Conscious Collective by Michael Guthrie

"The Upper Room with Joe Kelley"

Joe Kelley, WVOF 88.5 fm.

"Michael Guthrie's CD "Conscious Collective" has everything a music afficionado would want.

The tunes carry you from blues to rock to jazz. You heard "The parts are greater than the whole" it applies in this case! The thoughtful lyrics demonstrate Michael's social involvement and sharp intelect...For an example listen to "Military Coup" on the jukebox!Estheticaly pleasing packaging as well. What more could I say about it? A 21st century version of the 60's? Yes! At the risk of sounding clicheed I dare say the tracks just keeps you listening til the end.The varied sound texturing coupled with that firm unwavering voice just nails every track right on! Like a master carpenter driving a nail with one blow! I give this CD a strong 4 1/2 microphones"

Claude Gagne of K.L.O.D. Music eZine, Master poet, creator and host of his most exceptional eZine

Joe Kelley, celebrating his 20th year in radio and host of "The Upper Room with Joe Kelley" , on WVOF 88.5 fm in Farifield, Connecticut. Has recently added my new CD "Conscious Collective" to his library. "....There will be plenty of future plays. I love your music so the playlists will be heading your way."

Joe Kelley, WVOF 88.5 fm.

"The aptly titled 'Conscious Collective' by Michael Guthrie is one of those rare gems that would (and should) fit anyone's music collection. The pervading transcendent spirit underlying each track acts as a soothing magic carpet connecting a multi-styled soundscape of dynamic textures, ideas and groove, with the thread of his broad soft pallette. Guthrie's versatility and musical wisdom are equally reflected in songs; sometimes provocative, sometimes universal. Throughout is a voice of conscience, depth and healing.

Sonic Pleasure! I think I'll ask him to produce my next album!"

Kurt Myhaver - All Day Productions - "Host of the Hopvine Songwriters Showcase"

"On Conscious Collective, Seattle's Michael Guthrie provides us with more than just an eclectic mix of folk, blues and jazz. Whether commenting on US foreign policy, as in Military Coup, or talking about relationships as in Love Me Like a Friend, Guthrie's passion for his fellow man shines through. His guitar playing is superb throughout. He can switch from one guitar style to another with little effort. Check out the jazzy stylings of Bloom'n and the steel sounds on Look'n at the World. MichaelGuthrie has produced a CD that is both entertaining and thought provoking. I'm glad somebody is still doing that".

Jim Dupuis - CFBX 92.5 FM (theX) Host of

"Jazz Notes with Jim"

.... This is Michael's debut release and the songs were written over a span of 23 years. He has a relaxed, folksy style that incorporates jazz and blues into the mix and his lyrics run from playful to social to deeply personal. Most of the lyrics are clever and interesting with unique thoughts and phrasings. "Green Tree" is mildly vacuous but it is the exception. Michael is a very talented musician playing acoustic and electric guitars, fretless and fretted electric bass, lap steels, synthesizers. ... James Rodgers - Victory Music

"The Victory Review Acoustic Music Magazine"

This Cd is an exciting compilation of original music.

One of my favorites, because it is named for me, is "Anita's Waltz". When I imagine the song, I see a cliff in England, or Scotland (much like Monets "Cliff" painting)

with a castle on the top of the cliff, and in the castle is a ballroom, with dancers waltzing. Another of my personal favorite tunes is "Song to Dare", Dare was Mikes Ex -Wife, who died of cancer in 1993. This song literally brings me to tears. "Military Coup", is an expression of Mikes frustration with our governments handling of foreign affairs. One more song that I want to make a comment on is "Green Tree". This is a whimisical tune about a tree that was cut down for no good reason. I was very sad when I first heard this song, but I want you to know that the tree grew back. Anita LaFranchi , Editor -The Victory Music Acoustic Music Magazine

About the music ----------------------------------------------------

Moorafa; is a word which I made up as a name for one of my instrumental works on the CD. I wrote it during the war in former Yugoslovia, it 's about the pain and suffering words can't describe. "Moor" is from the word moorish (the Moors from Africa) and "afa" is some of the letters from the word Africa. It 's also the name I chose for my record label, Moorafa Records.

