Folks, unlike on the cover of his album of the same name … I capitalize his four self-labels in my caption, since Michael on Fire (MOF) just plain out don’t do nuthin’ musically small at all.
Whether he’s softly singing and strumming, or wailing and slashing guitar strings with all his weight … is irrelevant … he just goes balls-to-the-wall when he plays for one and all … thankfully, MOF just don’t know any other way.
My hearty fellow- paisan and native Detroiter- … is just one of them musicians who seemingly explodes his songs on stage- always unrehearsed, unabashed and unbowed … and lets the chips fall in our heads and hearts where they may.
After 40 years of putting himself out there across the world, now using a California base … am embarassed to say I just was smacked in the soul with MOF’s music early this year, as he opened for pal Billy Brandt, at an intimate church/house concert gig in Livonia, MI.
After soaking in his energy, as he roamed the wooden stage, rocking on his guitar, wild curls tossed back over his army jacket … he then retreated to a piano off to stage left. He just tore us all up, as he humbly, softly played piano and dedicated to Billy’s dying mother and his own seriously ailing niece … “Thank You For Today (for all those times you never heard me say)”. Talk about reminding one what’s really important.
He’s done many albums over the years, after cutting his teeth in highly regarded Detroit bands like jazz/fusion group Prismatic (didn’t always get their power as a non-musician, but recall the sheer talent) … and country rock pioneers Old Buck.
His albums … with their variety of soully strong, historically, wildly worded songs, shot thru with his potent vocal passion and urgently executed instrumental backing by his friends-in-arms … all are truly meaningful sonic snapshots in time- he wrote, played and sung ONLY what he wanted to do that musical moment- dig it or don’t, but MOF has never let his pilot light go out … that internal flame keeps him trying to jump higher and higher. Ain’t no accident, that album title, “Keepers of The Flame”.
And when not off traveling the world, seizing solo gigs at house concerts or various venues … MOF’s backed by a strong, natural country outfit out of his Cali base. To testify a bit to their talents, they’re prone to be abducted by a certain “crazy-hearted” actor and country musician for easy traveling, moonlighting duty out on the road. Have heard them backing both MOF & JB … first rate fellas one and all, able to bring it back home … all that down home sound.
Just a couple notes on a couple of his very musically noteworthy recent releases-
on “Live from London”, MOF gathered some new friends with UK and Irish ties … and they all just cut some killer, unrehearsed live takes on his soaring songs. He headed across the pond to find the old country’s ties that will always bind them with our “new” country’s so real, rocking and reeling roots music. I brand this boldest of cultural collaborations in sound … loosely and lovely dangerous– only hurts if it’s first time you’ve taken your sad ears outta the mundane musical box.
Back home in a Detroit studio last year- an almost hellish wintry period including a power outage- “Cadillac Ranch” (nuthin’ to do with The Boss auto ode) was birthed by MOF on all instruments … a rich sounded, oft-romantic but not rose-eyed remembrance of The Motor City and really America’s glory days … as well as a sharp shout out to awaken our sleepwalking selves, and once more at least try bringing back a great land of the free.
As you might’ve gathered by now, Michael on Fire plys his craft larger than life, of course … living out his songs on stages for us all … and in essence, daring us to love life as he does … work till our own dreams come true, and just maybe enlarge our own little lives.
Anyone who’s heard his music at all, or sees MOF play anywhere … must humbly thank him for that gracious gift.
Now go catch a spark with Michael on Fire at …
http://www.michaelonfire.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-on-Fire/243920222693
TimMusic- “I don’t fear the words and sounds … just try holding them close to my heart” 