MuzikMan's Reviews And News: Vocals

Showing posts with label Vocals. Show all posts

7/14/2017

The Romantics Guitarist/Vocalist/Songwriter Michael Skill To Release New Solo Single "67 Riot"

New song evokes time when Detroit burned during “Summer of Love”

Detroit - From the man who crafted such hit singles as “What I Like About You,” “Talking in Your Sleep,” and “One In A Million,” comes a new gritty blues-rock single about the riots that forever changed his hometown of Detroit in 1967. Michael Skill, who has played both bass and guitar for the power-pop rock 'n' roll band The Romantics, was a budding teenager in 1967 when five days of racially charged riots tore apart Detroit in July. When it was over, 43 people lay dead, 1,189 had been injured, more than 7,200 had been arrested and more than 2,000 buildings had been destroyed.

Skill lived on Detroit's East Side and says that although the violence took place several miles from his home, he nonetheless saw its effects up close. “I remember the National Guard right down the street from my house,” he says. “People watching the riots on TV were afraid that rioters would come into our neighborhood. People were freaked out.” The riots changed his beloved Motor City forever. “A lot of my friends' families took off for the suburbs after that,” he says, noting his family chose to stay in the city.

The riot's effects – and the fact that many of the issues they raised, from police brutality to economic decay – stayed with Skill, culminating in his desire to write “67 Riot.” Loud, powerful and evocative of tough tunes by such rockers as Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix and Skill's fellow Detroit rockers, The MC 5, “67 Riot” is both a haunting look at the past as well as a timely allusion to the present, in a world where racial and social tension still threaten to rend our nation in two.

“I wrote the song from a sense of frustration that people never came together after the riots to really address what happened, to look each other in the eye and say, 'How can we repair this? How can we move forward?'” The song's lyrics are written from this point of view. “4 AM/Down the street/Cops roll in/With all the heat/Blind pig roaring/Kickin' their heels/Soldiers home/Just gettin' real,” the song opens. “Rooftop sniper/Set the sight/Burning cocktails/Flash in flight/Broken city/Broken dreams/Things aren't always what they seem/67 Riot!”

Recorded in Skill's own studio, the song features him on guitar, bass and vocals, and also features drummer Russell Ayers, who engineered the tune. The co-producers sought to create an aural equivalent of what it was like to live through this violent time, Skill says, but he adds that he wanted the song to end on a note of hope because Detroit has rebounded in recent years.

“Try to warm your heart/Dream your dreams/Break the chain/Let's start clean,” he adds in his song, noting it’s time to break the chain of racism that has shackled generations before, during and after “67 Riot.”

Watch the “'67 Riot” video:

“'67 Riot” first single solo release from upcoming Debut LP.

The Romantics are still touring, still recording and currently feature 3 original band members on the front line up, Rich Cole, Wally Palmar and co-founder Michael Skill. Drummer Brad Elvis joined The Romantics in 2004 and has been the longest seated drummer with the band. Rich Cole rejoined the band in 2010, reviving the band's 3-part harmony allowing The Romantics to perform songs from their first two albums live for the first time since his departure.

To purchase Michael Skill's “'67 Riot” single:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/67-riot-single/id1253879847
https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Michael_Skill_67_Riot?id=B3a7rg4gdourwt5xm2kvt26twte&hl=en
http://cdbaby.com/cd/michaelskill

Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/mike.skill
https://twitter.com/MikeSkill2 @mikeskill2
https://www.instagram.com/mjskill/ @mjskill
https://www.facebook.com/67Riots/
https://www.facebook.com/romanticsdetroit/

Interviews:
http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7597106/the-weeknd-secrets-the-romantics-mike-skill-talking-in-your-sleep
https://musicfrenzyradionetwork.podbean.com/e/classics-in-30-the-romantics/#.WQkLeV6m0oE.facebook
https://www.mixcloud.com/gilmartindeirdre/mike-skill-of-the-romantics-interview-on-the-independent-stage-01142016/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

The Romantics Guitarist/Vocalist/Songwriter Michael Skill To Release New Solo Single "67 Riot"

New song evokes time when Detroit burned during “Summer of Love”

8/17/2016

Legendary CAN Vocalist Damo Suzuki Releases A New Live Album!

Los Angeles, CA - From Damo Suzuki, the innovative vocalist of legendary Krautrock group Can, comes this incredible live album recorded in the Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London 2007. Entitled Floating Element, this amazing concert recording captures Damo’s inimitable, improvisational singing in an unforgettable performance brimming with passion and fury. Joining the vocalist for a momentous collaboration is the Elysian Quartet, a classical string quartet, who weave their sonic textures around Damo’s haunting voice. Together these artists create one single, 76-minute musical masterpiece that both defies categorization and is utterly riveting! Available on CD as well as in a special double LP vinyl set.

