“Songwriting for me is something I have to do to stay on the sunny side of life. It’s my therapy.”
With that quote, Singer/Songwriter Josh Rouse wrote a beautiful ballad about a “Quiet Town”, and it resonates so well in today’s Quarantine life!
Celebrating Josh Rouse!
Time to put on some classic music, thanks to a great singer/songwriter!
If you haven’t heard the beautiful music of Singer/Songwriter Josh Rouse, then you are missing a treat! My former co-worker, Blair Butler told me about this terrific singer, and once I began to listen, I was hooked!
Rouse has released a series of classic albums, and my “Songs For Sunday” includes a gorgeous ode to isolation…
Here is a short snippet of Rouse’s bio, courtesy of his website:
It may have been 15+ years – from roots in rural Nebraska, through time in ‘Music City’ Nashville, TN, and to the current day relocated to a new home in cosmopolitan Spain – but it seems that the song spirits have been constant companions for Josh Rouse.
The bio goes on to discuss his 2013 release:
“And maybe no more so than on the singer-songwriter’s latest record, “The Happiness Waltz”, an album that marries both his past, and present – revisiting an earlier era, where his music was heavily influenced by the ‘soft rock’ of the 70’s, and combining it with lyrical tales drawn from the here and now – his modern day-to-day life, one deeply enriched by his children and family.”
This was his first single from that album, an immediate classic called Julie (Come Out Of The Rain):
That is a beautiful song, just another in a career full of them. His music is mellow and heartfelt, and in many ways feels effortless – just catchy melodies and terrific musicianship.
Here is one of his most famous songs, a gorgeous ode to love – from his brilliant CD “1972”:
Love Vibration:
Check out this music video –
Interestingly, the singer moved to Valencia, Spain with his wife and kids, and now records music there in a home studio. Here is a beautiful song that speaks to this change in his life:
Quiet Town:
In this era of “social isolation”, Rouse’s song resonate more than ever – a tale of someone who used to be in the spotlight, but has now withdrawn to life in a “Quiet Town”:
“I know somewhere
There is a party going down
Interesting people
Conversation to be found
I’ve lived in cities
Where there is no solitude
I’ve made some friends here
That I hope I never lose
But, for now
I want to stay in this quiet town
The neighbors on my block
They’ve got stories to tell
This is the grocery
But, once was a hotel
And Mr. Driskle he just stands there
With his smile
Inviting everyone he sees
To come inside
This is the life
I want to live in a quiet town
Ohhhh
Sometimes I miss the show
I learned a long time ago”
Here is the video for this gorgeous song:
I hope you listen to his music and support him – he is a great Artist who deserves more acclaim!
You can go to iTunes, Amazon Music etc. to download all of Rouse’s music – there are so many great songs like this one, “Flight Attendant”, which was used in the movie “Eat Pray Love”:
Here is rouse performing his song “Winter In The Hamptons” live in a club in Spain…
You can get additional information and posts by the Artist himself by going to:
Rouse’s music is a perfect mix for a Sunday morning – and so is this Artist:
Stevie Wonder’s music is timeless, and here is a look at his record-breaking run in the late 70’s – three albums in a row awarded Album Of The Year at The Grammys!
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Categories: Art, Books / Media, Classic Rock, Music, Obscure Music, Pop Culture, Spain, Talent/Celebrities
Thanks so much, John. He is good!
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Thank you for listening…he is – it’s a terrific catalogue of songs!
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Yes, he is. My pleasure to listen.
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A beautiful collection from an artist I haven’t heard of before…Thank you for sharing, John…Great songs 🙂 x
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Thanks Carol, he is really great!
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I had never heard of him. The tracks I played made me think of Paul Simon, for some reason.
Thanks for the introduction, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for listening Pete…he has a great catalogue of music in the vein of Simon to be sure!
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very nice, i’ll check him out, i like his sound
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If you have Alexa, ask her to play a mix and it’s hours of terrific, melodic songs that play perfectly while you are doing something else!
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i don’t, but i’ll find him
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Thanks for sharing these great songs, John.
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I ask Alexa to play a mix of his music and it’s great to work to!
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