Another Successful Breakfast

Abraham Cloud is an urban storyteller with a unique perspective and a gift for melody. Addressing predominantly homeless and shiftless themes, Abe's stories are detailed narratives told from a first hand point of view. Although Abe claims, 'Observing and not doing is my inspiration for writing,' 'Another Successful Breakfast' is, in fact, based on his life experiences. From the Salinas Valley of Northern California to the streets of Los Angeles - raised on the stories of Steinbeck and the music of John Lennon, Abraham Cloud has a story to tell. In many ways reminiscent of the bar room music of Tom Waits, Abe's music covers the spectrum of musical styles and is difficult to pigeon-hole into a specific category. Poignant and sincere, Abe conveys with his sense of humor firmly intact. An unconscious but effective marriage of unique stories with his own persona, Abe's personality and down-and-out humor are an integral part of every story that he tells. 'When I'm writing my best, desperate characters come out but with my sense of humor,' Abe explains. Often contemplative, frequently introspective and always insightful, Abe tells a story like no one else. 'My goal is to tell a complete story, but not a specific one. I try to leave enough space so that anyone can write their own story into it,' says Abe. The result, intensely personal stories with universal appeal, makes 'Another Successful Breakfast' food for thought, not just another collection of pop recordings. BAM, June 1995 Justwhen I thought the cool, aggressive folk-rock on this tape was going tohit a cruise point, the music swung in another powerful direction with'The Company of Strangers,' recalling some of David Bowie's best, most contemplative moments. Inspired by Neil Young's 'Freedom' (he wrote in a note attached to the recording), Cloud - singing in a mid-range, cigarette-streaked voice - carries on that tradition of ragged but real rock with authority. Big Shout, July 1995 Another successful, well constructed, carefully planned album, designed for every occasion and occurrence life has to offer. 'Let's Make Love (On the Floor Of The Liquor Store' and 'Cigarette Bar,' set a swingingtone that will turn the most loafable slacker into a dancing fool. If'sexual healing' is the desire, slink down to 'What's So Great AboutHappiness.' For a good 'read-a-book-to-song,' feel, then try,'Monopoly' or 'Baby Lemonade.'And finally, the lullaby song award goes to 'Breathing (By the Light OfThe Moon).' Each track of 'Another Successful Breakfast' creates talesof pure pop fantasies, that have no doubt been extracted straight fromtear-jerking, real life experiences. Honestly, it sure is a pleasure tohear an artist who places equal attention and focus on the music andlyrics. Thanks. -Jennie Tagle Cake Magazine, #35, Weirdstory- The publicist from Stonegarden calls us and asks if we havereceived this CD. So I say yeah we did. I'm being really evil herebecause I like the CD very much and I was gonna call them but they beatme to it and now I'm sort of pulling this poor publicist's chain. Sothe publicist sighs and says hopefully, 'Did you get a chance to listento it?' I say oh yeah, knowing full well I am going to burn in hell forbeing this coy. There is a brief pause as the publicist gears up forrejection. Being a publicist is a thankless task. 'So what did youthink of it?' she asks as cheerfully as possible for so late in theday. I tell her I loved it. I tell her I think the guy is a brilliantsongwriter and I want to talk to him. She is somewhat stunned for amoment. I believe she thinks I am dicking with her. I am not. A fewhours later I get a call from Abraham Cloudand he is also somewhat stunned at my enthusiasm. Sometimes I forgethow truly cruel the music business is and how much rejection you faceon a daily basis. The upshot of this whole story is that atthe end of the conversation with A. Cloud I ask him if he's a pirate.

There is an eerie silence on the phone. Finally he says in an audiblyshaken, low tone, 'Why the hell did you ask me that?' I explain thatthe issue is about pira