Jim Stanard – Magical
Jim Stanard has a new album, Magical, in which he’s gathered some serious musicians – folks like Steve Postel (Pure Prairie League, David Crosby), Wanda Vick, Bobby Terry (Kenny Chesney) and Shanna in a Dress – to craft music that’s magical to the ears as it’s founded on authentic arrangements. All the songs on the album were written by Jim Stanard; the record was produced by Kip Winger (Alice Cooper, Winger), mixed by Brandon Bell, and recorded in Nashville.
Setting the tone for the album, “Lookin’ Back” has midwestern rock features mingled with folk style as the instruments start out loose and then gather around Jim’s consideration of enjoying life when quite a lot of it is already in the rearview: “I’m enjoying being here / seems like new adventures are everywhere to find.”
“You Turned Red (and That Made Me Blue)” is a festive song with prominent lively fiddle by Wanda Vick and a tongue-in-cheek style that makes the solemnity of the disappointed lyrical message behind the music easier to digest. “Kansas” is a version of the archetype of the Wild West, when you have to go back and risk it all for a girl that you loved out there among the bandits: “going back’s a risky bet, but the girl I can’t forget / I wonder if I’ll die in Kansas, buried in a grave without a stone.” This song is set up gently and never overdrives.
The title track considers the way we sabotage things that have the potential to be great, for fear it’ll hurt worse if we open up to them and then lose them – a common fear: “Magic has a darker side that makes me run every time, I feel it get too near, I conjure up some hurtful words that make love disappear.” And then of course there’s the regret when the opportunity leaves for good as Jim reminds us as well. This song shows a sincere grasp of songwriting and what moves people.
Later on, closing the album is “When the West Was Won,” a choice cut of observation about the historic cruelty involved and the pain of the frightened refugees of the the Trail of Tears. Jim take direct aim at the facts, describing the folks who were displaced as “they had nowhere to run when the west was won.” Guitars and strings play gentle melodies following each other up and down as the sorrow flows.
Jim is very effective at crafting quality Americana folk songs – with an eye to the tales and an ear for what makes authentic music sound true. Find more details and information here: http://www.jimstanardmusic.com
Magical was produced and engineered by Kip Winger; mixed by Brandon Bell at Studio B with mix assistance by Annie Petrik; and mastered by Pete Lyman at Infrasonic with artwork by Jeremy Fetzer at Fetzer Design and photography by Chris Carroll.
Musicians on the album are Jim Stanard on lead vocals; Jon Skibic on electric guitars; Aaron Sterling on drums; Kip Winger on bass, acoustic guitars, and vocals; Steve Postel on acoustic guitars; Bobby Terry on acoustic guitars; Mike Rojas on keyboards; Wanda Vick (Little Big Town) on fiddle, dobro, banjo, and mandolin; Shanna in a Dress on vocals; and Brandon Bell (Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile) on background vocals (on “Magical,” “Lookin’ Back,” and “Too Much Fun.”) “Waking Up Dead” was arranged by Kip Winger; engineered by Danny Duncan; and recorded at Ocean Way in Nashville with Kristin Wilkinson on strings and conducted by Chris McDonald.
