Thu 27 Mar 2008
Do you remember the first Paul McCartney solo L.P. “McCartney”? It
wasn’t too hot, Paul played all the instruments and it just didn’t work
out. It seemed like a good demo, but not sounding ready to be released
to the public. Now, move ahead a few years Michael Quest is about 13
years old and is learning to play guitar, writing music and singing
his songs. He gets into various bands over the years all the time
learning more and more about what makes a good song.
After having band members come and go over the years Michael decided
in 1984 to do live shows by himself. He would be able to do the songs
just the way he wanted them done without having other members trying
to change them. The Michael Quest solo career had started. With just a
guitar, drum machine and vocal chords, Michael slowly built a
reputation for good shows and popular songs. Besides his own songs
Michael added songs by the Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, the Eagles, Tom
Petty, and many more artists. Michael found changing styles of music
from Blues, Rock, Country and even Surf music added to his audience.
Along with these he would insert his original songs too.
Around 2003 Michael decides to make a cd of his own music. Not
only would he write all the songs, Michael would play all the
instruments or program them by way of a sequencer or computer. A drum
machine would be no problem, as a teen he watched his brother play the
drums and knew exactly what a drummer could do, “with two hands and
two feet”. Of coarse the past two decades of using a drum machine live
would not hurt either. All Michael Quest needed was someone to record
the songs. Other than that his cd “24-7-365″ named after one of his
most popular songs, would be an all solo effort.
Lucky for all of us Michael Quest has returned with another cd in
2008 called 168 Blues.
This podcast has one song “Caught in the Valley” from the first cd,
but the spotlight is on the new songs. Right from the start Michael
gets you rolling with the title track “168 Blues”. A good blues song
that tells it like it is. If you can’t figure out the meaning of the
song just listen to the podcast. Michael explains the song as well as
other songs on his remarkable cd. Besides two nice instrumentals (check
out “Smoother” very nice guitar), Michael does a beautiful duet on “I
Just Did” with a very talented female vocalist.
While all these songs I mention are not on the podcast they’re are
enough to get you going. The highlight of the podcast must be Michael’s
reinterpretation of his classic “24-7-365″. This time he puts down the
acoustic guitar and plays more electric. I also felt the song was
tighter and a little slicker, more like a hit you might hear on the
radio. Speaking of radio, if you like this music, please call your local
radio stations and request Michael Quest. If they don’t have his cd be
sure to have them Google Michael Quest and go to his MySpace page.
It’s been a very long time since Paul McCartney’s first attempt at
playing all the instruments on his “McCartney” L.P. Paul learned it
was better for him to have a band (Wings) behind him. Michael Quest
has grown to be a man and learned he does not need a band behind him.
He can play the instruments himself and make it sound like a band.
Like you, I love Paul McCartney, I spent a small fortune for our
family to go see him. I’m not trying to insult Paul, but there are
other people out there that can do some things that even Paul can not
do. Michael Quest is one of those musicians God has blessed with the
ability to do more than just play a great guitar.
Check out Michael Quest MySpace page and get his cd’s from CD Baby Website.
First check out the podcast below and hear what Michael Quest has to
say and what this very gifted musician’s music sounds like.
Michael Quest MySpace page
CD Baby Website to buy Michael Quest - 168 Blues (2008)
CD Baby Website to buy Michael Quest - 24-7-365 (2003)
Michael Quest cd’s are also available iTunes and other outlets.
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