Showing posts with label Folk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Folk. Show all posts

10/11/2017

Featured Track: Shauna Burns-Scarborough Fair

Shauna Burns' new single is one of the most famous tracks ever recorded and Simon and Garfunkel was one of the most prolific folk-pop duos of all time. They had a ton of hits and one of them was "Scarborough Fair." 

Shauna gives the classic tune her own treatment with a Celtic folk flavor.  Her music can be haunting and this version certainly brings the song new life and puts an entirely different spin on the original.

This is further proof that indie artists like Shauna Burns can be original and interesting, even when doing a cover.


Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck





More About Shauna Burns:


Burns had developed her captivating vocal and playing style while growing up in Miami, Florida where she was inspired by her mother’s love for the piano and groundbreaking pop/rock artists like Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos. After releasing four studio albums and countless singles, Burns has hit FMQB AC Charts, was one of WCH Radio’s “Top Songs of the Year” and hit #1 on “Song Vault Radio.” The Moon and the Fire Circle album was selected as “Best of 2008” by Collected Sounds and The Promise Live. Shauna Burns continues to capture audiences across the globe with her heartwarming music. Her profound lyrics and piano driven sound has built her reputation in the Celtic music world and has also allowed her to tour extensively through the U.S. and U.K.

12/06/2016

Americana-Folk-Contemporary Review: Doug Hammer-Americana

Release Date: November 1, 2016
Label: Dreamworld Productions


Doug Hammer’s release Americana was released on a significant day of the year. November 11th is to honor our veterans, those that have served and given the ultimate sacrifice.

The album in its entirety however is a tribute to all the music that explores our country’s legacy and heritage. It is about some of the building blocks and spirit that makes our country great.

I recently talked to a Servicemember of the Reserves and he said “You can’t ever tell an American that something is not possible.” If you have a dream and are willing to work hard to reach it, then the opportunity will present itself when you are ready to receive it. I honestly take that to heart and have lived it many times over during my life.

There are many great tracks on this recording. In fact, I cannot think of one that I did not enjoy. Highlights for my listening pleasure were “The Good Old Days,” “Americana” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Americana has arrived at the right time for us all. We need to unite as one nation to be strong and resilient.  Most people will easily recognize these tracks. Doug presents 18 tracks and the melodies and rhythms that are familiar will stir emotions and feelings with many listeners. It did for me. The first being that my father was a veteran of World War II. He had emotional scars that would never heal, nor any of us in the family could understand. I also served many years ago but was fortunate to never witness the atrocities of war.

This music will help heal the souls of those that love this country or have lost a loved one serving and in the same instance those that love music in general will have plenty here to appreciate. Doug is a very talented composer and musician. He takes these classic songs while leaving their original melodies intact and infuses them with his own variations, energy and spirit thereby making them his own beautiful interpretations through piano, synth and orchestrations. There are some variations of course that are easier to detect when listening to an instrumental. Without the focus needed on vocals, it is straightforward. He uses a lot of different ideas and brings them to life within the music but you do recognize the songs.

In regards to vocals there are tracks that have them and serve a very good purpose. “The Good Old Days” is a wonderful song. My wife and I often talk about those days gone past when life was so much simpler and we didn’t have all the complexities of technology and society. As much as we would like to go back, we need to embrace what we have and move forward to the future. We want to be a part of the solution, not the problem; some good advice I heard long ago that has stayed with me and will until the day I die. “Shenandoah” is also a beautiful track with the voices of Mia (fiddle) and Ariel (cello) Friedman.

Music like this will give you hope, the chills of good feelings that run up your spine, and most of all gratefulness to be living in freedom and experience the wealth that life gives us daily. We would not have any of that if it wasn’t for thousands of brave men and women that were willing to fight for us to keep it. 

