Raves for What Living’s All About

Alicia,
I love you !!!!!!!
You are a wonderful ray of light in my life.
Your music, messages, visuals & CD are extraordinary.
Bravo – really a fabulous job on the disc.
I had something like a religious experience upon hearing it for the first time.
A most expertly guided journey.
I later played America The Blues on my program,
on a show w/ ‘The Dark Blues’ as the theme …I think it is on its way to being a timeless classic…. (unfortunately ?!!)… killer though — love so many things about it… fave maybe the background vocals.

Yours on all planets,

Charles Blass
Audio Gumbo
89.9 FM WKCR
New York City

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Alicia,

I’m a blues/roots programmer and dj for WPFW, 89.3 FM, a 50,000-watt
non-commercial station in Washington, D.C. and I report to the Living
Blues Radio Chart.

I read a good review of What’s Living All About in Blues Revue magazine
a while back; can you send a promo copy for possible airplay?

Thanks and let me know if you need anything else,

Elliott Gross
Programmer/DJ
The Don’t Forget the Blues Hour
www.wpfw.org

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I think this is a very creative record with a lot of wonderful ideas and performances and some pretty extraordinary playing, and endearing vocals all over the place. I like it a lot!! I liked all the songs much better on the second listen. A keeper. Good work.

The album is eclectic, diverse musical styles. Therefore, I can relate to it! What holds it altogether is Alicia’s musical ‘personae’ – the complex character she is creating, through her voice and ideas. As you get to know this character more and more, as the songs and ideas progress, you trust her more and it allows you to enter more easily into whatever type of musical style is coming next. (Also this trust is a reason to want to go back and listen again.) Also the IDEAS are clear. The lead vocals are strong with a lot of presence. The musicians are all brilliant and the soloing is tasteful and creative – no cliches or stumbling around musically anywhere to be found.

Re: “Nature Boy.” I believe that if you can take the listener to a unique Hilltop, and give them a view that they will never forget, even ONCE in a recording or performance, that is enough. One brilliant moment builds a bridge of trust between you and them that will allow them to be more open to whatever you do from then on, even if they don’t relate or understand it. (You may never be able to take them to that High Point again but it doesn’t matter – it’s like great sex or great playing- you may not be able to LIVE with that person, but you will NEVER forget that encounter.) This track took me to that Hill. I feel different now about the whole recording.

Re: “I Could Write a Book.” This track is the track where I first gasped: genius! What an amazing idea. A track like this makes me have to listen to the whole CD over again to see if I missed anything the first time around on those opening tracks. A totally inspired idea that works. No one else has ever done something like this with a standard. Perfect. I played this one for Lin. She liked it a lot, too. (She didn’t think her publisher would like it though! ha ha!)
Joe Dolce
Platinum-selling Singer-Songwriter
Melbourne, Australia

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Howard Zinn
Historian, activist, social critic
Newton, Massachusetts

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It’s a charming CD.  It doesn’t sound like anything else that’s out there.  It says important things in an unassuming way.  It’s also very personal.  I really like it.
Nels Cline
Avant Garde/Jazz/Rock Guitarist of reknown
Los Angeles, California

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Andy Olson
Radio Host
Radio Free Phoenix

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I love your CD.  There are several songs we will soon add to the rotation.  But I had to start playing Floozy Tune right way.  It is SO funny!

Brad Freeman
Radio Host
KHBC Radio
Hilo, Hawaii

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I wanted to drop you a line to say I loved  “What Living’s All About.” My favorite tunes: “Aquarian Age Liberated Woman Blues,” “Doctor Sun & Nurse Water,” and I really resonated with “Sometimes it Takes a Long Time.”

Shana Ting Lipton
Travel and Culture Writer
Los Angeles, California

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Hi Alicia,

I don’t listen to KBHC that much, so I was tickled when heard
something from your CD on KBHC:  Floozy Tune.  This was last Saturday,
10:30 a.m.  Brad was substituting for Mynah Bird, the regular morning
DJ.  It was a trip and a treat!

