[jon_010101]

Not sure how many have listened to this, but I must give it a recommendation.  I think he would qualify as a singer-songwriter of sorts.  Great catchy, laid-back songs.  Lots of layered guitars and vocals, with some vintage-sounding samples making the random appearance.  Some rockin' out here and there.  His recordings are very nice and warm/open in an old-timey super-huge sorta way.  Absolutely hi-fi, but not in a natural, realistic sense ... pre-packaged as audio Technicolor . 

His new album "Post War" is good, but I'd actually recommend "Transistor Radio" for a start.  The song "hi-fi" may be of some appeal, along with "Paul's song".  It's one of the few albums around that will show off your stereo while simultaneously appealing to the ladies.

Good stuff... and, by the "sound" of things, I'd wager this M. Ward fellow probably owns some tube gear himself .

[Hantra]

Check out Obrien's Nocturne also.  That's my favorite M. Ward track.  I still have yet to hear the new one though . . .

[jon_010101]

Check out Obrien's Nocturne also.  That's my favorite M. Ward track.  I still have yet to hear the new one though . . .

Very nice, I just bought End of Amnesia last tuesday.  Definitely some great tracks, including that one. 

The new album is very good, but a bit more "rock" than the others.  So, something a bit different, and worth checking out.

[gitarretyp]

Check out Obrien's Nocturne also.  That's my favorite M. Ward track.  I still have yet to hear the new one though . . .

Very nice, I just bought End of Amnesia last tuesday.  Definitely some great tracks, including that one. 

The new album is very good, but a bit more "rock" than the others.  So, something a bit different, and worth checking out.

I only have Transfiguration of Vincent, but i really like that album and will probably buy some more of his music in the future.

[fajimr]

can't wait to see him.... he's coming to montreal next week!!!

I have the "...vincent" album and need to pick up a more recent one to get ready. 

[jon_010101]

can't wait to see him.... he's coming to montreal next week!!!

I have the "...vincent" album and need to pick up a more recent one to get ready. 

Nice, and that reminds me -- I need to get tix for Philly (sept. 17th)! 

[robert1325]

I like his music occasionally ...

[fajimr]

It's one of the few albums around that will show off your stereo while simultaneously appealing to the ladies.

in preparation for the show tonight, I bought 'transistor radio' - a great album! and 'end of war' which is growing on me but isn't quite as cohesive to me  BUT... I've noticed that when playing the music on my system, the soundstage seems to move all over the place- on one song (can't remember which) it seems like everything is moved to the left- I actually got up to check to see that my attenuators were both on the same level 

anyone else out there with similar experiences or is my mind just playing tricks on me???  in any case, the music is great- if someone is looking for someone with their own unique style, M.Ward is the -so to speak- MAN!

I'll report back after the show tonight
jim

[jon_010101]

BUT... I've noticed that when playing the music on my system, the soundstage seems to move all over the place- on one song (can't remember which) it seems like everything is moved to the left- I actually got up to check to see that my attenuators were both on the same level 

anyone else out there with similar experiences or is my mind just playing tricks on me??? 

Ha, I've noticed this too.  Some songs it's just offset a bit to the left or the right, but then there are some songs where it gets really weird.  I'm pretty sure you are talking about the "it's one in the morning..." song, eh?  There are some weird delay/phase effects too, and sometimes I hear a ghost vocal sound appear over my shoulder.

Hope it's a good show!  I'm excited to go this Saturday.

[fajimr]

Ha, I've noticed this too.  Some songs it's just offset a bit to the left or the right, but then there are some songs where it gets really weird.  I'm pretty sure you are talking about the "it's one in the morning..." song, eh?  There are some weird delay/phase effects too, and sometimes I hear a ghost vocal sound appear over my shoulder.

actually it was the "roller coaster" song... everything was shifted to the right... but good to hear that it wasn't my ears or room playing tricks on me (i've just installed some bass traps and am playing around a bit with the speaker placement) 
=====

O.K.  I went to the show last night and all I have to say is: IF M.WARD IS COMING TO YOUR TOWN GO AND SEE HIM!!! 

It was really an excellent show- they played at a small venue (sign said capacity was 220 and I am sure we were at about 250!)...  a little too small for many of his more rocking songs as there was some distortion.  Most of the songs he played were from the recent album- "End of War" although I recognized others from Transistor radio and transfiguration of vincent.  He's an incredible guitar player and has a tight band (the bassist and rhythm guitar player were switching roles all night and the drummer (the only female in the group) was excellent- there were a few rocking songs where M.ward and her were totally jamming and didn't miss a beat .

