HIGH ABOVE & THE DOWN BELOW
HIGH ABOVE & THE DOWN BELOW
Product Description
The master songwriter and singer returns with the strongest collection of new songs in his career. The recording showcases a new updated sound that highlights his pop and jazz influences without divorcing his loyal acoustic and folk fan base. This is the comeback release fans have been waiting for since his serious car accident 5 years ago. Backed by a solid new management team, Cliff initiates an artistic renaissance with this great CD!
Review
Eberhard blows the world's (sensitive, soft-hearted singer-songwriters) out of the water -- The Philadelphia Inquirer
Eberhardt is as welcome as iced tea in August -- People Magazine
His songs display the highest level of craftsmanship, his guitar playing is superb and his singing deeply emotional -- The Washington Times
One of the most talented musicians on the solo acoustic circuit....full of well-crafted songs and rich, emotional vocals -- Seattle Post Intelligencer
what makes his brand so rare is the self-assurance and poise he brings to his nearly flawless show -- The New York Post
About the Artist
In another age, Cliff Eberhardt would have found his niche on Tin Pan Alley or writing for broadway shows. Growing up in a musical family in suburban Philadelphia, he knew by age seven he would be a singer-songwriter. Fortunate enough to live close to The Main Point (one of the top folk clubs on the east coast), his musical radar tracked the likes of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt, and Mississippi John Hurt, offering a diverse tutorial in music. At the same time he was also listening to songwriters like Cole Porter, the Gershwins, and Rodgers and Hart, informing his appreciation for great melodies and clever lyrical twists.
At 15, Cliff and his brother Geoff began touring as an acoustic duo, playing the Eastern club circuit. At 21 he moved to Carbondale, Illinois, one of the Midwest's largest university towns with a vibrant music scene. Along with a young Shawn Colvin, Eberhardt joined celebrated R&B band Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows, quickly learning the ways of the touring musician while developing his own voice and style.
He moved to New York City in 1978, joining the Greenwich Village new folk movement. The clubs were great (Bitter End, Speakeasy, Folk City), the talent amazing (Gorka, Vega, Kaplansky, Forbert, Colvin, among others), NYC was an ideal musician's boot camp. Cliff worked steadily on his music throughout the 80s, doing solo gigs, studio work, and playing guitar on the road with Richie Havens, Melanie and others. Lucrative advertising jingle work allowed him to devote more time to his songwriting.
Windham Hill Records released Cliff's debut album, The Long Road in 1990. Featuring a duet with Richie Havens, critical response was outstanding; the Philadelphia Inquirer declared it "a repeatedly astounding collection." He followed with Now You Are My Home (1993), and Mona Lisa Cafe (1995) and toured extensively. Meeting Red House Records' Bob Feldman (at John Gorka's wedding) resulted in Cliff's joining the venerable indie label. The 1997 release of 12 Songs Of Good & Evil, followed by 1999's Borders earned high praise and critical acclaim, reinforcing Eberhardt's status as a "songwriter's songwriter."
An unfortunate series of events unfolded during the 2001 recording of Cliff's next record: his mother became extremely ill (passing shortly after), the tragic 9/11 attack on his beloved NYC, and a near-death auto accident. He finished recording despite being seriously debilitated by resulting injuries and School For Love was released in 2002. Just at release however, his injuries progressed and doctors performed emergency surgery to prevent his permanent paralysis. The support tour was canceled and his recovery would be a slow process of more surgery, healing and physical therapy.
With the 2007 release of The High Above And The Down Below, Eberhardt returns to prove why he is regarded as one of the most respected singer-songwriters today. A renewed spirit informs the 12 original compositions marking this his most realized and strongest of his career.