Living Room Sessions

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Graham is originally from Detroit where he was part of two of the most locally renowned bands of the 1990s, the Vudu Hippies and Tyrone’s Power Wheel.

Having released a number of indie-label CDs, worked in some of the world’s best recording studios including A&M Records, worked with some of the world’s most respected creators of film and music (including Al Maysles), and having appeared with acts as diverse as Kid Rock, George Clinton, Peter Wolf, the Wallflowers, Weezer, MC 900ft Jesus, Morphine, and others at such legendary venues as CBGB and St. Andrew’s Hall, Graham is no stranger to the music business.

Album Description
Graham Cousens is a singer-songwriter who has been quietly wowing audiences in and around Chicago since 2003. "Living Room Sessions" is a collection of ten simply great songs recorded entirely by Graham at home.

Featuring the bouncy early-Brit inspired "Julia," the country pop ethos of "Comfort Me," and the ethereal love ballad "Help Me Help Myself," "Living Room Sessions" is truly a collection of compositions. Songs such as "So Long" and "When I Was Around," which seem at first to be inspired by the Buckley/Coldplay/Radiohead trend of late, are suddenly transformed and released by an infusion of Woodstock nation harmonies and tasty Les Paul licks. "Lucky Stars" and "Holy Roller" are the fun ones, though each features a unique juxtaposition of sunny groove and dark lyrics. "Emily" and "Anymore" both rise perfectly to the occasion, bringing a slow build to the inevitable conclusion that everything is just as it should be. And "I’m a Gonna" is the perfect classic rock-down that lets the listener off nicely after 30 minutes of somewhat naked introspect.

"Living Room Sessions" delivers what far too few records seem to do these days – a cohesive yet diverse collection of really good tracks, each of which can stand on it’s own, and yet the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts. In the age of mp3s, CD singles, and throwaway shorts, Graham Cousens has released an album of songs.

The Living Room Sessions
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Living Room Sessions
    Chris Rice
    Manufacturer: Rocketown
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    Christian Contemporary MusicChristian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
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    2. Living Room Sessions: Christmas
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    ASIN: B0000DELWZ
    Release Date: 2001-03-20

    Tracks:

    1. For the Beauty of the Earth
    2. All Creatures of Our God and King
    3. Be Still My Soul
    4. Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us
    5. Church's One Foundation
    6. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
    7. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
    8. This Is My Father's World
    9. How Great Thou Art
    10. Jesus What a Friend for Sinners
    11. Fairest Lord Jesus
    12. Like a River Glorious
    The Living Room Sessions
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Music for meditation
    • One of my favorite cds!
    • sets my heart free!
    • No Singing
    		 The Living Room Sessions

    Manufacturer: Rocketown Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
    Christian Contemporary MusicChristian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
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    1. Living Room Sessions: Christmas
    2. Chris Rice - The Living Room Sessions
    3. Living Room Sessions: Christmas
    4. Chris Rice - The Living Room Sessions: Christmas
    5. Smell the Color 9

    ASIN: B0007WXY86

    Product Description

    Instrumental piano hymns from artist, Chris Rice.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Music for meditation.......2006-04-27

    A friend at work lent me this CD - and immediately I needed to own this. Yes, this CD is only piano - and it's only hymns. I play this at work when I need to take the stress out of my day. I play the second CD of this (that I own) at home when I'm doing Bible Study, or just want to meditate.

    This is one of those CD's that have you singing along with the hymns - and because he plays them so many different ways, you can sing all the verses, if you so choose.

    5 out of 5 stars One of my favorite cds!.......2006-02-17

    This is by far one of the most peaceful, worshipful cds ever recorded! The person who previously reviewed it and complained that there was no hint that it was all piano obviously didn't see the big piano on the cd cover. I love this cd! The other Chris Rice cd's can't hold a candle!

