TOPANGA Music of the Mountains

Originating in Topanga, this compilation of local musicians demonstrates just how good independent music can be. Conceived as a fundraiser for the local "Community House/town hall," this collection contains 18 soulful, heart-felt songs by gifted and talented musicians, with a focus on ballads and easy-going, mellow music. No schmaltzy junk here.this is real, enjoyable, adult-oriented music, laid back and original. Just the thing to start your day with, while drinking your morning tea, as the fog deep in the canyons of Topanga begins to recede.

"Over 70 minutes of cool music.performed by Topanga's hottest musicians" is written on the side of the CD packaging, and it sure seems accurate. Grammy Award winners and nominees, Film and TV composers, and independent musicians, all contributed to this great collection of tunes. Grammy Winner Colin Hay from "Men At Work", Fred Tackett from "Little Feat", Grammy nominee Mac Quayle, Award winning New Age Artist Suzanne Teng, Billboard Magazine's "Critic's Choice Award" winner Djam Karet, and others, all play from the heart on this soulful album.

Much like Topanga itself, "Music of the Mountains" has a Country and rural feel, laid-back and mellow, like the afternoon sunshine filtered thru smoke and crystals.not too pretentious or image conscious, but filled with emotion and deeply-held convictions. Pastoral and relaxing, this CD is living proof that high quality music for adults exists.but is usually only found on independently produced CDs, such as this one.

Most of the music on this CD is in the "Singer Songwriter" vein, with some additional instrumentals included as well. There's a large preponderance of acoustic guitars, violins, and Hammond organ, playing behind beautiful melodies and inviting harmonies. Real instruments played by hand, not computer. These songs are expressive and emotional, music as an art form, not a commodity crafted for mass appeal. This is music by "conviction," not music by "committee," a style that seems to be slowly fading away.

So kick back, relax, and enjoy the music. Gayle Ellett

The Musicians:
Lisbeth Scott, Colin Hay, Kim Carroll, Eric Lynn, Elizabeth Egan, Suzanne Teng, Shelby Flint & Tim Weston, Fred Tackett, Rick Ellis, Johnny Blue & The Rhythm Riders, Dave Dale, W, Michael Levine, Wendy Smith, Mac Quayle, Djam Karet, Tim O'Gara, and James McVay.

Produced/Created by: Gayle Ellett
Topangamusic@netzero.net
P.O. Box 1421 Topanga CA. 90290 USA

Lisbeth Scott
"DOVE is a hit"---Village Voice
"Scott's voice is penetrating, strong and poignant.riveting"---New Age Voice
Sang in the films: "The Sixth Sense", "The Scorpion King", and "Shrek".

Colin Hay (Vocalist for Men At Work)
"Colin Hay's voice is instantly recognizable"---Billboard Magazine.
Australian Grammy Award Winner.

Kim Carroll
Wrote music for the TV shows: "N'Gear", "Cold Case", and "Crossing Jordan", and the films: "Veronica Guerin" and "The Rundown". Recorded with Sinead O'Connor, Colin Hay, Fiona Kennedy, Lily Siren, and others.

Eric Lynn
"Best Independent Pop Album of 2001"---Los Angeles Music Awards.
Recorded with Ziggy Marley.

Suzanne Teng
"Critics Choice - Sensual and serene, an impressive solo debut." ---Billboard Magazine
"Top 10 album of the year"---Public Radio International
"Best New Age Artist 2001"--- Independent Music Awards

Providence (with Shelby Flint)
"I started off copying a girl named Shelby Flint....".--- Joni Mitchell (!)
Shelby Flint has worked with Chick Corea and Al Jarreau, and many others.

Fred Tackett (guitarist/vocalist for Little Feat)
"This is humid, dusty music, like that imagined as the soundtrack to a merciless Southern summer with no rain, just the promise of some."---All About Jazz magazine

Rick Ellis
"His infectious voice and appealing guitar licks keep his audience engaged. A poised performance." ---Music Connection

Michael Levine
ASCAP 2004 Film & Television Award Winner.
Composer for TV's: "Cold Case", Drew Cary's "Green Screen Show", and the films: "Shrek 2", "Veronica Guerin", "Matchstick Men", "Tears of the Sun", "Wonderland" and many others.

Mac Quayle (Fibre)
More then 30 #1 Billboard Dance Chart hits!! Re-Mixed albums for: Madonna, David Bowie, Sting, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Beyonce Knowles, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Joy Division, Phillip Glass, Quincy Jones, ZZ Top, and many others.

Djam Karet
"#2 Independent Album Of The Year"--- Rolling Stone Magazine
"Critic's Choice Award"--- Billboard Magazine
"#6 New Age Album Of The Year"---Tower Record's PULSE! Magazine

James McVay
Worked on the films "Desert Winds", "Freaky Friday", "Race Against Time: The search for Sarah", "In The Blink of an Eye", and many others.