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Written by: Bluebird

Published: July 21, 2013

The indie folk sibling duo, June & The Bee, is now a trio, with the addition of sax player/vocalist Zoe Langsdale. The dynamic team have been hard at work on writing new songs since last we saw them debut at the Iron Horse Music Hall in 2012. They headlined the Horse last month and have had so many tour dates this year, we haven't been able to keep up with them. Emma June and Eli Ayres are mixing up their styles  too, bringing on guest musicians, and playing in unchartered regions beyond the Pioneer Valley, including the legendary, Club Passim. Take a listen to their new recordings here and let us know what you think!

Click here for a review of their debut show at the Iron Horse/2012:

June & the Bee at The Iron Horse Music Hall, September 22, 2012

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Written by: Deb Hebert

Published: July 17, 2013

Colwell Brothers: Guilty Pleasures

Former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives (Pat, left) and music producer (Bob, right) are 100% American, "Maine-made", regular folk. They're the guys next door: neighbors by day; musicians by night. And because their personable reputation speaks volume on and off the music grid, I'm sure whenever the Colwell Brother's walk about Hallowell, Augusta, Gardiner or Portland, Maine, heads turn and people shout, "Hey Pat! Hey Bob!"

With a combined total of over 50 years in the entertainment business, Pat and Bob have carved out a unique, high-energy electric blues and R & B sound that keeps them relevant and in the public eye. Each has traveled the national tour circuit with their respective solo bands (Boneheads, Soul Sensations, the Radiators, and Inspectors), opening for big name acts like BBKing, NRBQ, CCR, Rick Danko and Roseanne Cash. But now, the brothers stay closer to home, performing at music halls, festivals, community events, and private parties throughout the "207" listening area. What's more, the Colwell's are always accompanied by any given number of veteran studio musicians, who, in their own right, add to the musical experience. On this album music fans are treated to Dicky "Doo" Hollis on drums/rubbermaid container, Mike Auger on cowbell, Justin Maxwell on bass, and Dave Wakefield on tenor sax/alto sax/blues harp. Guest musicians include Greg Lindholm on bass (tracks 2, 4), Stephen B. Jones on guitar (track 9) and D.W. Gill on blues harp (track 4).

"Lock us up. We're guilty as charged!" the introduction to "Guilty Pleasures" reads."This record is old school Blues/Soul/R&B. 100% auto tune drumm achine synthesizer free stuff, and we had a blast making it: Cheap guitars, nice guitars, Wurlitzers, Hammonds, Mephis horns, Fender Rhodes, Danelectro bass, scorching blues harp, drums that sound like drums, and lot's of first and second takes." Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered at Bob's studio, The Root Cellar, Hallowell, Maine, the mixture of original works and covers show the artist's depth, versatility and humourus side. Before long, I was singing along with Pat and his "Muddy Waters' style of blues. Then, Bob's soulful vocals and New Orleans flavored piano made my heart melt and yearn for a live show.

Other than where noted, original songs written by the Colwells Brothers. The three covers feature new arrangements. For your listening enjoyment, I've added links to live performances on several numbers.

Tracklist includes:

01 – Black Leather Jacket
02 – Beautiful Delilah (Check Berry)
03 – Can't Sit Down
04 – The Chicken And The Hawk (Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller) (Feat. D.W.Gill)
05 – U Gotta Make Doo
06 – Pain Of Love (Johnny Bristol)
07 – Critical List (Don Covay)
08 – The Blues Done Done It
09 – Sally’s My Girl (Feat. Stephen B. Jones)
10 – Cgs (Cheap Guitar Stomp)

Guilty Pleasures is available at Bull Moose Records (Maine and New Hampshire stores) or via iTunes here. To follow the Colwell Brothers, check out their show schedule, book the band, or download a free MP3 off the CD, click here.

"Kick back, turn up the Hi-Fi to 10, and grab your favorite Guilty Pleasure."

Yours in music,

DebFromMaine Hebert

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Written by: Bluebird

Published: July 15, 2013

WANG CHUNG will hit the US shores on July 18th. Don't blink. While everyone will be Wang Chung-ing, they are cranking out prolific, high energy tracks, that might just steal away summer and top the charts again.

In advance of their show, we've been listening to their new release, TAZER UP!

One of our favorite tracks is the hip-mod groove of "Let's Get Along." It starts out with a spare acoustic string, then leads into some smooth vocals and a great vibe mixed with some techno-edge. Guitar riffs underline it making the song soar, yet it hangs from a high wire of cool. Listen closely, because a world music theme is there, with some cultural chants, and then it whisks you back to the fast beat of the running track.

Why is the record called Tazer Up and what is the significance of the cover? Tune in for more footage of Wang Chung in the upcoming weeks!

Until then, we'll leave you with the meditative, London Orbital.  

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Written by: Bluebird

Published: July 13, 2013

For the love of album credits! Spin it!

"There are no chords to this song" ~ Ray Mason, the man and his Silvertone.

Pioneer Valley singer-songwriter Ray Mason of The Ray Mason Band and the Lonesome Brothers rolled out a wonderful tune this Spring that reflects the pure joy of listening to records and dreaming of starting a band.

Our favorite lyric of this new song?

"Listening to records in my room, while reading liner notes. Learning something different every time. 

They're so fine!

Like a book off a shelf, or a train on its track, I'm on this trip and I'm never coming back!"

Who needs eggs benedict when you can have a cup of coffee and eat some liner notes for breakfast? Join us!

Read more: Ray Mason sings "Listening to Records (In My Room)"