Gabe Dixon - One Spark (2011)

Tracklist

01. Strike
02. Even The Rain (With Alison Krauss)
03. My Favorite
04. On A Day Just Like Today
05. Burn For You (With Madi Diaz)
06. Release Me
07. Running On Fumes
08. Holiday
09. I Can See You Shine (With James Walsh)
10. Losing You
11. Perpetual Motion
12. Lucky To Be Lost


One Spark marks Gabe Dixon's debut album as a solo artist, and is a sonic and artistic leap forward for the musician. Dixon flexes a newfound muscularity in tone and texture - delivering the most personal and rewarding music of his young career. One Spark was recorded in Los Angeles with new producer Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, Kate Voegele, Marc Broussard) and a stellar new cast of players, including collaborators such as Starsailor frontman James Walsh and country/bluegrass icon Alison Krauss.

For the last decade, Nashville based Dixon built a fervent following touring and recording as the leader and namesake of The Gabe Dixon Band. Originally formed as a quintet at the University of Miami, and eventually evolving into a trio, their 2008 self-titled release for Fantasy Records / Concord Music Group earned accolades from The Village Voice, American Songwriter and Performing Songwriter among many others. Paste said of Dixon: "(he) stakes his claim as the next great Pop Piano Man." Virtually the entire album was licensed for use on primetime television; and "Find My Way was featured as the main title theme for the smash-hit Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds film The Proposal.

Those familiar with Dixon's prior work may be surprised by his accomplishment with One Spark. All of Dixon's prodigious talent has thickened into a powerful collection of masterful songwriting and performance, giving us as pure a listening experience as we're likely to find. These songs proudly wear their heart on their sleeve, conveying very human emotions, the things we all want and need but often remain just out of reach: connection, romance and the courage to follow our dreams.

The sizzle and sting of love's possibilities is felt in "Strike," and "Even The Rain" (with guest vocals by Alison Krauss) leaves us with the ache of recognition as a lover leans in close "like I am your black umbrella." We've all been there, in our hearts - if not in fact. Lovers look past the heartache to find the best in each other in "I Can See You Shine." "On A Day Just Like Today" is a resolute plea for a relationship's hard truth, and the infectious "My Favorite" (co-written with Grammy "Song Of The Year" award winner Dan Wilson) is an anthemic statement of love's determination and purpose.

Immediate but lasting, fresh yet familiar, One Spark is the milestone first step in the next chapter of Gabe Dixon's musical legacy. And as album opener "Strike" promises that "one little spark can make a thousand more degrees," One Spark promises that Gabe Dixon will be striking a chord with listeners for many years to come.

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