Beautiful Empty
THE STORY BEHIND BEAUTIFUL EMPTY
Written and directed by Common, it is a lushly orchestrated, lovingly crafted collection of ambitious, cinematic and honest pop songs. The words and music that fill up Beautiful Empty will pin you to the wall, break your heart and put a knowing look on your face.
Why call it Beautiful Empty? It has something to do with solitude – intentional space – and the kinds of things that tend to only happen in those places. The songs come from those stories and films that play in our head when we’re finally quiet and empty enough to pay attention.
PRESS FOR BEAUTIFUL EMPTY
“An acoustic rock masterpiece. The album is a perfect 10.” – Music Connection
“Beautiful Empty showcases a songwriter of remarkable depth and maturity. The album’s rich textures, orchestral arrangements and Common’s weathered-yet-optimistic vocals deliver a package that is sophisticated without being too slick. It invites you to poke beneath the surface, and rewards you with soul, insight and some musical surprises.” – Denver Post
“After nearly quitting music, John Common made the best record of his life. The first thing you notice about Beautiful Empty is its spaciousness: The voices of Common and DeNicola blend together seamlessly. The lyrics on Beautiful Empty are every bit as affecting as the instrumentation, and as varied.” – Westword
“Beautiful Empty, with its lush and spare arrangements, demands a broad audience. It’s one of the finest records out of Denver in years.” – North Denver News
“A talent as real and rich as John Common’s deserves to be spoken about.” – BUCKETFUL OF BRAINS / UKListen to John Common’s interview with Colorado Public Radio here.
Listen to John Common’s interview with Colorado Public Radio here.
LINER NOTES FOR BEAUTIFUL EMPTY
BEAUTIFUL EMPTY by JOHN COMMON AND BLINDING FLASHES OF LIGHT
John Common :: voice, guitars, piano, rhodes, banjo, mandolin, toy piano
Jess DeNicola :: voice
Daren Hahn :: drums, percussion
Casey Sidwell :: bass
Carl Sorensen :: drums, percussion
Jimmy Stofer :: bass, voice
Jon Wirtz :: rhodes, piano, organ, glockenspiel
Scott McCormick :: accordion
Wesley Michaels :: cello, saxophones, mandolin
Adam Revell :: wurlitzer, rhodes, organ, glockenspiel
Produced by John Common and Blinding Flashes of Light
Engineered by John Macy and Nick Sullivan
Recorded at Macy Sound Studios, Cello Hill and Emmasaurus Studios
Mixed by John Macy
Mastered by Randy LeRoy at Airshow Mastering
Design by Scott McCormick
Photography by Scott McCormick and Kelly Kievit
All songs written by John Common except ‘Can You Hear Me’, lyrics by John Common and Jess DeNicola
Copyright John Common Music / BMI. All Rights Reserved. Worldwide.
