“This album took me by surprise. I've known Stuart Whitford for 20 years now.
In that time, I was aware of Stuart as a fellow quietly raising a family around Fredericksburg, Va.
I didn't know he was writing and playing at such a level to create something as pleasant and complex as this.
My hat's off to him. This is a wonderful record, something to be proud of.
Maybe next time I'll be invited to play, too. Good luck Stuart.”
Jerry Douglas Nashville, TN
"It takes a good deal of inner strength to follow your own muse...Stuart Whitford has created a distinctive song cycle of great beauty
and delicacy. Great care has been taken with every note and arrangement in
portraying the Vertical Land of the Southwestern Mountains."
Sing Out!
magazine
Vertical Land is a low-key, easy-listening collection of tunes, most written
by Whitford. The folk music influence on Whitford’s style is obvious – the songs are soft,
thoughful and personal – and one gets the sense that he also has a deep connection to the
western part of the US. There are cowboy influences in Out On The Oregon Trail and echoes
of Mexico in The Mexican Sky and San Felipe. The phrase "Vertical Land" refers to the name
for the canyonlands of New Mexico and Arizona.
With the help of collegues like Missy Raines, Roger Rasnake and Kent Ippolito, the playing
is sure and sensitive.
Bluegrass
Unlimited magazine
“Hi Stuart! I received your album 'Vertical Land' in the mail today and it's
currently in my CD player making me a very happy camper ... Thank you. Stuart, that is a damned fine album!
One of the best things I've done this year was to respond to your email and ask you to send it.
My listeners are going to be VERY happy too in the coming weeks. I intend to "pleasure" their eardrums often with your
music. Now if Saturday would just get here before I wear it out. The
only problem is going to be which track to start 'em off with ... I love 'em all.
Excellent job!!... Very impressed and pleased,”
Connie Bowblis
WKNH-FM/Keene, NH
“Howdy Stuart, Our station ... received your CD several weeks ago and I have been
playing it every show I do ... I've had a number of calls on the cuts I've played and refer all callers to your address, phone, email.
I hope you're getting good response. The CD is excellent. I especially like
Mexican Sky and cut #5. But the entire CD is a pleasure to listen to ... This CD deserves plenty of exposure.
Thanks for such a creative, thoughtful piece of art.”
Diana Morris
KKUP-FM/Cupertino, CA
“Stuart, I have your CD "Vertical Land" which I am playing on our Heartfelt Music
program, that my wife and I do each week on KPFK ... I really love your songs.
Most of the CDs I receive I feel fortunate if I get one or two tunes to use on the show.
I'm playing most of the songs from your CD ... I may add more songs to this list in the coming weeks.
It was such a delight to receive a CD were I could say 'this is really great
stuff!'”
John Davis
KPFK-FM/Los Angeles
“Stuart, I am not easily impressed, and I don't tend to gush, but I am
overwhelmed by the poetry, heart, and musicality of your CD. I am reluctantly passing the CD to Page Wilson.
Reluctantly, because I want to hear it again and again, and it will be out of earshot at least for a while...
Best Wishes and Best of Success to you. I will make it a point to be here to meet you when you arrive for the Outta the Blue Radio Review.”
Steve Clark
WCVE-FM/Richmond, VA
“I've been meaning to write to you. WHAT AN OUTSTANDING ALBUM! - all of it - the songs, the tunes - the arrangements - the flow from cut to cut. . . Please let me know
when/if you are performing in this area - so I can announce it on my show and so I can go.”
John
Weingart WPBR-FM/Princeton, NJ
“Just wanted you to know I started my Program this past week with cut # five
["San Felipe"] off of the album you sent there are several
tunes that just grab the heck outta me and that one in particular is so incredibly sweet a tune, like sweet balm for a sore heart
!
Great stuff It's 'a goin' in the library here and i'll be recommending it
to several of the other folk djs ! you have a great gift !”
Chris
Darling WMPG-FM/Portland, ME
“Your song 'Out on the Oregon Trail' [from the new Oasis Acoustic Sampler,
Vol. 23] jumped right out at me, and I wrote your name in my 'wishlist' book to find out more about your music.
