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ALBUM REVIEW:
Album Review:
Mixed Messages – Andrew Bayuk
By Renda Writer, Event Host, Promoter
As the host of
several 'Open Mic Nights' throughout South Florida, I am always coming
across talented musicians. On April 24th, 2006 I started a weekly open mic
at Java D'Lites, a coffee shop in Coral Springs. This was also the night I
first met a kind and humble acoustic singer/songwriter named Andrew Bayuk.
Andrew grabbed
the crowd's attention, singing an original song with lyrics that spoke of
intelligent opposition to the war in Iraq, suggesting that it is fueled by
"Bullshit," which was also the song's catchy and appropriate title. He
followed with a song called "Mixed Messages," an insightful song for those
who have more questions than answers in their relationships.
At the end of his set, it sounded as if he said something like, "Thank you…
My name is Andrew Bayuk. Hope you liked my music. I'll be back next Monday."
But it was hard to make out his exact words because within seconds of
finishing his last note the entire place was pulsing with applause that
continued until he walked off stage.
I took this opportunity to walk over to talk to him. Our exchange of
compliments and introductions was brief, but what stood out most to me was
his assertion that he would come out to play every Monday night as part of
what he labeled a personal 'regiment' to go along with his ongoing recording
of his debut CD, "Mixed Messages."
Six months later, after roughly 24 more appearances at the open mic, Andrew
walked into Java D'Lites and handed me a professionally packaged copy of
"Mixed Messages," complete with 11 original songs. He told me that the 1,000
unit reproduction of the CD was paid for as a prize for his song "Footprints
in the Snow" winning first place in the "Big Push Folk Competition" on
www.AmericanIdolUnderground.com – pretty impressive in my book. And as if
this wasn't enough to pique my interest, he also revealed that he currently
held the number two and three positions in the listing of the "Top 900 Songs
of the Times" on Neil Young's "Living with War Today" website .
With all that being said, I couldn't wait to get home to listen to the CD. I
slid it right into my car stereo after leaving the open mic and drove away
to the sounds of the title track. By the time I got home, I had heard 11
honest and original songs that prove what a lifetime of devotion to your
craft can produce - an opus that any musician would be proud to call his
own.
But Andrew Bayuk is not just any musician. His versatility won't let him fit
neatly into any one music genre. Although, he does hover closely over the
"folk rock" category and creatively integrates varying influences such as
Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and The Beatles into his own signature sound. "I've
Seen" is a soft and mellow account of a full life that has no doubt inspired
a need for poetic output. On "Losing Time," Bayuk gives us a Pink Floyd-esque
pleasing and relaxing song that contains two solid verses separated by a
guitar solo, each verse ending with a lyric that will make you say, "What
did he just say?" And what did he say? You'll have to get a copy of the
album to find out. The topics on the album include familiar ideas such as
love, life, and politics, but Andrew is not at all afraid to cover new
ground, as evidenced on "Weighing of the Heart," which is based on accounts
of judgment after death recorded on ancient Egyptian scrolls. And "Shine On"
is a fun, upbeat track that urges you to "stop what you are doing/ take a
look around/ forget about your problems/ and shine on."
Strong talent, strong lyrics, and strong convictions make for a strong and
moving CD. "Mixed Messages" belongs in everyone's CD collection and with the
incredible buzz that Bayuk has established for himself on the internet, at
his live performances, and by winning several contests it soon will be. But
just be sure to leave room in that collection for his next CD too, which he
is currently working on.
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