Hello and welcome to the official Jason Bennett web page. Jason is a singer-songwriter who has recorded six cd's of original acoustic music. Jason's first CD is called "The Atascadero Sessions" and was recorded in a place he used to live called Atascadero, California. "The Atascadero Sessions" was recorded with the great San Luis Obispo cellist, Bob Liepman. It is a very soft, sparse album featuring Jason on vocals, guitar and harmonica and Liepman on cello and mandolin. Also on the album is Atascadero singer-songwriter Janine Elich and Ojai percussionist, Drew Lurie. "The Atascadero Sessions" remains an indie folk classic and has sold all over the world. "Goodnight Suzanne" seemed to be the favorite track and has been played on numerous folk and college radio stations. Bob Liepman's cello really gave a unique feel to the album. Liepman is half of the California husband-wife folk duo Bob and Wendy. Definitely check them out.
Jason's second album is called "Self Portrait" and is a lot different than his first. He was blessed with the opportunity to record half of the songs with Texas recording artists Cleve and A.J. Clark of the band 'Alvarado Road Show'. They gave Jason's songs a whole new edge. If you are ever in Nashville you should definitely check them out. Also on 'Self Portrait' is Colorado musician Cliff Sandifer playing fiddle and dobro.
Jason's third album, which was released in the fall of 2005, is called "Acoustic Harbor". This is a bare-bones solo acoustic album with Jason alone on vocals, guitar and harmonica. He recorded this album in his laundry room while he was living in the Olympia, Washington area. 'Acoustic Harbor' was recorded on an old, analog Tascam Porta Studio and has that homemade warmth and analog hiss throughout the recording, which was Jason's intention. Jason holds this album close to his heart and if you listen close enough you can hear the salt and fog in the air coming over the Olympia harbor.
Jason's 4th album, "Mindchange", was released in September of 2006 and features some fine Colorado musicians helping him out in the studio. Legendary Colorado musician Rich Currier lended his brand of pedal-steel and acoustic guitar work on songs like "Without the Moon", which is by far the most popular track on the album so far. Also on the album is Colorado musician Chuck Haas from the band SimpleMan. He added some fine touches with his acoustic guitar work on songs like "How Will She Ever Find Me" and the title track "Mindchange". The album also features a cover version of an unreleased Bob Dylan song called "Let Me Die in my Footsteps", which Jason recorded solo on vocals and guitar. The Mindchange album also features a song written by Jason's indie pal, Jason Riggs. "My Heart's Not Broken Anymore" is decorated with Chuck Haas' shimmering guitar work.
Jason's 5th cd, "Slow It Down, Take a Step Back" was released on Tuesday, April 1st 2008. The album was recorded in the basement studio of folk musician Dan Dameron and features nine original songs and one Bob Dylan song, Shooting Star. The album is a delicate recording, a somewhat fragile sound. It is a visual acoustic album in which the songs are held together by very thin threads. The album is about rain, fog, love, shooting stars, being a Daddy and slowing things down. Dan Dameron and Rich Currier lend their talents on this very unique recording.
Jason's 6th cd, "17 Souvenirs" was released in early 2010 and features some of Jason's most well-known songs like "Daddy's Hand (Song for Quinn)", "Goodnight Suzanne", "Without the Moon", "Between My Lines" and many, many more.
Jason writes most of the songs himself, but sometimes collaborates with the talented California singer-songwriter Rauly Curran. Rauly, or Robert as Jason calls him, go way back as childhood friends and actually wrote their first song together called "You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine" in the late eighties. Jason and Rauly have also written "Snap My Fingers" and "If It's True" together. Rauly occasionally plays coffeehouses in the San Fernando Valley and when he wears his blue leisure suit, he slightly resembles Randy Quaid. He is also a professional hulkerizer and drives a marshmallow truck for a living. He's a pretty cool cat.
Here are some of Jason's favorite artists and influences: Bob Dylan, Kyle Field and Little Wings, Kevin Meisel, Paul Simon, Hem, Kurt Cobain, Will Oldham, Roger McGuinn, Woody Guthrie, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Jason Riggs, Michelle Shocked, Billy Bragg, Bob and Wendy, Rauly Curran, Tom Flannery, Harvey Pekar and all the indie artists who put out their own stuff.
Favorite all-time quote: "Come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings nowadays." - Fletch