CD Album comments: "Listening to Larry Rossi's YOUR HEART CD is like having a conversation with a friend. I almost found myself, or the spirit in me silently responding, agreeing or just sighing along with the author of this very honest music. Everyone has their own form of expression and style in communicating truth and art, and Larry seems to have found his niche'. This CD has elements of the old and new and communicates on a different frequency from a lot of the stuff one hears today. Honestly, I was especially touched by the opening track which further invited me into the remainder of the album. I enjoy finding music now and then that is definitely off the beaten path. YOUR HEART is such an album. If you'd like to hear something that is real and uncommon these days and hear the voice of a friend, then check out YOUR HEART by Larry Rossi." Phil Keaggy - Christian Musician, Recording Artist, Master Guitarist ****************************** Listening to you sing is like speaking with a dear friend... so comforting. Great songs, tasty acoustic guitar, cool electric guitar (loved the crazy phase shifter, wah and fuzz) and the horn too!!! There are some gems here... fantastic production too!!! Great job!!! Mark Cross - Composer, Mixer, Producer - Randy Newman, Shelby Lynne, Jennifer Warnes, ER, CARS, Meet The Parents, Nickelodeon ****************************** His messages are simple yet essential and are presented in a fresh and invigorating way. I have found that listening to his music a few minutes a day has led to me being able to start sorting out the daily complexities in my life as God would want me to. It is like Rossi’s songs contain guidance and support that I find before I realize I am in need of it. Almost everyone can use a little reminder of God’s compassion and love, and Larry's compositions fit the bill. His deep faith is evident in his music, yet he avoids preaching. Instead, he conducts a dialogue with his listener — a true connection is formed between him and his audience. Rossi uses his songs as a vehicle for the expression of God’s love and his compositions serve as sources of inspiration and faith. In a world where stability and good guidance can come at a premium, Mr. Rossi’s message shines through as a fixed rock of faith. David Morton - High School musician ****************************** This is truly an inspiring record, can we still call them records? This recording is right out of the singer/songwriter tradition, it reminds me of a better time in my life, a time where I was more idealistic, a feeling that I want to get back. Rossi has provoked many thoughts with this recording, from spirituality to reality - how can I be a better person. I am a spiritual person to start with, but Rossi has made me think - what can I do to contribute more to society, my fellow man or woman, and how can I keep my side of the street clean. This is what I call a multi-dimensional record, you can enjoy this record on many different levels. The music is organized in a way that you can just enjoy the tunes, whether solo guitar and vocal, or the full arrangements, the music stands alone! From an arranging and production perspective the acoustic guitar and vocal tie all of this music together. Rossi has a very unique approach to guitar playing using combinations of single lines and chords as opposed to just strumming chords, and his vocal parts walk the line between singing and talking, a very effective use of dynamic change to bring out certain words and elements of his music. Another level here is the content of words. I must admit, I do not often listen to music of the spiritual nature, that said, I find myself in deeper reflection after listening to this record. There are a few songs that stand out to me:"Tell Someone", a song that provoked me to pick up the phone and call my father, "Asking In the Name of Jesus", musically, the strongest of the collection, a fantastic combination of musical elements and lyrical content, and "Make Sure You Remember", a song that gives me chills every time I hear it. I have had an opportunity to listen to this music for about a month now, and one thing that is a recurring theme to me, these songs are just like an old friend. Each time I listen, I hear something else, from an arranging or lyrical perspective, these songs are very thought provoking. Jeff Perry - Assistant Professor, Contemporary Writing and Production, Berklee College of Music ****************************** In a quiet, understated way we're reminded of how precious life is and how much we can affect our own destiny as well as that of others. In the event we do "step to the wrong side" help is but a prayer away. Whatever the dilemma ...anything from "Help me find a parking space!" to "What should I do with my life?"