Linda Kane
Honomu, Hawaii

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I found it last night, Alicia! And was able to listen to several cuts. Really enjoyed it! And so thank you for sending that!

Listened to (and read the lyrics of) America the Blues and really
liked that one as well. I love the song and, of course, everything about it is dead on; obviously it has a *very* strong political statement.

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Feedback from Jackie Ryan, one of the greatest living jazz vocalists, IMHO:

I heard your CD!! WOW!!! FANTASTIC JOB, ALICIA!! GREAT TUNES!! WOWOWOWOWOW!!!  I can tell you put a lot into it. You did an EXCELLENT and very professional job. You should try selling some tunes to some big names!!!

Jackie recently sang in New York City:

Monday, August 28, 2006, 2 Sets: 7:30 & 9:30pm
Jazz At Lincoln Center: Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola
With Cyrus Chestnut: piano, Ray Drummond: bass, Carl Allen: drums, Eric Alexander: Sax, Jeremy Pelt: Trumpet, Romero Lubambo: guitar
Doors open at 6pm for the 7:30pm set

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I’ve been enjoying it and am always amazed when listening to it at how well done the whole CD is! Felicitations! The musical journey goes through some solid jazz (some fabulous players!), blues, swing, gospel, and folk – that’s a lot to cover in one CD! How on earth (or otherwise) did you categorize the album for online sales? Your voice sounds great – sultry at times, silky at times, and gutsy at times! The lyrics are very creative, inventive and out-of-the-box – a far cry from the usual bill of fare for songs you hear these days. It’s an art to make thoughtful, intelligent, clever and funny songs, and I would say all of these tunes are just that type of art. I hope you’re continuing to write songs like these!

Steve Grimes
Grimes Guitars
Maui, Hawaii

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Love your CD!  Thank you for being you!

Ruthie Ristich
Jazz Vocalist and Professor at Berklee School of Music
Boston, Massachusetts

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Sassy, sexy, sophisticated and smart!

Sophia Songhealer
New Age Singing Goddess
Carmel Valley, California

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Howdy Alicia!  I hope this finds you happy, healthy and happy!
-L-O-V-E your NEW CD, “What Living’s All About”!!!
“Floozy Tune” is one of my favorites!  I can’t wait to share your tunes on the air.

Take Care- – – Miss Holley King
Radio Host
KBSZ-AM Saturdays 8 AM to 12 Noon
Radio Free Phoenix Sundays at 2 PM

MY PLAY LIST FOR TODAYS’ SHOW
Show No.21 – Sunday, June 25th, 2006 – “Bad To The Bone” – includes:
(the funny) – Alicia Bay Laurel – Floozy Tune

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Radioshow Psyche Van Het Folk
1st week of August : 2006-8-05  (8PM-10 PM),
on Radio Centraal, Antwerp Belgium 106,7 FM :

New acoustic releases, often with serious minimalist ideas..

Alicia Bay Laurel : What’s Living’s All About  Track 8, “Nature Boy”

My favourite track of this new album of former hippie living in Hawaii. Jazz is a new inspiration. This interpretation is really well done.

from Gerald Van Waes, Radio Host

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They are playing Dr. Sun and Nurse Water right NOW!
on Radio Free Phoenix.
I think it is Liz Boyle DJ-ing right now…
Cool huh!
Hope you are having a good day!

Miss Holley King
DJ Radio Free Phoenix

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It’s a terrific piece of artistry, and deserves to shine at its brightest! We’ve been enjoying Alicia’s new CD a whole lot. [re: Nels Cline] Wotta guitarist! Whoo-ee!

Ramon Sender Barayon
Electronic Music Pioneer and Author
San Francisco, California

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Soul sister beautiful Alicia

Congratulations!

I got your wonderful new CD. Also CD cover art.

It is so great!! You reach higher place in mountain of music!

The message is so straight.  It came into my heart.

