SongsByJimBurne

Adam Levy (Solo songwriter/artist, guitarist with Nora Jones and Tracey Chapman).

"Great record. With the steady, laid-back acoustic guitar strums that open 'It's Raining Outside' - the lead track on Jim Byrne's "Every Day Is Sunshine" - Byrne lets us know that he's a storyteller who's willing to take his time. The song is a portrait, painted line by line, of a hapless writer caught in a rainy day. Byrne ultimately cautions the writer (himself, perhaps): 'You're gonna need a coat, not a metaphor.'

Such sure delivery takes confidence and patience, and Glasgow-based Byrne displays both in ample measure throughout "Every Day Is Sunshine." The moods here range from genuine sweetness ('Tell Me You Love Me Again') to youthful wonder ('You Can't the Butterfly') to street-smart wisdom ('Pissin' in the Wind') to gypsy romance ('Down by the Wildwood').

The instrumental arrangements are well matched to each song's emotional climate, with acoustic timbres (steel-string guitars, Dobro, double bass, and occasional fiddle) prevailing. Even as moods shift and seasons change, all the songs on 'It's Raining Outside' feel of a piece and of a moment.

Byrne's singularly straightforward lyrics and appealingly unaffected vocal style tie the strands together and make this album a complete, compelling listen. " Adam Levy

Eilidh Patterson (Folk/Americana singer songwriter from Ireland and vocalist with Beth Nielsen Chapman)

'Every Day Is Sunshine' is a fresh, original album encompassing various strands of roots music from the Spanish-influenced gypsy folk song Down In The Wildwood to the exquisitely tender Can't Catch The Butterfly to the foot-stomping Black Sky Blues. There's even an upbeat 'come one, come all' bluegrass number in there for good measure. Seamlessly knitting all these songs and styles together are Jim's warm, deep, resonant voice and his immaculately crisp guitar accompaniment. This is no more evident than in the playful, upbeat love song Tell Me You Love Me Again - a personal favourite of mine!" Eilidh Patterson

Sabine (photographer):

have to tell you: YOUR NEW ALBUM IS GREAT!!! I've listened a lot the last days. The versatility is fantastic and I was surprised by "Black sky blues" which make it to my favorite song (for now). And I love "pissin' in the wind". Well, you can always get me with blues. The violin at "You don't know" breaks my heart. All in All a complete great album...won't leave my player!"

Dave Arcari (Blues guitarist and songwriter):

JIM BYRNE's latest release Every Day is Sunshine popped through the letterbox the other day. Byrne's second album is made up of ten original tracks most of which are co-writes with Pat Byrne, one with Carol Kidd and a couple written on his own.

Having only heard Byrne solo before, I was pleasantly surprised to hear him ably joined by a bunch of other performers and contributors who help create a nicely produced and consistent yet varying collection of roots/Americana tracks.

For me, though, it's the sparser tracks like You Don't Know and Tell Me You Love Me Again that really showcase Byrne's considerable guitar-picking talents and writing skills.

On some tracks like Black Sky Blues Byrne plays everything himself - some fine slide guitar is credited to Dexter Slim who, I suspect, isn't a mysterious skinny guy from the backwoods but Byrne himself operating under a pseudonym.

Closing track Beneath These Scottish Skies is a crackin' wee bluegrass party in itself and hints at some of Byrne's past country punk activities.

This is a classy album in every way and should easily bring Byrne the wider recognition he deserves.

Buy my debut CD!

My first solo album is now available as a digital download from CDBaby

For the first time you can purchase individual tracks from the album; just buy your favourites. :-)

All the best,
Jim

Buy my debut CD!

I was very pleased to get this positive album review by The Letter - the website run by web designer Blair Millen.

There's something warmly familiar about the debut album from Glaswegian singer-songwriter Jim Byrne that resonates with me. Being a fan of people like Will Oldham, Elliott Smith and Michael Hurley, I can appreciated the gentle, country-tinged, guitar on opening track The Handle's Broken On My Cup. While the whispery vocals on Come Dance With Me bring to mind Lambchop's Kurt Wagner. Byrne has placed himself in good company here.

What a departure though. Byrne's solo sound couldn't be further from the raucous rock of previous band Loris. Where we once had big riffs and howling choruses we've now got sweet melodies and blissful harmonies. Check out My Weather Girl for the epitome of understated pop... all 90 seconds of it!

On These Dark Nights is a beautiful album; ideal listening for those cold winter evenings. It's secret lies not only in the combination of sing-along melodies and simple instrumentation but in the vocals. With only guitars (including banjo and banjo mandolin) and, on Sunday Morning, a Wurlitzer piano to accompany the occasionally fragile-sounding voice of Byrne, the opportunity for close scrutiny is there, but it's this vulnerability to Byrne's singing that turns out to be one of his strengths.

Thanks Blair :-)

All the best,
Jim

Buy my debut CD!