Bloomn' ; Is an instrumental with a more up beat feel, Jazz / Blues style.

Military Coup; a song about people who try to rule the world through the use of military force and then lie about who the bad guys are.

Imagination;we shape the world

with our imagination.

Ghost Dancers; to all the indigenous peoples of the world, a song about the crimes committed in the USA and elsewhere.

Anita's Waltz; an instrumental waltz for you to dance to, currently being used by two dance instructors. I wrote it about wandering Gypsies.

Love Me Like A Friend; my feelings on relationship and love.

Green Tree; My late wife Darelyn Guthrie and I had a Cafe in Canada, The Village Green, and mean old George cut down our tree.

Song To Darelyn; a tribute to my late wife

Another Place, Another Time; I wrote after splitting up with Darelyn.

Look'n at the World; Is about growing up in a hostile environment.

I've Had Enough; sometimes the material world can take over our soul !

This CD is 60 minutes long.

Has full band sound, Electric Bass, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar,Guitar Synth

Lap Steel, Drums and Vocals.

Disk was commercially manufactured by Diskmakers (The number one Independent CD manufacturer).

My musical influences are: Folk, Jazz, Blues, Pop, Flamenco, Country and Rock etc. I like most forms of music, as long as it comes from the heart.

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Besides my songwriting gigs I have performed in the Seattle area as a bass player with: Deb Seymour, Ron Dalton, Christie Aitken, Steve Wacker, "Uncle Ed's Mollassas Jam", "Holly Figureoa", "Sweet Tweety", "Jake Tompson", and "Little Russell". I have played at the "Scarlett Tree Blues Jam" and other area Blues Jams. I have also played in Canada with "Allison Hogan", "Bruce Rathie", "Ken Hamm", "Jim Dix", "Tom Thompson" and the "MoonHogs".

Liner notes from the CD cover :

Michael Lynn Guthrie

Born in Pasadena, CA October 28, 1948

My first exposure to singing can be attributed to my mother, Mamie (McClain) Guthrie, who used to sing hymns and country ballads around the house. At age 15, I was introduced to the guitar by my friends, Tom Holt and Doug Gangwer (the Pill Palace Porch Pickers).. I joined the folk music club at Pasadena High, which was run by my art teacher, Rollie Younger. I studied Flamenco Guitar with Michael Parsons and I used to frequent the Flamenco shows at the "Ice House" in Pasadena. I also hung out in "Skid Row"

Pasadena, (which is now "Old Town"), at the "Museum", which was a folk dance coffee house, where I met Darelyn Farnham. Dare and I played folk music together for the love of it.

In January of 1971, Dare and I moved to British Columbia and in May, we settled in the Village of Kaslo. Not long after, thanks to the kind generosity of Alfred and Johanna Herzig, we found ourselves opening "The Village Green Cafe'". We hosted a coffee house venue with live music, poetry and belly dancing, which brought a lot of talented song writers to our door... Ken Hamm, Bruce Rathie, Alison Hogan, Rick Bockner, Jennette Gritanni, Bing Jensen, Brain Damage, Danny Greenspoon, and Cris Rawlings, the highlight being when Bruce Cockburn stopped by one day and played for his lunch, then he and Dare played some tunes for a few lucky customers. The Village Green Cafe' was a source of much inspiration for me to begin writing my own songs.

In 1976, We donated our coffee house venue to the Langham Cultural Society which I spearheaded the foundation of in 1974. The Langham carried on this venue with a 100 seat theatre and still operates today.

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Visit : moorafa.com for more info and pictures, a video of Ghost Dancers and my Mother telling stories and singing songs, you won't want to miss it !

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