Released: May 2005

REVIEWS:

˜This is one of those rare albums where the lyrics are as good as the melodies. Griffin combines the dexterity of James Taylor's guitar work with the genius of Bob Dylan's poetry. - CD Baby

Michel weaves his magic like an artist on canvas, with inspired lyrics set to haunting melodies that reach deep into your soul. - CD Baby

˜Michel's talent lies not just in his musical prowess but in the eloquence and poignancy of his lyrics." - CD Baby

BACKGROUND:

This is my first album of songs - 14 self-penned tracks using primarily my faithful old nylon-strung Godin guitar, with a fair bit of orchestration added in the studio.

Half of the songs are ones that have stayed with me since I was a young man; the other half were written especially for the album.

TRACK BY TRACK:

Freeze the Moment - I wanted to write a song which captured the preciousness of that tiny slice we have of the endless continuum we call Time. Which noted that when we look at the face of a lover or friend, we don't see them just in the present, we see also the past we have shared. And which noted too our fragility, and how slender are the threads that bind us .....

America, Come Weep - A country ballad about a waitress in a diner, who is longing for the open highway, and lamenting the missed turnings on the country's road toward the American Dream.

Echoes, Waves or Ricochets - A driving beat underpins a narrative that evokes turning-points in the passage from 'the long grass of our childhood, to the loneliness of our end'. Perhaps our real legacy is the effect we have on other people.

The Valley Time Forgot - A lilting hymn of praise for the lovely Lot valley in France. Musically, it's a cross-fertilisation between country-folk and baroque, with soaring strings, and even a hint of harpsichord.

Fur Elise - A love-song for a very special person. Two guitars trade riffs that evoke the hook in Beethoven's piece by the same name.

Deep Inside the Night - 'Deep Inside the Night' paints a portait of a vulnerable lady looking to the horizon for a better deal. The musical treatment (acoustic guitar, cello and violin) is very spare.

Don’t Step on my Smile - 'Don't Step on my Smile' is a jaunty, upbeat tongue-in-cheek duet. 'When the newscaster casts his news, it's enough to give an optimist a dose of the blues ...'

Travelling Man - 'Freedom is only for the strong'. A song for everyone who feels the tension between the lure of the open road, and the safety of a loving relationship.

She - A bouncy love-song which tries to capture the flamboyance of the lady whose life I once shared.

Man and Boy - As every woman knows, there's a boy that walks behind the face of every man. This somewhat dark song summarises some of his more fragile moments ...

Dreamer - An affectionate portrait of someone who is always waiting for someone else to take the initiative. Swirling organ, crystal 12-strings and a gentle beat.

Pour la Première Fois - 'When that look of yours first cut through my heart, I wanted so much for that look to last a lifetime ...' A french love-song that starts softly and climaxes with a wild horn solo set against lush strings.

Alice in Dixieland - A light-hearted series of caricatures, with a Dixieland feel.

Evensong - A gentle, laid-back song for the end of a perfect day.

A growing number of music sites allow you to stream my songs in their entirety. If you are an Amazon Music subscriber, for example, you can ask Alexa to Stream Michel Griffin music. Spotify offers a service where you can stream my songs for free. Here are links to some of the streaming services where you can play Echoes, Waves or Ricochets:

Spotify

Apple Music

Amazon Music

Pandora

YouTube Music

Resso

Deezer

Shazam

Tidal

Qobuz

iHeart

KKBox

Line Music

QUB Musique

Net Ease

AWA

last.fm

Napster