Singer/songwriter John Speziale’s “Forest for the Trees” charted at number 69 on the “Neil Young Living with War” website…

John said that topical or protest songs, “are difficult to write well. It takes a lot of artistry to keep them from sounding whiney.” Another problem is that what is current one month might not be the next. John thinks that Bruce Springsteen “does topical best, writing songs about our troubled times that contain a kind of poetry that transcends time.”

“I was writing from the idea of this big, beautiful and noble country being disrespected by the very people chosen to manage its care,” John explained. One of John’s inspirations was Neil Young’s “Living With War” album.

John admits he’s a bit superstitious about doing topical songs and was initially reluctant about recording “Forest.” “A good friend of mine,” he said, “also a songwriter, said she wanted to record it if I didn’t. So I took a shot. It’s not exactly Springsteen, but people seem to like it.”

For an added treat, visit John’s website… You’ll find [five] video performances recently performed by him at the Gloucester, MA, CD Launch… [S]it back, watch, listen, and as John said, “Enjoy!”

— Roger Zotti