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Monica is a powerful album designed to combine the loved guitar tones of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s with, big drums, catchy hooks, and modern styling and state of the art recording techniques. A mix of tasty love songs and powerful rock songs, Monica will cycle through your emotions like a great movie. The clean vocal harmonies offset a ballsy guitar and bass sound and catchy, insightful lyrics.
Monica is a true solo album. Written and produced by Neil Sturgeon, all Vocals and Instruments were performed by Neil with the exception of the drums, and consequently there were no compromises. By no compromises we mean, the music was the master, and the album is the story platform. Only one ego had to fight for the spotlight - the ego of the story itself.
The harmonica plays a major role in most songs, inspired by War and Lee Oskar who used the harmonica as an instrument in the ensemble, not just a front man ego toy, and early Stevie Wonder. Each side (A & B) has a bonus track of harmonica. But most importantly, the harmonica helps surface the intended emotion of the stories. You will be surprised at how much it can do to connect your ears with your memories.
Drummer Ben Smith plays on half the album. He is recognized for 15 years with Heart (currently on tour and you may have seen him on the R&R Hall of Fame induction of Heart). Ben has also played with Peter Frampton, Taj Mahal, Cyndi Lauper, Deniece Williams, Phoebe Snow and others. Ben is notable for his amazing feel.
Roger Dyksterhuis plays drums on the other half of the songs – and you will love his great feel and big sound. All Drums were recorded at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle. At the end of each side (six songs) there is a little treat. On Side A Monica Knows will leave you asking for a pure harmonica album. At the end of Side B and the album, Monica’s Fine is the song Monica revisited with harmonica and a Spanish guitar.
The story of Monica is the second in the Bleu Sturgeon Trilogy. Mother of all Guitars was the first album, in which a man's love for a guitar he met in a pawn shop could be confused as the love for a beautiful woman. Consequently, guitars were the only musical instruments on that album other than drums. Likewise, the title track on Monica tells a story of love and wanting metaphorically with his harmonica. The rest of the album uses harmonica to create a lasting and unique timeless sound that augments this otherwise guitar album.
Neil Sturgeon is the Founder and CEO of Allytics, a full service marketing firm in Redmond Washington. After a decade of running 10ks for the Asics National racing team, and more than a decade at Microsoft, Neil created Allytics to support his music habit. It has almost worked, but as the 5 years between Mother of all Guitars and Monica articulates, it seems the roles have inverted and work is getting in the way of music. Neil lives in the heart of wine country in Woodinville Washington, and has created two studio environments for production – the Allytics Studio which is used for voice over work on animated videos, and Meat Locker Studios which is located in Woodinville Washington and is music Heaven which tons of vintage gear, Pro Tools HD, and lots of tubes (mics, mic pre’s, guitar and bass amps, etc.).
It is a good time to be alive. Monica celebrates the emotions of life across a broad spectrum. Love the songs. Become a part of the album. And let the stories take you to a place you have never been, and a place you love.
Condition:NEW. Brand New Factory Sealed
TRACK LISTINGS
1. Sunny Day 2:12
2. Time 3:30
3. Stay With Me 4:13
4. Monica 3:37
5. Alive 4:11
6. Margarita 3:06
7. Monica Knows 1:50
8. Off to War 4:55
9. Second Chance 3:40
10. Heaven 5:18
11. Cold in June 4:16
12. I Get You 4:07
13. Winter Came 5:42
14. Monica's Fine 2:26
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