For me the highlight of the evening was the encore performance when he came back out with his acoustic guitar and soloed some incredible riffs... I am no guitar player so I couldn't not even guess how he made such music come from his guitar but is was pretty phenomenal!!!  That alone was the price of admission (12.00 Canadian!!  with nice canadian beer for 4.00 a bottle... yes, a bottle!!! I got out of there for just over 20.00).  He did another duet with his rhythm guitarist and finished the night with a song with his entire band.

So go out and support a local musician/artist.... m.ward is a very unassuming guy- had a hat pulled down over his eyes most of the night and spoke indirectly to the crowd.  he got a great response from the montreal crowd- well deserved IMHO.

love to hear other reports from concerts.. check his website for a venue near you  http://www.mwardmusic.com/

[jon_010101]

For me the highlight of the evening was the encore performance when he came back out with his acoustic guitar and soloed some incredible riffs... I am no guitar player so I couldn't not even guess how he made such music come from his guitar but is was pretty phenomenal!!!  That alone was the price of admission (12.00 Canadian!!  with nice canadian beer for 4.00 a bottle... yes, a bottle!!! I got out of there for just over 20.00).  He did another duet with his rhythm guitarist and finished the night with a song with his entire band.

So go out and support a local musician/artist.... m.ward is a very unassuming guy- had a hat pulled down over his eyes most of the night and spoke indirectly to the crowd.  he got a great response from the montreal crowd- well deserved IMHO.

Hey, glad you enjoyed it... I had much the same impression.  Despite his talent, M. Ward does seem like a very unpretentious and modest fellow.  The encore was fantastic; I was thrilled to hear Paul's Song, and that acoustic guitar solo was incredible.  The venue (Theater of the Living Arts, Philadelphia) was possibly a bit larger than the one you described, and it was close to full.  Sound quality was stellar, but I had earplugs in except for the encore.  Sounded like the albums, but louder

Our beverage situation wasn't so good, however ... $6.75 USD for a Guinness 12 oz. (or $5.25 for Miller or equiv) which you were only allowed to drink in one of the bar areas.  I bought a soda .

[Frihed91]

I have been a fan since he recorded Duet for Guitars #2.  If he lives long enough, he will become one o the all time American greats.  I come to Portland where my daughter lives fairly often, but i have always missed him.  I would lve to hear him live. I am waiting to pick up Post War when I come to RMAF.  The Portland area music scene is really something.  I've heard every local band, but him.  DeLorean and Richmond Fonatine are also favourites of mine.  They both came to Denmark last year.

[jon_010101]

FYI: M. Ward's album Post War is Stereophile's recording of the month for Sept. 

http://www.stereophile.com/recordingofthemonth/906rotm/

[fajimr]

jon_

yeah.. that show was incredible, no matter what you were drinking 

for those of you who didn't get a chance to see the show, here is a clip from LateNight

http://mergerecords.com/news.php?news_id=209

John C... just ordered the Duet for Guitar from amazon... it's not easy to get (3 weeks!) and not cheap but I am sure it will be well worth it!

[gitarretyp]

I caught his show here in austin saturday night. It was a good show, and i'd recommend seeing him, if you have the chance. He did a pretty awesome cover of daniel johnston's worried shoes.

Another band on tour right now that usually puts on a good show is the decemberists (one of m. ward's current drummers was the decemberist's drummer).

[Frihed91]

Amazing.  Roughly $16 per ticket.  I broke down and bought Post War.  I really like it. 

In Duet for Guitar you will hear Ward at the start of his career, trying to find his voice, so to speak.  There are a lot of near misses and flashes of genius on this not so well-recorded album.  But if you are an M Ward fan of any merit, you will enjoy working your way through it and there are many parts that will knock your socks off. Listen for the early debt to John Fahey, which it looks like he was trying to hide a little (but not any more).

[Thump553]

For those interested in M. Ward, here is a link to a thread posting a bit torrent download of a radio concert he did today:

http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26928

Enjoy.

[Thump553]

For those interested in M. Ward, here is a link to a thread posting a bit torrent download of a radio concert he did today:

http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26928

Enjoy.

UPDATE:  there is a high pitched whine on this that makes it unlistenable to me (and probably my dog too).

[fajimr]

UPDATE:  there is a high pitched whine on this that makes it unlistenable to me (and probably my dog too).

go straight to the source:

http://www.kcrw.com/cgi-bin/db/kcrw.pl?show_code=mb&air_date=9/28/06&tmplt_type=show

another great KCRW show 

[jon_010101]

Going to another M. Ward show this weekend...  Messiah college $10  .