Artist Information
Biography
"Of Things Afflicted and Beautiful"
With the perspective of a mystic and the testosterone of a teenaged boy, Al Polito reconciles the opposites: the sacred with the profane, the spiritual with the sensual, the mysterious with the familiar. In the same song he may combine both poetic imagery and brutal honesty to make his point. His high-flying vocals carry both power and vulnerability, and his deft guitar work is both sweet and edgy.
“Keep your heart in heaven and your feet in the gutter,” is Al’s advice to anyone seeking life’s great truths. Finding inspiration in Taoist masters, exotic dancers and even his own traditional Catholic upbringing, Al explores these truths in his upcoming CD, “The Fall of Man.” (Available on iTunes now, CD available Aug. 07)
"The Fall of Man," even though it covers a wide range of musical styles in its 10 songs, has a thematic consistency of personal reckoning with reality, and redemptive transformation that comes with acceptance of self.
In "Temple Door," the singer describes a healing experience of sexual intimacy against a backdrop of droning rock guitars, sitar and tablas.
Instantly and consistently memorable, Al’s songs comfort the afflicted. But infusing his songs with irony and distorted guitars, Al is anything but a soft-spoken balladeer or tortured poet. “We’re all afflicted in one way or another,” says Polito. “Despite or because of our afflicted nature we manage to be brilliant, and beautiful. I want to celebrate that in my music.”
Al celebrates it in "That's Why I Love God," a twangy stylistic nod to Willie Nelson:
"If God were an artist there would be nothing that he could not create
Every school and style born of earth and metal, wood and pen and paint
Art to make me feel and think and dream of other lands
Some of his most brilliant work I'll never understand
That's why I love God"
Al’s guitar work earned him the honor of playing electric and acoustic tracks alongside Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher of Elvis Costello’s band for the debut CD effort of Emily Tessmer. On his own recordings he has attracted the participation of musicians who have played with Sheryl Crow, Michael Penn, Van Morrison, Doobie Bros., Three Dog Night, and Alanis Morrissette.
Al has toured in California, Australia and New Zealand, performing at festivals, clubs, songwriter venues, even fronting a gospel choir once. Songs from his debut CD, “Gift,” were named to Broadjam.com’s Top Ten a total of 8 times, and he has been added to FM and Internet radio stations across America.
Al is currently preparing for the release of "The Fall of Man" (on Polito’s own Medicine Stone Records), while establishing himself around the music scene of Portland, OR, his new home. "The Fall of Man" can be downloaded right now in its entirety on iTunes.
Instrumentation
The Fall Of Man & Jackass CD lineup
Al Polito: all vocals; standard, 12-string, baritone guitars, acoustic and electric, and electric sitar
Chet McCracken (Doobie Bros.): Drums
John "JT" Thomas (Hornsby, Sheryl Crow) Keyboards
Scotty Manzo (Three Dog Night) Bass Guitar. Chi Saito and Brenda K (Bass, Drums, and Violin), and Paul Livingstone (Sitar) on "Temple Door" (The Fall of Man)
LIVE SHOWS: Solo Acoustic; Band assembled as needed
Discography
- "The Fall of Man (2007) To be released Aug. 07, available now on iTunes
- "Jasckass" (EP), released March 06
- "Gift," released in Fall '03
- "Reach Toward the Sky" CD by Emily Margaret Tessmer: Al played all the guitars alongside drummer Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello, Suzanne Vega) and bassist Davey Faragher (Cracker, Costello, Vega).
Airplay: Born To Be Your Man (Gift), John Wayne (Gift)
Video
Press
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Named to Broadjam's Top Ten
[+ Show ]
"Love's Face" has been voted to Broadjam's Alternative Rock Top Ten -- FIVE TIMES! "The Pure Thin...
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Al Polito at Universal Bar & Grill
[+ Show ]
"Al played solo accoustic versions of a selection of tunes from his latest CD "Gift", a collection o...
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Acoustic Renaissance Musicians
[+ Show ]
"Some folk fans seek solace in traditional music, not unlike classical fans who revere only dead com...
Setlist
Typical Set Length: 45 min. Can extend or shorten.
Raise My Sail
Follow Your Bliss
When the Lights Go Out
I Need You Now
Farther I Go
Such Is My Love
Something New
That's Why I Love God
Temple Door
Tattoo
Beautiful
Jackass
Left-hand Ring Finger
Love's Face
John Wayne
Born To Be Your Man
No Roses
The Pure Thing
You Know What I'm Talking About
It's All Right
Howling Tomcats
Life of High Drama
Have a Little Faith In Me (John Hiatt cover)
Very Good Year (Frank Sinatra cover)
Beautiful
Thank You
(Various cover songs can be requested and added to the set by client)
