“I’m Alright Now”, the new single from David Ford, sees the songwriter at his confessional best.

Whether he is ruminating on love, politics, life or departures, David Ford invests each word with a frank, often-brutal honesty. On “I’m Alright Now” he celebrates in the face of his own folly, the loved one who stuck it out. The single is set for release on 14th January, 2008 on Independiente Records.

Amid the lyrics of ’sublime retribution’ and direction lost, Ford pens a lyric of unbridled optimism, “A lot of stories will end happy ever after, but I swear nothing quite like you and me.”

As a realisation of great song writing talent, David Ford’s sophomore album ‘Songs For The Road’ has been a tour de force. Released in October it sparked the same critical acclaim as Ford’s visceral, homespun debut ‘I Sincerely Apologise For The Trouble I Have Caused’, but with a noted confidence in tone, expansion and ambition of sound, and ceaseless commitment to melody.

Building on a fan base drawn to Fords uniquely caustic songwriting, ‘Songs For The Road’ had already reached the Number One spot on the iTunes Folk Chart, and Number Four in the 7Digital album chart with all of the album’s 9 tracks in their Top Ten download, before going on general release.

Watch David Ford – “I’m Alright Now” video:

Having recently returned from his own headlining UK tour – culminating at Shepherds Bush Empire – Ford hits the road again for three shows supporting Rodrigo Y Gabriela.

December 2007 tour dates as follows:

Rodrigo Y Gabriela support dates:

December 9th – London, Hammersmith Apollo
December 11th – Glasgow, Barrowlands
December 13th – Manchester, Academy.

Meanwhile David Ford makes a solo appearance at Gloucester Guildhall on December 7th.

“He is becoming unmissible” ***** GUARDIAN

“Ford confirms his position as one of the country’s most gifted, committed and idiosyncratic songwriters….a moving, thrilling album” – THE SUNDAY TIMES

“Here is a great British talent” – WORD

“Ford sings with a drunken mans swagger, full of defiance and denial…a compelling journey to the heart of hopeful wretchedness” – THE FLY

“A stunning mix of gritty vocals, gripping lyrics and pretty tunes….fame will soon come calling” – THE TIMES

“A great album…easily a classic within weeks.” – CLASH

“I’m Alright Now” YouTube video link

David Ford Official Website
David Ford on Myspace

Independiente Records

Last night I went to the King Creosote and Ruarri Joseph gig at the Carling Academy in Oxford. It was a great night of entertainment.

First to address the new Carling Academy Oxford. This was the first time that I had been back to the venue since the renovations that took place over the summer were completed.

Some people that I’ve spoken to about the new ownership of the club still refuse to call it anything other than The Zodiac. I can understand that, since it had been “The Zodiac” and locally owned for a few years.

It always takes time to adjust to change – especially when a large establishment “takes over” a venue and local bands might be affected by the change. Hopefully there will be plenty of nights that will cater to local bands there, as well as opportunities for them to have support slots for bigger acts that come through.

The show was held upstairs with half the room closed off, which made for an intimate evening of music and entertainment. I’m not sure if it’s always closed off up there now, but either way, there was enough room to move for a Monday night out in Oxford.

Cornish based singer/songwriter Ruarri Joseph opened the night with an acoustic set which included singles, “Patience” and “Blankets” off of his latest album, ‘Tales Of Grime And Grit’ out on Atlantic Records.

Ruarri has a very soulful voice and his stage persona is charming. I enjoyed his banter in between songs and there were a few times when he was singing that I thought of Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens). The crowd was receptive – and seemed to enjoy his music, as did I.

Ruarri Joseph Official Website
Ruarri Joseph on Myspace

King Creosote from Fife, Scotland closed out the night beginning the set with an acoustic number and then the band came on – guitar, drums and bass.

(Read the King Creosote interview!)

I was quite excited to see King Creosote, or Kenny Anderson as he’s known. Maybe the fact that his brother Gordon, who was a founding member of The Beta Band, and is currently in one of my favorite bands The Aliens, had something to do with it. I love musical connections and this is a pretty cool one.

