"From the first note, it is apparent that this [Crossing] is an extraordinary recording...." - Kalman Rubinson, STEREOPHILE

"This 5.1/stereo hybrid SACD [Crossing] is an essential recording for anyone interested in contemporary folk music. The recording quality is excellent. The music and lyrics are quite beautiful. And as the big commercial record companies implode all around us, David Elias proves that much of the best contemporary music is coming from private labels today. He also proves that quality recordings can be made inexpensively and that the SACD format just may survive!" - Reviewer AcousticSounds.com

"An accomplished performer and composer, Elias’ songs are uncomplicated, beautifully so, and free from any undue frippery, every note and word appears considered and appropriate, which is largely what makes this disc [The Window] such a magical experience....

Soapbox statement: Those who believe that music in surround is a ‘gimmick’ or unrealistic need to extract their heads from …the sand and audition this disc [The Window] on a competent multi-channel system. Anyone who still thinks that stereo is the pinnacle of musical reproduction thereafter needs a sharp slap upside the head." - Stuart M. Robinson, High Fidelity Review

"Every song I hear by David Elias is like running into the dearest of old friends. There is an immediate thrill and tingle in my soul. There is the embrace, and the long conversation that ends too soon. The fact that I can feel this again and again by merely hitting the repeat button is nothing short of miraculous." - Guy Michetti, Mixposure ReviewCrew

"Every one of David's songs blows me away", Jim Kloss, founder/DJ WholeWheatRadio.org

"San Francisco's Elias may be a pioneer in sound technology, but you don't have to own multiple pairs of Sennheiser headphones to dig his lush folk tracks. Elias accurately aligns himself with the Iron & Wine sound, though he's not afraid to country-fy those whispery indie melodies."
- Editor's Pick, CNET Download.com

"...Heartfelt. Heartland. Heartbreak. Honesty. Simplicity. True blue. Sure as an arrow. Right as rain. The real deal. These words and phrases rushed through my head as I listened to this disc. David Elias sings in a voice somewhat reminiscent of Eric Andersen's, and writes beautiful songs devoid of anything false -- his sincerity as writer and singer shines quietly through. He is backed by some wonderfully subtle virtuoso musicians on dobro, lap steel, mandolin, guitars, drums, double bass, harmonica, accordion, and keyboards. In this age of sound bites and political mudslinging, Elias's music is refreshing. He doesn't hit you over the head with it, but seems to say: "Come in, sit a while, and listen. Be at peace within yourself and with everyone else."

"In tune with Elias's musical approach is the honest recording. He recorded in live takes, without overdubs or splices. What you hear is what they got, and how wonderful it is. The sound is so natural, especially in the multichannel mixes, that I could swear the performers were right there in my listening room. The Window joins the exalted ranks of John McEuen's Nitty Gritty Surround and Jorma Kaukonen's Blue Country Heart as one of the best examples out there of acoustic high-resolution recording..." - AcousticSounds.com

---

About the music.... Once upon a time there were young people of all ages who began to listen to other young people of all ages discovering a new way of writing popular music. Things that were not usually said were suddenly being said and feelings that were not usually expressed were popping out without censorship. The acoustic guitar became quite a symbol for indepedence from all manner of restrictions leading down paths of prose and poetry, away from public and private schools, country clubs, genteel automobiles, and winding into backroads, backrooms, and backyards that needed mowing. This music made sense to generations of people worldwide, particularly in  America where basic rights of the citizens were being seriously questioned and challenged in contrast to basic principles of the governing body's founding doctrines. A lot was learned and communicated. Some didn't like hearing what they were hearing. Others didn't like saying what they were saying, but perhaps said it anyway. The focus in most cases was on issues greater than the individual and how much their property was worth and how long they would continue to beat the odds in an economy that was committed to squeezing out the middle class leaving only those with superior assets completely dominating those with none. Without any clear and honest direction from the top down, America followed the bouncing dollar through periods of increasing emphasis on personal gain and decreasing time and concern for intangible items like clean air, clean water, forests and living creatures. There was apparently too much to be gained and far too much to lose by not participating in this new progression.

So the acoustic downbeat got fainter and fainter and songs from the heart found more appeal as songs for the industry showing up in places like television commercials and preferring to champion how they looked instead of how they sounded or what they were saying. The songs surrounding this web site are children and cousins of the earlier inspirations, with a search for open ears as years go by...