Best of John. E Lawrence
Fifteen Years of Excellence
Best Of John E. Lawrence I have personally selected sixteen of my favorite songs to be included in this collection. I have often been asked the question: “Which of my CDs is my favorite one” and my reply is always the same. “I like them all because, each one has something special to offer that is unique.” This body of work spans fifteen years and I truly feel that this is my best work to date and the next time someone ask me “Which CD is my favorite” I can say without a doubt “The Best Of John E. Lawrence”. I hope that you will enjoy listening to this compilation of music as much as I did recording it.
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Old Smooth
Old Smooth is a comprised of remakes of hit songs from the 60’s 70’s and 80’s performed in a Smooth Jazz format. It includes songs like: “We’re In This Love Together,” “Say Yes,” “Your Song,” “ The Tracks of My Tears” and more. This CD continues to be my best selling CD to date primarily because of the popularity of the material. Music has the power to take people back to the exact point and time when they first heard the song. This CD has sentimental value which is a feature that a CD that is made up of original material cannot do.
Old Smooth II
Old Smooth II takes over where Old Smooth left off. It is comprised of old school hits from the 90’s into the 2000’s. It includes songs like: “Don’t You Know That” “Before I Let Go” “I’m Only Human” and “That’s The Way Of The World” and more. This CD has been described as “Music that makes you want to pucker your lips and move you hips” Old Smooth II is the right mixture of R&B and Smooth Jazz. A welcomed addition to anyone’s music collection.
Summer Nights
Summer Nights John produced, engineered, arranged and played nearly every instrument on his CD. The songs on this CD fall into three jazz styles, Smooth jazz, Latin jazz and Cool Jazz. The CD contains twelve original compositions, plus a moving rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror.” John put this CD together with three goals in mind: 1) This project has to display the type of playing excitement generated in his live performances; 2) Most of the songs must be original compositions and display a variety of styles; and 3) Every song has to have a strong melody. This thirteen-song collection is John’s best work to date.
Going Up Yonder
This CD is comprised of some of the most heartfelt spirituals ever written. John dedicated this CD to the Loving memory of his Mother (Marjorie Lawrence) It includes songs like: “Jesus You Are The Center Of My Joy”, a contemporary Jazz version of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” “Yesterday” and John’s popular rendition of “Going Up Yonder” which is quickly becoming his signature song. This CD is guaranteed to touch your soul.
All By Myself
All By Myself is a solo guitar project. It features John E. Lawrence primarily on acoustic guitar performing with no other instruments and no overdubs. The CD highlights John’s unique style of playing chords, melody, and walking bass lines simultaneously. He introduces a style he developed, called “Polyrhythmic Percussive Funk”. This style utilizes the guitar as a percussion instrument as well as a melodic and rhythmic instrument. The songs that feature this style are Black Orpheus, “Birdland,” and “I Wish.” There are some beautiful ballads on this project: the title song, “All By Myself ” (an original composition), “America the Beautiful” and “The Theme from M.A.S.H.” This CD separates him from other guitarist and illustrates his mastery of the instrument.
A Solo Guitar Christmas
A Solo Guitar Christmas is a CD for the guitar aficionado that enjoys an intimate listening experience with a guitar virtuoso. John performs two four song medlies of traditional Christmas music. Song titles include: “What Child Is This,” “O’ Tannenbaum,” “My Favorite Things,” “We Three Kings” and more… There are two bonus tracks, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and a beautiful original composition entitled, I’ll Remember Christmas.
Merry Christmas from John E. Lawrence
Merry Christmas from John E. Lawrence is a Christmas gift to all who enjoy the Christmas season. The CD starts off with a rockin’ version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” It is high-energy and is masterfully executed. John reached back into his childhood memories and brought back “The Chipmunk Christmas” and a song from the Charlie Brown Christmas special and put together an adult version of “ Christmas Time is Here” which features a dynamic saxophone solo by his teacher and mentor, Dr. Morris J. Lawrence Jr.
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is a CD that has put together made up of holiday favorites that are sure to bring in the Christmas joy. The project includes songs such as: “Jingle Bell Rock,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Listen to classic jazz renditions of “Winter Wonderland” and “White Christmas.” The guitar solos on “Jingle Bells” and the timeless classic “ The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts) are simply breathtaking. The Winter Wonderland project is a CD that music lovers will be listening to for generations to come.
A Tribute to Stevie Wonder
When I came up with the idea of recording a tribute to Stevie Wonder album I knew that I wanted to keep the Stevie Wonder magic in every song, yet keep the musical elements that make me unique as a guitarist. In other words I wanted it to be different and the same simultaneously and I’m proud to say that I have done it.
