Independent recording artist, producer, arranger, guitarist.

This is a place where you can hear a cross section of recordings which I've composed, performed & produced over the years, solo, in collaboration with others, and from my published CD's.
Since my work crosses over into more than one genre, I've used the word multi-stylistic in some cases, because I may have invented one...
I play a number of stringed instruments, most notably guitars and violin, but also bass and mandolin. Also, on a few of these, some singing.
In addition, I have done all the recording, sound engineering & production on my own tracks unless otherwise noted.
I'm always pushing the envelope, so hope you enjoy the musical adventure with me! 

Soaring Back To Earth is the third CD release for Chicago singer/songwriter/guitarist Kurt
Michaels. Michaels, a touring veteran, has enjoyed a successful career as a musical contractor and bandleader for well-known legendary rock acts such as Spencer Davis, Joey Molland (Badfinger), Wolfman Jack, Otis Day, The Temptations, The Platters and many others.

Soaring Back To Earth covers a diverse musical landscape—from early English pop influences to virtual tone poems, with smoky ambient arrangements for guitar and rock band. Strong influences include The Beatles, Yes, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Todd Rundgren, Flaming Lips and Muse.Guest artists on Soaring Back To Earth include Billy Sherwood (Yes &amp; Circa), Michael Sherwood (Yes &amp; Air Supply) and Tom Brislin (Yes, Meatloaf, Renaissance &amp; The Syn)

The writing on this CD is directed at conveying some very real life cycle stories. It reflects a wide gamut of adult emotions, ranging from the innocence of a young couple in love starting their life together in It's Our Time; trying to find a way to make things right with someone with whom things have gone extremely wrong with in Let's Try, the insecurity of facing serious challenges and feeling very alone in Will You Be There?; and the deeply personal accounting of Michaels' reflections on his younger brother’s untimely death in 2008 in two songs that are
bookended together at the end of the CD. The first, Didn't Get To Say Goodbye, is a powerful
trip to one’s core depicting the initial grief and mourning, evoking a bittersweet reflection of
a bond broken too soon. With a musicality that fills a space between ambient and alternative,

"Didn't Get To Say Goodbye is a ballad that walks a narrow passage on a damp night, stepping over shards of glass, remembering days that held sun and a goodbye that never took place. This evocative stroll builds from the plaintive guitar to the final chord and the inevitable— and unresolved—finish."

The last track, The Epilogue: Hearts &amp; Thoughts, shows the evolution of that grief that occurs over time, where you heal and learn to smile again, even if it’s bittersweet,
to face what lies ahead. You don't forget, but you do move on.

Michaels launched the CD in Nashville, TN on 7/15/11 to an enthusiastic audience that traveled from many different parts of the United States to experience a performance that one review described as “transcendent and very moving.”

The 8 instrumental tracks on this page were taken from live shows as well as Michaels' two previous releases:
Inner Worlds part one (2003) and
Outer Worlds (2007)

"Inner Worlds part one" was a instrumental studio effort debuting Michaels talents as a soundscape composer blending his talents as a guitar player withhis digital programming talents in an effort that received critical acclaim around the world including the "2004 Ambient Artist of the Year" from U-Magazine.
Outer Worlds was the follow up and was a compilation of 100% improvised live performances including 3 pieces that were recorded as the opening act for the Syn whose lineup at the time included legendary Yes musicians: Chris Squire & Alan White.
"Inner Worlds part one", "Outer Worlds" and"Soaring Back To Earth" cd can be purchased online at:

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/KurtMichaels 

For those wishing an autographed copy of either "Outer Worlds" or Soaring Back To Earth", they can be purchased via PayPal for $17.00 USD each (which includes S&H anywhere in the world. My PayPal email address is: KMCPro615@aol.com

All Kurt Michaels cds have been released digitally as well and are available for purchase at iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon and many other digital distribution sites.

Performance inquiries can be directed to: KMCPro615@aol.com

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