Baby If I Review From Fred "Virgil" Turgis - Jumpn from 6 to 6: You'll find a wide variety of genres on Dawn Shipley's second album. The opening track Bear With Me Baby is a solid rocking song with an early 60's beat. Of course, there's a majority of Rockabilles like Anyone But You (nice guitar work with some Scotty Moore echoes in it), the frantic rhythm of Baby If I, the cover of Glen Glenn's One Cup Of Coffee and on the rural edge full Moon Keeps On Shining. Empty Stretch Of Highway a haunting country song with echo on the guitar has some more modern vibes in it. I's probably one of the best cut of the album and I suppose I'm not the only one to think that because you find an alternate take more acoustic and slower that ends the album. On the traditional country side Make Believe is a true and classic Honky Tonk with good steel throughout and Patsy Cline's Crazy Dream is slightly played faster than the original, but is still a great country weeper. Warm voice, slight rhythm and jazz chords on the guitar are on the menu of Goin' Crazy a love song a la Fever. Sharp Shootin' a fine hillbilly instrumental is another occasion for guitarist Joel Morin to shine on picking guitar and on steel. The rest of the band has to be credited too for their solid work on the album: Tony Macias on bass and Tony DeHerrera on drums. Good job.Baby If I Review From Midwest Records: DAWN SHIPLEY & the Sharp Shooters/Baby If I: A thoroughly modern gal from Texas with a rockabilly/hillbilly streak doesn't channel the 50's energy of Wanda Jackson so much as an amped up Patsy Cline. Loaded with sincere handmade charm, Shipley and her crew love their work and do everything they can to make it sound like play. Like the lo-fi stuff Ray Campi and that rockabilly bunch from the 70's did, Shipley is building her own thing from the ground up and we're all having a grand time as the building goes up. Certainly a tasty slab of fun from todays rockabilly underground. DAWN SHIPLEY & THE SHARP SHOOTERS
Artist, Cellist, Singer, Lyricist, Community Activist and Healer;
these are a few titles which could be used to describe Monica McIntyre.
As a musician Monica weaves a beautiful tapestry of colors and sounds so
vivid and unique that one genre simply cannot cover it all. She
seamlessly blends: Blues, Soul, Classical, Jazz, Reggae and Middle
Eastern sounds with the unique cello techniques of: slapping, plucking
and strumming, into an unforgettable musical landscape.
Seeing her perform onstage is an enthralling experience and before
you know it you'll be swaying or stomping your feet alongside the
mesmerizing sounds of her cello. The meticulous storytelling, metaphor
and word play that dominate her lyrics cause her songs to be seen and
heard as succinct novellas. Her voice, with it's smoky texture and
emotional quality, has left audiences crying, dancing, laughing and
testifying.
So who is Monica McIntyre? She is equal parts Jamaican
metaphor-laden mother and read-the-dictionary-for-fun father; a perfect
writers combination. Originally from Hyattsville, MD, she began her
cello career in classical studies; honing her craft through private
lessons and orchestral ensembles with the District of Columbia Youth
Orchestra (DCYO). After graduating from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in
Greenbelt, MD, Monica migrated to Philadelphia, PA to study Fashion
Design at Drexel University. In 1999 she earned a BA from the Nesbitt
College of Design Arts.Living in the city of Brotherly Love, where she was immersed in:
Funk, Soul, R & B, Jazz, and World Music; brought her back to her
first love, music. In October 2003 she released her debut album Blusolaz
-- a collection of original songs which fused the genres of Blues, Soul
and Jazz. Bars of Gold, her first single, was released in August 2005.
Monica has been featured at numerous events throughout the world most
notably: Soul Sista's Jukejoint (GA) 2005, The 215 Festival (PA) 2005,
Sistahood Celebration (Vancouver) 2008, The Philadelphia Fringe Festival
(PA) 2008 & 2009, The Black Women's Art Festival (PA) 2009,
Sisterspace (MD) 2009, Ladyfest New Orleans (LA) 2010 & 2011, New
Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (LA) 2013, and The French Quarter
Fest (LA) 2013. Most recently Monica was a featured artist on the online
International music show "Balcony TV".
