John Nathaniel has got it all. What’s he got??? He’s got everything he needs to start the journey of making it big in the music world, i.e., massive talent, “the look”, personality plus, unbelievable musical style and then some, all wrapped up into a young, but mature (24 year old) package. John Nathaniel also knows who he is (no unformulated identity crises going on here!), what he isn’t and what he wants.
Like every true musician, John wants his music to be heard. He’d like to reach “stardom” and play big stages, and he’s also willing to work for it with his all of his might that consists of soulful songwriting, playing a variety of instruments, singing and recording. He’s not into it for the “rock star” attitude and drama, he’s into it for the long haul and staying power. It’s rare to find someone as young as he is that’s not afraid to expose his vulnerabilities. After listening to his tunes, my feeling is he just might pull it off given that he finds a little luck in his back pocket with being in the right place at the right time.
Hailing from Montreal, Quebec Canada, John found me on the internet as he was web surfing. In his laid back, gentlemanly style, he very nicely invited me to listen to his music. Thinking he was going to sound like every other young “wanna be” that I hear from, I was pleasantly surprised to hear deep, soulful lyrics and musical sounds much richer with an independent style and taste that makes him quite different than the rest. I was so impressed I decided I’d like to hear more, so ordered his latest electronic CD, “Crash And Burn” to do a review.
“Crash And Burn” is a short, four track recording that basically tells a soulful story of love lost and finding one’s self in the resulting agony of facing reality and moving on. Its heart-wrenching songs are so beautifully done, it’s obvious John Nathaniel has loved and lost and yearns for more. It’s what makes his music come to life and makes us, the listeners, relate and reawaken our own souls that may have been buried over much the same kind of emotional turmoil.
“Sleeping With The Enemy” is a fast rocking, semi-frantic track that faces the truth in the damage that can be done in a relationship of trust when one of the involved betrays the other in a moment of lust for another lover.
“Reason To Live” is another rock based, heartfelt soul search in which John describes being on a mission to find himself while he confronts where love really is.
“Stay” is a slower paced quest for love to stay and not leave him with beautiful piano and strings accomplishments.
Last, but not least, the title tune, “Crash And Burn” tells of saying goodbye, facing the grim reality of love being gone and the resulting crush of feelings. A gut twisting, emotion-filled ballad that is very tastefully done.
John Nathaniel is truly someone to look out for and I am looking very forward to one day photographing and reviewing a live performance. If his show bears even an inkling to the soul I found in his recording, it will be an excellent show to photograph. This CD is well worth the money!
www.johnnathaniel.com and www.myspace.com/johnnathanielmusic
Booking/Management Info: Mike B. at Insights Management LLC (mikeb@insightsmanagement.com) USA phone – 919-673-6550
