RSS
Subscribe
0
Followers
0
Fans
MICHAEL MASSEY – The Green Sessions ’94-‘99
2024 Self-Release
You can find the Green Sessions at https://www.mikemasseymusic.com/album/0
As a mainstay of Madison music since its golden days, and recently as an author, Mike Massey hardly needs introduction. He now has five solo albums along with releases by Stop the Clock, Chaser and Massey, Ripp & Magellan. Additionally he co-created and staged an ambitious rock ballet, Dracula in 2013, releasing the music in album form.
His 2006 album, Attack of the Delicious (read the review here), was a triumphant album of instantly classic pop songs. A few of these were older songs from the ‘80s that he reworked. He’s done several projects since then but as it turns out, there is a missing period that Massey recently returned to and this is the story – or one of the stories – behind this new album, the Green Sessions.
Story #1 is that while Massey has undoubtedly performed some of these songs, why this album was never properly released until now is a complete mystery because, like Attack of the Delicious, it’s an outstanding collection of pop songs. And while they may be considered working versions, these are no sonic slouches.
Massey’s voice is powerful throughout, brimming with the confidence of a survivor, having achieved sobriety over an alcoholic demon of immense proportions just prior to the sessions. That is story #2. His book More goes into uncompromising detail of his brush with stardom with Chaser and the resulting trauma, fallout and redemption.
The title, and story #3, is a reference to the late Randy Green. There is little doubt that Green had an enormous, restorative effect on Massey as he found his way back to life. Massey tells of spending countless hours working on the material as well as philosophizing at Randy’s Recording Studio. Massey was a new father during this period and Emily – now the vocalist, guitarist and focal point of the highly successful Slow Pulp, spent time playing in the vocal booth while the pair worked.
The Green Sessions was brought to life at Paradyme Productions under the supervision of the maestro Jake Johnson. The sound is sensational given nearly 30 years has passed and it is unlikely that any modifications or fixes were made beyond the remastering. And really, who cares? This is great songwriting, warts and all.
Other musicians include the Ripp brothers, Mike and Jim, guitarist Tom Heaney, drummer Billy Erickson, Michelle Komar, Kimmie Vernon and Michael’s wife Robin and daughter Emily.
Massey’s piano is front-and-center on all the material here, a generous 50 minutes worth. “Friend’s Forever” kicks it off in spectacular fashion. A killer chorus and full band backing. The multiple vocal parts give it a rousing, almost gospel-like finish. Another version appeared on Massey’s 2017 album Naked. “Dancin’ by the Light of the Moon” is a dead ringer for an Elton John outtake complete with barrelhouse piano. “Long Way Down” is another killer melody and chorus with poignant lyrics: “It’s a long way down, it’s a long way down / From a blue suede sky to the boulevard… / From dreams of you to an empty heart… / From the avenue to the lost and found… / When an angel falls and it hits the ground.” An absolute gem. “If You See My Life” addresses the struggle with addiction while “Shadow in the Window,” which appeared in different form on Attack of the Delicious, delivers a powerful lyrical message of destiny with an equally weighty synth string arrangement. There is plenty of balladry but also lighter moments as in “Dance Away” “You’re the One” and “Heavy.” “Julia’s Escape” is one of the ballads and showcase’s Massey’s ability to convey sentiment as well as his exceptional range in one of his finest vocal performances. “April in Texas” is a love letter and includes a snippet of Emily’s tiny voice.
Massey’s fans, friends and family will especially cherish this glimpse into an important period in his life, regaining the strength and self-assurance that is seen and appreciated in him today. It fills in a slot in what has been an exceptional life of music and is yet another gift from a man who continues to pay his life lessons forward.