Music are so sophisticated. Your vocal is growing up.

So wonderful!!

We are enjoy it.

Always I can feel connected your spirit.

Goddess blessing you!

Sachiho Kojima
Vocalist/Songwriter/Bassist
Naha City
Okinawa

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Got Alicia’s new CD & really do think it’s the best ever. I dearly love jazz & blues anyway & Alicia’s voice is perfect for “Floozy Tune” – the first old timey song. Another of my favorites is “Best of the Rest of You”. I’m tempted to quote lyrics, which are all excellent. Anyway, far as I know, Alicia wrote all the songs except the classic “I Could Write a Book” in which she gives a little talk about the vicissitudes of the publishing business – a subject wherein she knows whereof she speaks. Youse guys are missing out if you don’t check this out. Alicia’s one of our own & she’s done us proud IMO.
Pam Hanna
Freelance writer, editor and critic
(writing on to our commune alumni Yahoo group Mostpost)
Thoreau, New Mexico

[Alicia notes: there are TWO jazz standards on WLAA, “I Could Write a Book” and “Nature Boy.”  The spoken words on “I Could Write a Book” are from literary agent Michael Larsen’s book How To Write a Book Proposal, Third Edition (Writers Digest Books, 2003) and used with permission.] 

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i just got my sample of your disc….i must say, it looks AND sounds
very good! congrats on an excellent release! we do so many titles,
that it’s rare that i actually LIKE one. but, yours is certainly an
exception….totally going to get it on my iPod.

please don’t hesitate to contact me, if/when you have another need for CD or DVD manufacturing. same with your friends: send them directly to me and have them drop your name. i’ll certainly take care of them!
cheers,
Joe Vent
Sales
AtoZ Media-Midwest
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

[Alicia notes: A to Z Media did a wonderful job manufacturing my CD and both Joe Vent (sales) and Sandra Gray (production) were a pleasure to do business with.  Very reasonable prices, too.]

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Dear Alicia:

The CD certainly arrived.  I waited until family left, as I like to listen to a new album with undivided attention (NOT as background music!).  I sat with the liner notes, read your commentaries and the lyrics.  I LOVE the album.  You are the most incredibly creative woman!

Dear Alicia:

It seems new CD is different arrange from ever work.
I enjoy many sound, may be your friends.
I love illustration of jacket too !

Koki Aso
Freelance Journalist
Kamakura, Japan

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The Hippie Museuem’s most cherished Fairy Godmother Alicia Bay Laurel, artist, musician, and author of “Living on the Earth”, the more-than-famous hippie “bible” of back-to-the-land living, has just released a new cd, “What Living’s All About”. The description on the cover reads “Jazz, blues and other moist situations”… Read what Alicia has to say about it, and follow links to purchase it on her site.

Sudeaux at http://www.brokenhallelujah.net

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I’m sorry to late to mail. I went to Tokyo and Kanazawa. The day I back from Kanazawa, your CD came to my home. Thank you!!

When I listen your CD, [my teenaged daughter] Seina came home and she said,
“It’s cool! I love this CD!”

We are surprised that this CD has very different world from your 1st and 2nd CD.

I’d like to sell this CD also. Please ask GATS production to inform me when he releases your CD in Japan.

Thank you!!

with love,
Yoko Nema
Musician
Owner, Tata Bazaar
Naha City
Okinawa

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You are so friggin’ talented it makes me weep…
Thanks so much for sending me your new CD. I am enjoying it thoroughly!
Aloha nui loa, Barb
Barbara J. Fahs, M.A.
Hi`iaka’s Healing Herb Garden, LLC
Author of Super Simple Guide for Creating Hawaiian Gardens
Kea’au, Hawaii

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I listened this morning to all of the tracks and it’s great music.  I enjoyed Alicia’s voice and the arrangements—it was well worth the listen!
Connie Higginson-Murry
Midnight Blues Radio Show

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I was struck by the uniqueness of the sound and some of the melodies and voiceplay grabbed my attention!
Don Strachan
Author, Watsu Therapist and Tantra Teacher
Middletown, California

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I have listened to you music and I am stunned and delighted!!! I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! YES!!!!!! Man….. the jazzy bo ho beat sultry powerful oh yes.
Thank you , Alicia, for Being You!

