Mike Freedman
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Mike Freedman

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Band Rock Acoustic

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This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Various Press Quotes"

"...well -crafted songs and a relaxing harmony, this album just begs to be discovered."
(Keith Pettipa, The Tribune - New Brunswick) * * * * Stars

"...a fresh, satisfying recording, a strong piece which works at every level."
(Brant Zwicker, The Kamloops This Week)

"...Freedman's voice is husky and full, yet he sings with a delicate sense of control. The material, by itself, deserves to find an audience."
(Gillian Mallet, The Silhouette) * * * 1/2 Stars

"...Freedman delivers a thoroughly engaging disc of acoustic-influenced tunes."
(Mark Vaughan-Jackson, The Telegram-Newfoundland)
- Various


"Rambles Press Review"

What is freedom? Is it what you have or what you lack, nothing left to lose or everything yet to gain? Is it the absence of struggle, or the strength to tackle the obvious trials ahead?

You may find yourself considering these questions while listening to Mike Freedman's 2001 release Postcards from the South, but not because his lyrics are the only grist for your musical mill. With a diverse collection of songs that are primarily folk-rock but also incorporate elements of jazz, blues, Indian guitar stylings and African tribal percussion, the Toronto-based Freedman makes a strong, coherent musical statement that's deep and multitextural without being overly pretentious.

The opening track, "Free", sets the tone. Freedman's effective singing and guitar-playing drive the supple song forward without overwhelming the other instruments and backing vocals, which are well executed and excellently integrated. The intriguing lyrics here, including "I have a conscience/and I am free," start an examination of boundaries and opportunities that continues throughout these songs.

Another highlight is "Open My Heart," which moves forward on the dual prongs of a delicate Indian-styled guitar riff and an electric guitar power chord. This combination of folk, rock and world styles includes both meditative pauses and outright bombast, makes fine use of Ali Lipson's vocals and manages to keep all of this integrated and appropriate to lyrics of release and acceptance.

In the first six songs, Freedman arranges an intriguing balance of musical styles to produce folk-rock that's emotionally compelling while still being powerful and interestingly arranged. Unfortunately, Postcards from the South doesn't manage to close with quite the same finesse. The final tracks seem to be side trips into further musical styles without the same unified experimentation, strong songwriting or depth of thought.

"This Drug" creates a woozy blues-rock mood, with appropriately off-center guitar accompaniment, but the anti-drug lyrics are slight and the vocal style doesn't suit Freedman. "Going Home With You" is even more insubstantial, providing only vague amusement with its tongue in cheek, one night stand seeking lyrics and its straightforward Cajun blues. The song does at least feature fine harmonica melodies by Ansgar Schroer. Finally, "When You Say You Love Me" is a mellow lounge jazz ballad, closer to the earlier tracks in tone with its meditation on relationships, but still flat in lyrical content and forced in vocal execution, more like an interesting attempt than a full success.

Despite this, Postcards from the South remains a solid work which displays Freedman's singing and songwriting talents and the wide and pronounced skills of his fellow musicians. If the final tracks aren't quite what they might be, perhaps that's just the price we pay for what came before, the limitation inherited from this brand of musical freedom-seeking. After all, freedom can also mean the ability to make mistakes, to take side trips that may terminate in dead ends.

If indeed that's the price to be paid here, then it's certainly worth it for overall results like these.

- Rambles
written by Ken Fasimpaur
published 8 February 2003


- Rambles-Cultural Arts Magazine


"Review: The Telegram"

"Freedman delivers a thoroughly engaging disc of acoustic-influenced tunes that combine intricate world beat-style percussion with that lovely crispness of fine acoustic guitar playing" - The Telegram: by Gillian Millett


"Musican's debut CD is surprisingly refreshing"

"Mother Earth is a surprisingly powerful debut. Refreshingly void of pop cliches and annoying dance rhythms, Mother Earth takes the listener on an uplifting journey through the trials of every day life." - Jewish News- by Joseph Serge


Discography

Mike has three albums to his credit, including:

Mike Freedman: Mother Earth
Mike Freedman: Postcards From The South
Mike Freedman: Guitar Textures (instrumental album)
Mike Freedman: Heart Of The Night

Photos

Bio

Mike Freedman's new instrumental CD, "Heart Of The Night", is a combination of jazz, latin, pop and other world flavours. With it's memorable melodies and flowing rhythms, Mike's music exudes depth and lyricism. While performing most of the instruments on these tracks, Mike new CD also hightlights the musical talents of other musician's including, Arnold Faber (vibes), Dave Patel (drums) Wendy Irvine (vocals) and Rakesh Tewari (percussion). There great performances enhance the tunes and help bring the music to life.
Having studied both classical guitar, jazz guitar and film scoring at the Berklee College of Music, Mike brings another wordly sense to his music. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and musical skill to these recordings, having released 3 other albums and having performed on and helped produce many other CD's. Mike has performed extensively on both nylon string guitar and electric guitar and here Mike has a chance to showcase his love for many styles of music, including jazz, latin, pop and world music.