Track Feature: The Song Gardeners-Harmony of Contrast

"Harmony of Contrast" is the latest musical seed flowering and blooming to perfection for The Song Gardeners.

Their music and positive vibes picks up where the last single track release left off. 

All of the beautiful lead and backing vocals of Mary Gospe and the backing vocals of Corrie Dunn (piano) give their sound a warm invitation to any listener. David Scheibner steps in to provide the guitars on this outing.

The words this group provides are always thought provoking and enlightening. 

They get their point across with impactful lyrics like:
Wouldn't life be dull and gray, if we all looked the same way?
Wouldn't life be dull and gray, if we all thought the same way?
Wouldn't life be dull and gray, if we all lived the same way?

The message does not get any clearer and more concise than that. And with the truth flowing through the music and words, you end the listen with a new perspective. Where would we be without "Harmony and Contrast?"

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

Buy/Streaming Link: https://dashgo.co/debndvb

Harmony of Contrast (Official Lyric Video) - https://vimeo.com/565052884

Visit The Song Gardener's Website: https://www.thesonggardeners.com

The Song Gardeners is a musical duo from the San Francisco Bay Area featuring singer/songwriter Corrie Dunn (vocals, piano, guitar), singer/songwriter and Mary Gospe (vocals, guitar, percussion).

Their original songs are filled with positive, empowering messages and beautiful harmonies.

Track Feature: Fusion Mafiosi-Fall From Grace

 

Guitar wizard Danny John and his band are his first collaborative project by the members of Danny John Trio, Danny John, James Dennett, Marcos Gil, and friends, Justin Defreece (Guitar), Derek Sherinian (Keyboards).  They are called Fusion Mafiosi.

The first single "Fall From Grace," clocks in at 11:36. It is an amazing musical jam session that will remind you of the best jazz-rock-fusion from bands like Return To Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra at times. After 10 minutes he launches into full head-on metal riffs and some shredding.

So if you are looking for a taste of jazz-fusion, metal, and flat out shredding all in under 12 minutes, then you will definitely find great appreciation for "Fall From Grace."

Danny John is a superb six-sting maestro that I would not mind hearing a lot more!

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

More About Danny John:
https://www.facebook.com/fusionmafiosi

Many instrumental guitar trios capably blend jazz, rock and blues elements, but the one led by Australian guitarist Danny John takes a harder stance. With feet firmly planted on the metallic side of the fence...READ MORE...

dannyjohnguitar · Fall From Grace (Fusion Mafiosi)

Track Feature: Katie Bogle - Think Of You (A Lot)

Katie Bogle's new track "Think of You (A Lot) is the kind of energetic and rhythmic pop you would hear blasting out of your radio on hot summer day.

The track has a great flow as Katie sings with a warm and infectious tone. And this a good thing considering she is singing about someone she really cares about. So yes it is sincere, but a lot of fun too.

Now that is the way it should be with a good catchy pop tune! So roll down the windows and crank up the volume!

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck


About Katie: https://www.facebook.com/katie.bogle.37

Katie Bogle is a queer female artist based out of the northwest suburbs of Chicago. The singer/songwriter has dedicated her solo career to making original pop music with upbeat rhythms and simple melodies.

Heavy influences range from nostalgic 90’s acts like Third Eye Blind, blink-182, and Alanis Morissette to the pop infused, dance-rock stylings of The 1975 and Jack Antonoff. Bogle has channeled each of these artist’s styles to create her own edgy verses and catchy choruses while contemporizing the lyrics and song structure.

Track Feature: Love Ghost - Mr. Blue

Love Ghost is an up and coming Alternative Rock band. They reminded me fondly of Green Day on the new single "Mr. Blue."

There sound is rythmic and powerful. The track has an up and down emotion that drives it. The pace of the track changes a lot, however, when it reaches the chorus it erupts into a magnificent rock track.

Love Ghost sounds like they pulled out all the stops on Mr. Blue. The tracks sounds like it is radio ready to hit the charts. 

Actually it is much better than a lot of what you hear these days on your local stations. I think streaming has saved us from all the crap on the radio and it is bands like Love Ghost that are leading the way.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck



Love Ghost Website: https://loveghost.com/

Love Ghost is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles. While young in age (two of them are seniors in high school), these musicians have a genuine and developed grunge rock sound. Their sound has been compared to Alice in Chains and Smashing Pumpkins, amongst other throwback rock greats...READ MORE...

TRACK FEATURE: Peter Calandra-Morning Dove

Peter Calandra has a new album coming out on July 1, 2017. The album is titled The Road Home.

Peter is one of the guiding musical voices in the new age instrumental world. The pre-release single "Morning Dove," is a glimpse of what to expect in another month.

The video provided is a gorgeous soundscape with incredible footage of mother nature in all her glory.

The video is actually awe inspiring and the music is in perfect sync with the images. This is the way it supposed to be...a superb combination of music and images, a work of art!

