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- Written by: Bluebird
Doug Ratner and The Watchmen are a rock band from Springfield, MA. This part of Western New England home grows a wide range of diverse and talented musicians. With music hubs like Northampton and Amherst, plus its proximity to Boston and NYC, the Valley is a great crossroads of bands who take the winds from the mainstream, and cycle into their own direction.
We met Doug Ratner and The Watchmen last year when they opened for the historic return of the Spin Doctors to Pearl Street. The Spin Docs got their roots playing Pearl Street blues decades ago. They put on a great show, and Mr. Ratner sent me a hand written note with his full album for review, shortly after the performance.
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- Written by: Bluebird
When Pillow:American Made came across my desk, I wanted to collaborate with Mule Dixon directly, because this work has a mountain of research behind it, that deserves recognition.
From Mule Dixon's Biography:
"Mule Dixon is a songwriter and a scholar of American Song, receiving his Ph.D from the University in Texas with a concentration of the History and Practice of American Song in 2009. [Dixon] was born in Philadelphia, and received recognition for his community-outreach program designed to utilize the art of songwriting as a means for troubled youth to express themselves in a constructive way."
The Higher Ed Marketing Blog compared Dixon to William Blake. I agree, Dixon is a visionary, and he instills a lasting presence with the images he creates, both lyrically and musically. Although Dixon uses his lyrics to illuminate injustices, he does not pretend to have all of the answers to the world's problems. Dixon remains central to the human condition, leaving the power with the people.
Given Dixon's status as a well respected scholar, I knew enough to let him take the lead on introducing this record to our readers. Just the idea of questions opened up a very rich dialog. Read Mule Dixon's commentary on his fifth album, Pillow/American Made:
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- Written by: Bluebird
NY grunge rocker, Frank Palangi, is back, announcing his 2012 song list has gone full EP. Post modern fans will be very happy to hear the continuance of Palangi's already successful debut, as he broadens his range and hits the ground running in this up to the minute collection. Edge-y vocals, thunder guitars and thoughtful productions elevate both the heavy songs and relational ballads. Classic rock, influenced with some fusion arrangements, Palangi mixes his music visions in ways that continue to surprise his increasing fan base.
This year, Palangi has expanded his live acts too, with equal success. He has won The Battle of the Bands at Upstate Concert Hall with Q103 radio, which lead the way for him to open for the UPROAR FESTIVAL. Palangi also opened for UPROAR at SPAC in Saratoga Springs, NY, which featured Alice in Chains and Jane's Addiction. Later he opened for WEAVING THE FATE in Albany, NY at the Hollow. Between major label gigs, he is always on the road, solo, playing in local clubs, restaurants and bars. And while his fan base is growing exponentially, "I AM READY" was nominated for an L.A. MUSIC AWARD for best rock single this year.
Take a listen to the EP.
Also read our album review from 2012: Frank Palangi
Credits/Links:
Frank Palangi: Recording Artist/Producer, Musician, Singer Songwriter, Indie Filmmaker/Actor
Rock genre Albany/Glens Falls, Upstate NY
-Endorsements through IntuneGuitar, GuitarCable.com, SJC drums, Spector Guitars, Artist in the Plus
-Sponsored by Supercuts
- Photo Media by J Sargent Photography
-Merch Vendors through Tinman Merchandising (CA), Damn Good Art (NY)
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- Written by: Bluebird
One thing about Jakob Dylan is that his distinctive, velvet voice can cut through any type of genre. When bands match up with him, they can play bold and loud, because Dylan holds his own and makes it all work. We caught The Wallflowers live this year and their new album Glad All Over (Columbia) is filled with multiple genre bending flashes of greatness, including "Reboot The Mission"'s direct hit of Clash vibe-wave, featuring Mick Jones, and the melodic swoon single, "Love Is A Country". Dylan said on stage that he 'grew up on bands' and always enjoyed being in bands. Confident in Stuart Mathis' lead guitarwork and Jack Irons' steady hand at the drumkit, The Wallflowers can belt out a blues tune, both live and in the studio. They left our cozy Calvin Theatre, to share the bill with none other than Eric Clapton on his tour just months later. Meanwhile Bob Dylan was touring the Northeast just one state away at UMass. In the thick of rock history and without much time to spare, what does Jakob Dylan do? He contributes a track to support Slim Dunlap's health care fundraiser, Songs For Slim.
~And Joe Henry's stellar musicianship? That is still being absorbed by the general public, meanwhile, the man just keeps cranking out genius.
Read more: Jakob Dylan and Joe Henry contribute to Songs For Slim
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- Written by: Bluebird
Release Date: May 28th
Label: Take This To Heart Records.
Woodford Way is a folk/jazz ensemble from Western MA, teamed up by guitarist/singer songwriter Kyle Mangini, and guitarist/ vocalist Jeff Lynch. For this record, There And Back, they enlisted the talents of producer/bass player Eric Arena, Riley Godleski on drums, and Tim Lynch on percussion. Recording their brand at Zing studios in Westfield, MA, Woodford Way is for the first time as a 5 piece folk act.
In the flow of new artists who are trying to force a statement or make a bold comment on today's (still yet to be defined) music, Woodford Way comes downstream with an organic take on what moves them naturally. Fans who enjoy singer-songwriters of the 1970's-80's, such as James Taylor or Paul Simon, will welcome Woodford Way's casualness, warm vocal tones, and easy going accessibility, while contemporary acoustic players such as, Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson will find them steeping cups in their coffee house. Listen closely though, as among the breezy quips and lullabies, there are some meaningful themes and a few note bending guitar sessions. This folk-jazz duo used a new production team for this record. The sounds are blended with some arrangement work that pushes the edges of what you'd expect to hear in such a collection.
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- Written by: Led Zeppelin Ultimate Fan Page
PRESS RELEASE:
Touring the USA in support of their debut album on Thermal/Megaforce, called BETTER DAYS, released on 10-02-12 and featuring their first single "WAR ON THE INSIDE," Another Lost Year, just released their second single off the album called WRITING ON THE WALL. This song went to #48 on Active Rock Mediabase charts and #34 on Active Rock Activator charts forthe weekend of May 11th.
The owner/editor of the Led Zeppelin Ultimate Fan Page joined the BBR team to review this record. She got a hold of it and did not let go. Well versed in classic rock and contemporary metal bands, read what she has to say about Another Lost Year and Better Days.
(Hey ... come back here with that record ... !)
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- Written by: Bluebird
EP Review: The Tall Weeds
From Beacon, NY.
The first thing that grabs you about this band is its name. The Tall Weeds. Weeds are supposed to be a bad thing, a nuisance in your garden, something that people spend the entire summer pulling, spraying, hacking and cutting down. What happens after that? They grow back again. Why? Because the Earth's natural tendencies are stronger than the human efforts to put everything in a landscaped box. The Tall Weeds are an organic, naturally growing entity that won't be suppressed. Quietly rising without effort, but surprise, The Tall Weeds stand bold, proud, and finally, admired - in a state of natural curiosity. Their motto? Tap into the energy.
The band has been playing clubs in New York for several years now. The Chance in Poughkeepsie among others, has given them more than a local following. The Chance is a great venue. I remember seeing BB King there, as well as multiple sets of the Zeppelin tinged, Zebra and many a reggae band. Always a full house, it has historically accommodated the best bands in the Hudson Valley, including legendary rockers such as, Bob Dylan and David Bowie. Watch the landscape, and the rise of The Tall Weeds.
