Critically Acclaimed Songwriter Joel Rafael Releases New Album, "Baladista," On Inside Recordings

LOS ANGELES, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Critically acclaimed, California songwriter and seminal folk artist Joel Rafael releases his ninth album today, Baladista, on Inside Recordings. Inside Recordings, a label created by Jackson Browne and his management team, is distributed worldwide by Alternative Distribution Alliance. Baladista is available today at all normal retail outlets, including Amazon and iTunes.

iTunes: – https://itunes.apple.com/album/baladista/id963143492 
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1CBzb5T 

"Joel Rafael's songs are filled with passion and compassion," says Jackson Browne. "Passion for social justice, and compassion - for those among us who have to struggle for a place at the table of American prosperity. His voice is unmistakably his own, big, warm and strong, and a conductor for the human emotions that connect us all."

Already called "the must have Americana album of 2015," (Boomerocity.com), and "an album overflowing with gentle, melodic grace," (No Depression), Baladista delivers ten essential ballads that embrace and celebrate the human spirit and reflect the half-century journey of an American songwriter.

The album's first single and video, "Old Portland Town," tells the tale of Rafael's experience being arrested in Portland as part of a city-wide sweep of the entire underground. He had migrated there from Los Angeles with a group of outlaws, artists, writers and mystics in an effort to avoid the impending military draft.  YouTube link:  http://youtu.be/5O27rnFeH2A

Another album highlight is "Love's First Lesson," a co-write with Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin. The two have been friends since the 1970s when they met while performing at the Blue Ridge Guitar Shop in Encinitas. YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/V3Wb3nwhUR8

Baladista was recorded and mixed by Joel Rafael at his Bravebear Ranch in North San Diego County, California.  "The album is homegrown in the truest sense," says Rafael. "I used a simple stripped down approach and recorded the whole thing at home, here in my own studio."  Joining him on the album are Greg Leisz, James "Hutch" Hutchinson, John Inmon, and Terry "Buffalo" Ware.

Joel Rafael has been writing and performing since 1974 and over the past decades has released a stunning collection of eight Americana albums, including a 2CD Woody Guthrie collection with five Guthrie/Rafael co-writes. As a solo performer and with his band, he opened shows throughout the southwestern United States for artists including Crosby, Stills and Nash, Sheryl Crow, Laura Nyro, Joan Baez, Taj Mahal, Iris DeMent, Emmylou Harris, and John Lee Hooker.

For more information, please visit www.joelrafael.com

ALBUM SEQUENCE

1. She Had To Go
2. Love's First Lesson
3. Old Portland Town
4. Baby Let It Go
5. El Bracero
6. When I Go
7. Sticks And Stones
8. The Good Samaritan
9. Thanks For The Smiles
10. 500 Miles

SOURCE Joel Rafael

Related Links

http://www.joelrafael.com