The songs varied from slow ballads to rocking out as a four piece band. The musicians were good – the banter was funny. You could tell they were having a good time. Anderson mentioned he had a late night out on the lash in Oxford the night before and ended up in some hotel room – which would have been an interesting night, I’m sure. The audience laughed quite a bit at his humor and honesty when he mentioned low record sales. He’s certainly not shy and it’s easy to warm to him immediately.

There were times when the music was tinged with an American folk feel – and when Kenny put down his guitar to play the accordion, it added a nice layer to the set.

The closer of the night was – go figure – a cover of The Aliens’ high energy single, “The Happy Song”. I loved it.

King Creosote will be playing a few more gigs in the UK on this tour. Go see them if you can!

King Creosote Official Website
King Creosote on Myspace

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Their new release Independent Variable is loaded with emotionally drenched bluesy rock and folk tracks. The lead singer, Teri Hitt, has a voice that dares you to listen and then listen again. She beckons you with her smooth vibrato and you begin to fall into the words. Once you are in the middle of it all there is no turning back. It’s the kind of album I would want to make.

The music presented here is a combination of rock, blues and folk. It all leans more towards an earthy blues rock feel, but the folk element remains a constant thread running through each track and it serves as a jumping off point into the different styles. In addition to singing, Hitt plays the acoustic guitar while Christopher Mark (piano, vocals), Aaron Stephen Chu (electric guitars), Dave Walker (bass), and Andrew Shreve (drums) fill out group. Chu plays some smokin’ licks while the keyboards of Mark complement his stinging leads. And what would all of this great music be without a solid rhythm section to move it all along? The rhythm is spot-on courtesy of Walker and Shreve (spelling is similar to the early Santana drummer).

It is important to lead off with an energetic track, and that is the case here as “Free Yourself” churns out and gets your heart pumping with a driving organ, guitars, and rhythm section. This, however, does not set the precedence for the pace of the album. At times stepping back and mellowing out to sound more Folk-Americana and then reverting to a more upbeat and heavier blues-rock tone is the way this band goes about their work, with moods shifting as each track progresses. The steaming track “Silence” starts with more of a downbeat feel, and then has a crankin’ break at about 2:50 when Chu gets the opportunity to strut his stuff. This becomes common ground throughout this release.

It’s all good from beginning to end, and for this listener Independent Variable rates as a satisfying album that is worth many listens.

Artist: Pet Buffalo
Title: Independent Variable
Genre: Rock-Blues-Folk
Label: Independent
Pet Buffalo Website
Pet Buffalo on CD Baby Link

© MuzikReviews.com

By: Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Watch the BBC video of Bruce Springsteen performing “We Shall Overcome”
The BBC Sessions was a great concert and I was intrigued with the idea that Bruce Springsteen would commit a whole night’s worth of music to folk songs by musical and political activist Pete Seeger, which seemed a drastic change from the Bruce Springsteen music we all know and love. I must admit that I didn’t know too much about Pete Seeger and that it was Bruce Springsteen who had brought my attention to him and his music for the most part.

When I was reading about Pete Seeger’s interesting life, family and of course his music, I learned that in addition to the catalog of songs that Bruce Springsteen has covered on his new Live in Dublin CD/DVD, there were surprisingly, some other very familiar song titles.

“Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is A Season),” made famous in the 60’s by The Byrds, was written by none other than Pete Seeger, though the lyrics in the song are text taken from the Bible and then set to music.

Pete Seeger also wrote “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” – which I also hadn’t been aware of. I’ve known that song since I was in the first grade. When our teacher was away on maternity leave, the substitute teacher would come in with her acoustic guitar and sing songs to us kids, including that one. She must have been a Pete Seeger fan and I’ll always remember her for bringing that guitar into class.

