John Michael Ferrari – Smooth Sailing (Single Review)

Today’s review features John Michael Ferrari’s new single “Smooth Sailing.” Ferrari is a storyteller who transforms life experiences into emotional songs. His most recent releast “When Love Is Love” has been submitted for Grammy nomination. Ferrari has also been submitted for consideration for Best New Artist; at 77, that would make him the oldest artist to be Grammy nominated for best new artist per the Guinness Book of World Records.

Ferrari loves to perform, saying “There’s never a stranger in the audience.”

Ferrari’s songwriting has won many awards, including the Intercontinental Music Awards, International Singer Songwriter Awards, the Josie Music Awards, Clouzine International Awards, North American Country Music Association, and the eZWay Golden Gala. He has also had songs chart on the Cashbox Magazine Christian Country Top 100, the Independent Music Network, and Museboat Live Channel. He was named “Crossover Artist of the Year (2024)” by The Elite Music Awards and “Artist of the Year (2024)” by the Olympia Arts Awards. His song “One Heck of a Girl” was named “Best Single of the Year” by the Producers Choice Honors. He was also named “Best Male Americana Vocal” by Clouzine International Music Awards.

Ferrari’s has graced magazine covers including New Music Weekly, Hollywood Weekly Nashville, eZWay Magazine, and The Independent Music Show Magazine. As a mentor and author, he co-authored “Dynamic Song Performance, The Singer’s Bible” with Pepper Jay, penned “Acting with Your Eyes”, and, with Pepper Jay, continues to coach vocals and song performance. JMF is a member of ASCAP and SAG-AFTRA.

Music Review World has recently reviewed Ferrari’s single “How Far Apart Are We” (Rated Excellent) which you can read here, and his album “I Keep Dreaming” (Rated Outstanding) which you can read here.

So let’s have a listen …

Ferrari’s new single “Smooth Sailing” starts with a drum fill into the song with backing vocals and horns. This is a song about being younger (23) and how it was “smooth sailing for me.” I like how the song adds a pre-chorus before the second chorus and the bridge that follows. I can hear an electric lead guitar joining in the fray, complementing the horns.

Then, all of the sudden a Hammond B-3 joins in. The song rocks between “I was 23” and “it was smooth sailing for me” until the end of the track. Ferrari has a very nice voice and it makes the song a pleasure to listen to. The only downside I see is that the song sounds like a 1950s nostalgia track.

SCORE/Excellent: John Michael Ferrari’s new single “Smooth Sailing” has a very 50s nostalgia feel. Excellent performances and production, including horns and a B-3. A well-written song. Give it a listen. Much love, Beth

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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