I believe in our country and I believe in the music of people like Doug Hammer. He says it all so well on Americana. This is some heartfelt thanks from a grateful man willing to share his respect and love for his country and to tip the hat to those that served and still do so we can live like we do.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: The Good Old Days, Americana, Battle Hymn of the Republic


Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
December 5, 2016

Tracks:
01. The Spirit of America
02. Americana
03. Yankee Doodle
04. The Star Spangled Banner
05. Battle Hymn of the Republic
06. God Bless America
07. America the Beautiful
08. The Good Old Days
09. My Country 'Tis of Thee
10. Heartland
11. Shenandoah
12. Simple Gifts
13. Taps
14. Elegy
15. Redemption
16. The Water Is Wide
17. The Dream Is Alive
18.Sunnyside Rag
 
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12/01/2016

Featured Stream: Cranky George-Misery Road

Cranky George is back on Rate The Tracks to bring listeners another interesting and entertaining track.

This time we get to stream "Misery Road" from their recent album Fat Lot of Good.

"Misery Road" gives you windshield wipers for your tears. Man, what kind of car comes equipped like that? What a great line from the song!

As usual I enjoyed the music, in fact I think the entire Fat Lot of Good is a truckload of musical entertainment. 

This is one example of the band's special blend of rock, Americana, blues and folk. They stir the pot of the emotional stew and its a good time so check it out.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck


 
More About Cranky George:

https://www.facebook.com/CrankyGeorgeMusic/

The genesis of Cranky George dates back to 1989, when James Fearnley (accordion-player and founder-member of London/Irish band The Pogues) met, first, Dermot Mulroney (renowned actor, star and co-star of ‘The Family Stone’, ‘The Wedding Date’ and ‘About Schmidt’), and then Dermot’s brother, Kieran (erstwhile actor in ‘From The Earth To The Moon’ and ‘The Spitfire Grill’, now writer and director) on film locations in Colorado and Virginia...READ MORE...

10/06/2016

Legendary Songwriter Hugh Prestwood To Release First Full Album "I Used To Be The Real Me"


The hit songwriter is releasing “I Used To Be The Real Me”, featuring Judy Collins

Los Angeles - It may seem Hugh Prestwood is just introducing his name to the world; after all, “I Used To Be The Real Me” is essentially the first album he’s widely distributed, set to be released November 18 on Wildflower Records/Cleopatra Records. But fans of country, folk and bluegrass music are all very familiar with his work - he’s penned numerous number ones and other hits in his thirty-plus years as an Emmy Award-winning, Hall of Fame songwriter.

Discovered in 1978 by Judy Collins, the ethereal folk singer provided Prestwood with first hit when she recorded “Hard Times for Lovers.” It makes sense that she also had a hand in this stage of his career, releasing his new album on her Wildflower Records. She also joined him on two tracks, “Untie These Lines” and “Charlie.”

“I received Hugh’s CD, listened to it and practically fell over,” Collins said. “It blew me away. All of Hugh's songs are unusual and tinged with magic, and it was a pleasure singing them with my old friend.”

In the three decades since first working with Collins, Prestwood has become a well-respected and sought-after songwriter, penning Grammy-nominated number ones for Randy Travis with “Hard Rock Bottom Of Your Heart” Crystal Gayle’s “The Sound Of Your Goodbye” and Shenandoah’s “Ghost In This House,” among many other hits. But “I Used To Bee The Real Me” is Prestwood singing his own songs, his own way.

“Working with Judy on this record is closing a very big circle,” Prestwood said. “I Used To Be The Real Me is my songs recorded from my demos, whittled down from 30 songs I had in my catalog. I’m so pleased to share it.”

Conway Twitty, Don Williams, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, Alison Krauss and Union Station and Jerry Douglas have all recorded Prestwood’s songs, among many, many more. He even received an Emmy for Trisha Yearwood’s “The Song Remembers When.” With that many hits and a long history of working with some of music’s greatest names, it’s hard to believe “I Used To Be The Real Me” is Prestwood’s first full, widely-distributed album of his own work – of his voice singing his songs for a change. The album is a masterwork in lyricism, with Prestwood’s familiar take on life and love as they change through the years.

Although Prestwood is releasing “I Used To Be The Real Me”, he’s nowhere near done with songwriting. Prestwood continues to teach songwriting workshops for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) in various locations throughout the country, and is constantly working on his next song.

