Chris Van Cleave - Singer-Songwriter-Actor- Store




	"HOW DOES LOVE GO" When and how will it all end? We can all play our part
	"AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL" Remembering what is important. This beautiful new rendition by Chris and Lea is NOW AVAILABLE on Chris' latest album release "It's Up to You"

Chris' latest album released September 2019! Songs on this album were selected to offer help healing and connecting us during these particularly challenging times of division and fear. Many of the songs' subject matters deal with some of the painful passages experienced by many in our journey through life. However, rather than being "heavy", most of Chris' lyrics give a positive resolve gained from his own personal insight and experience. Maybe there is one you could download to send someone in your life to heal or comfort.
In today's world, the powerful truth of the statement “United we stand, divided we fall” is relevant to all of our relationships: between friends, within a family,
our Nation, the World, Mother Earth and our Creator.
We hope these songs help remind us of our power, individually and collectively, to make positive and healing choices for Our greater well-being.


		Recently digitally re-mastered 17-song CD album of the rock/gospel musical written by Paul Solomon and Chris Van Cleave in 1982, on the potent new re-telling of the “greatest love story” ever told and still being relevant today - even more so! The album includes beloved songs "Emmanuel", "So Send I You" and more!. For fuller details on the background to the musical, and to listen to song clips from the album, and/or purchase album, CLICK HERE!

An 18-song solo album where all instrumentation, arrangements, harmonies and recording are by Chris with his rich melodic vocals and multi-layered acoustic guitar arrangements. Insightful lyrics and intricate guitar playing create an intimate atmosphere where, lyrically, there is
always light at the end of the tunnel!

"Van Cleave's voice is clear and expressive, providing fertile ground for his lush lyrical landscape....With a range that slides easiy from bass to tenor, he is compared to Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, or Dan Fogelberg. For relaxing and insightful music, I recommend the beautiful "Lavender White," the lifting "Riddle of the River," and a cool-pickin' instrumental "Mystic Mountain Moogie."
Eric Worden, Port Folio Weekly
(February 3-9, 1998)

This album features several brilliant musicians recording with Chris in England. It leans towards positive, cross-over, country with an eclectic mix of stylistic influences and rhythms. His lyrical perspectives on relationships include the deep joys of love, being hung up on, playfully suggestive lyrics, being left out on a limb, the death of a loved one, being true to oneself
and more.

"With timelessly crafted songs as powerfully emotive as "Laugh With You" and "Simply Love", and a voice that simultaneously encompasses the power of Scott Walker with the tenderness of Jackson Browne..."
Johnny Black, music journalist
(Q Magazine, Insight, Hi Fi News)

The first six minutes of the album blends a chant The Veil is Lifting, written by Chris, into a powerfully uplifting chant - Jesce Sole: an adaptation of a traditional Neapolitan chant by John La Barbera and Alessandra Belloni from their folk opera Stabat Mater in which Chris performed as Jesus at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York in 1998.

An album purposefully created for those wanting to heal relationships, meditate, pray or realign priorities - with songs at the end that increase the tempo - to inspire new beginnings! Chris' melodic voice, overtoned with his rich harmonies, soothe, heal and inspire!


		SELECTED ECLECTIC “Ruffs” is not an album, but a wide selection of original songs from Chris' vast catalog of material. From adult contemporary, folk, country, rock, jazz, songs from his musicals, Chris has something stylistically and lyrically for most of us! Included with this selection is the song he wrote “Artist” that Laura Branigan sang while together in their Paramount Records group Meadow. This group of songs are but a small sample of his work. They are at various stages of production, but all are of a high enough quality for you to enjoy. The song clip samples are long enough for you to decide whether you want to download the full song, at a reduced price from those of his album tracks. As with any of his other album tracks, each song can be downloaded separately so you can create your own personalized album! The world would be a desolate place without music, and the all the visual and creative arts! Please remember, all artists deserve to receive an income for their creations. We do not expect free downloads from doctors, lawyers, or other professionals, so why do we dishonor "the arts" and expect performing and visual artists to live on "air" or mentorship. SUPPORT THE ARTS by buying directly from the artist, authors, & creators, as they only get "breadcrumbs" from the download services such as Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, etc!

In 1983 Chris wrote a "to-do" list of yet to accomplish items, on which he added "write a Christmas song". That evening seven songs came through in one night. These, and five of his other original songs, were recorded and produced in collaboration with a talented group of friends in Virginia Beach within two months prior to Christmas that year. Hear "The Gift" within the Mandala page.

These songs were then performed with heartwarming celebration by Chris and friends to outreach groups in the community: prisons, hospitals, retirement homes, teenage centers, etc., a tradition continued annually since its inception.

An additional song "A Golden Christmas" (recorded while on tour with the British cast of "Jesus Christ Superstar") was added later. A bonus track added in 2009 was Chris' beautifully sung arrangement of "O Holy Night".

This album has become a perennial favorite and features refreshingly new Christmas music in a variety of styles, including gospel, country, jazz, and folk: all joyfully laced with inspirational lyrics. Also included are Chris' highly praised musical renditions of "The 23rd Psalm" and "The Great Invocation".