Reflections at Every Corner

“My work has been described to me as an interesting mix of styles resembling that of artists like Ry Cooder, David Wilcox, Mark Knopfler, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Gordon Lightfoot, Jeff Beck and others. Well,...I'm truly humbled at the mere thought of any such remote comparisons to these musical giants. Personally I just think I sound like me,... whatever that is,... however, all those personalities have certainly influenced my playing and writing.” (Jeff Wyatt – 2008)

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With the eclectic concept album 'REFLECTIONS AT EVERY CORNER', veteran guitarist, singer, songwriter Jeff Wyatt presents a clever mix of Blues, Pop, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Ethnic, World and Classical music influences in his original and unique acoustic and electric song stylings. You’ll hear interesting and imaginative guitar and piano instrumentals, as well as songs with a moody and thoughtful lyric content that is both personal and reflective. If you like piano, finger-style acoustic guitar, electric and slide guitar in both raw upbeat, and smooth laidback settings delivered along with deep, rich vocals,... you’ll enjoy this album. The textures of the occasional orchestrated section add color and warmth for your ears, mind and emotions to become carried away with. This album deals with Jeff's reflections of the woven memory-fabric of various people and events throughout his life. 

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Below are excerpts from the CD review by Vancouver's veteran music reviewer Tom Harrison posted in the Vancouver PROVINCE, March 18th, 2008:

“His guitar playing is attractive and soulful,... his singing... is not unlike Waylon Jennings...""His lyrics, too, have an honesty and sincerity that is appealing...""A song such as 'CORAE CORAE' makes you wonder how good an album he'd make if he concentrated on blues-rock."

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In August 2008 Jeff received a CD review for REFLECTIONS AT EVERY CORNER from veteran music reviewer Ron Bervoets at the very cool Belgium site ROOTSTIME.  (Ron also has the interesting job of doing interviews that are posted on the site.  He has had the pleasure of interviewing blues legends that include Jim Suhler, Johnny Winter and John Mayall.)  ROOTSTIME is a non-profit internet magazine and internet radio station that promotes the music of known as well as unknown singers/songriters.  If you can read Dutch, you can see Ron's review of the album by going to ROOTSTIME, and clicking on the CD REVIEWS link on the upper left of their homepage.  It's listed there under the AUGUST 2008 link.  If you can't read Dutch, below is an English translation, which has been approved by the reviewer:

'Although "Reflections at Every Corner" is a cd with a diversity that might be considered detrimental, it is interesting. In as much as the style of Jeff Beck is difficult to put a label on…this album ranges from jazz rock tinted guitar numbers, pure blues rock over calm laid back ballads and country tinted songs, all the way to folk and world music. Moreover, Jeff did most everything himself with his own portable studio. A mishmash one might think, on the contrary, this album presents itself as a small story incorporating all these musical styles. The cd begins, for instance quite original. You hear Jeff seat himself, turn on a cheap transistor radio and pass the dial through all sorts of radio stations. Suddenly the sound quality improves, presenting "Take it From Me", a Celtic seeming song with mandolin. Into this he also brings a country as well as a folky atmosphere, along with a voice that is reminiscent of Waylon Jennings. Seamlessly, this song blends into a long guitar number "Kerala Sunset"; a beautiful, dreamy instrumental which introduces itself with the sounds of ocean waves and seagulls. This atmosphere perfectly reproduces that of a sunset on an Indian beach, where you hear the clear influences of Jeff Beck; a man who Jeff Wyatt admits to be an admirer of. Jeff is mainly a guitarist, but he also plays bass guitar, piano and other instruments. In "Part-time Love, Full-time Pain” he plays a virtuoso bass which is a reminder of another one of his heroes, Jaco Pastorius, who passed away from us much too early. "Saving Grace" is an Indian style instrumental with tabla and acoustic guitar, bringing folk and world music together. The dark, distinct sounding song "Albania" is delivered with the vocal help of singer songwriter Camille Miller. This follows with the slow, classical sounding piano ballads "If She Could Know" and "Thank You For Loving Me Again" which features a beautiful intense guitar solo, with Jeff delivering all he has. Once again we change the pace with something very different; "In Her Own Time", dedicated to a deceased friend, Kasandra. Beginning with a recording of loose shreds of a conversation with her, this song features searing slide guitar. The traditional "Shenandoah" is a beautiful distinct adaptation, following which we get "Corae Corae" near the cd’s end, sounding much like a blues rock version of the traditional folksong "Corinna, Corinna". The eleven-minute title track is a kind of symphonic epic, which brings us to the album’s conclusion. This is indeed a mixed plate. But for the superior beautiful guitar contribution, alone, this cd is worth the purchase.' (Ron)

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Label:  Cardboard Alley Music

Produced by:   Jeff Wyatt

Recorded at:  Druid Studios, New Westminster BC and Cardboard Alley Music recording facility, Coquitlam BC, between 2004 and 2007.

Musical help:  Harmonica in Corae Corae performed by John Evoy. Additional back up vocals in Corae Corae performed by Janice Wyatt, Rene Berard, Greg Dreysko, Hal Hand, Gordie Schultz, Roberta Mullen, Greg Bjork, Anne Leaman and John Evoy. 

Back up vocals in Albania performed by Camille Miller.

Engineered & Mixed by:  Jeff Wyatt

Mastered by:  Jamie Sitar at Suite Sound Labs, Vancouver.

Art Work & Cover Design by:   John Evoy

Photography by:  Janice Wyatt and Steve Kotyk

CD Replication, Printing & Packaging managed by:  Seth Goldberg and Digital Media Alliance, Vancouver.  

Particulars:  First solo album in 14 years.  Vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass and keyboards performed by Jeff Wyatt. Digital percussion, choirs and orchestrations programmed and performed by Jeff Wyatt.  Recorded on a dual processor PowerMac G5. Software used included DigidesignPro Tools, GarageBand, Amplitube, Reason, Sampletank, Miroslav Philharmonik, Maxim and Amadeus Pro.