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/HughPrestwood
Buy the digital version: http://flyt.it/HughPrestwoodDig

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

7/29/2016

Blues-Folk-Pop Review: Jessie Rae-Blue Funk

Release Date: April 29, 2016
Label: Independent

Jessie Rae is blues/folk/pop band hailing from Portland Oregon. They are led by Joan M. Meyer (Singer/songwriter, guitar, bass, keyboards) who provides the edgy from the gut vocals that all blues or blues influenced music requires. There are many contributors to their projects however I need to cite Lauren G. Semler (Guitar, bass, backup vocals) as another key member. He plays some mighty fine guitar and provides some crafty slide guitar when called upon. Both members collaborate on the production end of the equation and Joan also gets behind the boards for the engineering. So to say they have it all covered is spot on.

Blue Funk is their most recent release. Joan’s vocals find the groove especially well when “Back Then” starts. They lay down a funky groove and take a look at the past of the character in the song. The presence of Joan’s vocal style hits home and the band is crackin’ on all cylinders. Besides the funk filled guitar lines the bass and drums just cook right along, and then you get some cow bell to drive it along another step further as the six string hollers out “Hear Me!” 

“Garden of Eden” makes the entire album for me. It was without a doubt the apex of the entire recording. John Dawson of New Riders of the Purple Sage wrote the song. It’s the only cover on the album. All the rest are original songs.     The track carries a great message, the music and Joan’s vocals are perfect as well. She sings “We live in the Garden of Eden and we want to tear it down.” That is one of many messages that ring true in our world today. Lauren’s slide work gives the oomph necessary to get your attention and really hear what Joan is singing about. 

The same thing happens with the curtain closer “Thank You.” It is another message about being thankful and grateful from the singer. Once again the slide guitar rules the day and the funky guitar lines intermingle with a strong bottom line as the bass and drums fall into sync and take a few bows of their own. It is the appropriate follow up to the previous track and an excellent choice to close out the album. 

Jessie Rae is an effective combination of blues, folk and pop. This is not traditional blues however what they do is take the foundation of that sound and build on it and stretch things out a bit. There are enough elements of all three genres to keep it interesting from start to finish. Check out Blue Funk for a soulful musical cruise.

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Garden of Eden, Thank You, Back Then

Tracks:
01. Now That We Know
02. In My Wake
03. Sparky
04. For the Corporation
05. Is This It
06. Back Then
07. Go Away
08. Blue Funk
09. Garden of Eden
10. Thankful
 


Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
Founder of:

July 29, 2016
Review Provided By Write A Music Review

6/14/2016

San Francisco Political Singer/Songwriter Pete Kronowitt Releases New Full-Length Album


A Lone Voice Delivers Timely and Salient Political Message

San Francisco, CA – The hunger Americans feel for change is palpable, and no artist voices this urgency better than San Francisco-based Pete Kronowitt, a seasoned singer/songwriter who is releasing his fourth full-length album, A Lone Voice. Pete’s emotive songs fuse acoustic pop and indie-folk, while evoking an era when music was made to battle injustice. A Lone Voice, releasing worldwide on July 15th, 2016, masterfully explores themes ranging from socio-political struggles to musings on the human condition. His sound is a Steve Earle-Elvis Costello hybrid, a heap of Alt-Americana influences.

The album was recorded and produced in Nashville, Tennessee by Grammy-winning songwriter Phil Madeira, with backing musicians David Mansfield on guitars, mandolin and violin, Dennis Holt on drums and percussion, Chris Donohue on bass, and of course, Phil Madeira on guitars and keys. A Lone Voice features a set of lyrical new songs spanning folk, pop, country, and acoustic-punk influences from the Ramones to Pete Seeger and John Mellencamp.

A Lone Voice stays upbeat, despite presenting some uncomfortable truths and lifting the curtain to reveal political and media manipulation. Audiences will join the chorus of the title track “Change Is Gonna Come” (inspired from Sam Cooke's iconic song) and tap to the beat of the album’s protest anthem “Got Guns?” Through his music, Kronowitt pokes fun at the absurdity of extremism and reminds us, the power of change is always here and now – within ourselves.

