Indie Music

Singer Songwriter Music CD Reviews Artist: Holly Long Title: Leaving Kansas Website: http://www.hollylong.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hollylongmusic Style: Singer- Songwriter Label: Skim Milk Productions Rating: 8.2 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross Leaving Kansas is Holly's third full-length release. Her two previous full-length releases were, City Girl (2000) and Every Little Seam (2004). To get the real feel for this latest release from Holly I have to give you a little bit of background information on her. Holly suffered a severe heart infection known as Endocarditis that left her in a coma for one week and made her have to relearn the simplest of day-to-day task like walking. Set against that backdrop the songs found on Leaving Kansas are powerful and from the heart. Holly wrote all of the songs found on the album so each one tells a little story about her life. Instead of becoming bitter she uses her past problems to offer up an album of enduring and overcoming whatever life throws your way. As I listened to the songs found on Leaving Kansas it had the feel almost like reading Holly's diary. Holly's soft vocals make you feel like your listening to a friend share their life stories with you. Holly's musical influences are wide ranging including, Elton John, Carole King, Paul McCartney, Ron Sexsmith, Ryan Adams, Jeff Buckley, John Lennon, Aimee Mann, Neil Finn, Crowded House, Beatles, John Hiatt, Stevie Wonder, Jim Croce, America, CSNY, Pink Floyd, Simon & Garfunkel, Bill Withers, Tracy Chapman, Tori Amos, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Keith Jarrett, and Prince. Holly's music is like her musical influences and vary from song-to-song. On Leaving Kansas you'll find singer-songwriter, folk, country and even touches of a funky sound found on track-7, "Pain and Glory." It's lucky for us that Holly is an over comer and has used her life experiences to create an honest and uplifting album like Leaving Kansas for us to enjoy. Artist: Peter Bloom Band Title: Random Thoughts (from a paralyzed mind) Website: http://www.peterbloom.ca MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/peterbloommusic Style: Singer Songwriter / Pop-Rock Rating: 9 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross Peter Bloom is an artist that has a story to tell and lucky for us he's done just that with his debut release, Random Thoughts (from a paralyzed mind). Peter has had to overcome a lot in his life including a chronic voice disorder known as MTD (Muscle Tension Dysphonia) that only after visiting with several different doctors was he able to find one who treated the condition successfully. That would have been enough to discourage most people but Peter also had to deal with a rare condition known as Alopecia Universalis that caused him to lose all of his head, face, and body hair. Coming from that perspective you might think that this release would be filled with a collection of bitter songs. The exact opposite is true Peter puts out the message of overcoming and hope in the songs in a very real life honest way. The band list, The Beatles, U2, Queen, Verve, Oasis, Stereophonics, Keane, Travis, Roy Orbison, Bruce Springsteen, and Led Zeppelin as their musical influences. One other name I might throw into that list is Elton John. On track-5, "Helping Hand," you'll find a sound that really has a vintage Elton John vibe to it. The music found on Random Thoughts (from a paralyzed mind) is a collection of very well done songs that range from the ballad, "Haven't Hit The Floor Yet," that deals with living with Alzheimer's, which Peter's best friend's dad is living with. Songs like, "Letting Go" have a pop feel and deals with not holding on to baggage from the past and letting go so that you can truly enjoy your life, to the rock edged song, "Careful." Peter really likes to connect with his audiences and enjoys playing live shows. Here's a little bit about that taken from his press material, "... I'm all for digital downloads of great songs, but there's still no replacement for the vibe that happens when musicians perform their material live. The best bands to me are those who don't simply reproduce their songs in concert but offer a different take that's equally valid, emotional and powerful, yet altogether original. I strive for that kind of connection, and there's no greater feeling, no better rush than to connect with people through the songs I have written. It's a great honor to bring the same kind of joy and inspiration to people as my musical idols, from Lennon and McCartney to Bono have done for me." One thing that you can't help but take away from this release is the fact that Peter is an over comer and has a message to get out there. He's a very talented person and has surrounded himself with some very talented fellow musicians that make this release well worth buying. Artist: Stacie Rose Title: Shotgun Daisy Website: http://www.stacierose.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/stacierose Style: Singer Songwriter/ Pop Label: Enchanted Records Rating: 7.8 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross This Jersey girl lists everyone from, Fleetwood Mac, Chrissy Hynde, Billy Holiday, The Eagles, and U2 to Tom Petty, Heart, The Police, Donna Summer, Smashing Pumpkins, Blondie and Sarah Vaughn as some of her musical influences. Her songs have been featured on MTV shows, The Hills, Sorority Life, and Fraternity Life along with her song, "Find Your Way" being licensed to AMC to be used to help promote the channel's prime time movies. Stacie Rose's latest release, Shotgun Daisy, is a collection of songs that walk the line between several different styles of music including, but not limited to, singer/songwriter, pop/rock and a touch of country. Her singing voice can change as needed to fit whatever that particular song needs, from soft and seductive to all out rocking vocals. While listening to her vocals names like, Aimee Mann, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, and Shawn Colvin came to mind. I also have to mention the