Product Description

About Love & Paragraphs.

Although I always make a point of replying to emails, I have been accused in the past of not being particularly 'lengthy in conversation'. If someone writes to me and has a series of questions, for instance, I might address each question with just maybe one short sentence. Sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day! One such person said to me at a show recently; 'You owe me more paragraphs!' So I signed her CD 'with Love & Paragraphs - Chris' And of course I promised I would be better in future. We'll see.

So I got to thinking that this might be a nice title for the album and a spark of an idea for a musical concept. The idea of perhaps a romantic yet distant communication between two people. And so it came to be.Love & Paragraphs.

From a personal stand point, this was an interesting album to make. For the first time, I recorded 70% of an album in my own studio. This has now become quite a luxury for me where I can receive a spark of inspiration and record almost immediately. It also gave me the opportunity to try out different guitar sounds and ways of recording them. I found out that the best solo guitar sound I could get was with my amp miked in the bathroom! Who knew?

I also wanted to try a slightly different approach to playing on this album. My trusty archtop Benedetto is still featured, but I wanted to dig in a little more and get more bluesy on some tracks, just like the old days. To do this I played two Fender Strats. (not at the same time!) Playing a jazz guitar and then switching to a Strat is a little like playing a Violin and then picking up a Cello so I had to figure out a new approach so there wouldn't be quite so much of a head trip. I strung up the Strats with heavy strings (11-49) and played through a Boss ME-50 distorton box, but with my guitar volume backed off to 4. This enabled me to articulate notes as I would a jazz player, but get a little sustain in there if I wanted to dig in a little. The result was a much more expressive clean sound and feel. I wouldn't be surprised if I play the Strat a little more in the future. It's nice to go back to my Rock 'n Roll roots but still be able to play the bop phrases when I need to.

So thanks so much for picking up the CD. I certainly hope you enjoy it as much as I had fun making it. Do send a note, I will reply, just don't expect a ton of paragraphs!

Much love
Chris

Track Listing

1. Qwertyuiop
2. Love & Paragraphs
3. As Luck Would Have It
4. Have Your Cake And Eat It
5. Liquid Soul
6. Ooh Bop
7. C.S. In The Sunshine
8. That's What I Thought You Said
9. Qu'est-ce Que Tu Fais?
10. Reflection

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #83702 in Music
• Released on: 2008-04-22
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

Review
Full of catchy hooks and sublime electric guitar playing with a cohesive style that fits just right. Love & Paragraphs carries on the guitarist's trademark style - improvisational jazz sensibilities built around perfectly crafted pop songs --Brian Soergal, Smooth Jazz News

Review
There are ten tracks on Love and Paragraphs and all ten of them are winners. From the stomping opener, 'Qwertyuiop,' to the meditative closer, 'Reflection,' there isn't a single throwaway moment on the album. Some artists go into the studio with 45 minutes worth of record to fill and only 30 minutes worth of good music. Standring doesn't bring anything less than his best to the entire session...This is as close to being a perfect album as any released in 2008. --Jeff Winbush, All About Jazz

Review
Produced by Standring and mixed and mastered by his longtime musical partner, keyboardist Rodney Lee, Love & Paragraphs was 70% recorded at the guitarist s newly completed home studio in Southern California. With Lee creating the old school harmonies and ambiences and featured performances by keyboard master Jeff Lorber and sax great Everette Harp, the collection keeps the seductive vibe of Standring s Soul Express concept flowing --Jonathan Widman, Jazz Monthly

Customer Reviews

As always, quality music and sound from this talented guitarist.
This British-born guitarist, trained at the London College of Music and now based in LA, has established himself as a major figure on the session and smooth jazz scene.
It's a welcome return for Smooth jazz guitarist, whose albums always have a bit of spice and variety.
His 2006 CD release Soul Express put him right onto the contemporary jazz map and he has remained there ever since.
Hugely successful live shows plus the accolade of co-writing the Richard Elliot and Rick Braun smash RnR have all added to his stature and now Standring is back with his brand new album "Love and Paragraphs".
He has always done his best to keep up with his fans and friends across The Pond via email. One of his good pals in London seemed a bit miffed, however, when he replied to her lengthy email with just a short sentence or two. Last year, when the British born musician was there doing his annual slate of gigs, she said, "You owe me more paragraphs". His response? Signing her CD, "With Love & Paragraphs, Chris"- a phrase that inspired his album "Love & Paragraphs".
Each of the ten self penned tracks is dazzling confirmation of the 'A list' standing within the genre that he now enjoys and, truth to tell, there is not one weak link among them.
This is his fifth CD with keys man Rodney Lee, bassist Phil Mulford and top funky drummer Frank Tontoh.
Mid-tempo grooves like the driving "Love & Paragraphs" and "As Luck Would Have It" typify his style and this album.
The head nodding "Have Your Cake And Eat It" is another fine funky smooth tune, whilst the riff-laden "Ooh Bop" is reminiscent of his early 00's work.
The aptly titled "C.S In The Sunshine" has a Benson tine.
As always a quality selection from this talented guitarist

Chris Has Done It Again
Chris has done it again with the release of his new CD, Love & Paragraphs.
He never ceases to amaze me with the depth of his music and he always touches my soul as no other artist can. Every time I think he can't get any better, he up and proves me wrong. Congratulations, Chris, for a truely inspiration CD.
Thank You

Hot!
"Love and Paragraphs" is played over and over by me with a grooving enjoyment, particularly when I float down Lake Shore Drive here in Chicago! I don't understand why a few of the cuts are not being played much on the Smooth Jazz stations? "Have Your Cake and Eat" IS the "Stepper Jam" (if you understand what I mean, Steppers!). The rest of the CD is sharp as well!