I Wanted to Fly CD by Sandy Reay and Friends

I Wanted to Fly

Sandy Reay & Friends

 


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I WANTED TO FLY
Sandy Reay & Friends
a review by Jon Chandler

So, while America tunes in each week to watch extravagant productions aimed at creating flamboyant “stars” who have plenty of moxie but absolutely no soul, there are hundreds of singer/songwriters (if not thousands) who fly under the radar, plying their trade with purity and intelligence. It’s a true pleasure to discover one.

Sandy Reay is a fixture in Colorado’s acoustic music scene, playing upright bass and singing in venues ranging from dusty watering holes to elegant amphitheaters. She’s also an exquisite songwriter. Several years ago, she shared the lyrics to a song entitled Sandstorm From Sedona with me, and I was struck by her lyrical integrity and insight. Well, actually I was struck by how fun the lyrics were.

When I heard the jazzy-swingy recorded version, I was surprised and delighted at how Sandy had taken a western theme, rejected its minor-chord stereotype and given it a new, intriguing, and yes, purely western aspect. Her vocal is answered by Bill Barwick’s thundering bass warbling, a flute twitters around the edges, and the whole thing works.

On this CD, she lends several of her songs to lead vocalists who do them justice. From the opening track (I Wanted to Fly), with Christy Wessler singing like Emmylou [Harris] in her prime, the songs are captivating and ultimately interesting.

The good time folk song blast from the past of Already Gone features an iconic vocal from Bob Turner and has the listener unconsciously looking for the car keys, ready to hit the road. Sandy’s songs rank with those penned by many of the best western songwriters…Chris Wall comes to mind. I love Red Shoes, and I love Car Full of Collies. I’m humming Maybe This Time as I write. In the spirit of full disclosure, I also love my harmonica part on One Lonely Rider. But that’s just my opinion.

CD Review in The Western Way by Rick Huff

Tri-Lakes Tribune March 7, 2010
"I Wanted to Fly" by Sandy Reay and Friends
 

A collection of Americana songs about traveling through space and time featuring a variety of styles and musicians
 

Colorado Sandstorm Music announces the release of "I Wanted to Fly," a CD collection of songs that incorporate different aspects of traveling through space and time, including leaving and being left behind.

This CD includes performances by many well-known Colorado artists, including Ernie Martinez (Dakota Blonde, Jon Chandler & the Wichitones), Hannah Alkire (Acoustic Eidolon), Bill Barwick (Western Music Association 2009 Male Vocalist of the Year), Jon Chandler, Jim Ratts (Jimmy Ibbotson, John McEuen, Sam Bush), Sandy Reay, Michi Regier, Peter Schwimmer, B.J. Suter, Bob Turner and Christy Wessler (Nashville Star 2008 Regional Finalist).

Produced by Ernie Martinez and recorded by Jim Ratts at Raven Studio, Englewood CO, this 14-song, 46-minute CD features 7 songs written by Sandy Reay, and 7 songs co-written by Sandy Reay and her friends. Sandy Reay lives near Monument CO.

It is the first independently-released CD by Colorado Sandstorm Music, based in Monument CO. It is featured on ColoradoSandstormMusic.com. It is sold through the web site and CD Baby.
 

Track listing:

    1. I Wanted to Fly
    2. Black Leather Coat
    3. Free Fall
    4. Already Gone
    5. Maybe This Time
    6. I'll Hold You Close
    7. Red Shoes
    8. State Line Cafe
    9. One Lonely Rider
    10. Hitchhiker
    11. Car Full of Collies
    12. Black Creek
    13. Whole Lotta Pain
    14. Sandstorm From Sedona
 

Quotations from Car Full of Collies and Sandstorm From Sedona were included in "Peace Within" by Kebba Buckley Button

Three of the songs from this collection have been recorded and released on CDs by other artists: The Yampa Valley Boys, Ernie Martinez, and Bob Turner.

The Western Music Association 2010 award finalists include:
"Collaborative/Composite Album": "I Wanted to Fly" Sandy Reay & Friends
"Best Original Song": "Already Gone" Sandy Reay

Rope Burns, the Cowboy and Western Trade Industry publication, listed both the CD and one of the songs in their "Top of the Charts" for May-June, 2010.
"Western Music Album": #8. Sandy Reay & Friends - "I Wanted to Fly".
"Western Music Song": #6. Sandy Reay & Friends - "Already Gone"

Songs from this CD are getting airplay:

Four of the songs (Already Gone, Sandstorm From Sedona, Hitchhiker , State Line Cafe) and were selected for inclusion on the 2007 and 2009 Colorado Bluegrass Music Society compilation CDs. One Lonely Rider was an alternate in the 2008 Walnut Valley Songwriters Showcase.
 

What People Said About the CD:

"The quality and diversity of songs, song styles, singers and arrangements is really captivating. Very impressive and quite an accomplishment!" — B.J. Suter, musician

"I commend you for giving all of us a great slice of American music the way we love to hear it." — Bob Wheeler, author

"I listened to your CD again the other day and I'm blown away by the production values. Everyone you picked ... did an amazing job on this CD. well done! " — Michi Regier, musician

"Overall, I like how you have little harmonic twists in a lot of the songs - you think they might be pretty straight ahead, but then you throw in something that takes you off guard (in a good way!) and you go - cool!" — Cindy Egger, musician

"It is really very good! I like the variety of songs, and the way that the songs feature different singers and instrumentation. Very nice!" — Peter Schwimmer, musician

"Your stories are genuine and touching! Thanks for this wonderful project!" — Shawn Winchester, musician

"I listened to your new cd and you all did such a great job. I was impressed with how it all came together." — Sylvia Murray, musician

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  • Copies of I Wanted to Fly are available for $15 plus $3 postage (US).Checks or money orders may be sent to: S. L. Reay, PO Box 2261, Monument CO 80132. Click here for order form.
  • Review copies for journalists and reviewers are available at no charge. Contact Us. Be sure to include your station's call letter, web site, and your address. Thanks!