Dave Tate: Press & News

It's both curious and mind-boggling. After he released the stunning album The Solitude of Here it was expected that record companies would wear out Dave Tate's doorstep. Why this didn't happen is anybody's guess. It may be because Dave Tate cherishes his independence, but he did hint more than once at the fact that his life would be a fair deal easier with a record deal. So the most recent album, The Final Hour, was again released independently.

The Final Hour once again establishes Dave Tate formidable qualities as a singer/ songwriter so enthusiasts of The Solitude of Here can buy this CD blindly. It calls to mind the same salutary atmosphere that The Solitude of Here had. All words of praise I had for The Solitude can be applied to this CD as well: it has as much character as a Nick Drake album; Tate has a voice which can closely resemble the young Paul Simon (Fall to You, Beyond the Veil) and which is very much like that of David Gates in the higher registers. Still, he retains his individual and entirely unique style and so avoids becoming an epigone of the abovementioned singers. Tate's classically trained voice effortlessly sings the higher notes, which have an actual function in the songs and aren't meant to show off. These notes give the tracks an additional suspense and overtones. Apart from this, Tate's diction is perfect so one can clearly hear the separate words in the lyrics. Furthermore, Tate has a certain, clearly recognisable, way of playing the guitar in which he alternates between flowing and staccato melodies and rhythms (Fourth of July,Rainy Days).

The entire album exudes a comfortable sense of peace and serenity. The poetic lyrics shouldn't be subjected to interpretation, which would be no easy task anyway because they're rather mysterious at times. They have to be felt instead. Dave Tate gives his listener room to do this. He weaves pauses into his compositions by using short breaks or guitar riffs so the listener has time to let everything sink in. I really like this style in which mindfulness and intensity go hand in hand. In some tracks I miss Ann Marshall and Joe Jones who respectively played the violin and the bassoon on The Solitude. Cellist Ryan Kratsch does feature on this CD again and the way in which the cello harmonises with Tate's vocals and guitar is a true treat for the ears. The devotee will have to go to Cdbaby or Tate's website in order to get their own copy. As far as I'm concerned Tate is the best singer/songwriter around at the moment.

Grade: 9 out of 10

 

Brilliant Dave Tate and Victoria Lagerstrom.

I still find it totally inexplicable that two years ago someone like Dave Tate could make such amazing albums as The Solitude of Here, In The Rhythm and Home Is In The Stars, from which such an exceptional talent spoke as a singer, as a guitar player, as a songwriter, as a producer, as an arranger and he still couldn't find a record company interested in releasing any of them. How mistaken all these people were, is evident when we played Dave Tate's latest CD The Final Hour, as this album is even more heart stoppingly beautiful than his previous records, a feat we didn't think possible.

There didn't seem to be any way his singing or guitar playing could be improved, and although we thought the same of his songwriting, he succeeds in lifting the basic level another notch, so that his own unique style (think of a cross between Paul Simon and Jeff Buckley, not just in style but also in quality) hits such a level of perfection that it's hard to comprehend anything more beautiful.

It's a quality that made the gorgeous Swedish singer-songwriter Victoria Lagerstrom contact him via e-mail, fall in love with him and resulted in a marriage in the spring of 2007. Lagerstrom had already recorded the CD Heaven Sent in Sweden, more richly produced, although slightly less unique than her new husband's albums, but still with a quite striking style all of her own, in which elements seem to come together of Beth Gibbons (Portishead), Gladys Knight and Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies). At once soulful and folky, Lagerstrom manages to sound angel like and down to earth at the same time, making the timeless Heaven Sent a more than enjoyable record on its own merits.

The Final Hour

Although the instrumentation on Dave Tate’s “The Final Hour” is fairly sparse – Tate’s acoustic guitar along with occasional cello and light percussion – he still manages to find that lush sound that gives his music more tonal depth than traditional folk music. Tat’s brand of contemporary folk is more about the melody than the words, but he’s also a skilled songwriter who doesn’t give into clichés. His clear vocals stand out on “Fall to You,” which could serve as a blueprint of how love songs should sound. It sounds strange to say a guy has a beautiful voice, but Tate does, and his operatic training is apparent on tracks like the majestic “Music” as he perfectly describes his own sound: “Music to soothe the soul.” He’s no slouch when it comes to the guitar either. His finger-work rings out on “Music” and “Now I’m Off” and chimes on “Not Alone” and “Rainy Days.” “Beyond the Veil” sports an addictive riff and “Service of the Song” practically explodes with sound.

