A Rainy Day in Paris

 Elessar Thiessen's latest album "A Rainy Week in Paradise" is one of the best things I’ve listened to in a long time. This is the kind of music that stirs emotion and feeds the soul. This guy is a phenomenal and a singer who delivers the goods. In a musical climate where I feel there’s too much disconnection between the singer and the song, or songs that show no value in terms of craft, Elessar Thiessen shows me that all is not lost.

Some of my favorite sing/songwriters in this vain are James Blunt and Edwin McCain. I’ve missed that connection with the music from most of the artists recording today, and after listening to Elesser, I’m feeling that passion again.

The album is a mostly acoustic/vocal journey that offers up a smorgasbord of songs with lyrical depth and a range of emotions and textures that showcase the importance of the song as the star of the show. Songs like “Sister,” “I Need a Woman,” and  “I Don’t Wanna Go” are just amazing. I want to turn on my radio when I’m cruising down the road and hear these songs play on the radio. They take me back to a time when music and the music industry was more pure than it is now. They take me back to a time when music meant something, when music was special, when songs were written for people.

I highly recommend giving this a listen.

Websites
http://elessarthiessen.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ElessarThiessen
https://elessarthiessen.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/elessarthiessen
https://www.youtube.com/c/ElessarThiessenVideos
https://instagram.com/elessarthiessen/
https://twitter.com/ElessarThiessen

Music video links:
"A Rainy Week in Paradise" Album Release Listening Party
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWVsXFc3yYI

You Girl (feat. Alexa Dirks)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM7Vh_WWdHs

When the World Ends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL60Zg6pKKQ

Bio:

Born and raised in the heart of Canada, Elessar Thiessen quickly learned to cope with the harsh climate. When he was forced to stay indoors due to the weather, Elessar was naturally drawn to music. He bought his first guitar at the age of 8, and has been playing and writing ever since. Casual in character and passionate in life, Elessar offers his own unique approach to the singer-songwriter of today. He spends his days in the studio working as a full time producer, and his evenings, sipping spirits, surfing and pursuing his own musical endeavours.

Honest and courageous songwriters, the ones that touch our hearts, have always had the ability to bear witness to the darkest corners of their souls and still inspire and uplift us. Elessar's newest full length album "A Rainy Week in Paradise" exposes us to longing, angst and agony, fear and shattered confidence, and yet comes through it all with hope and joy, rooted in love, truth and deep faith.

All songs on the album were written and produced by Elessar. Track 5 “You Girl”, features Alexa Dirks on lead vocals, and Jordan Jackiew playing the Organ and Piano. The supporting vocals on track 3 “Lover Dear” were sung by Catherine Wylee. Bass on the album was play by David Landreth. Drums were played by Cam Friesen. All remaining Vocals, Guitars, Organ, Piano and Programming were performed by Elessar. Mixing and mastering was done by Jordan Jackiew.

Elessar’s previous two releases consist of an E.P. titled “Head. Heart. Hands.” and a live  recording of the “Head. Heart. Hands.” release party which was recorded at Winnipeg’s famed West End Cultural Centre, titled “Head. Heart. Hands. - Elessar Thiessen Live at the Wecc”.

In addition to writing and performing music, Elessar also works full time as a producer. His craft has grown organically starting with his music production courses in high school under the tutelage of an award winning teacher and composer, Zane Zalis. From there Elessar ventured out, first on his own, and then under the guidance of juno winning producer Jordan Jackiew. Elessar now works as an independent producer but occasionally still collaborates with Jordan. He has done production work on a wide variety of artistic styles from hip hop to singer/songwriter to pop. You can listen to some of Elessar’s work at www.elessarthiessen.com/producer and go to www.elessarthiessen.com/credits for a list of artists he has worked with.