There are also intimate, personal moments in this collection, drawing connections between the national zeitgeist and the all-too-human emotional toll it takes on those we love. The smooth and Clapton-esque “You Are Here” reminds listeners (and Pete himself) to be present. “Holding Your Hand” is a gift for his wife after 20 years together, and the tender, album-closing “Perfect Day” is a moving tribute to his sister, who took her own life. “Tears on the Back of Her Head,” co-written with producer Phil Madeira, was written for two friends lost to cancer and their spouses, and may be the most stirring track on A Lone Voice.

Pete Kronowitt has toured internationally in China, Japan, and Vietnam, and across the U.S. in the last few years with long-time friend, collaborator, and 30-year veteran bassist John David Coppola. John, who has toured with The Danny Morris Band, was integral on Pete’s debut album Phases of the Heart. That album was recorded in 1993 at Rutabaga Studios with John Alagia, whose production credits include the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, and Ben Folds Five. Kronowitt’s second and third albums, Threads and elements, were produced by Pete Snell, who toured extensively with Lyle Lovett.

With an unwavering belief that together, we can raise our voices to demand common sense solutions, Pete reminds us, “The people of these great United States are bound by the many things we have in common, and we must reject any manufactured issues which are cynically created simply to divide us.” With his revolutionary new album, A Lone Voice, Pete Kronowitt has called for a rediscovery of the protest song…and not a moment too soon.

Pete Kronowitt will be performing a CD Release party and delivering his strong political messages to the Agora Theater and Ballroom in Cleveland, OH ahead of the Republican National Convention this July 18-21, 2016.

There will also be various gigs throughout 2016 in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the West Coast.

For more information and touring schedule visit: http://www.petekronowitt.com/

For music samples or to pre-order A Lone Voice visit: https://petekronowitt.bandcamp.com/

Press inquiries and interview requests contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR: glassonyonpr@gmail.com or 828-350-8158

For live performance booking or management inquiries contact Mean Bean Records: booking@meanbeanrecords.com

2/12/2016

Audio Fidelity To Release “The Bootleg Series Vol. 6 Bob Dylan Live 1964 Concert at Philharmonic Hall” on Hybrid Multichannel 5.0 SACD


“As eminently listenable as it is historically important!”

Camarillo, CA - Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity will be releasing “The Bootleg Series Vol. 6 Bob Dylan Live 1964 Concert at Philharmonic Hall” on Hybrid multichannel 5.0 SACD.

This 5.0 SurroundSound mix of Bob Dylan's October 31, 1964 “Halloween” show at New York's Philharmonic Hall is a complete recording and has never been released in this format until now. This 2-CD Audio Fidelity collection presents the entire concert from the original Columbia Records (SONY) master tapes. The package also includes a 56-page book filled with historical photographs and informative notes. The Halloween concert of 1964 had been previously bootlegged on vinyl and CD, but those releases were incomplete and taken from poor dubs off the soundboard tapes.

This 1964 concert is the first all acoustic live performance to enter Bob Dylan's discography. This recording certainly has its share of firsts and highlights, including the only known live version of “Spanish Harlem Incident,” the premiere of the songs “Gates of Eden” and “If You Gotta Go, Go Now.”

Here is Dylan as an eager-to-please 23 year old with nothing between him and his audience but a guitar and a harmonica. His voice is in top form throughout the 19 song set and when Joan Baez joins him on stage the voltage only increases.

In marked contrast to the tight-lipped living legend of the mid-'70s, here is Dylan as entertainer, joking and bantering with the crowd and he proves to be a very masterful performer.

While much has been made of the later electric performance of the 1960s, it is here that you can see how good Dylan really was. He shows all the budding facets of his art up to this time, from the protest songs, the more introspective material and the radical new direction he was pursuing.

Of course, as with all Audio Fidelity hybrid multichannel releases the SACD is compatible on all standard players and includes the 2-track stereo mix layer as well.