....Larry reminds us that prayer is the answer. To me, the real beauty is that "truth" is presented in these songs without any hint of accusation or condemnation. But "truth" it is----make no mistake. Larry minces no words yet they are infused with love, understanding and compassion. There's just no way to be offended by "truth" when it's presented this way. It hits its mark every time. Mary Lou O'Brien Fischer - Studio Musician ****************************** Having the ability to take someone into a song and bring a certain perspective to its meaning is truly the defining factor of a great songwriter. Larry Rossi possesses this ability and demonstrates it so effortlessly on his new CD YOUR HEART. Through this wonderful collection of songs, Larry leads us to an understanding of just how much the power of faith has inspired his music, his life, and his mission. Not only do we gain insight into his source of strength, we can learn to use the lessons of this music in our daily lives. With a unique, warm and endearing voice, Larry bares witness to how the love of God can change us, and the world we must share. From the folksy mandolin of "The Servant Song" to the smooth jazz of "Asking In The Name Of Jesus" Larry masterfully shifts music styles to purvey an array of instrumentation that really gives each and every song it’s own identity. Most of the songs are recorded with minimal takes giving them an honest and personal quality. It is through this honesty that Larry’s lyrical message shines. "Make Sure You Remember" starts the CD with a gentle reminder to guard your life lessons well and you will reap what you sow. A few songs later, the powerful ballad "Give Me Courage" seeks strength to keep living with the grace of the Lord. Further listening brings you to "Tell Someone", (my personal favorite), a song that speaks of the immediacy to make an effort to show love to your fellow man. "Are you going to get in the dance or sit this one out?" Hmmm. You pose a good question, Mr. Rossi. Your Heart continues with Larry’s beautifully crafted songs finally reaching the title song, a loving testimonial to the eternal love we receive through our Father’s heart. With an absolute dedication to spread the wisdom and love of Christ through music, Larry Rossi has created a truly inspirational recording. Surely, one could come away from listening with a fresh perspective of how the Holy Spirit can and does work in one’s life. This is a wonderful musical expression from a warm and gentle teacher whose dedication to his faith radiates so very brightly to those who will hear. Dave Nelson - Touring Guitarist/Recording Artist-Heartsfield ****************************** Larry Rossi is a "feller" who's been teaching others about music for a long time - all ages and levels, many styles on many instruments. And while that's still a passion, he finally steps out from behind the curtain with an inspirational, self-produced solo recording titled "Your Heart." And, by the way, it sounds great... Fittingly, the first thing you hear is Rossi's acoustic guitar on "Make Sure You Remember." Fitting because his acoustic is the instrumental thread throughout this record, and it tells you that these tunes would also hold up fine with the solo treatment, unaccompanied. That being said, wonderful atmospheric keyboards and bass seep into "Make Sure You Remember", hinting at what’s coming. Rossi mixes it up with many different guitar (acoustic & electric) and keyboard tones, some visiting "vintage" musical terrain. Track 2, "Right Here With Me", reminds me of something from Springsteen's "Tunnel Of Love" era(Personally, my favorite Bruce period.) And in that same tradition, Rossi recorded a lot of this thing at his home studio, and played many of the instruments himself. But he also sprinkles in some guest musicians, including Mary Lou O'Brien Fischer, who sings gorgeous backup on several songs, perfectly complimenting Rossi's singing/talking style. "Servant Song" starts out with a classical sounding guitar part (a style used to great effect on other songs as well), but then it takes a blue-grassy turn with the addition of mandolin, etc. "Good Side" has a great pop R & B sound, with a nice mid-tempo groove and muted trumpet. "Other Side" sounds urgent and a bit dark, and when Rossi sings "If you don't catch a thing where you're at/put your net to the other side", you believe he's following his own advice. Some tunes, like "I Love Him, Because", come off like musical prayers - in this case, one accompanied by old-school style accordion. But what’s really front and center are Rossi's vocals and his messages of faith and hope, devotion and discovery. You get the feeling that - while he would love for you to listen and enjoy and take something positive out of his music - he'd be happily playing these songs whether we listened or not. Dave Ramont - Singer/Songwriter, Recording Artist, Founder of Clayhead Records