Watch Pete Seeger perform Wimoweh and Where Have All the Flowers Gone on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Buy: Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band: Live in Dublin on amazon.com

More information:

Pete Seeger Appreciation Page
Bruce Springsteen Official Website

By: Jenny May

I asked Nash for the musician’s credits and he told me that he played all the instruments and added the drum programming and orchestration. I was beside myself because I thought otherwise. It is getting harder to distinguish between real instruments and programs these days, unless of course you are a professional musician with a trained ear to hear the difference immediately.

Although Steelspring’s music is primarily rock and folk, aspects of country, blues, and Americana come seeping through the nooks and crannies. You will also hear some finely crafted guitar work featuring some incredibly good slide playing. Al Stewart came to mind more than once as this CD played but then as I enjoyed “Crickets,” Nash’s soft vocal style and sense of melody reminded me of Eddie Rabbitt.

When “All Through The Night” started on the first spin of this album I was not too sure about Nash’s voice, I knew it was different, not your typical vocal style that you could ease right into quickly. As I took in all this music, I found that the musicianship was top notch. Collectively the entire scope of this work hit me on the third listen. I found myself captured by Nash’s voice, the melodic sensibility of it all, and again, the striking musical content.

It is interesting how you start off with a CD then learn to love it once you give it a fair shot, however a certain element and quality must be present before you do give it that opportunity. All of that was there and more on this stand up group of songs. Better Living through good music – what a great idea!

Tracks:
1. All Through The Night (3:51)
2. We Can Rule The World (4:47)
3. Honeymoon (4:08)
4. Fleur Delis (5:27)
5. Crickets (3:41)
6. Hilinger And Thirst (3:52)
7. Just Friends (3:29)
8. Better Living (4:23)

Artist: Steelsrping
Title: Better Living
Genre: Alterative-Rock-Folk
Label: Independent
Steelspring Website
Steelspring on Myspace

© MuzikReviews.com
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Thomas clearly has influences drawn from country, folk and rock and roll greats Ray Charles, Bill Monroe, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones. His distinct sound boils down to a magnificent blend of acoustic American music steeped in the traditions of greats such as James Taylor, Neil Young, Bill Withers, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earl, and Amos Lee.

Thomas Earl’s musical journey began in a small town in Michigan outside of Ann Arbor, playing in local clubs with then unknown and aspiring musicians such as Joni Mitchell, John Hammond, Jim Kweskin, and Maria Muldaur. In the 1970s, along with a number of folk artists, he began a migration into rock and roll. His experiences included a brief brush with commercial success with a group called The Woolies, releasing a cover of “Who Do You Love?”, as well as working in a group called The James K. Polk Memorial Rock Band, who released a rock version of Jessie Collin Young’s “Four in the Morning.” At a young age Thomas left the music industry in order to survive. Three years ago he left the corporate world and settled in upstate New York to return to his passion, making music. His long road brought him back full circle to his roots and the end result is the brilliant and fulfilling Golddust Magic.

Golddust Magic was co-produced and engineered by Joe Johnson, of Red Wally Music, who has worked with such artists as Keith Richards, Johnny Winter and Joan Jett. Jerry Krenach, who has played with Chris Whitley, David Byrne and Darryl Hall, plays drums on the project while Sean Dixon and Scott Sharrard, New York City based session musicians and producers, produced the CD and contributed guitar, bass, keyboard, and percussion tracks.

Visit Thomas Earl’s website for updates, performance dates, downloads and more. Currently Golddust Magic is for sale on CD Baby.

Contact: Kay Sharrard
Company: Thomas Earl Productions
Address: P.O. Box 71, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Tel: 845-661-3523
Fax: 845-265-2859
Email
Website
CD Baby Link

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

Tangled Up in Bob is Rubinstein’s score for the documentary film by Mary Feidt and detailing Natalie Goldberg’s quest for the “real” Bob Dylan in his hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota. Rubinstein composed and performs the 15 tracks here, and cowrote “She Was Weird” with songwriter Terry Allen.

