Here are my 7 solo albums to date.
I recognize that to some ‘fans’ my albums and song catalog creates a kind of paradox. I cross over many genres, from gospel to rock, from folk to new age, from singer/songwriter to composer. Some of my songs are sung in Churches around the world while others are featured in network TV shows and feature films. I like to write for different audiences and mediums….. each provide a challenge and that makes writing music interesting to me. And I realize that this can also make it difficult for audiences…. some are fans of one style and quite bemused by another.
Hey as Bing Crosby said “Don’t fence me in!”.
My most recent album is “Flesh & Bone”, a somewhat reflective, acoustic/vocal album, in the vein of Jack Johnson, James Taylor, Sufjan Stevens and Donavon Frankenreiter.
“Prisoner of Hope” best reflects the sound and success I have enjoyed in ‘Hollywood’. An earlier album “Chris Falson”…. known as the black and white album…. has a similar vibe and if you enjoy one you may enjoy the other.
The Quiet, is another reflective, acoustic/vocal album, however this is more gospel or hymnal in nature.
Tree by the Water and The Amazing Stories (Live) feature many of my songs that are sung in Churches and the fabulous voices of Linda McCrary and the Amazing Stories….. the albums are ‘bluesy’…… someone described our sound as ‘blue eyed gospel’.
For Dreamers Only was my first solo album…..and is just music. Because I was known for ‘jamming’ at the end of songs (the never ending ending….) people started asking for an album of this kind.
Flesh & Bone
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The sound of Flesh & Bone is open and acoustic and it features the lovely and sensitive performances of Tony Green on upright bass, Susan Constantini Green on acoustic piano and Danny Ybarra on percussion. As well as being great friends, these guys make up the nuclei of my band here in LA and I feel quite naked when I have to perform without them.
Hope you enjoy. Would love your feedback….. good or other.
Prisoner of Hope
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April 2004 we, The Oxygen Thieves invaded the McSparren household just off the Miracle Mile, filling every available space with electric and acoustic noise makers. All the songs were recorded live…. you know… like the good old days….. fixing only the really bad bits and adding a harmony or solo once we had all agreed ( a miracle in itself) on a good take. We wanted the album to sound true and organic and so have left alone the very human aspects of jamming, the natural ambiance of city traffic and bird life and of course the occasional slamming of doors and creaking of chairs. All of these songs were written for people I have met in my travels over the past year or so.
1.Back on My Feet 2.Rhythms of Grace 3.Come Home 4.Love Found Me 5.Only Love 6.Prisoner of Hope 7.Change the World 8.You All Along 9.It’s a Beautiful Day 10.The Path
The Quiet
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“For Many years people had been asking me , ‘do you have an album with just your voice and your guitar?’ My answer has always been a resounding no, and up until very recently I had absolutley no desire or plans to make such an album. Strange though it may seem I feel quite naked and vulnerable (and quite nervous) performing on my own and yet it is often during these (odd) ocassions strumming to my own voice that I experience a unique sense of peace and freedom. I had always considered myself primarily a band musician, enjoying the creative support of other musicians. However, I have somehow found an enjoyment over the past eighteen months playing solo and have actually discovered a new way of expressing myself as an artist. And so I gradually softened to the idea (with the help of my wife’s constant urging) of this ‘just me and my guitar’ project. During a season of rest (which really means I had no work) my friend Chris Rich called up to say that he had a few days open in his studio. I explained the idea of a quiet album and he said, “let’s do it!” Days later, armed with a few guitars, I drove over to his studio “The Shed” and in two very lazy days we recorded and mixed this album. Mostly new with a few old favourites, these are some of the songs that I like to sing to myself when in pursuit of ‘the quiet’.” Chris Falson, September 2000.1.Were you There? 2.Teach me Lord 3.Who Would Lay His Life Down 4.No Eye Has Seen 5. I’ve Been With My Lover 6.I Can Hear The Angels Singing 7.Without You I’m? 8.Jesus Crucified 9.Unconditional Love 10.I Need More
A Tree By The Water
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Reviewed by Gordon Ely of Billboard Magazine
“A Tree By The Water” maintains the loose-but-tight character and feel of Chris’s earlier albums that has led some critics to refer to his sound as reminiscent of James Taylor, Van Morrison and latter-day Clapton. Filled with Chris’s subtly brilliant acoustic and electric guitar work, and songs that range from gentle ballads to bluesy rockers and soulful Gospel, it continues Falson’s groundbreaking role in expanding the boundaries of modern worship music. “
1.Like A Tree 2.To Be With You 3.Everything’s Alright 4.More Of Jesus 5.Holy Spirit 6.The Throne Room 7.Here I Am Lord 8.Wash My Sins Away 9.Peace Of God 10.I Will Wake In The Morning 11.I Want To Be Like Jesus
For Dreamers Only
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Chris’ first solo project recorded in 1989 is this Instrumental album. Recorded with many of the musicians featured on Chris’ other albums this is the ideal “turn out the lights, sit in you favorite chair, close your eyes and forget about your problems” album. Over the years Chris has always featured a set of contemplative music in his concerts and after constant requests from fans and friends he re-released this CD with 2 bonus tracks for our enjoyment.
1.Here Comes The Dreamer 2.Lord Of My Dreams 3.The Tide Is Turning 4.Peace 5.For Dreamers Only 6.Angels 7.The Cross 8.Dusk
Live Worship
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Review: Premier Magazine UK “Australian songwriter Chris Falson’s live performance mixes his gruff Joe Cocker style vocals with bluesy playing and gospel vocal backings. The mix makes this album an inspiring worship experience. From the Hammond organ filled groove of the opener Standing On The Rock through to the simplicity of the atmospheric gentle worship of Pure Joy and Let Me Be A Worshipper, Falson certainly has a soulful approach! Contributions from legendary Gospel vocalist Linda McCrary only serve to give this a touch of class and all eleven songs go to prove what a fine songwriter Falson has become”.
1.Standing On The Rock 2.Let Me Be A Worshipper 3.Come To The Waters 4.Help Me To Forgive 5.The Heavens Round Your Throne 6.Pure Joy 7.We Need A King 8.All Honour 9.I See The Lord 10.One Voice 11.Calling Jesus
The Black And White Album
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Premier Magazine UK: “Chris Falson’s debut album on Broken records features tasty, blues influenced guitar licks, songs that speak to the heart and mind, and memorable vocals.”
This was Chris’ first solo album as a singer/songwriter. It was produced by Robert Vaughn (Island Records) and engineered by Keith Walker (Crowded House, Midnight Oil). Recorded in Sydney and Mixed in LA the album was released by Broken Records in 1992. The track Good People was released as a single and received steady rotation on radio stations around the US. Though the album is often ‘unavailable’ it remains a favourite of diehard Falson fans.
1.Cool Water 2. One Day 3.Good People 4.Jamming With The Angels 5.Wake Up 6.Who Do You Love? 7.Ease The Pain 8.I Am Waiting 9. Wind In His Hair/Can You Go The Distance?