(JK) Chris Pierce's new album, I Can Hear You, will be released on October 11th and will be celebrated with release parties on both coasts.The record follows Walking on the Earth, which was named one of the Top 10 albums of 2008 by Nic Harcourt, formerly of KCRW, and 2009's Chris Pierce Live at the Hotel Café.
Pierce, who has opened for such artists as Seal, B.B. King, Al Green, Toots and the Maytals, and Colbie Caillat, will perform at record release parties on both coasts. He'll play Rockwood Music Hall in New York City on September 18th and Hotel Café in Hollywood, CA on October 11th.
"Pierce, whose work has been compared to that of musical elder tribesmen Van Morrison, Jimmy Cliff, Bill Withers and Otis Redding - engages his audiences with his rich vocals and heartfelt tunes," said LATimes.com, which included Pierce on its list of "homegrown artists you ought to know."
Co-produced with Grammy award winner Seth Atkins Horan, who has worked on each of Pierce's previous releases, most of the album's 10 tracks were captured live on the first take, underscoring the raw emotion of the material.
"This album is for the strugglers, the invisible people - those who make light out of the darkest of times even when it seems like no one is listening," says Pierce, who penned five songs himself and four with long-time collaborator Marvin Etzioni. A poignant version of Bill Withers' "Hope She'll Be Happier," featuring simply vocals and piano,completes the collection.
The track listing for I Can Hear You is as follows:
1. Looking for the Spark
2. Too Heavy
3. Let Yourself Smile
4. I Can Hear You
5. Play with Me
6. Meet Me in the Vineyard
7. Thunder or the Rain
8. The Return of Eternal Love
9. Hope She'll Be Happier
10. Invisible People