Al "Coffee" MeDaniel: A Shoe Is A ShoeCategory: Music
Article added by: Dave King
Al "Coffee" McDaniel:
"A Shoe Is A Shoe"
Tampa-St. Pete, Florida is a teeming metropolitan area With a population of over 1,000,000 people and growing every day, it's very easy to lose oneself there--if that be your wish. But Al "Coffee" McDaniel is not content to live a life of quiet anonymity. Since he was five years old, he has worked to attract attention to himself and his music which today can best be described as a "special blend" of Pop, Jazz, R & B, Neo-Soul and Blues. He has been compared to Barry White, Marvin Gaye and Frank Sinatra all rolled up in one.
McDaniel started his musical career at the tender age of five when he fronted a gospel band of five. Granted this band was comprised of siblings and family members, but he sensed even then the course his life would take. At the age of twelve he picked up the guitar. Since then this boyish alto/tenor has matured into a smooth as silk baritone, and his guitar playing sings with this "special blend" as it accompanies his singing.
Al has added record producer, arranger and composer to his red hot resume, and has recently released a two disc set which showcases his abilities as an entertainer and performer. This two disc set was released to help raise funds to fight breast cancer.
Says Al "My new CD is entitled, "A Shoe Is A Shoe" It is a double disc and consists of 17 enticing tracks, with song ranging from blues to R&B to Jazz. The first disc consists of up-tempo Chicago Style Blues. The second disc features more slower, romantic, soul, and smooth jazz. It has a variety of styles and hopefully will cover every mood that the listeners will appreciate. I'm very excited and pleased with the outcome of this CD I believe that it will show my progression as an artist, and as a songwriter.
Meet Al "Coffee" McDaniel and see why it had to happen that the Bay area could not contain this talent for long before the rest of the world discovered him.
We see by reading your bio, that there have been a lot of comparisons drawn between you and other artists/musicians/performers. Do you feel these comparisons are correct? (If not) how would you describe your sound? First as a a guitarist, then as a vocalist.
I believe that we all as artists, develops our crafts and skills from studying and listening to other already established artists. I believe that it is important to sound commercial, but at the same time, it is also important to be unique and to try and develop your own identity and style. People have often told me that I sound like Barry White, Marvin Gaye, Frank Sinatra, Lou Rawls, and others. This is a great compliment because all of these great artists have been my musical idols, and it is an honor to be somewhat compared to them. It is my legacy to keep the music of this era alive, because it will never be replaced, and will never die. This music were created, and performed by real people, which is different from the new computer generated music that we hear today. I would describe my particular sound and style, as a vocalist, and as a guitarist, as somewhat of a mixture of all of these great artists previously mentioned. I developed my skills by singing, playing, and studying there music over the years. I guess my guitar skills and styles comes from B.B. King, Carlos Santana, Ernie Isley, and many other fantastic guitarists. Out of all of this, I feel that I'm slow gravitating toward the Blues. It appears to be slowly becoming more of my forte. I really love and enjoys playing the blues. It is very emotional, intimate, and personal. I'm very blessed and fortunate to be able to play and sing the various styles of music. It is definitely a gift from God. I try to define myself as an vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. I also try to leave it up to other people to label and define what style of music it is, or what genre it identifies with. To me, it's all music and it is what I do. "It is what it is."
When and how did you get involved with music?
I got started in music around the age of four or five. I started out singing in a family Gospel. This group consisted of a brother, two sisters, and a cousin. I was the youngest in the group and was also the lead singer. My mother was a very Christian lady and kept us in the church. I can remember getting up early on Sunday mornings and going to a radio station to sing on a "live" broadcast show. We would also sing in churches. I learned to play the guitar at age twelve. I also taught my younger sister to play the guitar. I was self-taught, but did take some guitar lessons in later years. In elementary school, I also was the soloist in the chorus, and won my first solo competition.
Who were your earliest influences?
My earliest influences was probably Elvis Pressley. I loved the fact that he played the guitar, as well as being a wonderful singer. I also enjoyed watching his movies. I guess I have to say that Otis Redding, James Brown, Frank Sinatra, and Teddy Pendergrass, were some of my earlier influences.
In the time you have been playing, how many CDs (or albums) have you recorded? How many under your own name; how many accompanying other musicians?
I have recorded a total of nine CDs under my independently owned record label, CPA Records. Most of the accompanying musicians were locals, and are not exactly household names. Nevertheless, they are some awesome musicians.
In your career what big name performers have you played with?
Some of the big name performers that I have performed with were Billy Paul, Joe Simon, Gene Chandler, Denise LaSalle, and comedian/actor Sinbad.
You have recently released a two CD set that you have released for a cause. This set you call A Shoe is a Shoe. Tell us about this.
My new CD is scheduled to be released nationwide on June 16, 2006. It is titled, "A Shoe Is A Shoe" It is a double disc and consists of 17 enticing tracks, with song ranging from blues to R&B to Jazz. The first disc consists of up-tempo Chicago Style Blues. The second disc features more slower, romantic, soul, and smooth jazz. It has a variety of styles and hopefully will cover every mood that the listeners will appreciate. I'm very excited and pleased with the outcome of this CD I believe that it will show my progression as an artist, and as a songwriter.
Being as a percentage of the sales of these CDs are being contributed to the Breast Cancer Foundation, did you have this horrible scourge affect someone close to you?
A percentage of the sale of each CD will be donated to the cure of breast cancer. I personally have a very high incidents of cancer victims in my immediate family. My mother died from cancer when I was 14. I watched her suffer daily after being sent home from the hospital basically to die, because there wasn't anything else that they could do for her at the hospital. In those days, they didn't know a lot about cancer treatment. I have a brother that is recovering from colon/rectal cancer, and an aunt recovering from colon cancer.
Of this set, the first CD features you playing Blues guitar. You are as slick and as polished as any artist recording today. Tell us about this particular CD. Who do you feature on these tracks?
As I mentioned earlier, I'm probably slowly gravitating toward the Blues. I'm also enjoying the relationship that I have with my guitar. The Blues allows me to express my emotions through my guitar. Maybe I should give my guitar a name. Maybe I'll call it "Miss Coffee" The musicians featured on this CD are not exactly what you would call house-hold names, but in my opinion, they are as good and as seasoned as any musicians in the industry.
The second CD features a blending of different genres, from R & B, to Blues, Rock, and "Neo-Soul". For those who are not in the know, can you define "Neo-Soul"? Tell us about this CD, about who accompanies you on these tracks, and most particularly the female vocalist you sing with.
Neo-Soul is the newly defined genre that consists of a combination of soul and smooth jazz. Sade, Erica Badu, and Indie Arie falls in the category of Neo-Soul. The Musicians appearing on the tracks currently resides in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. The female vocalist that sings on the track "You Be You' is known as "Treasure" I'm sure you'll be hearing more from her, and many of the other musicians appearing on this project, in the very near future. Please stay tuned.
With the present push to make women aware of breast cancer, other than contributing monies to this foundation, have you aligned yourself with their cause in other ways? We are certain that regular concerts would raise funds for this cause and would help make people aware of this matter.
There are several shows and events planned in the near future to promote the CD and also raising funds for helping to find the cure for breast cancer.
We're also planning a CD Release Breast Cancer Benefit for Sunday, July 9, 2006, at the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa. (Please see attached flyer).
For more Information www.almcdaniel.com
For video on Al McDaniel http://almcdaniel.com/Video.php
Posted By: Dave King
Web: http://www.crossharpchronicles.com
Contact: e-mail
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