What is a “Tender Warrior”?
It’s one who embodies the virtues of strength, compassion, kindness, caring and achievement. I love this concept, and it’s why I chose to make it the titular theme of my new musical project, TenderWarriorMusic.com.
Yes, I said musical project, and one that I want to share with you here. You see, life isn’t all about reacting to the markets, tearing our hair out over mercurial trade wars or assessing the latest macroeconomic data. Sometimes, and more importantly, we need to open up our souls and share our intimate visions and artistic passions with each other.
That’s why today, I am elated to tell you about my newly released album, Jim Woods “Tender Warrior”. The album expresses this “Tender Warrior” ethos via my unique blend of Americana and alternative/indie folk rock. Some of my diverse musical influences here include lyrical masters such as Bob Dylan and Neil Peart of Rush. Melodies and instrumentation are heavily influenced by artists such as Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, Ben Harper, Dawes, Ryan Bingham, Robert Ellis and Tom Freund.
One reviewer described the “Tender Warrior” sound in a way I really loved, saying, “Tender Warrior portrays a benevolent sense of life presented through thoughtful and penetrating lyrics set to intricate riffs and catchy hooks.”
Others have told me it gives them a “Neil Young vibe,” while still others have told me it reminds them of early James Taylor. I’ve also been told the songwriting resembles Elvis Costello. Hey, I take all of these flattering comparisons as massive compliments!
You see, I wanted the album to be eclectic, with a mix of acoustic strumming and fingerstyle guitar songs that would integrate nicely with a carefully curated blend of instruments, including harmonica, violin, lap steel, Weissenborn, electric lead guitars, mandolin, piano, keyboards, acoustic and electric bass lines and robust drumbeats. I also wanted to deliver a life-affirming experience that will make you think deeper while you get up and groove.
I wrote all the music and lyrics for this album, and I played guitar, piano, keyboards, harmonica and did the lead vocals on the recording. And to make this project really come alive, I was truly fortunate to work with some of the best musicians in the industry today.
Those musicians include acclaimed recording artist Tom Freund on lead guitars, mandolin and backing vocals; Jessy Greene (Foo Fighters, P!nk) on violin and backing vocals, Ben Peeler (Jackson Browne, The Wallflowers, Shakira, Dawes) on Weissenborn and lap steel guitar, Hugo Vera Solari (Julio Iglesias, All-4-One, Gloria Trevi) on acoustic and electric bass and Michael Jerome Moore (Slash, Better Than Ezra) on drums and percussion.
Now, this project has been many years in the making. In fact, it took quite a bit longer than I ever anticipated to actually bring it to fruition. Yet one lesson I learned along the way, which is a lesson for all we do in life, is that if you have a goal that you want to accomplish, keep persisting at that goal and don’t let it go because of circumstance or expediency, or for the sake of less-important things. There will always be distractions and fires to put out in life. But if you want to achieve a rationally attainable goal, then, as one lyric in the song “Indian Scout” says, “Make your plans and then you decide, what to do with your years.”
Now, if you will permit me a point of pride here, I must say that I am overjoyed with how this project turned out. I am especially overjoyed about the entire experience of recording the album and bringing it into existence.
From my first meeting with producer Sejo Navajos and 4th Street Recording studio owner Kathleen Wirt at a Tom Freund show at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, California, to the subsequent long-and-artistically captivating recording sessions, to the mixing and editing process, and then the creation of the artwork and the production of the website, I must say that the entire process left me ecstatic about how my artistic vision has been birthed into this beautiful world.
Your editor, right, recording with the great Tom Freund.
It is my hope that when you listen to this album, you come away feeling empowered about your humanity and being elated that you are amongst the luckiest humans that ever lived.
I say that because you are here, right now, and you are free to share another human’s artistic vision of the world. And you can share a Tender Warrior’s soul, right here, right now. And when you think about it deeply, all we really have is right here, right now. So squander not the moment.
“Tender Warrior” is available right now at TenderWarriorMusic.Com, and on all of the major music streaming platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
I hope you love this album as much as I loved writing and recording it, as it was conceived and created in the name of the very best within us.
Finally, let me know what you think. Simply send me an email here, as I welcome your feedback.
Of Happiness and Darkness
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
–Dumbledore from “Harry Potter”
What is happiness? I see happiness as a choice. You see, you can choose whether or not to be happy regardless of how hard life is or what obstacles you may face. The way to do that is to “turn on the light” and remember just how fortunate you are to be alive, right here, right now. So, turn on the light of positivity, optimism and hope, and let that light illuminate your soul.
Wisdom about money, investing and life can be found anywhere. If you have a good quote that you’d like me to share with your fellow readers, send it to me, along with any comments, questions and suggestions you have about my newsletters, seminars or anything else. Click here to ask Jim.
In the name of the best within us,
Jim Woods
