MP3 A.J. Swearingen - The Way

Modern acoustic Americana with deep smooth baritone vocals

13 MP3 Songs in this album (37:08) !
Related styles: EASY LISTENING: Adult contemporary, FOLK: Modern Folk

People who are interested in James Taylor Paul Simon Jack Johnson should consider this download.


Details:
A.J. has been writing, performing and producing his own style of acoustic music for the last twenty years.  His voice is rich and uniquely soulful and his contemporary songwriting clearly pays homage to the standout iconic folk-rock-pop artists of the past. 
His latest album, âThe Wayâ, released in 2009, is a finely crafted collection of heartfelt soul-searching compositions that will resonate with audiences and fans, old and new.
A.J.âs musical journey started in Bethlehem, PA and has expanded to a national-international following through performances and cd sales to Germany, Belgium, Japan and Spain. 
A.J has also shared the stage with numerous recording artists including Livingston Taylor, Kenny Rogers, Jonathan Edwards, John Gorka, Dave Mason, and Tom Rush.
As a songwriter, A.J.âs compositions have gained the attention of his peers.  In fact, Tom Rushâs latest release, âWhat I Knowâ, includes A.J.âs previously recorded, âYouâre Not Her With Meâ.

Album Reviews / Press:
On his self-released fifth CD, "Take Flight," Bethlehem-based singer-songwriter A.J. Swearingen clearly pays homage to the masters of delicate folk rock, including James Taylor, Paul Simon and Van Morrison. Swearingen channels Simon most noticeably on the upbeat "Don't Tell Me That She's Gone," which incorporates a bouncy rhythm and jaunty delivery. As a lyricist, Swearingen's themes are emotional and sometimes philosophical. Darkness is often found, but the redemptive power of love conquers all. Swearingen's delivery is plaintive and sincere, his voice deep and strong. Although a Pennsylvania boy through and through, a bit of Texas twang creeps into his voice at times, especially on the title track, a country-style tear-jerker that could win fans among the cowboy-hat set as well as the coffeehouse crowd.
- The Morning Call 2007

 âA.J. Swearingen has more polish than many well-known performers and yet maintains the affability of a small town boy. Swearingenâs music evokes vivid images, and married with a rich baritone voice, offers up an unusual and stirring performance. Swearingen delivers what many solo artists cannot â a complete package of masterful acoustic guitar, superb vocals and a keen wit, a combination that keeps the audience glued to their chairs. 2005 marks the release of Swearingenâs fourth CD. The self-titled venture is a recording that is varied enough to show but a small part of his unique style. Swearingen has the type of voice that begs to conquer more than one genre, including folk, country, and popâ.
- Pamela Mortimer 5-26-05

"A.J. Swearingen has been part of the local music scene for a good number of years, and his new self-titled release shows why he has such staying power. On "A.J. Swearingen," his fourth disc, he plays all the instruments. Swearingen also recorded, mixed and produced the album, which has a clear, clean feel, with Swearingen's voice and acoustic guitar in the forefront. Working in the adult-contemporary singer-songwriter idiom, Swearingen takes on the popular style of James Taylor on the opening track,"You're Not Here With Me," and the folk sound of John Gorka on "Stars Go Blue." But on the disc, Swearingen also veers into modern-folk ballads, with songs such as "I'm Free" and "Merry-go-round." Swearingen's guitar playing is pure and his voice resonant. Altogether his disc is a solid recording offering ample evidence why he has been chosen to share the stage with artists such as Steve Forbert and, most recently, Ellis Paul."
- The Morning Call 4-16-05

âA.J.âs charcoal-filtered voice is unique and booming and is incapable of hitting wrong notes, his skills on each instrument is flawless, clean, and entertaining. Each song on his latest album should (and will) be played on more and more radio stations and his audience is already growing world-wide based on album sales. A.J.âs work will be a permanent fixture here and we look forward to hearing much more from him.â 
 - Chris at GidaFolk Radio 08-Mar-2005

"A.J. Swearingen performs amid an audible hush at the ultra-hip Tin Angel club in Philadelphia's Penn's Landing district. Although Swearingen is alone on stage-save for his venerable acoustic guitar-his plaintive vocals, virtuoso musicianship, and the sheer intensity of his performance make any accompaniment unnecessary. Swearingen himself defies categorization, a mellow troubadour clearly influenced by the folk music traditions, while at the same time the embodiment of something much more hip that resonates with the Tin Angel's eclecticism. It is Swearingen's first performance here, but the crowd embraces his music as though it were a familiar friend."
 - Allentown Times

"The first thing a listener notices about A.J. Swearingen is his voice --- a rich melodic baritone that soothes in the style of James Taylor or Paul Simon. When Swearingen combines his voice with nimble acoustic guitar playing and original ballads that evoke the nuances of the search for love, the result is a package that seems capable of reaching beyond the region and gaining national audiences."
 - The Morning Call

RADIO:
WXPN â 88.5 FM Helen Leicht â Philadelphia, PA
WDIY â 88.1 FM â Bethlehem, PA
WVIA - 89.9 FM - Mixed Bag - Scranton, PA   
WVPE- 88.1 FM South Bend, IN                         
WPRB â 103.3 FM â Princeton, NJ
WVKR â 91.3 FM - Folk, Rock & Roots N.Y.      
WXLV â 90.3 FM â Schnecksville, PA
WFCR â 88.5 FM â Valley Folk â Amherst, MA
WRUR â 88.5 FM â A Variety Of Folk â Rochester, NY    
WPSU â The Folk Show - State College PA    
WAER â 88.3 â Syracuse, NY 
WSHU- 91.1 Fairfield ,CT
WSHU- 91.1 Fairfield ,CT            
KCSC â 90.1 FM â Edmond, OK
89.9 FM Acoustic Accents â Fairbanks, AK    
Rismix Live- www.rismixlive.com -Ontario                                
Online Folk Festival â www.onlinefolkfestival.com
Radio Wayne â Webcast â Shreveport, LA
Whole Wheat Radio â Webcast - Talkeetna, AK