Adam Mitchell
YUCATAN CAFE IS THE PERFECT SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
SEPT 2022 – Multi-platinum songwriter Adam Mitchell has written lots of big hits for some very big names. But his latest album, Yucatan Café, represents the storyteller at his best.
THE SONGWRITER
Adam has written hits in most every genre of popular music for some of the biggest names around including KISS, Chicago, Art Garfunkel, Nicolette Larson, Olivia Newton-John, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Bonnie Tyler, John Waite, and the biggest of them all – Johnny Cash In fact, Johnny Cash’s last album—released after his death—was titled after Adam’s hit song which is featured on the album, Out Among the Stars.
Born in Scotland, Adam was raised in Canada from the age of 12. After university, he became lead singer for the legendary Canadian band, the Paupers. The group achieved great critical acclaim and went on to perform at the legendary Monterey Pop Festival during the Summer of Love. After moving to California, Adam worked as Musical Director for - and played on - Linda Ronstadt’s first solo album (a little while later he would play with her live at President Jimmy Carter’s Inaugural bash).
Known as a bit of a traveling minstrel, Adam’s been around much of the world and made some long-time, fascinating friends along the way. In fact, he’s friends with many of the artists who have recorded his songs and they have been quick to praise his talents as a writer.
"Adam Mitchell's ability to write in a diversity of styles is possible because of his solid grasp of the fundamentals of great songwriting,” said Paul Stanley, guitarist for KISS.
Linda Ronstadt said "Adam's melodies are wonderfully shaped. Some of my favorite musical memories are built around sitting, evening after evening, working out harmonies with Adam -- who can also sing like a demon."
Michael James Jackson (award winning producer of KISS, Paul Williams, LA Guns, Red Rider and others) said of Adam, “Adam is the consummate songwriter with a deep understanding of melody and structure. He’s been an invaluable asset to me as a producer."
Adam has also worked diverse projects such as Graham Nash’s Song Stories – a co-project with Nash and Jackson - which the Songwriters Guild of America will soon re-release.
THE ALBUM
Adam’s latest album, Yucatan Café, carries all the musical influences Adam is known for and more. The opening title song features a beautiful Spanish-influenced intro by guitar great, Brent Mason.
Mixed with Adam’s world music sensibility and evocative, story-telling lyrics, a listener is transported to a little café in the Yucatan and the Mexican beauty who works there. Like so many songs on the album, it feels like you’re watching a movie as you listen.
And there are a lot of little movies on this album – each with a style of their own. We All Get Lost features a traditional-country, jukebox, beer-drinking vibe but, surprisingly, tells the story of a brief moment in time when a homeless man pours some wisdom down on us. Wishful Thinkin’ might be one of the most fun songs on the album. Upbeat and driving, the song takes the listener on a wild road trip to Vegas with a gambler and lover who is always “wishful thinking.”
The album’s eclectic nature serves up a mix of musical styles—from the smoky-jazz, film-noir stylings on My Heart’s Not In It; and acoustic guitar solos with an artistic bent on Cowboy From Rue Ste. Germain; to the politically-aware Shaken Awake. The album closes out with a couple more light-hearted songs with Cruisin’ on PCH and Rewrite – a song that pokes some caustic fun at the brutal side of the music business.
The album was recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville and features studio legends Brent Mason on guitar, Greg Morrow on drums, John Willis on acoustic guitar, Mike Brignadello on bass and Jason Webb on keyboards.
If you’re looking for an album that can act as an evocative, visual, rocking soundtrack to your day, this is it. Listen to Yucatan Café on Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music, SoundCloud and all other streaming services.