well-done guitar and drum work found on this release. There is an ever-present deep drumbeat that really powers the songs while not over shadowing the vocals. The guitar parts also jet in-and-out adding touches of spice to the songs. The songs found on Shotgun Daisy deal with things Stacie has dealt with in her life. Her struggles, going through the hard times, the many sides of love, and overcoming whatever you face. Fellow artist Shawn Mullins joins Stacie on the song, "Run Out," a country duet love song. The CD takes its title, Shotgun Daisy from a nickname given to Stacie due to her frantic fast paced lifestyle. The release was co-produced by Jeff Allen (Duncan Sheik, Roseanne Cash) and Robert L. Smith (David Bowie, Rickie Lee Jones). Shotgun Daisy offers up a nice collection of songs that showcases the many facet of Stacie Rose's music. Artist: Nigel Clothier Title: Book of Days Website: http://www.myspace.com/nigelclothier Style: Singer-Songwriter Rating: 8 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross Nigel Clothier is a British singer songwriter. On this release from him, he's also pretty much a one-man band, playing all of the instrument parts, handling all of the vocals, along with having written all of the songs found on Book of Days. The only other major credit goes to album producer Fran Ashcroft (Gorillaz, Dandy Warhols). Nigel has a sound that harkens back to the late 60's/early 70's ala Neil Young and Bob Dylan. His songs offer simple arrangements while being far from simplistic. There is much packed into each song's story to maul over in your head. Each song lets out a little bit of what can be found in Nigel's heart. The releases title, Book of Days, is very appropriate with each song acting almost like it's own little chapter in a musical book. For the most part the songs have a melodic flow to them with an underlying bit of a country sound via Nigel's pedal steel work. Track-10 "Exceptin' A Beach," is the releases one really upbeat song. It has a honky-tonk flavor with its steady beats and tinkling piano parts found on it. This release is filled with a collection of very well done music that harkens back to a time when the musical troubadour's reigned. Artist: Arianna Solare Title: Book of Us Website: http://www.myspace.com/ariannasolare Style: Singer-Songwriter Record Label: Yatra Rating: 7.5 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross Arianna Solare has lived a nomadic life traveling widely including a stay in India. She has always been destined to perform. She was born under the astrological sign Pisces (which I happen to be also). At the early age of 3 she was already studying dance, at 6 she started playing the piano followed by at age 15 the guitar. Also at age 15 she decided to quit school and leave home. She ended up in Seattle and become part of the large performance scene located there. These days she spends part of her time in the Taos, New Mexico area in her earthen house. This is Arianna's debut EP and features song's that have a very philosophical vibe to them. They deal with the ironies of life, effects of love on the cosmos, life on the edge, and the power of love. All those meaty subjects are covered in the first four songs found on the Book of Us. The songs are melodic and Arianna's vocals are smooth and filled with a sense of searching and examining. The EP ends with track-5, "Are You Coming With Me," a song slightly more up tempo then the others with its more noticeable guitar parts and drum beats The song is filled with little snapshots of Arianna's life up to this point With her music Arianna show that she's a very talented deep thinker that has a lot to contribute to the performing world in many different ways. Artist: Darryl Gregory Title: She Website: http://www.darrylgregory.com CDBaby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/gregorydarryl Style: Singer Songwriter/ Swamp Rock Rating: 8.5 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross Darryl's music has taken many turns over the years. Starting out as a classically trained trombonist he spent over a decade playing in symphonies and big band jazz bands. He learned to play guitar while in a basement rock band. He's also into world music and co-founder of The Sa-Reel Project with composer Sasha Bogdanowitsch. He's also composed music for film as well as incidental music for several off and off-off Broadway theatrical and dance works By day Darryl is a music teacher in Stamford, CT where he instructs middle school aged children. He's also owner of Blue Cave Studios, a home project studio that caters to Indie-musicians, singer-songwriters and other non-label recording projects. As I'm sure you've gathered by now Darryl has many strong roots down in the music industry. Darryl's latest release She is a concept album about the many facets, both good and bad, of women. Darryl says that, "each song is a chapter or a vignette that when put together tell an even greater story. There aren't too many concept albums coming out anymore, but I loved the challenge of doing it anyway." Besides handling lead vocal duties on this release Darryl also plays the vast majority on instruments found on She including, guitars, bass, harmonica, organ piano, mandolin, and dobro to name just a few. He's also added in some key components from other musicians like Rani Arbo whose lively fiddle playing fingerprints can be found through out the release. Also Debbie Maloney's flute playing on track-6 "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" brings a nice, almost fanciful element, to the song. You'll find Justin Hines on drum kit and congas. Last but not least are the helping vocals of Wendy Berry and Sasha Bogdanowitsch that worked as a nice accent to Darryl's deeper male vocals. This release has many musical flavors found in it blending, singer/songwriter, alt. country, retro-rock, folk, and swamp rock sounds that alternate in tempo, from bar swigging hell-raisers, to melodic guitar and piano ballads. Darryl's been around music for along time and his talent shines through brightly in this, his latest release, She.