The popular Local Spins series revealing the musical influences for Michigan musicians and producers continues with the picks of a Michigan tunesmith from the wilds of the Upper Peninsula.
Michael Waite: Striking a balance with his artistic creativity. (Courtesy Photo)
Comfortably at home in the north country, Michael Waite is the quintessential rural singer-songwriter. And it really is the north, and the country.
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His abode is in the woods and off the grid, northwest of Marquette in the beautiful Upper Peninsula. It was the setting for much of the songwriting and recording for his most recent album, “We’ve Always Been At Home.” Apart from the traditional “Wayfaring Stranger” and a brief rendition of Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird,” Waite wrote all of the songs, including the orchestral parts.
As it says on his Bandcamp page, his music weaves together folk, jazz, Americana, blues and classic singer-songwriter elements into songs that explore the nuances of everyday life while staying grounded in the pursuit of happiness and wholeness.
“I’ve been singing and writing songs my whole adult life,” he says. “Striking a balance between being a father, member of the community and being a creative person.”
Check out his picks below, along with a Spotify playlist that includes tracks from his most recent recording.
1. Nina Simone, “Broadway-Blues-Ballads” (1964) – This was fun to think about. This is the first that comes to mind. It’s produced in an old-fashioned style. There’s a wonderful orchestra, the backing vocals are very reverby. Her voice is right there in front. It’s so real. Even as a kid I was a sensitive type. It provides all the emotions, songs that are happy, sad, sharp edged, pity party. And the art is fun to look at.
Growing up in the north in the 80s I had three channels on the radio, and thankfully public radio and parents with some diversity in their listening. I teach elementary music now – they watch videos and I tell them how lucky they are. That album brings me to a place. It’s really well done.
Listen: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”
2. Miles Davis, “Kind of Blue” (1959) – It’s one I’ve listened to more than any other. It’s my desert island disc. There’s something about the recording: You feel the room when you’re listening. The mastery of all those musicians, the way they talk to each other musically, careful, minimalist phrasing. I just listened to it last week and it still sounded fresh. It’s experts in a room creating. I love it. Bill Evans is one of my favorite musicians. I have to sit down to listen to it, stop what I’m doing.
Listen: “Blue in Green”
3. Norman Blake, “Whiskey Before Breakfast” (1976) – The third one was the hardest one. Norman Blake was one of our great singers. He was so influential because I listened to it almost daily. I couldn’t put it down; I’d be late for work. The songs are nice, fun, good-humored. It has a joyful quality. His guitar playing is wonderful. I’ve never ascended to playing the songs on there as well as him. But practicing them was fun.
Listen: “Old Grey Mare”
Currently Loving: Maya de Vitry, “Violet Light” (2022) – I can’t get enough of it. The songs deal with emotional stuff in a tender way. The first three are just the best grieving I could think of. You don’t want to listen to it while you’re operating heavy machinery (laughs). It’s very honest and powerful in a subtle way. One song mourns the loss of a dog – it’s so sweet. Another is about a boyfriend – it’s a great breakup song. I think the whole thing is great. It’s the only album I’ve heard in years that I listen to the whole thing over and over.
Listen: “Flowers”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Michael Waite’s Playlist on Spotify
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