Track List:
1. Floating Element (76:54)

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/DamoSuzukiCD
Buy the vinyl: http://flyt.it/DamoSuzukiLP
Buy the digital version: http://flyt.it/DamoSuzukiDig

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

Legendary CAN Vocalist Damo Suzuki Releases A New Live Album!

6/30/2016

The Harpist With The Angelic Voice, ERIN HILL, Releases A Full Length Album Of Unique Cover Versions!

Los Angeles, CA - You may not know her by name, but it’s highly likely that you’ve seen the enormously talented musician/actor Erin Hill on TV or on stage. A masterful harpist with a golden singing voice, Hill has performed as back-up to such major artists as Kanye West, Enya, moby, Cyndi Lauper, ‘80s new wave icons A-ha, Randy Newman, Sinead O’Connor, Jewel, and many others. In addition, Hill has appeared on several TV shows such as Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing and Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show appearing in the infamous skit as the “Pretty White Girl” who sings Dave’s darkest, most private thoughts, PLUS the Tim Robbins film Cradle Will Rock, HBO’s The Chris Rock Show, and PBS’s American Masters.

Now this exciting artist has released Harp Town, a full-length album of pop music classics from every era, uniquely arranged for harp and voice, and recorded with intimacy and delicacy by producer Mike Nolan. The album, whose title is a nod to Steve Earle’s 1986 debut album Guitar Town, includes gorgeous and haunting versions of Tim Buckley’s “Song To The Siren,” Smashing Pumpkins’ “Disarm,” Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work,” Adele’s “Someone Like You,” Rihanna’s “Stay,” and Radiohead’s “Black Star” as well as such all-time classics as “La Vie En Rose,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Come Fly With Me,” “Habanera” and many more. Each song features Hill’s extraordinary harp playing and her own distinctive interpretations. “This has been such a big, exciting project for me,” Hill enthuses, “I do a lot of different styles of music, and I write as well, but one of the things I’m most proud of is what I do with my harp and voice covers of pop and rock songs. I started playing the harp when I was 8 years old, and right from the start, I was playing and singing songs that I’d hear and fall in love with. I’m just such a music fan, and I go nuts for some of these songs and artists, so what a joy to get to spend a year working on arranging and playing and singing these songs.” With Harp Town, music fans everywhere will have the opportunity to experience these classic songs as they’ve never heard them before! Available on all digital music retailers from Cleopatra Records.

Track List:
1. Song to the Siren
2. Disarm
3. More Than This
4. This Woman's Work
5. Voices Carry
6. Someone Like You
7. La Vie En Rose
8. Dust in the Wind
9. Song for Someone
10. Hallelujah
11. Black Star
12. O Mio Babbino Caro
13. Eleanor Rigby
14. Fallin’
15. Come Fly With Me
16. Speechless
17. Habanera
18. Stay

Order the album: http://flyt.it/ErinHillDig

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

3/11/2016

Singer, Songwriter & Jazz Musician Elizabeth Geyer To Release Long Awaited New Album THE BRIDGE

Chicago, IL - “Elizabeth Geyer is a force of nature. An amazing singer and songwriter, original vocalist, wonderful trumpet player and multi instrumentalist. She writes songs directly from the heart!” - BRUCE LUNDVALL Bluenote / EMI

An endorsement like that from the man who signed Nora Jones, Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis is something to make one sit up and take notice. The late great Lundvall even featured Elizabeth's music on his Sirius Radio XM Bluenote hour in 2013. Unusual for an unsigned artist!

But it's a long journey from her days as a freelance trumpet player to her fourth and long awaited new album THE BRIDGE. Elizabeth remembers a life changing moment, walking home from a jazz big band rehearsal one sunny morning years ago. “I suddenly realized I couldn't do it anymore, as grateful as I was, I had to find my own voice.” Find her voice she did: Three albums later having swapped trumpet for flugelhorn, piano and songwriting, Elizabeth had a small but growing audience and some fans in high places.

David Hoffman, long term arranger and trumpet player for Ray Charles says, “Elizabeth Geyer's music is heartfelt, soulful and beautiful. She's equally proficient on piano and flugelhorn, both of which she utilizes to enhance her deep clear voice. As a singer/songwriter she's equal to the best. Her music is as honest as it gets!”

