Joshua Kadison - Painted Desert Serenade

Pianist Joshua Kadison's debut is chock full of odes to finding romance, longing for romance and losing romance. Propelled mostly by the enormously popular adult contemporary hit Jessie, about the searching title heroine and the hopeful, needing narrator who gets sucked into her longing, he paints vivid portrayals of troubled and hopeful dreamers. With lyrics like "Jessie, paint your pictures/'bout how it's gonna be/by now I should know better/your dreams are never free," Kadison taps into the wanderer in all of us. His strength is much like that of the best country music songwriters: Each track brings to life and tells a story about unique characters, whether it's Lady Jane in the title song, Rachel in Picture Postcards from L.A. or Jessie making a recurrent visit in Georgia Rain. With Kadison being an unabashed romantic, none of these songs rock out or even come close to being edgy, but that works to their advantage because he also steers far from the middle of the road with his strong songwriting skills, yearning lyrics, pretty melodies and simple production. The best cut is Painted Desert Serenade, a swooningly romantic song about a senior citizen trying to convince a fellow senior that it's not too late to find love. His follow-up, 1995's Delilah Blue, had no hit singles and disappeared soon off the charts. ~ Bryan Buss, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adele Bertei Choir, Chorus Andrew Parker Viola Andy Parker Viola Annalisa Pessin Photography Arnold McCuller Choir, Chorus Arnold McCutler Choir, Chorus Barry Wilde Violin Ben Cruft Violin Ben Kennard Cello Bill Penham Violin Bob Ludwig Engineer, Mastering Bob Smissen Viola Carmen Carter Choir, Chorus Carmen Twillie Choir, Chorus Carol Kenyon Vocals Chris Laurence Bass Dave "Clem" Clempson Mandolin, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar, Guitar (12 String) Dave Woodcock ?, Violin David Kershenbaum Mixing, Producer David Lasley Choir, Chorus Denny Fongheiser Drums Frank Morgan Oboe Frank Ricotti Conga, Percussion Fred White Choir, Chorus Gary Wright Violin Gavyn Wright Conductor, Violin Gene Miller Vocals (Background), Vocals George Robertson Viola Helen Liebmann Cello Helen Terry Choir, Chorus Ian Shaw Choir, Chorus Ian Thomas Drums Jeffrey "C.J." Vanston Organ (Hammond) John Giblin Bass, Bass (Acoustic) John Gilbin Bass John Kurlander Engineer John Pierce Guitar (Bass), Bass Joseph Powell Choir, Chorus Joshua Kadison Piano, Vocals Kathy Hazzard Choir, Chorus, ? Kevin Smith Mixing, Engineer Lance Ellington Vocal Harmony, Vocals, Choir, Chorus Mark Berrow Violin Mark Cresswell Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic) Martin Ditcham Percussion Neal Wilkinson Drums Nick Bode Design, Art Direction Paul Jones Harmonica Paul Kegg Cello Peter Oxer Violin Peter Van Hooke Producer, Percussion, Drums, Piano Phil Parlapiano Accordion Richard Morgan Oboe Rita Manning Violin Rob Eaton Mixing Robert Smissen Viola Rod Argent Organ (Hammond), Keyboards, String Arrangements, Choir, Chorus, Producer Roger Garland Violin Roger Smith Cello Rosemary Butler Vocals, Vocals (Background) Roy Gillard Violin Ruby Turner Vocals, Choir, Chorus, Vocal Harmony Sherwood Ball Choir, Chorus Simon Smart Engineer Stephen Tees Viola Susie Hansen Viola Tessa Niles Vocals (Background) Tim Good Violin Tim Pierce Guitar Tim Renwick Guitar (Electric) Valerie Mayo Choir, Chorus Wilfred Gibson Violin