The Albuquerque Tribune wrote, “Donald Rubinstein provides an original score that is hauntingly Dylanesque.” Cadence wrote, “He’s a poet in a Dylanesque vein. His singing voice reminds me of a tired, more world-weary Bruce Springsteen….In the singer/songwriter vein, I’d much rather hear Rubinstein than any of the other, more popular artists.”

The second CD due out in April is Acceptance featuring jazz great Bill Frisell. With three compositions by Rubinstein and one live improvisation, Acceptance ranges from the choral “Acceptance” to the jazzy “Diminished Chord,” which Frisell performs once with electric and once with acoustic guitar. The CD ends with the live improv “Four Pianos,” with Marcel Bergmann, Philipe Bodin, Andrea Clearfield and Rubinstein on pianos, vocals by Clearfield and Rubinstein.

Bill Frisell says, “I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Don in all kinds of situations over the years. I’ve learned a lot from him…These days it’s reassuring to know there’s someone like him around. After more than 20 years, he’s still on that path, and still an inspiration.”

Called “a composer and songwriter of stellar proportions” by The Doors’ John Densmore, Rubinstein says the two new releases “represent both extremes of my composing, jazz-avant-garde instrumental at the one end and lyric-oriented folk songs at the other.”

Thom Teresi at Rhombus Records says, “Tangled Up in Bob and Acceptance represent the two faces of Don Rubinstein. You have to like everything Don does. He’s a prolific writer and a unique character. Rhombus Records wanted to release these together to show his diverse range of talent.”

Rubinstein made his musical debut by scoring George A. Romero’s cult classic film Martin (1977), which Mojo in 2002 named “One of the Top 100 Coolest Soundtracks of All Time.” Since then he has released 16 CDs, which range from jazz to folk to pop-rock to country; scored several feature films and main titles for two television series; and been commissioned by dance companies and musicians from the Boston Symphony and New York Philharmonic orchestras for individual works.

Steve Huey wrote in All Music Guide, “Singer/songwriter, pianist, jazz experimentalist, soundtrack composer, beat-style poet—Donald Rubinstein has somehow juggled all those hats over the lengthy span of his creative career.”

Tangled Up in Bob and Acceptance are available for downloading at iTunes.com, eMusic.com, Rhapsody and the Burn Lounge. The CDs retail for $15.98 each and are available in stores on April 17, 2007.

Web sites:
http://www.donaldrubinstein.com
http://www.rhombus-records.com

For media inquiries, or to schedule an interview with Donald Rubinstein, contact Mantra Public Relations at 212-645-1600.

Locally sourced musicians to perform are The Astral Gypsies and Nathan Godfrey plus activist information films by Schnews and an auction with all monies raised going directly to the camp at Titnore for provisions and tat!

More information on the camp and campaign can be found at www.protectourwoodland.co.uk

Spellbinding sounds of Mr. Johnson can be found via his MySpace site.

Robb Johnson on Myspace

And if this wasn’t enough I’ll be kindling the vinyl fire of all musos by dj-ing.

Keep active folks

Chris Recycled!

The album gets started with “Along the Way”, a pop-tinged blues anthem that quickly sets the stage for Porter’s no-holds-barred vocals and fine piano work.. “Get Out”, a driving ode to a former lover, calls to mind the intensity of Fiona Apple combined with the self-sufficient attitude of Alanis Morisette. Other tracks, such as “Aaron’s Song” and “Brotherly Love” are softer both musically and lyrically, highlighting Porter’s diverse talents as a singer-songwriter. Throughout the album, Porter’s technical skill is apparent.

One of the strongest points of Moving On is its blues rock and country roots that sustain and clearly influence Porter’s music. The song “Gracie” has a great classic-rock feel with piano work reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”. The vocal styling of “Heaven to Me” evokes some of Bonnie Raitt’s best work.

