Michael McCall said in the Nashville Scene, “Ned Massey’s talents are undeniable. In his best moments, he offers the kind of highlights that define the glory of rock and roll.”
Ned Massey has been described in national press as an “evocative singer-songwriter with vision” (FMQB) and as “a gutsy artist who isn’t afraid to add a little edge to his acoustic based music” (Album Network). John Hammond, shortly before his death, said that Ned Massey was the best artist he’d heard since Dylan and Springsteen. Hammond had the right to say such things: he was the Columbia A&R man who signed both of those artists.
Ned Massey’s new album, “A Brief Appearance”, is a stripped down, powerful collection of songs that deal with issues: from headline issues such as 9/11, Bosnia, and religious extremism, to personal issues such as loss, hope, and faith -- and ultimately to how all these things are inextricably tied together.

Our lives are so short. The Japanese have a saying that the man who dies with the least regrets dies the happiest. So the challenge is in deciding what makes a life worthwhile. If I were to die tomorrow, what would cause me the most pain would be if I had betrayed the love in my life and the gifts God has given me. If I can keep that foremost in my mind, and act accordingly, embracing what I know in my heart to be true, I could die tomorrow with peace, knowing I’d done my best. An awareness of our imminent mortality is the best friend we have. Act accordingly. Let’s get to work.
Ned Massey | a brief appearance | download (2.40MB) | >>

The Album Network
... at times fiery, at times meditative, examination into the mystery of faith, hope and love in a troubled world.
The St. Louis Riverfront Times
"Massey has a poet's way with words"
The Standard Observer, Irwin PA
"chilling, powerful, intense, thoughtful and ultimately life-affirming"
Album Description
"A Brief Appearance" is a collection of songs written, performed, and produced by Ned Massey(with the help of some very talented friends). The acoustic based arrangements set a solid foundation for Massey"s rich evocative voice and powerful lyrics.
About the Artist
It was no accident that Ned Massey, a young singer/songwriter from the midwest, moved to New York city in the mid-eighties. His goal was to have his music heard by the famous producer and talent scout, John Hammond, the Columbia Records A&R man responsible for signing and recording such acts as Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Massey, after months of phone calls and letters, finally got to play his music for Hammond who promptly announced in the national press(L.A. Times, Wall Street Journal, CBS Morning News) that he had found "the next Dylan, the next Springsteen." Hammond took Massey in the studio and began recording what was to be Massey's debut release for Epic Records. Then, one day, while in the studio with Massey, the elderly Hammond suffered a serious stroke from which he never recovered. With Hammond no longer championing the project, Massey's deal disappeared. Massey continued to try to get his music out to people, despite a series of bad management deals, labels going out of business, etc. Over the years, Massey's performances have drawn rave reviews and a devoted following(a solo acoustic performance in St. Louis by Massey for a crowd of over ten thousand was ranked as one of the top ten concerts of the year by the Riverfront Times -- St. Louis?s version of the Village Voice). And, finally, after all those accidents, missteps and coincidents, we have Ned Massey's new album, "A Brief Appearance"' a mere eighteen years after John Hammond discovered Massey. If you like powerful lyrics sung by great voice, this is your kind of music, and it's no accident that you're here. So listen.
A Brief Appearance [ CD ] >>

It was no accident that Ned Massey, a young singer/songwriter from the midwest, moved to New York city in the mid-eighties. His goal was to have his music heard by the famous producer and talent scout, John Hammond, the Columbia Records A&R man responsible for signing and recording such acts as Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
By coincidence, while working his first week in a downtown restaurant, one of Massey’s customers --who just happened to be reading John Hammond’s autobiography--turned out to be a recording engineer who had just worked with Hammond on Stevie Ray Vaughn’s album, “Texas Flood.” The two struck up a conversation and the engineer gave Massey Hammond’s office number. ... [ read more ] >>

This is a great Album. We saw Ned in Concert In Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the first time and it was great. A definite must have. Great lyrics, great songs. I listen the the CD over and over again. Once you listen to it you will want to see him LIVE.
February 26, 2000 Reviewer: judy from Iowa City, Iowa
Ned Massey | almost drowned | listen | >>