Michael Landau Reveals ‘Killing Time’ (live) From New Album ‘Liquid Quartet Live’

14th August 2020 0 By Jon Deaux

Michael Landau will be releasing his brand new album ‘Liquid Quartet Live’ on 21st August via The Players Club, a division of the Mascot Label Group. Ahead of this he has revealed a ‘Killing Time’ (live)

Talking about the song he says; “David and I wrote this moody song many years ago, but the lyrical message is, for me at least, timeless. It’s about the futility of trying to demand love when it isn’t there any longer. Sometimes for very obvious reasons, sometimes for no clear reason at all, love just fades… no way to justify it, or rationalize it, because hearts aren’t built to be rational. It’s kind of like taking a breath – we don’t think to do it, or know why we decide to continue breathing – we just do. So it’s a song about love and loss, and maybe a little about endurance as well.”

The album was recorded live at the world-famous Baked Potato Jazz Club in Los Angeles in November last year with his Liquid Quartet line-up of drummer Abe Laboriel Jr (Paul McCartney), bassist Jimmy Johnson (Alan Holdsworth) and on guitar and vocals, David Frazee (Burning Water).

Since being that teenager he has gone on to a phenomenal solo career as well as collaborating with an incredible number of artists such as; Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, BB King, James Taylor, Ray Charles, Donna Summer, Tim McGraw, Stevie Nicks, Cher, Graham Nash, Roberta Flack, Ringo Starr, Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Joe Cocker, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, and Rod Stewart to modern iconic pop albums such as Michael Jackson (‘Bad’/‘Invincible’), Alanis Morissette (‘Jagged Little Pill’), Anastacia (‘Anastacia’/’It’s A Man’s World’) and Mariah Carey (‘Emotions’/’Music Box’). The musician and composer has also worked on several movie soundtracks such as ‘Collateral’ (2004), ‘Blood Diamond’ (2006), ‘Salt’ (2010), ‘The Green Hornet’ (2011), ‘Larry Crowne (2011), ‘Rock of Ages’ (2012), ‘The Bourne Legacy’ (2012) and more. He also picked up a Grammy Award (2018) and Grammy nomination (2016) as part of the Steve Gadd Band.

But it’s live where you see Landau express himself with such ferocity; “The rawness and the unknown factor of a live recording is fun, the trust and the sometimes reckless abandonment of playing live. I play differently when I play live, more aggressive at times. It’s a cleansing moment to just let it rip and not worry about it.”

The set list features outings of some brand new songs (‘Well Let’s Just See,’ ‘Can’t Walk Away From It Now’) as well as some inspired renditions from his back catalogue; from his previous studio album ‘Rock Bottom’ (‘Bad Friend,’ ‘One Tear Away’), Burning Water’s (‘Can’t Buy My Way Home,’ ‘Killing Time’) and Renegade Creation, the band he formed with Robben Ford (‘Greedy Life,’ ‘Renegade Destruction’) as well as two instrumentals to finish the night.

Much of the world has been in unprecedented modern times with lockdowns and curfews imposed across many countries to minimise the devastation of a virus pandemic and having moments like this concert, laid down on record, reminds you of the specialness of live music and how it can move and affect us all. “I do miss playing live but Covid-19 is no match for the power of music! Music has saved me over the years, time and time again, and I’m sure this time will be no different.”

1. Can’t Buy My Way Home
2. Well Let’s Just See
3. Greedy Life
4. Killing Time
5. Bad Friend
6. Can’t Walk Away From It Now
7. Renegade Destruction
8. One Tear Away
9. Tunnel 88
10. Dust Bowl