    5 out of 5 stars sets my heart free!.......2005-12-03

    This CD from Chris Rice is full of beautiful music! No, there is no singing, but you can hear just as much of Chris Rice's heart for worshiping God through his piano artistry as through his other music. Hearing his "versions" of such classic hymns performed on the piano with obvious thought, feeling, and wonderment made them come to life for me. This CD never fails to pull me away from my day and into worshiping God! I highly recommend it along with the Christmas Living Room Sessions.

    2 out of 5 stars No Singing.......2005-10-15

    I love Chris Rice but was severly disappointed with this purchase. It has no singing at all. That's right. None! And the worst part? No where on the CD jacket do you find any hint that its all piano. Very deceptive.
    The Unsung Blues Legend: The Living Room Sessions
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • So simple, so pure...
    • A Brilliant Statement From A Masterful Performer
    • Great music but the Folkways recordings of same have more
    • Lonnie did it all, and it all came straight from his soul!
    		 The Unsung Blues Legend: The Living Room Sessions
    Lonnie Johnson
    Manufacturer: Blues Magnet
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
    Traditional BluesTraditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
    Acoustic BluesAcoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
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    1. The Complete Folkways Recordings
    2. Blues, Ballads, and Jumpin' Jazz, Vol. 2
    3. Blues & Ballads
    4. The Original Guitar Wizard
    5. Original Source

    ASIN: B00004UAIF
    Release Date: 2000-07-11

    Tracks:

    1. This Love Of Mine
    2. September Song
    3. Don't Cry Baby
    4. Solitude
    5. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
    6. I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby
    7. St. Louis Blues
    8. New Orleans Blues
    9. Careless Love
    10. Danny Boy (Guitar Solo)
    11. Back Water Blues
    12. My Mother's Eyes
    13. Prisoner Of Love
    14. There's Been Some Changes Made
    15. Jelly Jelly
    16. Summertime
    17. Rockin' Chair (Fade Out)

    Amazon.com's Best of 2000

    This disc was recorded in Bernie Strassberg's living room with a reel-to-reel, and Lonnie Johnson's elegant vocal tone and masterful command of soul-soaked roots music transform the lo-fi surroundings into a mainline of unfiltered beauty. As children trample by amid slamming doors and random pieces of conversation, Johnson's voice calmly weaves together threads of rhythm and blues that would put most 48-track studio recordings to shame. --Matthew Cooke

    Amazon.com

    Forty years after beginning a remarkable recording career spanning multiple generations and genres, New Orleans-born blues and jazz guitar virtuoso Lonnie Johnson sat in a friend's living room in Queens, New York, with an acoustic guitar and a reel-to-reel recorder. The songs he performed that night make up this enchanting set of classics that adds yet another dimension to the great musician's legacy. Here, we find Johnson at age 66, his plaintive voice and guitar in stunning form, mining a 20th-century musical landscape for folksy treasures as diverse as Bessie Smith's "Back Water Blues," Duke Ellington's "Solitude," Hoagy Carmichael's "Rockin' Chair," and Kurt Weill's "September Song," with "Danny Boy" and "Careless Love" also among the surprises. Although it was recorded in 1965 on crude equipment, it's easy to see from this essential CD why Lonnie Johnson deeply affected so many American musical immortals, from Robert Johnson, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. --Alan Greenberg

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars So simple, so pure..........2005-03-22

    I never meant to get this CD. Actually, I never heard of it. a few weeks ago I ordered a few CD's somewhere and when I got them, they added this CD as a bonus. I listened to it once, and then I just couldn't stop. I never got so amazed from such a simple thing. You can hear th 66 year-old Lonnie, ssitting at a friend's house with an acoustic guitar, just spilling his heart out. It doesn't matter that the recording is not in the best quality, it even adds to the feeling. His voice is so bittersweet, it brings me tears to listen to him. such a perfect combination of voice and his unique guitar playing... another thing is that you can really tell it was recorded at a home surrounding: kids running around, talking to "daddy"... all of the atmosphere make it one of the best, honest and heartful recordings I ever heard.

    5 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Statement From A Masterful Performer.......2005-01-14

    Lonnie Johnson's "The Unsung Blues Legend: The Living Room Sessions," is a remarkable monument to a man whose lengthy musical career spanned over six decades and reached stellar heights and very low points, such as when he was reduced to working as a custodian. The setting is informal with a warm, laid-back ambiance that you wish would never end. Johnson gently flows from one classic song to another, all the while making you feel as though you are right there in the same living room sitting in a comfortable chair and enjoying the beautiful sounds. The faint sounds of talking children in the background makes this recording all the more real, as if it could have been made in your own home or in that of a friend. By the time Johnson finishes this set, you do feel as though you have made a good friend, for whom you feel some pity for because he was never given the recognition such an outstanding artist is worthy of. Pick up a copy of this CD, you'll be glad you did.

    5 out of 5 stars Great music but the Folkways recordings of same have more.......2004-03-24

    These records are unique. Johnson plays all of these selections solo on an a very acoustic sounding electric guitar and sings them all. Now and then he talks about the songs. This is a master who had been playing and singing for 40 years. Yet, there is so much personal sentimental and feeling here, so much expression in the guitar playing. You feel like you know the man after you hear this. You feel like you really know these songs anew after you hear this album. This is a good album for a thoughtful evening with a good glass of wine, a good friend, and an open mind!

    Check out the full folkways recordings that have 24 songs like this not just 12

    5 out of 5 stars Lonnie did it all, and it all came straight from his soul!.......2000-07-24

    I am amazed that Lonnie Johnson does not receive more attention in the guitar magazines and history books. He was a hero to Robert Johnson and B. B. King. The scope of what he did over a 50 plus year career included outstanding down & dirty blues (which in my opinion far outshine Robert Johnson) to early electric blues, to jump blues, to suave sentimental jazzy blues. On top of this, when you listen to him, you can tell this music comes from some very deep place within the man. I REALLY WISH THERE WAS MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE ABOUT HIS LIFE.

    These recordings have not been previously issued. They were recorded in the home of a guy named Bernie Strassberg in 1965. The sound is great, with a very intimate, comfortable feel. You can hear flashes of Lonnie's brilliance on the guitar. I only wish I could have heard him play with Duke Ellington's band in 1961 or seen him with Buddy Guy in 1970.

    Thanks Bernie! You've done us all a great favor. Buy this disk now.
    Living Room Sessions: Christmas
    Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    • This is as pleasant as it gets...
    • Meditations for Christmas
    • Very Relaxing
    • Beautiful interpretation
    • Wonderful
    		 Living Room Sessions: Christmas
    Chris Rice
    Manufacturer: Sony
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    Christian Contemporary MusicChristian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B00005QG9N
    Release Date: 2001-10-16

    Tracks:

    1. Joy To The World
    2. Angels We Have Heard On High
    3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
    4. O Holy Night
    5. Silent Night
    6. What Child Is This?
    7. The First Noel
    8. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
    9. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
    10. O Come All Ye Faithful
    11. Welcome To Our World
    12. Away In A Manger
    13. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars This is as pleasant as it gets..........2006-12-07

    I'm not sure what ax a few of the other reviewers have to grind, but this is a fantastic Christmas album. It is exactly what it claims to be, which is a simple recording of Chris Rice playing some Christmas songs on the piano in his living room.

    It is not a particularly brilliant or earth-shattering musical powerhouse, but it provides a lovely set of Christmas music that is great to play at work or as background music for a Christmas party. And there are enough intricacies and personal touches that Rice includes to keep it interesting.

    I would not suggest that anyone buy this album with the expectation that their mind will be blown. But it is an absolutely delightful offering of simple carols that will surely augment anyone's Christmas music collection!!

    4 out of 5 stars Meditations for Christmas.......2006-04-27

    This piano music only CD is a great addition to your Christmas collection. At Christmas parties, you can certainly play this music in the background and not be encumbered by words. I take this CD to nursing homes, children's gatherings . . anywhere people are. These Christmas carols are well loved. The music behind them is simple - almost inviting the listener to sing along. How much better can a CD be that invites you to sing along? Christmas is so busy and stressful - that simple melodies and choruses break the stress. Nicely done!

    4 out of 5 stars Very Relaxing.......2005-12-02

    This cd contains Chris Rice's reflective piano solo arrangements of twelve classic Christmas songs and an arrangement of one of his own works, "Welcome To Our World." The arangements are very light, and work extremely well for soothing background music. His delicate and unimposing style works well with all of these songs, giving the album a strong musical unity. My favorite arrangements are "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," "Welcome To Our World," and "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing." If you like this cd, I would also highly recommend the Living Room Sessions, which is the same thing, but with hymns instead of Christmas songs.

    5 out of 5 stars Beautiful interpretation.......2004-12-04

    I loved this CD-- the music is simple, but not simplistic. The renditions of "O Holy Night" and "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" were very well done in particular. Rice is a great musician, and this CD lives up to his usual standard of excellence.

    5 out of 5 stars Wonderful.......2004-10-22

    This CD is great BECAUSE its simple piano music. Chris Rice is an excellent musician and I would recommend this CD to anyone who loves Christmas music... anyone who thinks this CD is terrible, obviously has no musical taste whatsoever.
    Living Room Sessions
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Living Room Sessions
      Graham Cousens
      Manufacturer: Spade Kitty Records
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
      Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      ASIN: B0007Z2GV4
      Release Date: 2005-03-22

      Tracks:

      1. Julia
      2. Holy Roller
      3. When I Was Around
      4. Comfort Me
      5. So Long
      6. Emily
      7. Lucky Stars
      8. Help Me Help Myself
      9. Anymore
      10. I'm a Gonna

      Product Description

      Graham Cousens is a singer-songwriter who has been quietly wowing audiences in and around Chicago since 2003. “Living Room Sessions” is a collection of ten simply great songs recorded entirely by Graham at home. Featuring the bouncy early-Brit inspired “Julia,” the country pop ethos of “Comfort Me,” and the ethereal love ballad “Help Me Help Myself,” “Living Room Sessions” is truly a collection of compositions. Songs such as “So Long” and “When I Was Around,” which seem at first to be inspired by the Buckley/Coldplay/Radiohead trend of late, are suddenly transformed and released by an infusion of Woodstock nation harmonies and tasty Les Paul licks. “Lucky Stars” and “Holy Roller” are the fun ones, though each features a unique juxtaposition of sunny groove and dark lyrics. “Emily” and “Anymore” both rise perfectly to the occasion, bringing a slow build to the inevitable conclusion that everything is just as it should be. And “I’m a Gonna” is the perfect classic rock-down that lets the listener off nicely after 30 minutes of somewhat naked introspect. “Living Room Sessions” delivers what far too few records seem to do these days – a cohesive yet diverse collection of really good tracks, each of which can stand on it’s own, and yet the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts. In the age of mp3s, CD singles, and throwaway shorts, Graham Cousens has released an album of songs.
      Romi Mayes and the Temporarily Employed: The Living Room Sessions Volume One
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • Kick a** bluegrass
      		 Romi Mayes and the Temporarily Employed: The Living Room Sessions Volume One
      Romi Mayes
      Manufacturer: Romi Mayes
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000CA8C44
      Release Date: 2005-05-17

      Tracks:

      1. Styx and Bto
      2. Ordinary Sunday
      3. Comin' Home Soon
      4. Mama Ain't No Fool
      5. Arkansas
      6. Out of Touch
      7. Never Got You
      8. Drink Until Four

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Kick a** bluegrass.......2006-04-25

      Romi Mayes writes great songs and on this CD she has great company on harmony vocals and instruments, including folks from the Duhks and Canadian bluegrass demons the D Rangers. No studio effects, just the real deal...heartfelt songs, great vocals and backing/solo instrumentals. This CD has something for everyone....great lyrics, great attitude and some cookin' guitar, fiddle and banjo. Gurf Morlix is producing her next CD, to be recorded Summer '06.....nuff said.
      Living Room Sessions Volume 1
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Living Room Sessions Volume 1
        Beau Street Runners
        Manufacturer: Beau Street Runners
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD
        ASIN: B000NLJDIQ

        Product Description

        1 Sweetheart of Mine 2 Big Ball in Boston 3 I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome 4 I Lost It 5 Crazy Mama 6 When I Get Home 7 France Blues 8 Sittin' on Top of the World 9 Back to the Old Home 10 Concrete and Barb Wire 11 Shady Grove 12 Columbus Stockade Blues 13 Red River Valley 14 What You Gonna Do? 15 White Doves 16 I Know You Riders 17 I've Been Working on the Railroad
        Living Room Sessions
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Living Room Sessions

          Manufacturer: Skyler Blue
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B000CAK0G2
          Release Date: 2003-10-28
          Unplugged Living Room Sessions
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Unplugged Living Room Sessions

            Manufacturer: David Ellul
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
            Acoustic BluesAcoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
            ASIN: B000CAFM10
            Release Date: 2004-09-28
            Living Room Sessions: Christmas
            Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
            • Chris Delivers Simple Arrangements of Christmas Classics
            		 Living Room Sessions: Christmas
            Chris Rice
            Manufacturer: Word Entertainment
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
            Christian Contemporary MusicChristian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
            General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
            Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
            General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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            1. The Living Room Sessions
            2. The Living Room Sessions
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            ASIN: B00006BTBR
            Release Date: 2002-07-02

            Tracks:

            1. Joy To The World
            2. Angels We Have Heard On High
            3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
            4. O Holy Night
            5. Silent Night
            6. What Child Is This?
            7. The First Noel
            8. O Little Town O Bethlehem
            9. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
            10. O Come All Ye Faithful
            11. Welcome To Our World
            12. Away In A Manger
            13. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

            Customer Reviews:

            5 out of 5 stars Chris Delivers Simple Arrangements of Christmas Classics.......2004-06-10

            I'm not usually a fan of instrumental albums, but I have enjoyed both of the releases in Chris Rice's Living Room Sessions series.

            This CD features Chris playing his own arrangements of 12 classic Christmas carols. His piano solos are truly a pleasure to listen to. Also included is an arrangement of his soon to be classic "Welcome to Our World." If you aren't familiar with this song, check out his first release ("Deep Enough to Dream"), Michael W. Smith's "Christmastime," or Amy Grant's "A Christmas to Remember" for the words. It's an incredible reminder of Jesus' sacrifice to come and die for us and belongs in this collection of Spiritual Christmas music.

            This CD is the perfect background music for an office or Christmas party or to play anytime during the season. I will be mixing it into my Christmas music for years to come.

            Music:

            1. Lonesome Crowded West
            2. Maiow
            3. Mars Needs Guitars [Import]
            4. Meat Puppets
            5. Monkey Skulls
            6. Monument the Soundtrack [Soundtrack]
            7. More Maximum Oasis
            8. Neat Neat Neat [Box set] [Import]
            9. New Day Rising
            10. New Values

            Music

            music

            Music

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            Chamber Works of Maria Newman / Alfred Newman

            Capella Choir Works

            For Love of Country

            Double Espresso [Import]

            Dancing in the Garden of Light

            Come Rain or Come Shine

            Britten: Gloriana Op53; Bliss: Pastoral Op46

            Corpus

            Beethoven: Symphonies 5 & 6 ("Pastorale")

            Beat Street

            Bravura Eloquence

            Canta Armando Moreno V.2 [Import]

            Back on Track

            ... and His Mother Called Him Bill