2-CD set/5.0 SurroundSound/includes 56-page book
Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Stephen Marsh at Stephen Marsh Mastering

Disc one
1. The Times They Are a-Changin' 3:29
2. Spanish Harlem Incident 3:07
3. Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues 4:06
4. To Ramona 6:01
5. Who Killed Davey Moore? 4:46
6. Gates of Eden 8:32
7. If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Or Else You Got to Stay All Night) 4:06
8. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) 11:26
9. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) 4:01
10. Mr. Tambourine Man 6:33
11. A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall 7:44

Disc two
1. Talkin' World War III Blues 5:52
2. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right 4:34
3. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll 6:57
4. Mama, You Been on My Mind 3:35
5. Silver Dagger 3:47
6. With God on Our Side 6:17
7. It Ain't Me, Babe 5:11
8. All I Really Want to Do 4:01

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

For more information: www.audiofidelity.net

1/26/2016

Cajun Country/Folk Legend Doug Kershaw Serves Up A Gumbo Of Vintage Unreleased Demos & Recordings On A New 2CD Anthology!


Los Angeles, CA - Known worldwide as one of the most important figures in Cajun music, a renowned multi-instrumentalist, master of the fiddle and accordion, distinctive vocalist, and a highly prolific songwriter, Doug Kershaw has spent most of his career mining the rich musical traditions of his home state of Louisiana, from zydeco to Creole-influence country and folk. Now he looks back on his own illustrious career, all the way back to his days performing as a duo with his brother Rusty in the 1950s, though the early years of his budding solo career, and digs up a stunning collection of more than 50 vintage studio recordings and demos. These never-before-released gems will be available to music fans worldwide on February 5 as Anthology - Rare Masters 1958-1969, a superb 2CD set courtesy of Goldenlane Records.

This treasure trove of an album is split between full band demos (comprising Disc 1) and guitar demos (comprising Disc 2), both showcasing not only an amazing vocal and musical dexterity but also a stunning, frequently moving songwriting talent. Often built around a clever, affecting turn of phrase (see “Shake Hands & Come Out Crying,” “I Wish I Had Died As A Baby,” or “It Takes All Day To Get Over Night”), Kershaw’s music may have roots in a specific region but his lyrics speak to the most universal themes of love, family, and good ol’ fashioned human misery. Kershaw’s own enthusiasm for the songs contained herein has not been diminished at all by the passing years. “I am so proud of this compilation,” Kershaw declares, “It’s like exposing my life to the world. I am who I am because you the people allowed me to be!” With an endorsement like that, no self-respecting Kershaw fan will be able to pass this one up!

Track List:
DISC 1
1. Big Mighty Man
2. Didn't You Hear Me
3. Fais Do Do
4. Two Out Of Three
5. Mary Lou
6. Among Other Things
7. Do Me Right Now
8. A Victim Of Love Gone Wrong
9. Hardly Anymore
10. Give Me Some Girl
11. Am I Lonely Tonight
12. Except
13. Shake Hands & Come Out Crying
14. Pride Versus Love
15. I Can't Love That Way
16. It Takes All Day To Get Over Night
17. I'm Just A Man Called Sam
18. Before I Start Over
19. Baby's Gone
20. Ain't Going To Get Me Down
21. Contract For Misery
22. Around & Around
23. Hollywood to Memphis
24. Future Of Love
25. I Can't See Myself

DISC 2
1. Love's Enemy
2. I'm Going To Get Drunk
3. If You're Not Going To Love Me That's Alright
4. This Is Our Chance
5. Love Bird
6. There's A Wall Being Built
7. Mine Is A Lonely Heart
8. That's What Hurts The Most
9. Misery's All Gone
10. I Wish I Had Died As A Baby
11. A Ring For My Darlin'
12. Our Love Affair Came Tumbling Down
13. Son Of A Gun
14. My Mind's In A Fog
15. Just Hurting Me
16. My Memory Of You
17. That's Alright With Me
18. Mannequin Woman
19. This Is The Strangest Love I've Ever Seen
20. That Far Away Look In Your Eyes
21. Pay No Attention
22. This Is The House That I Live In
23. That's Too Bad About The Summer Night
24. There's No Better Way
25. Louisiana Sun
26. Little Bo Peep
27. Rosie Come Take Me Home

Buy the box set: http://flyt.it/DougKershawCD
Download on iTunes: http://flyt.it/DougKershawDig

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

12/19/2015

Audio Fidelity To Release “Colors of the day - The Best of Judy Collins” on Quad 4.0 Hybrid SACD


“This is Collins at her finest.”