Trumpeter Jay Phelps is at the forefront of the young and creative generation of jazz musicians in the UK, with an instantly recognisable warm and projecting tone. A Vancouver-born Canadian, Jay was tutored by the city’s top jazz and classical trumpeters and distinguished himself early on as the youngest band-leader in the Vancouver International Jazz Festival’s history.In 1999 aged 17, Jay moved to London, determined to immerse himself in the jazz scene and immediately attracted the notice of Gary Crosby who offered him work with Jazz Jamaica in 2002, the opportunity to be a Tomorrow’s Warriors. Citing Louis Armstrong, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown and Miles Davis as his main influences, Jay went on to create and co-lead the young and hip jazz sensation Empirical, where he spent two years touring major festivals and events with their self titled debut album, while garnering worldwide media attention that UK jazz musicians haven’t enjoyed for years.Jay has performed and recorded with a veritable who’s who of both UK and international jazz artists such as; Courtney Pine, Andrew Hill, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Brown, John Hendricks, Nasheet Waits, George Benson, Jamie Cullum, Sir John Dankworth, Dennis Rollins, Guy Barker, Amy Winehouse, Charlotte Church, Hugh Masakela and Jazz Jamaica.Jay Phelps has never been work shy and over the years has toured and is featured in a diverse range of bands such as Soweto Kinch The New Emancipation project and new project The Legend of Mike Smith, Skatroniks, Ska Cubano, Courtney Pine’s Jazz Warriors project, and leads his own Jay Phelps Big Band project featuring BBC Radio 2’s Clare Teal.He has guested with Wynton Marsali’s Jazz at Linclon Centre Orchestra for Marsalis’ epic, Congo Square. Then later that summer proceeded to have two sell out nights featuring the Jay Phelps Big Band at the world renowned Ronnie Scott’s jazz venue in London. Then capped off that year playing in the London Jazz Festival with David Murray Big Band featuring Macy Gray and supporting the performance with his own quartet.Jay expanded his wings into TV where he featured in an 1930s band on BBC’s Dancing on The Edge.Jay will be touring in winter/spring 2014 tour with his project Projections Of: Miles featuring American alto saxophonist Logan Richardson around the UK and is recording his new album. JAY PHELPS
Benjamin Herman got his first saxophone at the age of twelve. At
thirteen he was already playing on the professional club circuit. Within
a few years he was appearing with different groups around the world and
initiating projects of his own. His fame spread beyond jazz circles in
the 1990s when he formed the groundbreaking ensemble New Cool
Collective. Having made a name as soloist while still a teenager,
Benjamin Herman has appeared on over a hundred records with all kinds of
artists, from Candy Dulfer to Misha Mengelberg. Herman has also built a
career in Holland and abroad as a composer. With New Cool Collective as
well as with his smaller band’s his gigs are inspired by dance floor
jazz, surf and punk music, free jazz and traditional music from all over
the world, attracting music fans of all genres as well as straight
ahead jazz aficionados. At the same time he has explored in depth the
repertoire of composers such a Byard, Monk and Mengelberg.Today Benjamin Herman is one of the most original and productive jazz
musicians in the Netherlands exploring influences beyond the confines
of the jazz world. After signing to DOX Records in 2005 Benjamin Herman
produced a series of cd’s and vinyl’s. He also won his third Edison for
the album ‘Campert’ (featuring Dutch poet Remco Campert), He recorded
and toured with Paul Weller, programmed several festivals, toured in
Brazil, Argentina, Kenya, Russia, Britain, Canada, England, Ireland and
Japan and worked on numerous projects in the Netherlands. In 2006 he
received the prestigious VPRO/Boy Edgar Award and was voted ‘Best
Dressed Dutchman of 2008′ by Esquire magazine. BENJAMIN HERMAN
Nostalgia 77 main man Benedic Lamdin is hugely in demand as a producer
and engineer, with work for a diverse array of artists as well as his
own studio albums and side-projects (the most recent of which, Nostalgia
77 and the Monster, led to heavy BBC 6Music play and a live session for
Cerys Matthews). His latest A-list assignment has been with Jamie
Cullum, a relationship that has evolved from the latter’s admiration and
support for Nostalgia 77 on his BBC Radio 2 show. Having produced two
tracks on 'Momentum' (Island), Cullum’s current crossover LP featuring
Roots Manuva, he has also recently recorded a complete album with the
star, set for release in 2014.
Nostalgia 77’s last studio album introduced him to a wider audience than
ever, by dint of refreshing blues, folk and psychedelic influences and
the decision to complete his band with the charismatic Josa Peit – the
perfect interpreter of his songs - where he had previously featured
various guests. Media support abounded, with radio play including Huey
Morgan, Guy Garvey, Nemone, Gilles Peterson, The Selector, Gideon Coe,
and Don Letts; national radio playlisting in the US, France and
elsewhere, and major features including The Telegraph. NOSTALGIA 77
Matt Begley and Bitter Whiskey is a band of buddies. All of the guys
have been in different bands, but have come together chasing a dream.
The fellas of MBBW have one goal in mind -- to entertain the folks that
will listen to the songs that we wrote as well as songs of the greats
and those of the no name songwriters. Our band plays to the people, who
lend an ear to the stage and we record original material for the people
who want a little more Bitter Whiskey after the bar closes. The band has
played countless venues, festivals, parks, weddings, motorcycle
rallies, birthday parties and even a funeral. MBBW has traveled
throughout the Great State of Texas and surrounding states. Also, the
band travels annually to the Badlands of South Dakota to entertain at
the historic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for a good ol’ throwdown for the
bikers. Please visit www.mattbegley.com – @bitterwhiskey or twitter
and/orfacebook.com/mattbegleyandbitterwhiskey for all dates and
information to follow this band of fellas cuttin’ up and laughing their
way through the dark alley of the music business. New album, website,
merchandise and SONGS coming in the latter part of 2013!!
MATT BEGLEY & BITTER WHISKEY
Trombonist, trumpeter and vocalist Nick Vayenas is a forward-thinking musician who incorporates different styles of music into the jazz idiom. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Vayenas started his music studies with trombone and piano at age 12. He has since become an accomplished trumpeter and vocalist.Since 2003, Nick Vayenas has been a long-standing touring band member for Grammy® Award-winning recording artist Michael Bublé. Vayenas has performed on several Bublé recordings, including Crazy Love and the Grammy® Award- winning Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden.In 2009, Vayenas became a leader in his own right, releasing his critically acclaimed debut album, Synesthesia, on drummer Kendrick Scott’s World Culture Music label. "A well conceived album and more than casually ambitious", wrote Nate Chinen of the New York Times. In 2012, he returned with his sophomore release, Nick Vayenas, on Whirlwind Recordings. The recording displayed his astonishing breadth of skills on vocals, trumpet and trombone, as well as his unique composing and arranging style. "One of the most impressive of Whirlwind issues, showcasing a multi-talented individual likely to appeal to a wide constituency of jazz fans, 4 stars", said Jazz Journal.His new 2013 release, Some Other Time takes the concept used on his previous album and expands upon it. Some Other Time is a balance of instrumental and vocal, originals and covers. The recording features guitarist Doug Wamble, pianist Dan Kaufman, alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius, bassists Michael Janisch and Peter Slavov, and drummers Rudy Royston and Joe Saylor.Vayenas earned scholarships to attend Berklee College of Music, the Manhattan School of Music and the Thelonious Monk Institute, which were key to his technical development as a musician and composer. His musical influences range from Louis Armstong, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, J.J. Johnson, Frank Rosolino, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and Chet Baker to Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Donny Hathaway, Paul Simon, Joao Gilberto, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Beethoven and Debussy. Along the way, Vayenas studied with such jazz luminaries as trombonists Hal Crook, Conrad Herwig, Bill Watrous, David Taylor and Steve Turre, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, and pianist Herbie Hancock.A quintessential sideman as well as a leader, Nick Vayenas has appeared on many albums, including works by Patrick Cornelius and Dayna Stephens. He has worked with prominent artists such as Josh Groban, Bryan Adams, David Foster, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Scott, Aaron Parks, Dayna Stephens, Lionel Loueke, Vicente Archer, Patrick. NICK VAYENAS
This is a singer/songwriter’s album. The songwriter in question is almost entirely Diane Forsyth, with a bit of help here and there. Town Hall Brawl is her band, and it consists of Don Forsyth on electric and slide guitar, Billy Reed on keys, Marty Vadalabene on drums, and Diane herself on vocals and bass.I say this is a singer/songwriter’s album because that’s a wide a category as is available to me. I don’t want to put this CD (or this band) into a bag like “Blues” (although they can get real bluesy), or “Alt-Country” (although some tunes have a strong country flavor) or even that catch-all, “Americana.” These folks play Diane’s songs in a way that transcends categories. Each song is an individual piece, and this bunch of veteran musicians has enough skill and experience to make them come individually alive. The level of craftsmanship here brings The Band to mind, or some of Dylan’s latter day efforts, “Love and Theft” perhaps, or “Modern Times.”Diane voice and delivery make me feel right at home, with a warm, familiar feeling like we’re sitting on the steps of her front porch talking about life. Her songs are all about life – days gone by, regrets, anger, embarrassment, hard work for low pay, the need to just pull it together and keep on keepin’ on. Except for Billy Reed’s lilting instrumental tune, “Daytrip to Havana,” this isn’t a particularly cheerful album. But it’s the kind of album that’s likely to make a person feel better – like a good long conversation with a friend. I’d be hard pressed to pick out favorites from this set – the concurrent variety and consistency of material here is one of the album’s strong points, if that makes any sense.The music itself is fine. Don Forsyth is an excellent, creative guitarist, and I particularly liked his intense slide work. Billy Reed is great throughout – he’s played with everyone in town, and his versatility shows on this recording. He’s the central support for many of the songs, creating an underlying fabric that holds the songs together. Marty’s crackling drums are just right, and Diane’s simple and solid bass works well for the songs she writes and sings. Seattle legend Conrad Uno was at the board for this recording, and the overall sound and production is up to his internationally renowned standards. TOM HALL BRAWL
Vexine has been thrilling audiences with their unique sound since 2012. Their much-anticipated live CD will be released February 21, 2014 on ZAP Records. The CD was recorded live at The Rutledge in Nashville, TN in May 2013. It features Gleason’s “explosive” vocals, Pearce’s “high-octane” guitar solos, and “tight, steady rhythms” from Santamaria and Skiffington that will make your heart rate rise.Vexine’s well-received, self-titled debut was released January 25th, 2013 on ZAP Records. It was included in the “RVA Playlist: Best Richmond Releases of 2013”. The CD features ten original songs and has been described as taking "sultry to bodacious levels, combining rock and roll attitude and country soul". The songs tell stories that the listener can relate to with rhythms you can groove to.Featuring Sarah Gleason’s incendiary vocals, Vexine delivers a powerful, high-energy show with Paul Pearce on guitar and vocals, Michael Skiffington on bass guitar and electric upright bass, and Jorge Santamaria on drums and percussion. The band has been featured throughout local media, including television, (CBS 6’s “Virginia This Morning”), radio (WTVR Lite 98’s “Wake Up Show”), internet (“Radio Rubber Room”), and in print (Richmond Times-Dispatch, Style Weekly). Vexine will be touring throughout 2013 in support of the cd which is available at cdbaby, iTunes, and other online retailers. VEXINE
