Raul Midon can best be described as a one-man band with a plan to provide his audience with hope in a world that is sometimes filled with despair.
Midon first gained notoriety with his vocals and performance on a side project for Grammy award winning producer and DJ, Louie Vega. As part of the Elements of Life band, Raul Midon was prominently featured on four tracks on the eponymous disc and gave the world an inkling of his talents. "Cerca De Mi", "A Better Day", "Mozzalounge", and "Sunshine" highlighted heartfelt vocals, spirited musicianship, and scats which completed a music journey through the worlds of Latin, soul, dance, and jazz.
Midon took this stage and developed a loyal following through playing in clubs around the world. Audiences saw a man on stage supported only by his voice and a guitar. By the end of the show, their original image was dramatically changed into a singer who used his guitar for a backbeat and his lips literally as a trumpet for change. Not only did this help bring new fans into his fold, but also gave him his signature sound which resulted in his 2005 major label debut.
State of Mind was critically hailed for its collection of classic pop songs with a soulful voice. With the political conscious and romantic vision of Stevie Wonder, the guitar playing virtuosity of Jose Feliciano, and the genre defying dexterity of Bill Withers, it was apparent that the new century had its signature voice in a manner that Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, and Paul Simon spoke for previous decades.
Last fall, Midon released a second collection of songs on his disc entitled A World Within.
Raul Midon's signature optimistic words are found on songs such as "Pick Somebody Up", a plea for us to help inspire others, the internet savy of "All The Answers", and the dreaming of a better life on "Ain't Happened Yet". However, "Peace On Earth" reflects a songwriter who is becoming jaded with a world drawing more divisive.
To counter songs of jaded love that have seem to overtaken commercial radio, Midon exemplifies the feeling of love in "All Because of You" and a song for Sandra.
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