David Elias

Every “great” recording requires “great” music, and that’s what this disc is all about.

The result can truly be considered a work of greatness. From the moment the disc begins, one is instantly grabbed by the intimate soundstage; Elias sings the majority of lines no louder than a whisper, almost as if all the songs are lullabies, but it sounds as if he’s doing so while sitting on your lap, such is the feeling of a real, confined acoustic space and a close proximity to the performers. The experience is startling, even to a hardened listener such as myself.

So to summarise, while it is true that the recording is ‘pure’ DSD and a superb example of the art, that aspect alone is not what makes it great – arguably, and depending on your allegiance, 192kHz PCM or vinyl could’ve achieved an equal or higher level of fidelity – the real stars of this disc are, in no particular order, the wholly-realistic multi-channel presentation, the superb, intimate performance by David Elias and his band, the production and the music. To suggest that the magic of the disc stems predominantly from the DSD recording and delivery chain is both unfair and possibly misguided, it would’ve been an outstanding work and wholly recommended regardless of format. ‘The Window’ is definitely one for your collection, even if all you have is a humble old Compact Disc player, the fact that it is also available in high-resolution is just the icing on an already scrumptious cake.

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/reviews/review.asp?reviewnumber=17575041 - Stuart M. Robinson

"The Window's music and lyrics are just fantastic! And needless to say the recording is just extraordinary. Great stuff!" - Micah Solomon, CEO/President Oasis CD Manufacturing

("The Window" is the official Demo SACD from Oasis CD Mfg., selected for its musical and packaging quality.) - Micah Solomon

"A Reference Quality Recording Often owners of new SACD players and systems seek out reference quality SACD discs to really see what their system is capable of. After listening to The Window, I'd have to say that this SACD falls into that category.

The detail of the instruments and vocals on the album are outstanding and really show what a well made high resolution audio disc can sound like. This one is bound to be a favorite of folks music and bluegrass fans as well as SACD fans who want to listen to a well recorded album."

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=19392028 - Brian Moura

David Elias' is just really something! He is a true, classic American Singer/Songwriter. He should be on the cover of Sing-Out. Or has he already? I don't know but he should be, and on a bunch of others.

"Take Me Down The Road" is one more great song by an artist who seems to have an treasure trove a great songs in his catalog.


This was recorded live and if you listen to the sound of those wonderfully played guitars, you'd almost not believe what you here. What a perfect sound! Those two guitars and that bass playing create a sound that you will grow to love with each time you listen to this little gem of a song. How those two guitars play cannot be overemphasized. Fingerpickin and strumming that complement each other with the bass playing some very tasty lines throughout the song. A Holy Trinity of Folk players has just shown up on your speakers or headphones. They are the three men I admire most!

David's voice is so personable, warm, lyrical and friendly. You can't learn that. That is an inborn gift that David just has and that the rest of us wish we did. You will always have a smile on your face or a lump in your throat when you hear David sing his songs.

David and his music are so the real deal, in every way. This music is, and I hate labels but folk music in its truest sense. There is a pure feel to everything David does. And it constantly amazes me. Please David put up more music will ya?!!

Or you can just go to his website.

This is one artist that you really should just go out and buy his CD. I did and I think you should too!!
- Guy Michetti - Review Crew/Mixposure.com

David Elias and his CD 'The Window' is the most spectacular and superb piece of art I have ever heard. Like a fine painting, he has taken and put all the strokes of the brush to the canvas and the outcome of this is the production of 'The Window'.

An Art collecting friend once commented that every home should have at least one piece of art in it, that is when you come to appreciate the talents, love and energy that an artist puts into his work. Well Folks! This is that piece of art you need, and believe you will appreciate every second, every minute, every instrument, every verse, every lyric.

David has the most unusual voice I have ever come across, he has a softness yet almost angelic-like sound and at the same time he brings in a bit of raspy tones. You can not help but fall in love with his voice. David Elias totally grabbed my heart and soul with his vocals, instruments and lyrics. What a awesome experience.....

http://www.muzikreviewz.com/DavidElias_cdrev.html - Mary Rudy

Heartfelt. Heartland. Heartbreak. Honesty. Simplicity. True blue. Sure as an arrow. Right as rain. The real deal. These words and phrases rushed through my head as I listened to this disc.

David Elias sings in a voice somewhat reminiscent of Eric Andersen’s, and writes beautiful songs devoid of anything false -- his sincerity as writer and singer shines quietly through. He is backed by some wonderfully subtle virtuoso musicians on dobro, lap steel, mandolin, guitars, drums, double bass, harmonica, accordion, and keyboards. In this age of sound bites and political mudslinging, Elias’s music is refreshing. He doesn’t hit you over the head with it, but seems to say: "Come in, sit a while, and listen. Be at peace within yourself and with everyone else."

In tune with Elias’s musical approach is the honest recording. He recorded in live takes, without overdubs or splices. What you hear is what they got, and how wonderful it is. The sound is so natural, especially in the multichannel mixes, that I could swear the performers were right there in my listening room. The Window joins the exalted ranks of John McEuen’s Nitty Gritty Surround and Jorma Kaukonen’s Blue Country Heart as one of the best examples out there of acoustic high-resolution recording.
- Rad Bennett

"I love this disk. GREAT music and performances, very nice recording, both stereo AND surround!" - Micahel Bishop - Grammy Winning Recording Engineer, Telarc Records

The Window represents trips through Americana ala Guthrie and Lightfoot via loneliness and beauty. With an organic feel to the subtleties of the emotional strains of the instruments and providing the haunting ravages of time, David Elias becomes the voice of the soul in transit. Softly evaluating the feel of a summer wind and bemoaning the slides of seasons. With folk music as its braces, The Window becomes a bridge into the lore of life. - Matt Rowe

"I have played this album to a number of people, all of whom have different musical tastes and all of whom come from a wide variety of backgrounds..in Canda, in England and in Australia. Yep...I knew they'd be dumbfounded and as knocked out as I have been and it all goes back to what I said at the beginning of this review...this album's appeal goes far beyond the 'genres' it will be associated with..but that's quite alright!" - Colin Lynch, Scout's Digest Review - Colin Lynch

After taking in about 20 seconds of The Window I realized just how mainstream my tastes have become in the past few years. Like someone walking into a theater after the flick has already started, I allowed my ears time to adjust. Now that I’ve had all this time to get acquainted, there are tracks that speak to me more than others. The Window is difficult to categorize, slapping it in the folk category is easy only because that is the nearest description, but it isn’t always completely fitting.

It could be a little bit of both, but regardless, the result is one of the most musical, detailed, and spacious recordings I've ever come across. I'm sure David Elias had a personal reason for using The Window as a title. For me however, the title is very fitting when referring to square hole in a wall with a band jamming on the other side. It sounds that good, and if you're a SACD fanatic, The Window deserves a slot in your collection.

http://www.epinions.com/content_114246323844 - Tony Flores