Lovely review of my CD from Helen McCookerybook

Helen McCookerybook - who I saw playing with Martin Stephenson a few weeks ago - is a strickingly talented songwriter. So I am particularly happy that she took the time to review my new CD,

"I have been listening to Jim Byrne's CD, On These Dark Nights and have been enjoying his guitar pickin', especially on the track Weather Girl, which has a sparkly old-timey feel. I also particularly like the countryish Tenderness, but the best track (I'm a sucker for the catchy ones) is Sunday Morning,which has a strong riff and a singalong chorus, and a dark little twist to the lyrics. " Helen McCookerybook blog

Gigs, gigs,gigs

On new years day I played at the Ettrick in Old Kilpatrick - to a crowd of New Year revellers - all in a good mood and all in party mode. Old Kilparick is of course Pat's home village - so it was a night of familiar faces, hugs, kisses and big smiles. I have a little history of my own connected to Old Kilpatrick - as it was during my years as a member of Dexter Slim and the Pickups (in the late 80s I think) that we traveled over to - and played at - the Letterkenny Music Festival. It was part of a mini-tour organised by Pat - and we travelled there - with what seemed like half the village in support. It was one of those adventures that those 'from the village' still talk about - with misty eyed affection for the good times.

While I was playing at the Ettrick I got joined by Jamie (sorry can't remember his surname) on Jemba drum drum and two other percussionists, one playing a Boran and another on the tamborine. It was a good fun set with a bit of banter between myself, the percussionists and the crowd.

Th following evening I played at the Liquid Ship - New Year Hoolay - with Hercules Mandarin and Patrick Bullen. I tried a couple of new songs; one of them still needs a bit of work - the other though went down well. Again it was an enjoyable evening; thanks to Ann, Chris and Jack and Maureen Maille (over from Nimes in France for a visit) for coming along to support me. And thanks for Dochan for putting on the gig.

On Sunday afternoon we went along to see Jim King and Mary Kathleen Burke at the Sunday afternoon acoustic session in Jinty McGinty's (Ruthven Land off Byres Road). Jim King is an an experienced performer who knows how to entertains with his collection of good songs and lovely folk influenced guitar playing.

It was the first time I'd seen Mary; she is a great singer with a rich Irish folk voice. I predict big things for her in the future. I found out later that I'll be on the same bill at the The Butterfly and Pig (Bath Street, Glasgow) on the 11th of this month (this Sunday) I urge you to come along; you won't be disappointed.

The other gig I did recently was at the Paisley Arts on Tuesday night. There wasn't a big crowd but it turned out to be a good night non-the-less as those who were there were determined to enjoy themselves. :-)

I've been doing more work on my website - in particular adding content exclusively for people who have taken the time to register for my Acoustic Adventures newsletter. Subscribers can download custom ring-tones (The holiday song, Daddy's car, Come dance with me and On these dark nights) and a specially designed lyric sheet. Register for my newsletter if that sounds like it appeals to you.

Tonight (Friday) I'll be playing indie rock with Loris; this will be our last gig for a while (or ever) - so come along to Nice 'n' Sleazy on Sauchihall Street if you want to catch the band before we are history. Loris gigs are always good fun - so I'm looking forward to getting on stage with my electric guitar and swinging my arm around a lot. We've only had three rehearsals for this gig - so I predict it will be loose - and seat of the pants stuff; which makes it more entertaining for those watching.

All the best, Jim

Buy my debut CD!

Way hay! I sold my first CD on CDBaby today (http://cdbaby.com/cd/jimbyrne). :-) It's only one, but it proves that someone listened to the songs and liked them enough to spend their own hard-earned cash on buying the CD. I'm taking it as a good omen in these credit crunch times.

How to promote music on the web

I've been doing lots of reading about how to promote my music on the Web - and updating my website as a result. Here are a couple of ideas from my reading:

1. Find out who you sound like; because if the people who like those artists will probably also like you. I've struggled to figure out myself who I sound like, so what I've done is add a form to my website to try to find that out. On every page you will now find a single one field form that ask the question, 'What other artists would you say my music is similar to?'.

Try it yourself, the form is on the right-hand column. There is also a page that lists all the artists that people have suggested. Get back to me if suggestions about how this could be improved (either by email or by adding a comment to this blog).

2. I've added full versions of all the tracks from the album to the website. The simple idea is that there is only one route to people liking and purchasing music; hear, like, buy. Nobody buys music they haven't heard and very few people like an artists music until they have heard it a few times. In other words don't be mean with the song samples. So now every tune has all the words and a full version of the song that can be streamed directly from the site. This advice is from Andrew Dubber's New Music Strategies website.

Goodbye to the band

Last night I rehearsed with my band Loris as we are working towards a farewell gig in Nice 'n' Sleazy's (Sauchihall Street, Glasgow) on Friday the 9th of January.

When I decided on a change of musical direction, i.e. from indie rock to acoustic folk/country I took a break from the band. It looks like that break will be permanent; so if you want to catch the band this is likely to be your last chance. 5 years with Peter Byrne and Bruce Ferguson (and for the first few years David Rogers) produced plenty of great gigs, great songs and a few CDs - so thanks to Bruce and Peter for the music and fun. I wish you both the best in your new musical adventures. I feel sad that the band is ending - as we worked well together - and Loris were definitely a great live band; and both Peter and Bruce are great musicians; but I guess there is a time for everything; and right now is the time to move on to something new.

A happy new year when it comes.

All the best,
Jim

Buy my debut CD!