Big Blue Hearts: Their self-titled disc came out in the mid to late 90's and was definitely one of the more compelling releases that came across my desk. The lead vocalist David Fasher has a Chris Isaak/Elvis Presley vocal delivery and the music is definitely in the Isaak arena. It's definitely got a retro-throwback country/pop feel and it's some of the best music in my catalog. Highly recommended. http://www.bigbluehearts.com http://www.myspace.com/bigbluehearts
Cowboy Mouth: Oh where do I start? For starters the name is from a Sam Shepherd play. That in and of itself is kick-ass. Then there's the live show, which needs to be seen and heard to be realized. Drummer Fred LeBlanc honestly puts on the most empassioned set of drumming, growling and sweating I have seen from a Southern rock band in a long time. These Louisiana boys arose from the same scene that Sister Hazel and Edwin McCain did but never seemed to notch the big one. What they do have though is a good catalog of rock albums. To be quite fair rock is a loose term. Each album has a good slice of country, punk, alt.rock, and everything else in the middle. Even some Louisiana flavor to boot. It's hard to recommend one Cowboy Mouth album. Are You With Me? and Mercyland are strong, as are the discs Easy and their latest Voodoo Shoppe. While the band has changed members over the years the operatic Fred LeBlanc remains a mainstay and as long as he's sticking around the band can do no wrong. http://www.cowboymouth.com
David Ford: If Damien Rice has made it big, I don't see why Ford will not. Much the same as Rice this British songsmith is actually more fuller and richer in both his voice and texture. His songs to that degree are also more fleshed out. Just as caustic and intricate in his songwriting, and compelling in vocal delivery and melody I will be shocked if you don't hear more from him.
http://www.davidford.co.uk
Danny Ross: It's hard to hear Danny Ross and not think Ben Folds. Armed wuth a high reedy voice and a wealth of piano pop sensibilities Ross is a new name on the New York music scene. Whereas Folds always seemed to segue into a literary, quirky, indie direction Ross goes more mainstream. Think Top 40 radio with a splash of classical piano, and lounge-singer soul. He seems to bridge the gap between Ben Jelen and Gaving DeGraw quite nicely and considering the success of those two, I'd be surprised if Ross doesn't make a splash soon. With movie-star good looks and a growing buzz in the Myspace world I expect big things from his next release. http://www.myspace.com/dannyrossmusic
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
First post of the new year....
Been a long time since my last installment and for that I apologize. Got caught up with the holiday craziness and soem family/personal issues. With that being said, here's four artists to tide you over until I get some more time to put others in this thing.
Blue Moonshine: Stringy, folky, twangy bluegrass-folk/pop from Southwestern Virginia. Guitar player Will Farmer really shines and vocalist Phil Norman has a voice you don't hear too often in the genre. Moreover, mandolin player Warren Amberson I'm told has recorded with bluegrass greats Tony Rice and the late Vassar Clements. (http://cdbaby.com/cd/vcrtlcab) At the core, Blue Moonshine is earnest, sincere, and emotive. If they take a trip on down to Spindale, NC and play for the folks at WNCW, Blue Moonshine just may be on their way to bluegrass fame. http://www.bluemoonshineband.com
Danny Rocco: Though he's known more for his guitarwork in up-and-coming Long Island band Show Me Action, Rocco is a firestorm of talent. For proof check out his myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/dannyrocco) With lungs full of confidence, and a powerful vocal delivery Rocco's pop/rock gems could easily sit alongside a shelf with Third Eye Blind and the All American Rejects. Definitely a name to watch. The fact that he's only 18 and just a college freshman should be setting off the sirens for A & R reps everywhere.
My Favorite Episode: Emo-ish, indie/folk rock from New Jersey. Lead vocalist Colin (last name escapes me) has good vocal range and a knack for melody. The band seems to be making all the right strides in terms of progress, as their latest work trumps their more raw prior work. The band should be touring around the Northeast in the spring and summer and I do think for a bar or coffeehouse gig they are worth the time. This stuff isn't going to make radio anytime soon but I wouldn't put it past the band to see a grass-roots following. http://www.myspace.com/myfavoriteepisode
Dominique A: Dominique Ane, or Dominique A is an incredible musician. His CD "Auguri" came out in 2001 and was probably one of the best discs I heard all year. Nevermind that he speaks French and there is nary an English word on the CD, his music and his style is hard to hate and I truly was blown away by the "Auguri disc" One minute he is dark and engrossing with thick, penetrating guitars. The next minute he is vibrant, and airy. Truly an accomplished singer he is someone worth adding to your iPod shuffle. http://www.commentcertainsvivent.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominique_A
Blue Moonshine: Stringy, folky, twangy bluegrass-folk/pop from Southwestern Virginia. Guitar player Will Farmer really shines and vocalist Phil Norman has a voice you don't hear too often in the genre. Moreover, mandolin player Warren Amberson I'm told has recorded with bluegrass greats Tony Rice and the late Vassar Clements. (http://cdbaby.com/cd/vcrtlcab) At the core, Blue Moonshine is earnest, sincere, and emotive. If they take a trip on down to Spindale, NC and play for the folks at WNCW, Blue Moonshine just may be on their way to bluegrass fame. http://www.bluemoonshineband.com
Danny Rocco: Though he's known more for his guitarwork in up-and-coming Long Island band Show Me Action, Rocco is a firestorm of talent. For proof check out his myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/dannyrocco) With lungs full of confidence, and a powerful vocal delivery Rocco's pop/rock gems could easily sit alongside a shelf with Third Eye Blind and the All American Rejects. Definitely a name to watch. The fact that he's only 18 and just a college freshman should be setting off the sirens for A & R reps everywhere.
My Favorite Episode: Emo-ish, indie/folk rock from New Jersey. Lead vocalist Colin (last name escapes me) has good vocal range and a knack for melody. The band seems to be making all the right strides in terms of progress, as their latest work trumps their more raw prior work. The band should be touring around the Northeast in the spring and summer and I do think for a bar or coffeehouse gig they are worth the time. This stuff isn't going to make radio anytime soon but I wouldn't put it past the band to see a grass-roots following. http://www.myspace.com/myfavoriteepisode
Dominique A: Dominique Ane, or Dominique A is an incredible musician. His CD "Auguri" came out in 2001 and was probably one of the best discs I heard all year. Nevermind that he speaks French and there is nary an English word on the CD, his music and his style is hard to hate and I truly was blown away by the "Auguri disc" One minute he is dark and engrossing with thick, penetrating guitars. The next minute he is vibrant, and airy. Truly an accomplished singer he is someone worth adding to your iPod shuffle. http://www.commentcertainsvivent.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominique_A
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