Martin Swinger: Reviews and Comments

Must write to you immediately to tell you how fine I think your album is. I got it in the mail yesterday. I was driving around the island so it was the perfect time to listen end to end. I was laughing and crying and appreciating your quiet voice, your flexible voice, your so available emotional voice, your deeply resonant and lovely love, your powerful voice singing about real life. And great songs. Such good production and orchestration.
Masel tov darling. It is a wonder!
I will pass on the other copy. Not sure who gets it yet. Lucky them!

Wishing you the best,
Rhiannon

I'm particularly fond of "Music in the Rafters" which I played two weeks in a row, something I don't ordinarily do.

 I really like your songs and enjoyed your performance.

Rich

 I think it (CD, M O O N) is absolutely wonderful.  In fact, I was quite pleasantly surprised.

 

Just recently discovered your music (via  your CD Moon that Sonny Ochs shared with WIOX) and must say that I am very impressed. Little plastic part, of course, grabbed my attention right away and has become one of my favorite tunes. Brilliantly written, composed and sung! 

Speaking of older songs, one of my peculiar personality traits is that when I fall in love with a song, I play it over and over and over again; hearing and learning something new each time.  Fortunately for my family I listen to most of my music when driving or otherwise alone.  Something Like Goodbye instantly became one of those songs.  It is so deeply personal yet presented in a way that lets the listener in without feeling like a voyeur.  Seeing the date it was written gave it all the context I needed as I thought back to the friends and the partners of friends who lives ended around that time.  Thank you for adding at least one song to my compulsive listening list.  I promise to cease my amatuer reviewer status now.

Be well and thank you for your music.  Keep writing and singing.

Thom

“ I have hired Martin more frequently than any other performer on my list. ...he puts on a high quality show that appeals to audiences across the age spectrum. I recommend him without reservation.”

Rob Lytle commented on your status:

"Your brilliant song from this past summer is stuck in my head. One of the best songs I have heard in a very long time...."

“There are performers who play AT the audience and musicians who play TO the audience. The performer who plays TO the audience is feeding back on their reactions and drawing them into his or her performance. Martin Swinger makes this connection. Martin’s ability to bring people inside his music is a wonderful talent. Aside from the fact that he is a fine songwriter, Swingers warmth and humor connects with his audience and leaves them wanting more. Our feedback from the East Sangerville Grange Coffeehouse has been A+++ and we recommend him highly.”

Martin was a real hit at our Turtle Hill Folk Festival last year. He is talented as a singer and musician, presenting interesting, fun and thoughtful material, including covers as well as originals. He is an entertaining guy on and off stage, and a skillful songwriter to boot....His music was a perfect fit for the event.”

“ Martin, I write good songs and sing well, but watching you I realized there is something else I still need to develop. You just draw people into your stories and engage them, and I can’t put my finger on what it is, it’s a comfort and intimacy that you exude on stage. Maybe it just takes time to develop. I thought I was comfortable up there and then I saw you just make everyone feel like they were good friends you wanted to relate to. Anyway, you are truly inspirational to me...”

I feel I have never heard anyone sing quite like that before. It was a truly spiritual experience for me. You just threw your head back and let your voice come out from someplace deep inside. It was so beautiful. You seemed so unself-concious and unnervous -- like you had this incredible gift to share with us and it was the most natural thing in the world.

This sharing led me to wondering if we all have such a voice deep inside that only needs our letting go of worldly fears that get in the way of sharing it with others.

Martin, your music and presentation make me smile all over. God bless you for noticing with your artist eye the incongruous and turning it into a party.

" Man, you sing the crap out of shit! "

“ I looked at the cover and thought, 'Oh. Another self-released songwriter CD. Well, I owe it to everyone to pass it through my CD player. Hmmmm. Nice voice. Hmmmm. Fine players. Hmmm. Upbeat. Hmmmm. Smart writing. Hmmm. An uplifting feel. Let's play it again. And again. And again.' I get a ton of them...pounds and pounds of plastic each week and only a few precious ounces of real music. Do you realize how special your SCRAPBOOK is? Every singer/songwriter feels s/he is blessed, but so few truly are. Our listeners – and my fellow on air hosts – just love it.”

This (SCRAPBOOK) is a first class recording from a first class group of musicians. Martin also has one hell of a voice. If I had any connections at Austin City Limits I would be on the phone today.

Howdy Pardner!

I just sat down and listened to this CD (BearNAKED) about 4 times and I must say, you are a GENIUS!!!

With school arts funding at an all time low, I was blessed by a friendly donor who offered a matching grant for a school residency which was snapped up by Riverview School in South Gardiner. Had a GREAT week there writing songs with the students and many memorable moments with the kids and teachers.

I have been chosen as teacher/project leader for Maine Songwriter's Association's first grant to teach songwriting at Camden Middle School. This 9 week program is a test-drive for getting more students interested in songwriting and I'm honored to have  been chosen as the program leader. 

MOON continues healthy sales and lively performances. MOON producer and friend, Ed Desjardins has joined my onstage presentation playing keyboard, cajone, guitar and adding vocal harmony. Ed is a great talent and an honor to perform beside.

My 'Songs Worth Learning' project has moved forward and is now available as a complete songbook and CD set with 70 mnemonic songs to help K-5th graders learn their lessons the fun way - by SINGING THEM!

Martin has been invited to join an exclusive improvisational singing workshop with Rhiannon, a member of Bobby McFerrin's 'Voicestra'. This is a three week class spread out oer the year - a week in NY, a week in CA and a week in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I'll be studying with 17 other professional, international students learning performance techniques and workshop leadership skills. The class is expensive, but a good education always is! If you are willing and able to contribute financial support to my tuition - no matter how small, I sincerely appreciate it, and could really use the help. Please contact me personally - Thanks!

Last fall I performed at The Mews coffeehouse in Provincetown, MA and the concert was taped and later played on WOMR radio in Boston and on the Cape. I sang BETTY BOOP AND BUDDHA in the concert which was included in the broadcast. To my surprise I was contacted by Ned Sonntag, the "OFFICIAL" Betty Boop Artist who expressed interest in using my song as a basis for a new cartoon! This is a long shot which is still in the works - but it sure is a FUN DAYDREAM! Ned came to hear me perform the song at an August performance with The Big Taboo in Provincetown and I was honored to meet the man with such talented hands!

Dr. Gruning has written a book which is an overview of current trends in the world and business of "Folk" music. The last chapter of the book, entitled "Unnatural Acts, Sexuality adn Folk Music" offers an interview and observations of Martin's work in the world of "Bear Music" and generally the implications of sexual diversity in the Folk world. Fascinating read!
The book is available through University of Georgia Press