Camarillo, CA – Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity will be releasing the ultimate “best of” collection by folk legend Judy Collins on Quad 4.0 Hybrid SACD. Colors of the day - The Best of Judy Collins first arrived in record stores in 1972. The recording features Collins' earliest, most time-honored recordings. The song that propelled the album sales was her number one hit, “Both Sides Now,” an alluring Joni Mitchell tune that dominated the charts for months.

Collins' voice is remarkably beautiful, her phrasing, her ability to enunciate and her vocal range place her in a category by herself. Her amazing talent is on full display in this excellent collection that includes Collins' explorations into folk-pop, country-pop (“Someday Soon,” an Ian Tyson classic), British folk (“Sunny Goodge Street,” The Beatles “In My Life”), and gospel (“Amazing Grace”) that clearly show her eclecticism.

The thoughtfully programmed collection includes the Leonard Cohen classic, “Suzanne.” Cohen's haunting and evocative lyrics are masterfully interpreted by Collins who was an early champion of his amazingly poetic folk songs. Some of the record's finest moments are from her exquisite 1968 album Who Knows Where the Time Goes including that album's title track. Also included are two of her lovely autobiographical compositions, “My Father” and “Albatross.”

“This anthology brings the 'best-of' collection to a new art form.”

Track listing:
Someday Soon
Since You Asked
Both Sides Now
Sons Of
Suzanne
Farewell to Tarwathie
Who Knows Where the Time Goes
Sunny Goodge Street
My Father
Albatross
In My Life
Amazing Grace

Produced by Mark Abramson, David Anderle
Mastered: Stereo CD, SACD mastering and 4.0
Analog to Hi Definition DSD Digital Transfer: Steve Hoffman and Stephen Marsh

For more information: www.audiofidelity.net

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

7/13/2015

Lauded Bay Area Songstress Bekah Barnett to Release Her Sophomore Album “RISE” Recorded at Fantasy Studios


Berkeley, CA - Bekah Barnett is an operatically trained singer-songwriter who has been captivating audiences for years with her emotionally engaging songs, poetic lyrics, soaring melodies, and catchy piano riffs. A refreshing blend of Jazz, Folk, Pop, and Spiritual music, Bekah Barnett’s piano-driven tunes and soulful voice have been compared to Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple, Natalie Merchant, Adele, and Joni Mitchell. Her sophomore full-length album RISE, available both physically and digitally worldwide with its release on August 21st, 2015, was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California with local producer and master pianist Julie Wolf (Ani DiFranco, Carly Simon, The Indigo Girls, Dar Williams).

Bekah was raised in Santa Cruz, CA, with the nearby ocean a constant companion and source of inspiration. She moved to Oakland to attend Mills College, and it wasn’t long before she was lured into the Music Department, where she studied classical and operatic voice. In the years since Bekah has been making her presence known. Her song What I Know of the Light is featured in the documentary Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption by 108 productions. She was honored to sing her disarmingly sweet original love song, Butter Your Toast, at Oakland City Hall to commemorate the first gay marriages in Oakland following the repeal of Prop 8. Her well-received debut album, Find Shelter Here, was released in 2012.

After years of playing and singing regularly in the Bay Area, Bekah auditioned for America’s Got Talent in February of 2014 at the persistent requests of her 92-year-old grandmother. The long audition process consisted of waiting around for over seven hours to play for 90 seconds, and although the experience was ultimately disappointing, she did get a good song out of it. Fame & Fortune is a gem of a track from RISE that stands out with its driving industrial loop and triumphant and honest lyrics. It is a commentary on the reality TV fame machine, and the carelessly regarded dreams of the countless individuals involved.

