JamesSasser.com
JamesSasser.com
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News
Dip Your Beak-August
(Jun 11, 2008)
It\'s been awhile since I posted some news here on the site. Greg, Phoebe and I have been busy recording the next CD called Dip Your Beak. We\'re hoping to get it out in August, so stayed tuned in to the myspace where I\'ll be posting some tracks. See you at the shows!!-james
Fall EP 2007
(Oct 15, 2007)
The Fall EP 2007 done! To get yourself a copy, go to the contact page and email the band. This the first of a yearly and free offering to suppliment your musical nutrition. This first edition is six songs with that 60\'s acoustic vibe. Get a dose! Don\\\'t forget, the new full-length is due out next year...Dip Your Beak is coming!- james, greg and phoebe
Failing Records Compilation
(Apr 21, 2007)
"Chinatown" from The Melcliff will be included on Failing Records Compilation of Portland Volume 4! These are great compilations and we're excited for its release on April 21st. There will be a release show at Berbati's Pan in Portland on the same night.
www.failingrecords.com
Miles of Music
(Apr 15, 2007)
The Melcliff is now up on a great site called Miles of Music. Check it out! You'll find tons of great folk/country/roots/americana rock bands here.
Here's the link:
www.milesofmusic.com
-James
Performer Magazine Review
(Feb 28, 2007)
Performer Magazine, West Coast Edition reviews The Melcliff. It will be out in the March issue.
yeah baby!
www.performermag.com
Fense Post Review
(Jan 18, 2007)
The Melcliff is reviewed on Fense Post! Great music site from Seattle. www.fensepost.com
"Lost and Found" chosen for kayak movie
(Feb 15, 2006)
"Lost and Found" chosen for the soundtrack of Liquid Sanity an extreme kayak movie from Liquid Kayak.com Official screening this spring!
Henry Weinhard's Commercial
(Jan 28, 2005)
Henry Weinhard's Brewing Co. and Jacobson-Rost Advertising is using "That Kinda Day" for their new TV Commercial called The Board Meeting. Look for it to be aired this spring on ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC, ABC, and CBS in the Northwest. Cities include Seattle, Portland, Spokane and Eugene. Mmm...beer!
www.jacobsonrost.com/jr_portfolio.html
Reviews
" The Melcliff shimmers, vibrates and swirls as if it was recorded in the halcyon folk-rock days of Los Angeles in the 1960s,
not Portland in 2006. Sasser combines a soft croon with minor chords, chiming acoustic guitars and a warm reverb.
Think an Everly Brothers record without the harmonies or a Mamas and Papas record, with just one Papa. Sasser's engaging songwriting
makes The Melcliff one of the terrific surprises of the year. "
- Jeff Weiss - Miles of Music (April 2007)
" The title of this self-released CD is a reference to the apartment building where James Sasser lived and
wrote most of the songs on the album. It's an apt title, as these warm, homespun country and folk tunes have the intimate feel
of a small living room performance.
What is immediately striking about this album is its simplicity. The playing and recording style of most of the material on it
is free of any fancy fretwork or studio trickery. In fact, the lo-fi production sounds like it was actually put together at The Melcliff.
This feature isn't a limitation, however, as it gives the songs the immediacy of eavesdropping on a conversation in the next room.
The accompaniment (brother Greg Sasser on drums, Phoebe Osborn on bass) adheres to a "straight line" policy, as well, adding only
the barest essentials to move the songs forward. This tendency is especially true of the percussion - Greg Sasser's drumming is wisely
restrained, bolstered instead by a healthy dose of tambourine and shakers.
It is actually the rare moment of indulgence that drags everything down. The most blatant example is the over-the-top Southern rock song,
"Ouija Board With Linda McCartney." Unlike the rest of the album, this track features a crunchy guitar line reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd
and a more punchy vocal attack by Sasser. It seems so out of place alongside the pleasant, unadorned songs that precede it.
Thankfully, it is the only blot on an otherwise spotless piece of work and something that can be easily avoided with the skip button on a
CD player. Every other song can and should have the opposite effect, encouraging listeners to skip back and listen again to the inviting,
invigorating songs by Sasser and his band. "
- Bob Ham - West Coast Performer Magazine (March 2007)
" After a stint under the name Lostine, the James Sasser fronted group has resorted back to its original name:
James Sasser. One listen to Sasser's croon in "Chinatown" and it is easily apparent how much he as a musician and they
as a group have progressed since Southside of Sorrow - both in songwriting and performance. From the harmonic Wooos in
the opener to the electric guitars and experimentations with space in "Your Side of the Stone," Sasser meshes his previous
country-folk sound with one much more rock.
In "Practical Pistol," Sasser enhances the song with slide guitar while the percussion shuffles lightly.
Heavy tambourine and an ever-present shaker match the drums stride to stride. A wailing distorted guitar screams in
"Get It On" as a harmonica blazes, creating a clashing mix of high pitched wails. "Ouijaboard with Lina McCartney"
utilizes the tonal harmony vocals mentioned earlier and features Jeff Wood on a terrific guitar solo.
The Melcliff blends many genres, from the psychedelic in "Ivory" and "Radio Cab," to the rock in "Give It Time," to
"Drugsore Blues's" blues - all with Sasser's original love of country. It works well for the group, creating a depth
within the album and keeping the mix of songs interesting. In some aspects Sasser comes out sounding similar to fellow
Northwest folk-country artist Kasey Anderson. But where Anderson embraces the folk side of country, Sasser feins much
of the quiet sound for one distinctly psychedelic and rockabilly. "
- Fense Post.com (January 2007)
" Honest and Soulful. "
- Bend Bulletin (April 2006)
" This James Sasser band really rocked; really tight, great harmonies, and original songs. I was so impressed. I really think this kid might make it big. "
- Blue Rodeo.com (February 2005)
" As it stands, there is no weak number on this album (Southside of Sorrow) and
it proves James Sasser is to be recognized. First class album. 4 stars. "
- Rootstime.be (February 2005)
" Southside of Sorrow is the kind of disc that remains a pleasure time after time. "
- Muziek Wereld (Ctrl. Alt. Country.com, November 2004)