This CD has been twenty years in the making and the hardest part of the project was deciding on which songs not to record. This is why I have decided to make this a CD project that is made up of 23 songs. It is difficult to omit a song when there are so many great ones. I want to thank Stevie Wonder for such an unlimited reservoir of music to choose from. His music not only inspires musicians, vocalists and music lovers worldwide and has set the bar so high, that he gives all songwriters and musicians something to aspire to.
Empowerment Jazz Series
This is a DVD featuring John E. Lawrence and the Power Band live in concert. It was recorded live at the Shriners Silver Garden Events Center in Southfield Michigan on October 3, 2014. Songs include: Culture Shock, Never Go Back, Man in the Mirror and a tribute to Stevie wonder and more. Credits include: John E. Lawrence (Guitar) The Power Band: Al Mackenzie (Keyboards and Musical Director) Emmanuel Fields (Drums) Carl Holmes (Bass Guitar) Al Duncan (Keyboards) Rayse Biggs (Trumpet) Eddie Taylor (Trumpet) Don Whyte (Saxophone) Steven Hunter (Trombone) Brenda Addie, Dawn Roberson and Athena Johnson (Background vocals) special guest vocalists Lenon Wells, Mr. Lee Neal (MC) Coco (special guest comedian).
Motown Chord Melody Solos: Instructional DVD [Volume One]
This DVD Compilation of Motown Chord Melody Solos accompanies John’s instructional book of the same title. This DVD Illustrates John’s exciting guitar technique that has made him a leading educator and musician. Titles include: Ain’t Nothing like the Real Thing, More Love, Reached Out (I’ll Be There), Just to See Her, The Tracks of My Tears, Overjoyed, Going Out Of My Head and Standing In The Shadows Of Love.
Motown Chord Melody Solos: Instructional DVD [Volume Two]
This DVD compilation of Motown chord melody solos accompanies John E. Lawrence’s instructional book of the same title. This DVD illustrates John’s exciting guitar technique that has made him a leading educator and musician. Titles include: Isn’t She Lovely, Never Can Say Goodbye, I Want You Back, My Girl, Who Baby Baby, My Cheri Amore, I Second That Emotion, Baby I Need Your Lovin’ and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
Jazz Improvisation, Walking Bass Lines, & Chord Melody Video
Brilliant jazz guitarist, John E. Lawrence, takes the viewer through a master class lesson on jazz improvisation concepts, constructing great sounding walking bass lines and developing modern jazz chord melody solos. This DVD is 43 minutes long.
Magic of Christmas 2015
John E. Lawrence presents “The Magic of Christmas” his holiday
musical stage production at Towsley Auditorium located in WCC’s Morris Lawrence Building.
John has assembled a 25 piece all-star production of musicians and singers that will perform an array of Holiday favorites ranging from classics, to songs from the “Charlie Brown Christmas Special” and “Alvin & the Chipmunks”, to Jazz and R&B such as Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”. There will be something for everybody.
The Power Band: Rayse Biggs, Trumpet player for Kem – The Dramatics’ Horn Section – Ted Brannon, former Bassist for the Chairman of the Board and Edwin Starr, Al Duncan, keyboardist for Earl Klugh -Cheryl Crawford, keyboardist & choir director for the Empowerment Church – Emmanuel Fields,
Drums – Billy Cowart, Percussionist
Special Guest: Yancyy, Saxophonist – Alvin Waddles, Classical Pianist – Vocalist: Kim Anderson, Evangelist Judy Thurman, Athena Johnson, Rick Ross, Robert Evans, Raymond Ward, Lead Singer for the Fantastic Four, Sisters One in Christ Choir and The BAAD Singers.
The Magic of Christmas 2017
On Friday December 15, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., John E. Lawrence presented “The Magic of Christmas,” his holiday concert event at the Shriners Silver Garden. The show was a fundraiser for The Empowerment Church Carlyle F. Stewart Spiritual Leader.
John has assembled a thirty piece all-star production of musicians and singers that will perform an array of holiday favorites ranging from classics, to songs from the “Charlie Brown Christmas Special,” and “Alvin & the Chipmunks”, to Jazz and R&B such as Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”.
The Power Band: Alaina Morr Keyboards from the Female Jazz band Straight Ahead, Rayse Biggs, Trumpet player for Kem, Yancyy, Saxophonist has worked with Stevie Wonder and Will Downing, Ray, Ray Moore (Baby Ray), Drums works with The Miracles has played with The Temptations and The Four Yops Bass Guitar, has performed with The Spinners, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes and Natalie Cole and the list goes on. Billy Cowart, and Lajuanna Robinson, Percussion.
Special Guests: Charles and Gwen Scales, The Fantastic Four, The Spirits of Empowerment, Brian Anderson, Blues Guitarist and Vocalist: Athena Johnson, Dawn Roberson, Robert Evans, and Cheryl “Che” Crawford.