Artist description Dave Baldwin has performed for massive audiences; emerging through the haze of smoke machines, wailing under blazing laser lights, and climbing the steel rigging above the roar of 10,000 people. But something completely different happened when he picked up the acoustic guitar. Another musical form -- warm, intimate, real -- would emerge. Now, with the release of his second solo album, Different Man, Dave is communicating the music inside. With his soaring tenor voice, impeccable phrasing, and tangible emotion, Dave's identity shines through the sound. Baptized in Americana, steeped in roots rock, his new catalog of songs doesn't require huge washes of keyboards, thunderous snare drums or a truckload of special effects. They stand on the strength of their own integrity.For much of his young life the New Jersey-based Baldwin has fronted successful bands. Tradia, an original rock act whose album, Welcome To Paradise charted in both Japan and the U.K.; Vox, who performed over 350 shows for literally hundreds of thousands of fans; and Voices, whose release Anything Can Happen found an audience on both sides of the Atlantic and in Asia.Though all of these scenarios brought Dave Baldwin to the forefront, with the 1997 release of his first solo album, Time, he began channeling the spirit inside. But it was a difficult transition for his audience. He explains, "There was period of time when I was playing cover circuit very successfully -- a very large band, full time, six nights a week, traveling -- and I was identified as a certain person. When I came out with my own stuff a lot of people turned the other way. I think they just weren't certain who I was."One of the new album's centerpieces, "Save Me", was inspired by the conflict of expectations and reality when Dave and his band were playing a hometown club on a rainy night."They loved the covers, but when we broke out the original stuff it was like we didn't exist. It was disheartening and frustrating. I went home that night and wrote the song. It's totally literal."Some nights, Dave travels into New York City, to perform his songs acoustically in a purposefully scaled-down setting. "I've turned into the guy who likes to get up, feel the vibe of the room and just tell the story. That's where the concept for the record came from."he concludes,"For a long time I tried to not be something I was, I wrote pop songs and ballads. I apologized for it because it wasn't the 'hip' thing to do. By the time I decided to make my own record I didn't care what the hip thing was – I had to do what was inside of me."

Music Style Pop/Rock

Musical Influences Journey,Kansas,Styx

Similar Artists Elton John, Journey , Matchbox 20, Vertical Horizon

Albums TIME

Press Reviews Former Aerrage, Tradia and Voices frontman Dave Baldwin has now joined forces with Departure (Escape Music) on their upcoming release but until this is released we can enjoy a re-release of his solo "Time" from 1998. At that time the AOR-genre wasn't really kicked to life again, so it was kind of brave to release an album with an overall happy feel combined with good melodies and mighty catchy tunes. This is what "Time" is full of - 50 minutes journey in Dave Baldwin's personal universe, and that is an enjoyable travel in a rare world of master songwriting. great musicianship - and musical taste and class. The CD kicks of with the light-hearted and cheerful "Open up" - and from the first beat I can hear this is both good and meant straight from the heart!! Overall Dave Baldwin from track to track drags his listener closer and closer to his feelings. because the songs reflect all kind of emotions from the mellow and sad "Watch me cry", "Sweet Sister" with piano, cello and violin and "I don't know" all very elegant and to the more up-tempo tunes like opener "Open up" and "I will still be there" where he reaches notes that I didn't even know existed - I have to practice more than every morning in the shower to do that!! His musical influence he has of course in his background in Tradia and drummer Anthony Damelio had followed Dave on this solowork too, but also in the more symphonic bands like Giufffria, Saga, Shout and not to forget Journey. The guitar parts are in the background - but to make up for that Dave plays the keyboards, piano and acoustic guitar with elegance and the drumming is outstanding and as already mentioned the violins, cellos and organs gives this release a "classic" feel and with great, big choruses it would have been BIG if it was released at the right moment. When it was finished I was feeling lifted - like after the first sun in the springtime. It's essential in the AOR-genre - it's great. Steen Peitersen - 21/10/1999

Location Rockaway, NJ - USA

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