Simon Joyner Songs For The New Year CD

Joyner has been flying under commercial radar for several years, perfecting his poetic, introspective songcraft and quietly becoming one of the finer writers of the '90s. SONGS FOR THE NEW YEAR features some of his best work, representing his continued upward progression. The complexity and depth of Joyner's imagistic lyricism harks back to an earlier generation of singer-songwriters, and the influence of people like Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt and Neil Young can be felt throughout this album.

Joyner explores the same dark-night-of-the-soul terrain as those writers, but brings his own idiosyncratic twist to the proceedings. His high, impassioned voice conveys an emotional urgency, while the string-laced arrangements frame his songs with a graceful beauty. The connection Joyner makes between pain and joy is expressed most plainly in "Born Of Longing," where he admits to having a dream, but adds "I might keep it hidden/So sweet is my burden/If someone tried to take it/They'd have to cut off my hands."

Personnel: Simon Joyner (vocals, guitar); Alex McManus (guitar, violin); Bob Garfield (lap steel guitar); Joyce Roper (cello); Bill Hoover (accordion); Chris Deden (piano, organ, drums); George Peek (bass).

Personnel: Simon Joyner (vocals, guitar); Alex McManus (guitar, violin); Bill Hoover (accordion); Chris Deden (piano).