John DeGrazio

John DeGrazio left quite a positive impression on me with his previous CD “Revolution”. So my expectations were high in regard to what I expected to hear from him next.

He completely delivers and impresses once again.

John DeGrazio is an astonishingly multi facted, multi talented artist. His “Abandoned World” is a lush auditory soundscape. It is a luscious soundtrack to a dark dreamy movie that hasn’t been created yet but should be. DeGrazio’s voice is rich and versatile without ever straying into the histronic territory so many vocalists inhabit today.

But wait, there’s more. As with his excellent previous CD, DeGrazio plays the majority of the instruments on the CD. This includes, acoustic and electric guitars, drums, bass and piano. He has written the music and lyrics for each song with one exception, “Dream a Little While” which he co-writes with Steven Delopoulos. DeGrazio produced, engineered and mixed every track. He created the percussive programming. I would not be at all surprised to learn he painted and assembled the artwork for the CD.

It is at the very least very dangerous to take on that many tasks with your own creative ‘baby’. Most people have the good sense to hire experts in their prospective fields to handle recording, say, or the mixing, or the playing of different instruments, or even part of the writing. But in each area DeGrazio puts his hand to he is an expert.

This CD reminds me a lot of Beck’s “Sea Change”. They both are full of wonderfully written and constructed songs. Also they both strike me as cathartic break up records that are all at once sorrowful, hopeful and beautiful.

Go get it right now. - Musesmuse.com

Holy macaronis. Stop the presses. Here is another guy we have to put on the frontpage of good albums of 2003! John De Grazio whos a two-time ASCAP Award winner and played in the group Burlap to Cashmere; and toured with Jars of Clay, DC Talk, and Jaci Valesquez, plays a very cool modern singer songwriter rock with flirts of Peter Gabriel, Kevin Gilbert and Brian Vander Ark's suggestive way of being and the more straight ahead commercial refrains a?la Evan And Jaron, Walflowers and Blessid Union Of Souls. And all with a very own unique way of present the thoughts and tones called music. Phew. This is sure a VERY nice discovery and I'm completely stunned actually. I thought of words and superlatives like a contender for the mighty Winberg TOP 10 of 2003 list when I heard the album the first time, and now after a few more listens I'm willing to confirm these thoughts. I love it. I love the voice. I love the songs. I love to production. I love the atmosphere. Do you get it? Yeah I thought so. Listen to second out "With You Always" and say honestly after you heard that track that you don't love it. Listen to third out "Room To Breathe" and look me into the eyes and say you don't like it. It will not happen. I'm sure you will love this album. I'm as sure as I am that the sun will rise tomorrow. What else to say? Well listen to the refrain from fourth out "Something Chemical" and get stunned your self. Well, fifth out "Promised Land" sounds like one of the best songs that Wallflowers haven't done, Geeh. And in that way it continues. What a helluva record! I must check up this man on the net right now. I can't live without knowing what he's done in the past. Are there any hidden treasure I need to buy!!!! This album is more than a must for you all. This album will end up at the very highest chart on my year list at the end of the year. Fabulous stuff. Fabulous.
- Melodic.net

I was immediately grabbed by the simple guitar hook of "Under the Weather" when I put John DeGrazio's second full-length solo CD, Abandoned World, in the stereo. At more than six minutes, this first of 12 tracks is a good introduction to the quality of music this self-produced CD by DeGrazio contains.

Singer-songwriter John DeGrazio is virtually a one-man band. Thanks to modern recording equipment, if you didn't know any better, you would swear he has a band backing him up on guitar, bass, drums and piano on this piece.

I have yet to make up my mind if DeGrazio is a better guitar player or songwriter. He isn't a bad singer, either. Every song has a hook, whether it is with the melody, the lyrics, the singing or a combination. Abandoned World gets played so often in my house, in my car and at work that I sometimes listen to it more than once per day.

The song "Something Chemical" speaks to me. The melody is very melancholy, and yet it is the lyrics that are most poignant. We all know people that are always right, never wrong. DeGrazio's response: "It must be something chemical / 'Cause you think you know it all / I'm tired of playing in your world / 'Cause there's something missing in you / And I can't put my finger on it / It's something I just feel when you're around...."

A friend who heard me playing this CD noted how religious it sounded, and not what they would expect me to listen to. Upon some investigation, DeGrazio appears to be a Christian, although this does not overpower his music for those of you who practice different faiths. He notes on his website that he has toured with Jars of Clay (a very Christian band). Yet, depending upon how you interpret the lyrics, you might correctly decide that Abandoned World is either very religious or not at all. How you relate to the music is personal. If you want Abandoned World to be a Christian CD, then for you, it is a Christian CD. I think this CD has the ability to cross religious boundaries.

A good example of this would be the song "Promised Land." The chorus states "Nobody else / Is gonna bring me to the promised land but myself / Only I can reassure what I believe / And shape reality / Suddenly it seems / Like I'm the only one who sees my dreams...." To me, DeGrazio's words mean that his spiritual journey is an individual thing between him and his god (be that god Christian, Jewish, Muslim or other). Perhaps you would interpret the lyrics differently. Of course, you need to hear all the lyrics before you make a judgment.

Whereas Abandoned World is mostly a solo project, DeGrazio does receive a little help. Joining him on select tracks are Sara Adams (violin), Anne Young (violin and cello), James Warren (viola), Steven Delopoulos (acoustic guitar and vocals), J. Pat Dalton (harmonica and mandolin) and Rebecca Holsworth (flute). More than half the tracks, however, are solo efforts.

Without a doubt, John DeGrazio is a very talented individual. As a songwriter, his lyrics could be interpreted as Christian in nature, if you are so inclined. I would not let your religious background (or lack thereof) keep you from checking out this recording. DeGrazio's music might touch you in a different way. I am not very religious and whether Abandoned World is religious or not, I put this CD on my top-5 list for 2003 without hesitation. - Rambles.net