Bekah Barnett recorded RISE with producer Julie Wolf. A resident producer at Fantasy Studios, Julie was able to tap musicians for the album who have played with some of Bekah’s idols such as Ani DiFranco, Natalie Merchant, The Indigo Girls, and Anais Mitchell. Todd Sickafoose contributed his melodic and captivating bass lines to the project. Allison Miller, three-time Jazz Ambassador of the US State Department, created the original drum arrangements and loops. Hans Teuber composed and played horn arrangements for several of the songs, Michael Papenburg visited the studio for a day to lend his considerable talents layering acoustic and electric guitar on several tracks, and Lyris Hung arranged and played violin on many of the tunes. RISE was engineered and mixed by the adept Adam Muñoz (Snarky Puppy, Herbie Hancock, Dave Matthews, and Bill Frisell).

Recording at Fantasy Studios with these accomplished musicians was beyond Bekah’s wildest dreams, and it was an incredible experience that encouraged her to grow and develop in major ways. It all started with a grant from the Irene B. Wolt Lifetime Trust that a coworker encouraged Bekah to apply for. When she was awarded some seed money, she began to consider the idea of working with a professional producer. It was thanks to the encouragement and connections of her songwriting mentor Rachel Efron that Bekah was introduced to Julie Wolf. Bekah was familiar with Julie from the years she spent touring with Ani DiFranco, whose music was a huge inspiration. “I remember the first time I met with Julie at Fantasy Studios,” says Bekah. “I was so excited and nervous, but she was amazing. Her presence is so warm and she was so enthusiastic about my music, she put me at ease right away. After that I was over the moon.”

Bekah and Julie spent months in pre-production, fine-tuning each song and recording high quality demos to share with the musicians. The album that resulted from all of this amazing collaboration has greatly exceeded expectations and the results show with this finely crafted collection of wonderful songs. Listening to the first completed mix moved Bekah to tears. She says, “Everything sounded so amazing and it was just so overwhelming to hear it all finished, polished, and balanced. We had done all this work for so many months and it was clear that it had paid off. It was beautiful.”

Bekah has always had a deep connection with music. She writes songs like journal entries, natural byproducts of her life that help her to express her emotions in a way that she finds incredible and deeply healing. “I honestly don’t know where I would be without music in my life. I’m addicted,” she says. “Music is such a unique art form because it can connect people of all different backgrounds from all different walks of life and make it so that they are united in the same moment, in the same room, listening to the same song. It can reframe ideas that are often controversial so that a message that might be difficult to convey in a conversation is effectively communicated through a song.”

RISE will be released on August 21st, 2015. Visit Bekah’s Bandcamp page to pre-order the album at http://urbanminstrel.bandcamp.com/

For more information on shows, new music samples, or to join the mailing list visit Bekah’s website www.urbanminstrel.com.

For Physical Distribution Inquiries please contact Steffen Franz or Ben Lang at Independent Distribution Collective at 415-292-7007 or via e-mail sales@independentdistro.com

For Digital Distribution Inquiries contact Jerome Forney at IDCDigital at 415-292-7007 or via e-mail jerome@independentdistro.com

For Press and Radio Inquiries contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR at 828-350-8158 glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For more information on booking Bekah for live performances please e-mail urbanminstrel.bekah@gmail.com

6/22/2015

Progressive/Symphonic Rock Review: Karnataka-Secrets of Angels

Release Date: 30th March 2015
Label:  Immrama Records

The new album from the band Karnataka, Secrets of Angels, has just landed on the review desk and is album No 5 from the band. The debut album was Karnataka (1998), followed by The Storm (2000), then Delicate Flame of Desire (2003) and finally, The Gathering Light (2010). Not the most prolific band, with 7 years between albums 3 and 4 and then a further 5 years between 4 and 5. One reason may be the ever changing personnel within the band. Ian Jones is the only original member of Karnataka from the mid 90’s, and while the same band members recorded Karnataka and The Storm, there was a change for Delicate Flame of Desire, with another female voice added (Anne-Marie Helder) as well as a female guest (Heather Findlay). The Gathering found only Ian still present, Lisa Fury as the vocalist, and new drummer, bass player and keyboard player. 

