Americana
Music
for the good of it
Singer/Songwriter
Music Video Links- I have done three music videos. You can view them by clicking on the links below:
Chris' Contact #510-501-6864
Chris' Email: christobar1@aol.com
Santa Barbara Songs, Album Review by John Apice from Americana Highways:
This 7-song EP has a short running time, but it is thorough in its themes. Many of the songs were inspired by Chris’s time spent in Santa Barbara, CA. The lead track “The Perfect Fit” has a nice singer-songwriter atmospheric momentum, much like songs by Michael Smotherman (“Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?”), a song later covered by Ray Charles.
Mr. Ahlman (vocals/rhythm acoustic guitar) has a softer voice than Steve Earle, but has that ounce of grit that goes a long way in perfecting a warm, sincere singing style. Not all songs are supposed to be highly polished; there’s an element of reality in a song that has the depth of a lived-in voice. These songs aren’t even folky, country, easy listening, or mainstream pap (yes, pap with an a). They’re surprisingly good from a “singer-songwriter” motherlode.
“Six Strings of Freedom” & “Oh My Friend” are two individualistic tunes that aren’t meant to entertain as much as inform. Not preach but acknowledge. Chris is from the songwriting school (whether he’s aware of it or not) & the pens & pencils of Tim Hardin, Mickey Newbury, John Loudermilk, Dan Penn, Jim Croce (“Lover’s Cross”), & Smotherman.
His “It’s True With You” is definitely Hardin in tradition. Chris has it polished beautifully on every tune from Santa Barbara Songs (Dropped March 20/Independent/26:40), recorded in Nashville & produced by Cliff Goldmacher & Chris. The material, while not in a confessional song realm, is versatile in its lyrics & the melodies aren’t always sweet, cheesy, or typical. Chris has a pleasant, unifying coolness to his storytelling & the notes he applies to his songs, along with the backing vocals, are pure, appropriate & not dazzling, though they do at times sparkle.
There isn’t anything bombastic or overly dramatic with the numbers. Obviously, Chris is a craftsman who knows how much to sand off, what needs polish & what needs to be stained. Each tune is pristine, at times poetic, & the showcase is a precision performance. The titles of the songs in some instances could’ve been a little more creative. The titles are fairly basic, but that may be part of the simplicity Chris cherishes. There are no drum solos, no fiery lead guitars, & no rollicking piano runs. It’s all about the song, the expressiveness, the inspiration & sincerity. Chris Ahlman delivers on those like few can.
Highlights – “The Perfect Fit,” “Six Strings of Freedom,” “Oh My Friend,” “It’s True With You,” & “Slide Into Eternity.”
Musicians – Kerry Marx (electric guitars), Catherine Marx (Hammond B3/piano), Dave Francis (bass), Wes Little (drums) & Jessa Shown (vocals).
John Apice, Americana Highways
"I love discovering artists who haven't gotten a lot of radio play; and one such musician is the Bay Area's Chris Ahlman. Chris' CD Rollin on the Wind has got a nice ensemble with him including Pat Buchanan and George Marinelli on lead guitars. I did listen and it's wonderful, right from the first track. Look him up and listen!"
Ben Fong-Torres,
former Senior Editor and Writer, Rolling Stone
"Chris Ahlman's album Rollin on the Wind, the most recent of his three CDs, is a delight to the ear. As a storyteller, his lyrics - insightful, often inspiring, but always heartfelt - should resonate with audiences who appreciate quality acoustic pop, folk and rock music. Other gifted artists on this album, such as lead guitarist George Marinelli who tours with Bonnie Raitt and drummer Wes Little who worked with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, add a rich texture of sound to Chris' lilting voice and warm guitar riffs. Especially poignant to me was Chris' Lonely People (Track 2). This heartfelt and soulful song puts words to others' loneliness and lifts up the listener into a place of resiliency. Yet, Chris is gregarious and easy-going. His joy in performing and his desire to communicate his love of life and music are evident in every track. Bravo, Chris! It's easy to see how he is constantly in demand with wide-ranging gigs across California."
Anna Dabney,
Founder of Penny Henny Publishing,
and "a devoted fan" from Oakland, CA
"Chris Ahlman's new full length album entitled "Saving the Music" is not to be missed. The LP lives up to it's name in that it is effortlessly romantic and, by the same token, quite reminiscent of simpler times gone by. Mr. Ahlman's melancholic, deep voice and soulful song lyrics give these folk rock blues a duality that audiences should love. "Saving the Music" (as well as his earlier releases) can be found on all major music outlets including Itunes, Amazon and CdBaby."
Hilarie Naymick,
A&R Director of Immitter.com
“Your passion for life shines through in your voice! Too often I see musicians concentrating more so on the marketing and look of themselves, so much so they lose themselves in the process. You have a sincere deep connection with your music; it's a place where life and art meets. Very enjoyable, if you put John Mayer and Dave Matthews together you would get something very close to You. Excellent!” Timothy Moore, online fan
“Saving the Music” is at once a hopeful and slightly unnerving recording. The really remarkable songs [on this album], title track “Saving the Music,” “This One”, and “It's All the Same”, are outstanding. Well produced, memorable, and point to Ahlman’s potential of being a songwriter to contend with, along the lines of Angie Aparo or Ryan Adams. There's a plaintive and earnest quality to his voice, which on the stand out tracks works.” M. Alberto Rivera,
SurgeFM
Album Reviews
You may have heard the expression - "Livin' the Dream." Well, that's pretty much me. I love my job and I do it full time. I am a Singer/Songwriter. I have been at it professionally for about 19 years. I am currently playing shows in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, as I have a solid foundation of steady gigs. Although I have brought my music as far as New Orleans and Nashville, as well as South to Coronado/San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara, California, and Oregon.
My six albums, Santa Barbara Songs, The SunCrashers, Once Upon A Rhyme, Rollin on the Wind, Saving the Music, and Mighty Road, are available for you to stream or purchase online at iTunes, and Amazon.com, as well as many other sites on the internet such as Spotify, Pandora etc. Of course you can also buy (and have autographed) as many CD's as you like at any of my performances. The pricing of my albums is very reasonable and I can guarantee you will be happy you made the purchase!