…….Love, Char ~*
Webmistress of Hippie Museum
Santa Cruz, California

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Kenichi Iyanaga
Saitama, Japan

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Alicia!
You did good, mama.
What a beautiful baby. I listened and bought it right away. Hilarious and absolutely GORGEOUS.
A Hearty Congratulations To You.
Thanks for sharing.
Emily Capehart
Permaculture Teacher
Pilot Point, Texas

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Vintage Alicia. Alicia at her best.
Milo Clark
Pahoa, Hawaii

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New Year card from Lily Bastug, of Santa Barbara, California

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The CD is eclectically superb! On to the 3rd listening…
Joel Goldfarb
Jazz Pianist
Makawao, Hawaii

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This is a fabulous album that has kept me company through hard times, entertained me and made me laugh. Alicia is a true artist. You can’t go wrong with any of her albums; they are all completely UNIQUE, impeccably produced, and she wrote the book on liner notes!

Karin Lease
Artist and Environmental activist
Sebastopol, California

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Your CD is a delight. I know good things will come of it.
Delia Moon
Santa Barbara, California

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I listened to all of the songs… GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!  You must be so proud because it really is awesome.

Thank you so much for bringing your spirit to the music world.  I will cherish this CD.

You never cease to amaze me. 🙂

Hope you have a beautiful day… you are a beautiful and blessed woman.

Peace, Love & Understanding 🙂

Hollywould 
Redneck Riviera, Florida

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Aloha fairy godmother. I heard your latest album the other day with my mom. High props to you for creating a jazzy piece with a political message. Keep rockin!

(((*leilea*)))

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I listened to all of the songs and really enjoyed them.  I’m going to continue listening to your CD many more times.  Your songs show sensitivity, depth, and breadth of life experience.
Jerome Franklin MD
Psychiatrist
Los Angeles, California

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We got the CD…

Its so cool…
i love the cover design…
it sounds great!
you sound great!
you must be so proud and happy…
what a great accomplishment…
a completion af a trilogy…
WOW!!!  You go girl!!!

Lihau Daly
Hollywood, California

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Hi Alicia

I received What Livings All About last week (what a fast delivery!).  I love it!  And you signed the cover – thank you.  Your voice is so expressive.  It sounds better than ever.  The other musicians are great too.  Alan and I are enjoying it.

Lani Harriman
Cupertino, California

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Dear Alicia,
Congratulations on your new CD! My favorites are Floozy Tune, The Best of the Rest of You, and Dr. Sun And Nurse Water. I play them over and over. Your songs are a great de-stresser for me and and I love having my lifelong friend singing to me. It doesn’t get any better! Congratulations on your musical legacy to the world. Your hard work, planning, and determination has come to fruition! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BIG LOVE AND HUGS TO MY LIFETIME FRIEND,
GERI WOOLLS
Huntington Beach, California

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Dearest Alicia,

Yes!  I got your wonderful CD.  It’s great to hear you with such an amazing back-up.  I especially loved the sax player.

Good luck with all your adventures.

Love,

Leslie Doolin
Topanga Art Tile

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I love your CD. You have such a pure voice and a great selection of tunes. Good for you.

Much love,
Stella Resnick, Ph.D
Psychotherapist
Los Angeles, California

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A few of the highlights that spoke to me were the fun, jazzy feel of What Livings All About. I love your voice, it’s so versatile and pleasing to listen to. Your creative arrangements were not lost on me, either. “Sometimes It Takes a Long Time” really spoke to me so much, and I have always loved Nat King Cole’s recording of “Nature Boy,” and you totally did it justice.

I really got all that you put into it, your creative heart and soul really shined through.

Joy Massey
Author and musician

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