Secrets of Angels was made with Karnataka as a 5 piece group comprising, Ian Jones (bass keyboards and guitar), Hayley Griffiths (vocals), Enrico Pinna (guitars and vocals), Cagri Tozluoglu (keyboards) and Jimmy Palagrossi (drums). Enrico was also part of the band for the previous album. There is a few guest musicians involved as well. Troy Donockley adds Uilleann Pipes and low whistles, Seana Davey adds harp and Rachel van der Tang and Clive Howard from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra add cello and viola respectively.

The album, Secrets of Angels, is an 8 track album with a running time just under an hour. The shortest track on offer is “Poison Ivy” with a playing time of 4:14 minutes and the longest track is the closing, title track “Secrets of Angels” with a running time of 20:00 minutes.

The opening track, “Road to Cairo” (5:27) races out of the speakers and grabs you firmly by both ears. With a violin introduction, the track then moves into a heavy riff which conjures up little aural glimpses of Kashmir from the Led Zeppelin album, Physical Graffiti. The vocals of Hayley tower over this eastern tinged stunner. What a superb opening track which certainly makes you start to savor what other gems this album has in store.

“Because of You” (4:43) has a gentle piano intro into more of the heaviness, with riffs and orchestral thundering. Crystal clear vocals by Hayley soar with seemingly no effort and carry the track onwards. There is more emotional depth to this track than the previous one, and again a piece of music that hits the “sweet spot” in your mind.

“Poison Ivy” (4:14) fires up with more or the thunderous orchestral sweeps and maintains its pace throughout its 4+ minutes. Track No 4, “Forbidden Dreams” (5:48) is a more laid back entity, at least for Karnataka, and is memorable for that alone. A dip into the heavier, more powerful style of band statement takes the track onwards and embeds the melody deep within your mind. 

“Borderline” (6:19) has a hugely atmospheric start, all dark and ominous, before Hayley’s voice demands attention, all the while backed by almost malevolent strings. The powerhouse of the band, the drums and bass are very obvious on this track. This is another stunningly memorable addition to the album.

“Fairytale Lies” (4:58) is a real change into the land of the ballad, with piano and strings. Hayley’s voice is so clear and powerful, and although the intensity of the track builds rises and falls, the lasting impression is of the gentler side of the band.

The penultimate track, “Feels Like Home” (7:06) has a theme plucked on the harp and when the voice kicks in, you relax into familiar Karnataka territory, although in this track the dark, ominous and malevolent soundscapes are omitted. Replacing these facets is an almost uplifting style of music, but I must admit that these last 2 tracks have not had the same impact that the previous tracks have had.

The finale to the album is the epic length title track, “Secrets of Angels” (20:00). Celtic sounds abound at the start of the track, courtesy of one, Troy Donockley from Nightwish, and an amazing aural soundscape is produced. The voice, when it appears, fits the storytelling scenario like a glove. Tension builds, heralded by the entry of some percussion, and you await the change happening, but you are kept waiting until about the 4 minute mark, when the full symphonic rock of Karnataka is unleashed. The track pulsates this way and that as it passes through each of its’ seven phases, allowing the band members to showcase their skills. A big plus point with “Secrets of Angels” is that the music flows seamlessly through all of its phases whether a full band workout or gentle Celtic areas, and there is always the little theme from the intro putting in an appearance in different ways. This is a true tour-de-force that ends the album on a majestic note.

This album, Secrets of Angels is a superb release and shows that Karnataka have undergone a slow evolution to get to this point. With so many personnel changes this achievement has certainly had obstacles to overcome, but I think that it is safe to say, that the band of Hayley, Ian, Enrico, Cagri and Jimmy, have finally “nailed it.”

My advice is very simple, and that is to listen to the epic final track, “Secrets of Angels” and you will soon be on your way to purchase the album. This is one of the best albums that I have heard so far this year, and I have heard a lot of albums this year.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Road To Cairo, Borderline, Secrets of Angels

Tracks:
 

Road To Cairo
Because of You
Poison Ivy
Forbidden Dreams
Borderline
Fairytale Lies
Feels Like Home
Secrets of Angels


Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk
June 22, 2015
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk