch. Both in performance and personality. He’s a very charming guy on stage, tells stories, etc. Now that he’s back from that Euro tour, he’s trekkin across the States to support his new album that comes out in July - “Three Flights from Alto Nido.” I’m lookin fwd to hearing the new tracks and catching his show again!