Imagine my surprise when your CD arrived the next day. As soon as I played it and recognized your voice, I knew it was a winner. My only dilemma was to
figure out which tracks to play for the Kingston Coffeehouse on Tuesday. I narrowed it down to two, but could have happily played the entire CD.
Where have you been???? Take it from one who listens to a LOT of music -- talent such as yours is rare. Your instrumentals are outstanding, your
choice of songs is wonderful, the songs themselves tell stories I want to
hear more about, and Vertical Land now goes with me from the car to the office to home. Please do some more. Thanks!!!”
Jane
Falvey WRIU-FM/Saunderstown, RI
"Stuart -- I just got the CD today and it is absolutely wonderful! I'll play a cut or
two from it tomorrow morning as well as in weeks to come. I've only listened to it once, but my favorites
so far are "Going Home", "Vertical Land", and "In the Hands of Time". The instrumentals are also perfect for
our show! What a nice treat."
Larry Berger WYEP-FM/Pittsburg, PA
“Dear Stuart: Many thanks for sending ‘Vertical Land’ our way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this project - the southwestern feel and mood you are able to musically evoke made me feel like I’d been out West and back again.
The tunes are intelligently crafted with soaring beautiful melodies that underscore the openness and timelessness of the western landscape.
I especially enjoyed ‘The Mexican Sky,’ ‘Dark Whiskey Dream,’ the killer title track
[‘Vertical Land’] and the epic version of ‘Farther Along.’ You have a unique sound, a gift for words and a penchant for packing a lot of emotion into a song.
I’d welcome a chance to have you on my show - just give me a call and we’ll arrange something.
Thanks again for the cool tunes!”
Dave Higgs Bluegrass Breakdown/WPLN-FM/Nashville
“Stuart Whitford's ‘Vertical Land’ is a straight up musical delight.
Great tunes, visual lyrics, strong arrangements, mature and thoughtful players combine with excellent production to make ‘Vertical Land’ a
listening delight . . . a set of tunes and lyrics that invite the listener to be a part of a wonderful musical journey.
The CD will be placed amongst the ‘most favored’ in many people's collections.
Phil Leonard WETS-FM/Johnson City, TN
“Hi Stuart, Actually I like your CD a lot and I have given it a fair amount of airplay (at least 6 or 7 times in the last few months for our
2-hour weekly show). I don't have the CD in front of me to list the cuts I like best, but I know I also like "Mexican Sky" among
several others. Please let me know how people can get your CD in the Chicago area and I'll announce that too, whenever I
play your CD. Thanks for checking in, and if you're ever in the Chicago/suburban area, call me.
I'd love to have you on the show live for an interview, live play, etc. Best of luck,"
Kathy Kelly
WNUR-FM/Chicago
“Vertical Land..... Here are the cuts that have been played (and will be played)
1. The Mexican Sky
2. Out On The Oregon trail
4. Vertical Land
5. San Felipe
6. Borderland
7. In the Hands of Time
9. Dark Whisky Dream
11. Going Home
12. Kingston Market
13. (instrumental) Riverboat Pete
14. Farther Along......
In all --- 11 out of 14 cuts is a FABULOUS!!! TRACK RECORD!
A very fine piece of work! VERTICAL LAND STANDS TALL!”
David Weide KUNV-FM/Las Vegas, NV
“Dear Stuart - Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your music with me.
It’s truly one of the best independent projects I’ve heard - the songwriting, playing
and recording are all wonderful! I felt it was from the heart.
I think my favorite songs are ‘VERTICAL LAND’ and ‘BORDERLAND.’ Please tell Ed and everyone up that way I said ‘hello!’
I’m so glad we met along the way,”
songwriter Kate Campbell Nashville, TN
“Stuart, Congratulations on an excellent album! I’ve been going back to it often. Great players, including yourself, and amazing songs. Anyway, Thanks!”
songwriter Pat White Athens, Ohio
