Michael Logen, Lizanne Knott, and Jesse Terry Collaborate on 'Sunset Avenue Sessions'
By: Kaitlin Milligan Nov. 07, 2018
Every situation in life is made better when friends come along for the ride-and for three of Americana's most sought-after artists, who also happen to be great friends, the result is the "effortless and inspiring" connection heard on the 5 stunning covers and 6 original songs of their new collaboration.
Sunset Avenue Sessions, releasing November 30 on Transoceanic Records, combines the award-winning talents of Michael Logen, Lizanne Knott, and Jesse Terry, with each artist trading off vocal duties with an easy feeling of camaraderie throughout.
The choice of covers included on the album is an invitation into the American songbook-and the musicians' inner circle-exposing to fans their wide range of influences and interests across genres. Lead track "Learning to Fly," by the late, great Tom Petty, is a favorite of the three, and they deliver a bright, airy, acoustic-based homage, with Logen and Terry weaving their distinctive voices around Knott's clear, ethereal lead. Knott also takes the lead on another of her favorite Petty selections, "Wildflowers." Terry offers an authentic, rootsy evolution of Johnny Cash's timeless masterpiece, "Ring of Fire," with Knott and Logen on backgrounds. Logen then takes on a soundtrack-worthy rendering of Buffalo Springfield's "For What it's Worth," and leads in the haunting, intimate duet with Knott on P!nk's mournful "Try."
The nuanced original songs on Sunset showcase the expressive and melodic depths of the artists individually, in their respective spotlights, with a soothing variety of textures. Logen contributes his lyrical stunner, "Already Home," adding an additional layer of warmth and soul to the collection. The elegant "Caroline" by Knott offers a sophisticated complexity. And another inner-circle friend and special guest, acclaimed singer-songwriter Dar Williams, accompanies Terry on one of his most beautifully crafted songs, "Stargazer."
The decision to record as a trio bounded directly from their years of friendship and the many shows they've played together. "Working with Lizanne and Michael always inspires me, stretches me out musically and makes me want to explore new roads in my own songwriting, Terry explains. "We're all very different artists, but there is a great synergy when we come together."
"I've always been a huge fan of my talented friends," Knott says of Terry and Logen. "When the opportunity presented itself for us to put a record out together, I was of course on board! We just know each others' vibe, and stylistically work well together." As for Logen, he agrees working as a trio felt "natural" to him, due to their tight bonds. "We had a great time recording it," he enthuses.
While all three artists are quite separate from each other in their sound and focus, they all share a love of storytelling as songwriters and acclaimed performers. Fans can keep up with their schedules by visiting
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