Which brings us to THE BRIDGE, a brand new collection of 13 songs and Elizabeth's bravest most personal album to date. She explains how the album came about – and another life changing moment. “I had waited seven years for the right opportunity to record again. It had to feel right. A CD had arrived in the post, IN THE LAND WHERE I COME FROM by Paul Adams. Late one night a few seconds into my first listen, I just knew. Everything about it was weird, wonderful, humble, charming and timeless. All I had to do was contact and convince Paul.” Paul was convinced – Elizabeth flew from Australia to Illinois and the rest is history.

But back to Lundvall, as Bruce was a part of the magic of THE BRIDGE. Paul explains “I had seen Bruce on ABC's 20/20 program expressing regret in not signing the late Eva Cassidy. Somehow I found an email address for him and wrote about Elizabeth's music and how Eva inspired her. To my amazement Bruce got that email and phoned the next day wanting one of her albums. A week later he phoned again wanting every album she ever made. He was a champion – determined to get her signed, phoning often sometimes just to say he was still listening. We planned to meet but had to postpone due to recording commitments before Elizabeth's flight back to Australia. Unfortunately Bruce was battling Parkinson's disease. Sadly the album was not quite finished when his health deteriorated rapidly. We could only send him cards as he moved into assisted care.

Each of the 13 songs (Twelve by Elizabeth and one guitar piece by Paul Adams) on THE BRIDGE are as personal, comforting and embracing as a true friend. Paul states, “THE BRIDGE is like a classic novel. One is pulled to the depth of the human condition, and each listen delivers a new and wondrous take on the world within. It's a magical story that continues to reveal itself listen after listen.”

And last but not least is Elizabeth collaborator here, the award winning instrumentalist Adams. Never one to shy away from using exotic instruments he builds – sitar, slide guitar and Native Flute to name a few – in non-traditional ways (Check out his acclaimed new album IMAGININGS which also features Elizabeth on piano, Indias Pravin Godkhindi on Bansuri and David Hoffman on Flugelhorn). Paul draws upon his vast array of talents perfectly to compliment, frame yet never overwhelm Elizabeth's songs.

The result is a special collection delivered with the utmost level of love, beauty and care. And it's been well worth the wait!

Watch Elizabeth Geyer's new video:

To purchase Elizabeth Geyer's THE BRIDGE:
Amazon CD: http://www.amazon.com/The-Bridge-Elizabeth-Geyer/dp/B01C3G3H8K
Amazon (Download) http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=elizabeth+geyer+the+bridge
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-bridge/id1085916435 ;
CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/elizabethgeyer

For more information: www.elizabethgeyer.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.geyer?fref=ts

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Singer, Songwriter & Jazz Musician Elizabeth Geyer To Release Long Awaited New Album THE BRIDGE

2/02/2016

Former Trans-Siberian Orchestra / Mickey Hart Vocalist Tim Hockenberry to Release Self-titled Debut Album of Original Music March 4th 2016

San Francisco, CA - Tim Hockenberry is a versatile multi-instrumentalist singer and songwriter whose voice is reminiscent of Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, and Tom Waits. He is releasing Tim Hockenberry, his self-titled debut album of all original music, worldwide on March 4th, 2016. He is also a gifted interpreter of well-known cover songs, and you only need to hear a few bars of Hockenberry singing I Left My Heart In San Francisco to understand that this is an artist who has a refreshingly authentic approach to great songs.

Tim gained international fame when he performed and made it to the semi-finals (last singer standing) on America’s Got Talent in 2012, where he was a favorite of judge Howard Stern. Stern declared Tim’s semi-final performance of John Lennon’s Imagine, with Tim on the piano accompanied by a cellist, “the most moving we’ve had from a singer in a long time.” The sparse arrangement won Stern over, who gave him a standing ovation and said the singer deserves “a place in the finals.” Sharon Osbourne described his performance as “very true” and “refreshing,” adding, “I thoroughly enjoyed it.” Howie Mandel said he could listen to Tim Hockenberry sing “all night long.”

Tim Hockenberry is best known for his engaging and intimate cover versions of a variety of well known hits, and for some 20 years he’s made his living singing them in concert halls, living rooms, private events, and clubs. It never really mattered what Tim sang; he was beloved by his fans. He hadn't performed his own songs much, except for once-in-awhile occurrences. But that all changed when he met up with vocalist and producer, Natasha Miller.