This is by far the most grabbing male folk album to come through our doors in months. It's hard not to make comparisons to Paul Simon's more sensitive folk writing with a similar mix of warmth, open space, breathy vocals, innocence and a dewy, green clarity of intention. His songs have a way of stealing your breath away and removing you momentarily from the passing of time, suspending you in full-body harmonies. While he has a knack for open-hearted, reflective songs, there is the slightest echo of acoustic jam band writing, giving this album a well-balanced emotional scope from track one to eleven. Bravo.

 

Supertalent

Once in a blue moon you discover an artist who is so incredibly good that you can't really believe not all music magazines are writing about him already. To me Dave Tate is such a person. I read a review of The Solitude of Here on the CDBaby website, listened to a few tracks and was immediately sold. What a marvellous voice! At once versatile, dynamic and angel-like. What a songs! Like Paul Simon at his best or Don McLean at his most spiritual (The Grave). What a wonderful melodies! What great guitar playing! And what a beautiful sound! Warm, clear, and also quite special through the accompaniment of violin, cello and bassoon.

At the same time as The Solitude of Here Dave Tate also sent another album he had just finished, now with a full band, going under the name Dave Tate Music. Where The Solitude of Here is quiet and spiritual, In the Rhythm is jazzy and rocking, in a way that reminds one of Jeff Buckley's Grace, with the same kind of evasive, gripping melodies and sung by an equally beautiful voice. The great thing about Dave Tate is that he reminds you of all these greats, but at the same time has a unique style that's all his own.

Whether you hear his quieter side or his jazzier, more rocking stuff, it's all quite distinct, without becoming, even for the slightest moment, impenetrable or slick. I'm baffled that he shouldn't be able to find a regular record company, as he possesses the special kind of talent you only see come alone once a decennium. If you're lucky. 

 

Dave Tate: an Exceptionally Talented First-Rate Singer/Songwriter

Every now and again you may find that words are inadequate to describe the beauty of a CD, which makes, to use a paraphrase of one of Frank Zappas quotations, writing about music as awkward as dancing about architecture. Nevertheless Ill make an attempt to do so.

 You rarely come across a CD of such exquisite quality that you are entirely enthralled by it. A CD which is always close to your sound system so you can play it daily. A CD which keeps you awake because you cant seem to get some of its passages out of your head and which, when played in company, will immediately stop all conversation and make people ask you about its artist and title. In short, a CD which will make your heart beat faster and which will dominate your musical life for a longer period of time.

 The brilliant singer/songwriter who made such a CD is Dave Tate. My attention was drawn to his CD, The Solitude of Here, by a review in Heaven magazine, in which he was given high praise, which still seems like an understatement after youve heard the album. The Solitude of Here makes you feel nostalgic because it takes you back to the time of the great singer/songwriters. In some songs, such as Into Mercy or Rose, Tate sounds somewhat like a young Paul Simon, while comparisons of his voice to those of David Gates and Don McLean are obvious when he sings in a high pitched voice. In addition to that, The Solitude of Here, has the introspective, intimate quality of a Nick Drake CD.

 

All of these musicians have made important contributions to music in the past and I am much mistaken if Dave Tates name wont be added to this list, in time. Still he is not an epigone of the examples I mentioned above. This is due to Dave Tates talent to revive old times without wanting to sound or sounding old fashioned. Dave Tate's themes are universal but his approach is anything but that. This can already be heard in the opening track, Evensong. After you've just recovered from hearing Tates marvellous voice and virtuoso guitar-playing, a bassoon joins in to give the track an additional emotional overtone. You know youve come across something special from that moment on. The next track, Left a Mark, is a breathtakingly beautiful composition which is a perfect synthesis between vocals/guitar music and chamber music. The trio of classically trained musicians, consisting of Anne Marshall (violin), Ryan Kratsch (cello) and Joe Jones (bassoon),adds depth and dynamics to several tracks through subtle contributions. The vocal climax in Harmony, which in itself is no small feat, is intensified by superb string music by Marshall and Kratsch and in Light was Low the polyphonic cello and violin music pull right at your heartstrings.

 But the elements which make this album into a true listening experience are Dave Tate’s voice and guitar playing. This can be heard in songs such as Light was Low, The Faucon or Rose. All songs are sung, or to put it more aptly, experienced by Tate with great intensity, which makes them get under my skin permanently. The tracks on this CD are characterized by vulnerable poignancy instead of cheap sentiment or melodrama.

 Dave Tate has released this album on his own, dubbing and mastering it himself. The recordings are either unbelievably clear, or they've been made in an exceptionally good recording studio. Its hard to believe but this CD isn't distributed and can only be bought on the Internet at www.cdbaby.com/artist/davetate, where you can also listen to fragments of the album. This CD deserves to be better distributed; it should be available at every record shop. This masterpiece is worthy of a place in the singer/ songwriter Hall of Fame. I discovered that The Solitude of Here is not a nine days wonder when I got hold of Tates second album Home is in the Stars, on which he validates his exceptional talent.