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck



More About Peter Calandra:

http://www.petecalandramusic.com

You may not know the name Peter Calandra, but chances are that you’ve heard his original music, his film or television scores, his sports anthems, or his Broadway performances.  This prolific New York City-based composer and keyboard player has been immersed in music for most of his life; he has scored over 50 films, written over 2000 compositions for television broadcast (including over 40 theme packages for nationally broadcast sports shows ...READ MORE...

Track Feature: Sarah Borges-Caught By The Rain

Sarah Borges has got soul from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. Leaving her band and taking her music to the masses by herself was a big move. 

Listening to the new single "Caught By The Rain" is proof that her talent is strong enough to stand on its own. She may have been in an "in the rain" state of mind before taking such a risk but after listening to the new single I think there is no chance that there is a storm brewing at all. All the clouds have parted and the sun is shining on this exciting talent.

"Caught By The Rain" is bluesy and from the gut. Sarah's singing has just the right edge to it and the guitar playing is smokin' hot!

Give this track your time and you will not be sorry, you will want more!

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck



More About Sarah Borges:

http://www.sarahborges.com

"Caught By The Rain” is available NOW for download on iTunes: smarturl.it/ke4ujt

Change is something that takes a little getting used to. If you need proof of this, ask the soulful Sarah Borges. After a long and successful stint with her band, The Broken Singles, 2011 marked the band’s breakup – and Sarah embarking on a solo career. She admits it took some time to adjust. “One of the things I didn’t expect is when you’re on stage and you’re doing a show, there’s certain things you have to do. You have to tune your guitar. You have to take a sip of your drink. It’s just inevitable. I guess I had my band mates fill in that space – whether it be telling jokes or on-stage banter. You can’t have that when it’s just you. That’s a change. You have to be ok with it being quiet for a second. Also, you play out with your bandmates so much – especially when you’ve been together for a long time, and you operate as a unit. You have to dig deep and think about how you’re going to make the show exciting by yourself instead of relying on others.”

However, “digging deep” has never been a problem for the Massachusetts native. Whether it be through performances or her writing, Borges has learned to dazzle – and do it well. That ability can be heard all over her 2014 Radio Sweetheart disc, as well as her upcoming follow-up, Good and Dirty, due in early 2016. She attributes that ability to a very eclectic sound, which she comes by naturally, she says.

“I would say that my sound is straight up rock and roll, but it’s the sum total of what my record collection looks like. The new record that I am working on is certainly more Americana than the last record was. It’s also more rock than the last record. I would say that it’s a version of the live shows – a lot of loud guitars and loud singing. You can certainly dance to it.”

Track Feature: David Franklin-Song For The Dreaming (feat. Michael Manring)

David Franklin has a new album out titled Playing With Shadows. One of the tracks off the recording is the sublime "Song For The Dreaming" featuring the superlative bass player Michael Manring.

If you happen to appreciate the simplicity of the acoustic guitar and a player that knows not only how to use it to create a desired effect but is also a true master of his craft, then you need to hear Franklin pick on "Songs For The Dreaming."

It is an excellent track that will soothe and calm even the most frazzled individual. It is truly therapeutic music. Listen for yourself and you be the judge. 

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck Rating 5/5 Stars


More About David Franklin:

http://davidfranklin.com

David Comments:

My hope is that the sounds of these quiet instruments may inspire a few people become more grounded and present, so that they can feel a deeper sense of connection with themselves and others. And I hope that in the most positive of ways, you yourself are inspired to play with your own shadows.

From the Liner Notes of the CD:

This was originally going to be a solo piano album.  The inspiration was partly the purchase of my full-sized grand, and the fact that after 40 years as a musician, I am finally starting to understand the instrument.

However, when Michael Manring agreed to record with me, my instrumental guitar pieces became what I wanted to explore.  As time continued and my vision clarified, I realized there was a lot of chemistry between my piano and guitar pieces, and that recording with Michael was the perfect glue to hold it all together.  

I've gone through many phases in my musical life: a keyboardist in a New York rock band, a singer-songwriter touring with my guitar which was never in standard tuning, a drummer supporting myself through college or playing with and recording found-sounds (such as on Shadowlands).  But even though this is my 8th full-length album, it's the one that feels most natural.

The album is entitled Playing With Shadows because I'm playing with my own shadows:  historically I've had difficulty allowing my innermost musical tendencies be experienced. But by playing with these energies and doing my homework around these beliefs, I'm allowing my musical feelings to be heard.  It may sound strange, but it makes sense to me somehow...

My hope is that the sounds of these quiet instruments may inspire a few people become more grounded and present, so that they can feel a deeper sense of connection with themselves and others. And I hope that in the most positive of ways, you yourself are inspired to play with your own shadows.

Thanks for listening!
David Franklin,
Oakland, CA.

Track Feature: Pink Floyd-Louder Than Words