In 2014 Tim didn’t have a manager, so he and Natasha entered into a formal agreement and began a complete reshaping of his musical direction—moving from covers to more of Tim’s own compositions. “I had heard a couple of Tim’s originals and thought they were ‘hit’ material,” says Natasha. “I asked him if he had more. Not only did he have more, they poured out of him, almost on demand.” Tim began writing more new songs, and they went back and looked at others he’d already done but put aside. With a couple more written by his sons, there were enough for a full-length recording.

The first track, “Me and You,” was written by Tim with his 19-year-old son Maxx on Christmas Day in 2012. “If the Sky Was to Fall” was written with his youngest son Jack, who was 17 at the time. Meanwhile, about the same time Tim and Natasha began working together, she enlisted her brother Justin Miller to play with Tim in his live band and help shape a new and different sound for his shows. That was the turning point—it was Justin himself who did the production, arrangements and played most of the instruments on the entire project... “We all got excited and motivated and started on what would become a year-long project,” says Natasha. “It’s been so much fun!”

Tim’s songs became Justin’s canvas for painting nuances–sounds both bold and subtle that spoke to the personality and content of each song itself. Stories Tim was telling through his songs became more vivid and alive in Justin’s interpretation and imagination. The common threads throughout are Tim’s vocals and writing. Each song charts its own unique journey from the first moment to the end. From pizzicato violin, yodeling, and the klezmer-sounds of the accordion to the speech-like tones of the Hammond B3 and the Deep-South wailing of the slide guitar—the songs travel through many layers of what is categorized these days as Americana. Mostly acoustic, always authentic.

Born on June 13, 1962 in upstate New York, Tim’s family moved a few times during his childhood. He graduated in 1980 from Owatonna High School in rural Minnesota in a small town south of Minneapolis. Tim's musical odyssey began when he sang in the choir, and then taught himself to play the piano while fervently playing the trombone as well. He eventually moved to Northern California and he has been a mainstay in the entertainment industry ever since, having become known for his covers of Sitting on the Dock of The Bay or Christmas by the Bay. Tim Hockenberry splits his time between Charleston, South Carolina and San Francisco, California, where he has become a beloved part of the Bay Area’s rich arts culture.

Over the past few years Tim Hockenberry has shared the stage with many legendary performers including Bonnie Raitt, Steve Miller, and Robert Cray, to name a few. Tim has established himself as a very compelling and important artist in the Bay Area music scene. In addition to touring with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, Tim has performed at high-profile venues all over northern California, including The Fillmore, Great American Music Hall, Bimbo's 365 Club, The Napa Valley Opera House, The Luther Burbank Center for the Performing Arts, Feinstein's at the Hotel Nikko, and 142 Throckmorton Theater. He has also headlined at a multitude of festivals including the Robert Mondavi Summer Concert Series, the Clearwater Jazz Festival, and the Mill Valley Arts Festival.

For More Information and Tour Dates please visit Tim’s website: www.timhockenberry.com

Press Inquiries & Interview Requests please contact Billy James/Glass Onyon PR: glassonyonpr@gmail.com or 828-350-8158

For Bookings and Management please contact Natasha Miller/Entire Productions: natasha@entireproductions.com or 415-291-9191 x701

Former Trans-Siberian Orchestra / Mickey Hart Vocalist Tim Hockenberry to Release Self-titled Debut Album of Original Music March 4th 2016

12/11/2015

Guitar Virtuoso Todd Grubbs To Release New Vocal Album “As The Worm Turns”

Tampa, FL - Best known for his virtuosic guitar instrumental albums, Tampa guitarist Todd Grubbs will be releasing for the first time a predominantly “vocal” album titled “As The Worm Turns”. Not to fear, you still hear Todd shred on guitar throughout the album, but this time around the tracks are more “song” oriented.

Says Todd, “I have been writing and working on these songs for the last couple of years. I have 2 vocal albums with the band 3 Green Windows but I wanted to do a true solo album with a bunch of different singers. I have really enjoyed creating all of my instrumental CDs but I kinda feel like I have made my statement in that genre, my new goal is to equal my instrumental output with vocal projects.”

The beginning of “As The Worm Turns” features a conceptual piece about a former soldier's personal crises. Todd explains, “The first 4 songs are actually a concept piece about a soldier that begins with him dealing with his demons in mid life (The Man in the Hat). The story then goes back into his time during the D Day invasion (Stay Alive). The Other side of forever is a companion piece to Stay Alive, telling the soldier's wife's experience at home.The 4th song of this mini concept piece is We are one and it is the soldier at the end of his life coming to peace and trying to understand everything he has been through.”

“With a clear soaring tone, Grubbs has the chops to keep the shred heads satisfied but it's certainly not his raison d' etre. More interested in melody and feel than speed, Grubbs knows when to hold back as much as when to fire away.” - Guitar World

Todd Grubbs' core band as always is Jeff Henry on Drums Alan Tatum on Bass. Also included, Daniel Swartwood and Eddie Ray Myers on keyboards. Todd also has some great singers involved, Zack Stevens (Savatage, Circle to Circle) John Wesley (Solo,Porcupine Tree) Todd Plant (Eyewitness,Cryptic Vision) as well as a couple of fantastic young singers, Emily Velasco and Melanie Sims.

Todd Grubbs studied at Berklee College of Music and has been voted 'Most Outstanding Guitarist' at the Tampa Bay Music Awards, as well as winning the 'Most Outstanding Video' two consecutive years in a row. Along with Frank Zappa, Grubbs influences, which can be heard throughout Time, Space and the Electric, range from Steve Vai, John Coltrane, The Beatles, Kate Bush, Jeff Beck, Michael Schenker, Ulli Jon Roth and Adrian Belew.

“Todd knows that chops without good compositions, original arrangements and a good sense of humor lead nowhere, as he has all the goods; he can go anywhere he wants. Todd boasts a big fat juicy tone, chops to kill for and a predilection for a certain hyperactive musical schizophrenia with compositions shifting stylistically on a moments notice.” - Tampa Tribune

Along with the release of “As The Worm Turns”, Todd has 4 videos for this project all available on youtube. “The Man in the Hat” and “Stay Alive” feature Zak Stevens, “Venus is Falling” features Emily Velasco and “We Are One” features John Wesley.

In closing Todd has this to say, “My only real message I wish to impart is my love for creating music, I think I enjoy it more than ever.”

Watch Todd Grubbs videos:

Todd Grubbs youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/my_videos?o=U

To purchase Todd Grubbs “As The Worm Turns”:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/toddgrubbscom
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/as-the-worm-turns/id1060305013

For more information:
www.toddgrubbs.com
https://www.facebook.com/todd.c.grubbs?fref=ts

Press Inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Phone: 828-350-8158,
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Guitar Virtuoso Todd Grubbs To Release New Vocal Album “As The Worm Turns”

3/12/2015

Legendary Vocal Group The Coasters Celebrate Their 60th Anniversary With Their First Album Of New Recordings In 35 Years!

Los Angeles, CA - America’s premiere R&B vocal group and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, The Coasters, have had one incredible, miraculous, astounding ride in the music business. Less of a group and more of an institution, The Clown Princes of Rock & Roll established themselves 6 decades ago, and in that time have seen many musical fads come and go. But one thing has always remained - the power of a truly timeless song especially when experienced through the prism of the expertly sung 4-part harmonies that are The Coasters stock in trade. To commemorate the group’s unique and longstanding career, The Coasters are proud to present Magical Favorites a collection of brand new recordings covering some of the very best American rock and R&B classics such as Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me,” The Temptations “Just My Imagination,” Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel” and many more - all done in the indelible Coasters way! Magical Favorites will be available March 31 from Goldenlane Records.

For those unfamiliar with the group’s history, The Coasters scored their first hit single “Down In Mexico” in the spring of 1956, which they followed in 1957 with “Young Blood” and “Searchin’” the following year. In 1958, the band again hit the chart with two blockbuster hits that would become as iconic as the band that sang them, “Yakety Yak” and “Charlie Brown.” From then on, it was hit after hit for the group with songs such as “Poison Ivy,” “Along Came Jones,” “Love Potion #9,” “Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart” and many more! The line-up of The Coasters that was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 (Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, Will Jones, Cornell Gunter) have all since passed but their legacy lives on with the help of Joe Lance Williams (tenor/baritone), Primo Candelara (tenor), Dennis Anderson (baritone), and Eddie Whitfield (bass). Three of these gifted vocalists were personally handpicked by group founder Carl Gardner, with Dennis coming aboard in 2011 after Carl had passed. Though often imitated, they have never been duplicated and they continue to do what they do best on both the stage and in the studio, entertain the audience!

Track List:
1. All I Have To Do Is Dream
2. Cool Jerk
3. Don’t Be Cruel
4. If I Had A Hammer
5. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
6. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
7. Lyin’ Eyes
8. Shout
9. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay
10. Turn Back The Hands Of Time
11. You Send Me
12. Twistin’ The Night Away
13. Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love Babe
14. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)

Pre-order the CD here: http://geni.us/3BA2
Pre-order the digital version here: http://geni.us/3pLj

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com