Brad Yoder
Pittsburgh Singer-Songwriter
1 – Tandeming (Instrumental)
2 – Waiting for the Motion
3 – Thick As Thieves
4 – Watching You Sleep
5 – All I Need (Angela Powell, vocals)
6 – Watch the Colors Change
10 – A Rib (words by Diana Zimmerman)
11 – You’re Not Here To See Me Cry (by Brent Yoder)
12 – Way Past Indigo
13 – Something, Anything
14 – mit Dir sein
15 – Ade (instrumental)
1 – 1-4-fred
2 – Skyler
3 – Ordinary Splendor
4 – Broken World
5 – For The Beauty (hymn arrangement)
6 – Shaker Mottoes
7 – Brother
8 – Turn Around And Smile
9 – Milk of Human Kindness
10 – Waiting for a Song
11 – All Your Weather
12 – Thoughts of You
13 – Emily’s Moon (words by Emily Dickinson)
14 – County Fair
My father (72-year-old Mennonite counselor/pastor) has an online blog, which he is rightly proud of (in a very humble Mennonite sort of way!) He’s a good writer—I was always grateful of that as a kid, because I listened to hundreds of his (thoughtful, well-written) sermons growing up.
Dad has mentioned my songs in several blog entries, including: Went Away Sad, WWJD?, Love is All I Have For You, Somewhere in the Constellation, and “the French one”, J’ai vidé mon cœur. I’m honored that he includes my words among his thoughts & reflections. Thanks, Dad!
Another song of mine, Someone to Be Lonely With, is featured in a blog entry by Leslie Reagan (Plaia). There’s a reason for that: years ago, I used to play frequently at the Daily Grind coffee shop in Lower Burrell, and Leslie was one of a group of high school students who came out to hear me regularly. I hadn’t played “Someone to Be Lonely With” for a couple years, but Leslie found the lyrics on my website, and basically said, “Hey, why don’t you play that song any more? I really like the words—I read them on your website. You should play it!” So, I relearned the song (making a couple lyrical and musical tweaks in the process), and now it’s on my newest CD. Usually, if a song falls out of circulation, it’s a sign it’s not so great, but in this case, Leslie salvaged a keeper. Thanks, Leslie!
One funny observation—Leslie and my father both use the same blogspot background image. Coincidence? :]
I hope you had a great Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/etc., and may your New Year bring much loveliness! The ever-terrific Mike Budai was kind enough to create this Epiphany card image for me.
In other news, check out my new CD on BandCamp.com! It’s easy to stream, and you can also share tracks from any of my last 3 CDs, on Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Richard Cuccaro was kind enough to do a review of “Excellent Trouble” in the Dec. (2010) issue ofAcoustic Live!. That issue will eventually be posted online as a PDF; here’s the text of the review in the meantime:
Brad Yoder – Excellent Trouble
Multi-instrumentalist Brad Yoder might have produced the album that puts him on a plateau with some of the heavier hitters in the singer-songwriter arena. The clever verbal gymnastics I noticed when I first heard him several years ago are in full evidence.
The CD opens up with Again, which implores: “Would someone break my heart again, so it can mend the right way next time.” The boundary-breaking lyrics keep coming. In “Someone to be Lonely With,” he sings, “…when I have burned my pack of days, when I have nothing left to say, will I find love, or pine away for someone to be lonely with? …” In Keep it to Yourself, we hear: “Jesus was a misfit, hung out with the queer kids / scandalized the priesthood, it’s pretty clear where he stood.”
Facing the subject of death is never easy. Brad meets it head-on with Leave Like This, singing: “…you shone bright as any light / why’d you have to leave like this? / I see you when I close my eyes / why’d you have to leave like this?” This is a heavyweight album from a major talent. Let’s hope the rest of the world notices.
Thanks, Richard! You noticed, which is a good start…
Thanks to everyone who came out for the CD release on Sat., 11/20—it was a great night, with tasty food/drink (Commonplace coffee, East End root beer, Franktuary food…), and even tastier music (from Pearl & the Beard, Judith Avers, and my fine band.)
Here’s some press “Excellent Trouble” has gotten so far:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — “..an album filled with beautifully recorded acoustic-based songs, united by (Yoder’s) honesty and vivid way with words.” (Scott Mervis)
Pitt News — “Pittsburgh native Brad Yoder is a songwriting virtuoso.” (Larissa Gula)
AcousticLive! in NYC — “This is a heavyweight album from a major talent.” (Richard Cuccaro)
Big Mama’s Blog—CD review interview — “..lyrics convey emotions in a really powerful manner.”
Pgh Tribune-Review — “Excellent Trouble.. exhibits a childlike zest for narrative and storytelling.” (Rege Behe)
And a quote, from Grammy-winning country icon Kathy Mattea:
“Brad Yoder is my favorite new ‘discovery’ of the year. His CD stopped me in my tracks, especially the song Leave Like This—I was weeping sweet tears by the end of it.”