Sandy Chochinov's ninth collection sees the Manitoba native continuing his quest to write records that are honest, lyrically concise and pull no punches. His no-nonsense approach to singing, songwriting, arrangements and presentation will, I'm sure, remind many listeners of songwriters that first drew attention around the time of punk and new wave. Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe are prime examples from this side of the Atlantic, and American performers like Tom Petty and Warren Zevon are just as relevant. Add to the equation Chochinov's voice, not unlike a softer version of David Byrne's, with a little Petty on the side, and you're probably left with a performer who's desperately out of time, but all the same, sounds pretty good to these middle-aged ears.
Chochinov's lyrics obviously provide the core of his artistic expression and themes of faith, dignity and the passing of time reoccur. This repetition of premise does much to emphasise the ideas and notions behind the music, but it's the tunes you'll be whistling in the shower. Standouts: "Someone to Talk With " is full of blame and doubt, but ultimately positive - rolls along nicely, too. "Shouting Out" is lies and betrayal wrapped up in a killer little tune, and 20 years ago "In Cooperstown" would've been the single, but unfortunately hardly anyone gives a fig for that sort of thing anymore.
click on link Leicesterbangs review
About "A Life"
The journey continues. On A Life, Sandy Chochinov’s engagingly thought-provoking and deftly crafted new album, he carries on the inner explorations begun on Stop, Talk, Look and Listen. Though the perspective is personal, the perceptions remain universal. What is love? Why do we love? Can we still find that spark after so many years? “Seems like yesterday we danced; just a game of young romance.” Sandy once again looks inward, questioning, searching for the answers we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives and in our relationships. “The clock cannot erase the times we’ve had today. If I just had a minute I would spend it with you.” Sandy’s voice grows from strength to strength and mirrors the emotions of each song. He is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and bare his soul. The musical arrangements are lean and focused, never cluttered or over-produced, matching the lyrical expressions and the emotions they convey.
This is an album I will come back to often.
John Einarson/ Dec 2010
author of Forever Changes Arthur Lee & The Book Of Love
"Sandy Chochinov doesn't write "silly little love songs." He does write about love, however, as a partner, lover and father. Sandy sings about the hopes, fears, frustrations and those magic moments in loving relationships with a voice that's both real and impassioned. He also takes time to write about the demons that many of us share. The songs are stripped down and direct. The production never clouds his intent. I recommend any fellow traveler to listen to "A Life."
Robert Fuhr/ December 22, 2010
musician & songwriter
Great to hear from you and that you are still being creative after all these years. I've admired your drive to put out so much music.
I listened to the whole thing. My favourite is Yesterday we Danced. I really hear a lot of Elvis Costello influence(in general). Your voice has a lot of character, which is really important.
Kiva/ April 18,2011
"Your genius shines through."
Mitch Dorge/ March 25/11
I got the CD's you dropped off, and listened to it all the way through, driving around on the new stereo in my Tracker. You should be very proud of that work man, it sounds really great! Possibly your best sounding disc yet. All the instruments and your voice are clear and sound present. I can't believe how good those drums samples are. I really like the perspective of the mix, and where you placed my harmony vocals;. Really great work.
Leonard Shaw/ Jan10/11
About "Stop,Talk,Look&Listen"
No artist worth his/her artistic salt wants to stand still. The creative muse is restless and unpredictable; you just have to be open to it and let it guide you. Sometimes that journey can take an artist through doors they never imagined they would pass through. If the soul is searching and the spirit unfettered by the confines of expectation or familiarity then the imagination will be open to new, exciting and challenging possibilities.
Sandy Chochinov is one such artist who remains committed to stretching his own boundaries, challenging expectations and exploring new vistas. I never know quite what to expect with each album and yet am always pleasantly surprised and delighted by what I discover within. On Stop, Talk, Look and Listen Sandy has found his voice and with it a uniquely personal expression of sincerity, truth and authenticity.
Clearly Stop, Talk, Look and Listen is an album driven by the need to ask the big questions about life. We all hit a certain age where we wonder about the big picture and how we fit in. It’s a process of questioning and searching. It’s also about life’s journey and the need to pause, reflect and appreciate. That mindset informs many of the songs on Stop, Talk, Look and Listen.It’s an album that looks both backward and forward; the fourteen tracks are at once familiar and new. The simplicity of the arrangements and instrumentation belies a deeper subtext to the lyrical content.
The best music and the most creative artists challenge your preconceptions and expectations. Stop, Talk, Look and Listen is a personal statement of reflection, longing, speculation and celebration from a restless spirit ever searching.
John Einarson / Jan 2010
What can be said about Sandy Chochinov ... He is simply one of the finest musician and songwriter's I know. Each of his many CD's steps in new directions and "Stop, Talk, Look and Listen" is no different . Songs on this CD harken the listener back to the finest Neil Young and Tom Petty Albums. Each song is it's own world, exquisitely written and emotionally very strong.This CD will captivate any listener, as it did me, with it's beautiful honesty. Yet another home run for Mr Chochinov ....
Stephen Arndt / Jan 2010
I am totally blown away by this album!
Howard Mandshein / Dec 2009
DJ 92 CITI FM & 101.5 UofM radio
About "Disco 8"
What a delight to receive another CD of highly original and inspired music from Sandy Chochinov! Each of his albums offers a tantalizing cornucopia of funk/fusion/rock/jazz gumbo and Disco 8 is no exception. This is music for the heart, mind and soul from the heart, mind and soul of some of this country’s finest practitioners (okay, Garber lives in the States now but he’s still a Canadian!) capable of painting from a rich and diverse musical palette. What you get is always surprising, rousing, rewarding and ultimately satisfying. Don’t let the title fool you. Like the man says, “This ain’t no disco, this ain’t no fooling around.”
Sandy, Lewsh, Dave, Steve and the gang: you guys rock me, baby!
John Einarson / Oct 2008
author of
Hot Burritos: True story of The Flying Burrito Brothers
Mr. Tambourine Man: The Story of The Byrds' Gene Clark
For What It's Worth: The Story of The Buffalo Springfield
Randy Bachman: Takin Care Business
Made In Manitoba: A Musical Legacy
Miles takes his stroll to lose
those shopping mall jitters of his, but man,
He can smell the very dust on the red desert highway.
Awakening from his unusual dream,
the silent storm
surrenders like every crazy, fallen cowboy.
Dressed to kill and marching to it,
you feel the sirens sweet embrace.
Jump started with some Philly soul
you can leap
into Topo Logic .
This ' breath of fresh air' apologizes to no one.
Gary Taylor / Sept. '07