Rating: 9,5 (out of 10)

Original review at www.folkforum.nl in Dutch (translation: Mijke van de Wiel) 

 

What to do

1. To write a review on Dave’s CD click the link below:

http://cdbaby.com/all/davetatemusic

To write a review on Victoria’s CD click the link below:

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/VictoriaLagerstrom

2. Choose which album you want to write a review on and click it

3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Log in to write a review”

4. Give CDBaby your info so you can write a review. No credit card info is needed. It's 100% safe I promise. They ask for your info so they will know where to ship your CD if you decide to buy one. 

5. Write away! Your kind words are appreciated. If you have enjoyed my CDs or the Free Downloads, this is a way to help other people enjoy it as well. To those of you who are saying, “ I want to do more than just write a review, how else can I help Dave Tate put out his next CD? I want to be a musical benefactor.” here are a couple options.

Musical Benefactor Options

1. After you’ve written your review just click on the “Buy Now” Button on that same page to purchase one or more copies of the CD ( they make excellent birthday or Christmas presents)

2. Click the "Donate" Button below to donate securely online.

3. Send a donation to Dave Tate P.O. Box 914 Springdale, UT. 84767 

<< Back to Previous Page

 

I've been playing Dave's music in my yoga classes and at home for several years. Astonishingly exquisite, his voice seems as if it is continually tuned by the endlessness of eons. His musicality too, seems as sharply soothing and soaring as the patina plated sandstone spires of his southern Utah homeland. A 'Tate' album is is a precious gem in a jewel case. i bow to the beauty and poetic verve of Dave Tate.

 

Memorable and Powerful

This CD truly showcases the maturity Dave has reached as a songwriter. Uncertainty and Grace is powerful and sing along ready. Alchemy shows that you don't have to do a lot to convey a powerful message. He eases through it's inviting rhythm and has you reaching for the repeat to relive the experience. The saxophone and rhythm section portrayed on the epic Serendipity and Don't Worry scream for a live audience to truly appreciate the opportunity for improvisation. Put as a companion with the more folky Solitude of Here, Dave Tate shows he is for real and is going to be a powerful voice on the scene very soon. 

Coming from the band Jimmys First Kiss, Springdale singer/songwriter Dave Tate shows he has true talent on this eight song wonderfully written piece of work. Alongside drummer Chris Flaig, Tate shows he has the ability to explore different indie rock styles, patterns and dynamics (which is especially shown in the speed - up - slow - down song tactics ) and not just stick to a verse - chorus formula. Ther first song "Waging War" shows off just what Tate and his band is capable of with its quick drums and James Taylor like vocals, while "Whisper in the Clouds" gives off a country - rock vibe, which than turns into a Dave Matthews - like slow groove complete with similar sounding vocals.

The well-crafted songsinclude the funky-turned-dreamy "Waking Eyes" and the groovy "I had Only Dreamed" while the softer songs include the quiet and peaceful "Luna" and the cool mellow jam "The Way." Perhaps the best song on the album is the John Mayer-like "Everone" which has melody and vocals that flow togeather perfectly complete with lyrics like "We all are Ever One, Insight is who you are" The album closes with the soothing "Two," which makes for a great love song with it's soft guitar and whispering gentle vocals calling "Am I to love you the way I do" With all of the different song structures shown here, Waking Eyes proves there is definitely something for everybody's listening tastes here. 

The Same Heart

As good as Dave Tate’s and Victoria Lagerström’s solo work sounds, they are at their vest when they combine forces for “The Same Heart.” Here we find their passion for each other expressed in musical form, their smooth voices perfectly compatible as they harmonize over luxuriant textures of saxophone, strings and Tate’s acoustic guitar. At times Tate’s voice is softer, adding harmonies to Lagerström’s powerful vocals. But at in some tracks, like “Life Through Death,” his voice rises to meet hers. Then on songs like “Play” it’s the opposite, with Tate dominating the vocal playground and Lagerström filling in the harmonies. We hear Tat’s range, from a deep tenor to high falsetto, on “Break Away” and Lagerström’s voice soars on cuts like “Children of Zion,” an album standout. As in their solo music, Dave and Victoria usually rise above the clichés in their songwriting, even in love songs, which are often rife with clichés. The album’s title track tells the story of their romance as Tat sings of love coming from across the ocean. They also bring stylistic elements from their solo music with Lagerström adding elements of jazz and soul to Tate’s contemporary folk pop sound.