Jen Porter is clearly a seasoned and talented performer; Moving On adds another successful album to her already impressive resume. Judging by the rousing quality of this album, I’m sure Porter’s live performances are soulful and energetic. Those with the opportunity to see her in Chicago should definitely do so; those not lucky enough to live in the windy city will be sure to put this album in regular rotation on their stereos.

Artist: Jen Porter
Title: Moving On
Genre: Blues, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Adult Contemporary
Label:JJP Productions
Website
CD Baby Link

© MuzikReviews.com

Ryan Quinn

Earl has a Dave Alvin meets Gordon Lightfoot vocal tone and style that is very appealing, immediately setting you at ease. He gives you comfort and the ability to absorb all the music and words unencumbered by distractions. Right from the melodic opener “On My Way” which leads into the toe-tapping “Fly,” Earl turns on his Golddust Magic. “Fly” is my pick for a single that I think would get tons of airplay. I found it literally impossible to get it out my head after I heard it the first time.

I get the feeling Earl is an old soul, a gifted poet that has the ability to set it all to music in a beautiful and unforgettable way that few artists have the ability or insight to accomplish in one recording.

“Silence In Your Mind” is a very intense composition that sends you into a contemplative mood with provoking music to help it along. I love the line-“Every eye is open, though everyone is blind.” That one line says a lot about mankind and the world we live in today. It is a message that I heard loud and clear. Although it was my own interpretation, I did notice it right away and felt it would hold a lot of meaning for every listener. I cannot speak for others but I just have a feeling that anyone that cares for this kind of music will find tremendous value and enjoyment in every track on this CD.

The production values are good, the musicianship is simple, clear, and defined, taking Earl’s words and molding them into something very special. He receives some great support from a talented group that includes Sean Dixon, Scott Sharrard, and Jerry Krenach (see credits for the multitude of instruments played). Everything that is in addition to Earl’s voice seems to be the perfect compliment on this album, making Golddust Magic a five star indulgence from start to finish.

Artist: Thomas Earl
Title: Golddust Magic
Genre: Folk-Rock
Label: Independent
Website
CD Baby Link

Tracks:
01. On My Way (3:31)
02. Fly (3:07)
03. For Always (2:15)
04. Girl With the Blue Green Eyes (3:47)
05. Intermezzo (1:34)
06. A Silence in Your Mind (3:33)
07. Time (Will Get You There) (2:44)
08. Lost in Her Dreams (2:23)
09. Tryin’ to Say Goodbye (3:24)
10. Still Here in My Heart (2:49)
11. Golddust Magic (1:34)

Credits:

Thomas Earl: Acoustic guitars, vocals

Sean Dixon: Drums – tracks 3, 9; Percussion – tracks 1, 4, 6; Rhodes Piano – track 4; Hammond B-3 Organ – track 7; Bass guitar – tracks 3, 6,9.

Scott Sharrard: Lead Guitar – tracks 1, 6; Slide guitar – track 4: Hammond B-3 Organ –Tracks 1,4; Bass Guitar – Tracks 1,2,4

Jerry Krenach: Drums – Tracks 1,2,4.

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

The new release from Mikey J is Life’s Road and it takes you down his own personal path carved out by his own life and feelings. With a combination of acoustic and electric guitars, understated rhythm sections and just the right amount of keyboards for the additional layer that makes a tune have more depth while pushing along the lyrics, Mikey J and his band make each track a journey through time, past and future.

Good friend and longtime collaborator Duane Carleton is a very important part of the overall equation and outcome of Life’s Road. His experience and talent have become invaluable to Mikey J. Carelton provides timely background vocals and expert musicianship with electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and mandolin.

Tracks such as “Father” are a focus of the artist and his personal struggles with family relationships and “3 Men In A Mirror’ falls right in line after that track as Mikey J sings about himself, his son, and father. This is how a look into the mirror of life can reveal images of all three men and how they all seemingly blend into the same person. This is only apparent if we choose to look at reality. This suggests the similarities of inherited character traits both good and bad that we all have and discover by looking at a parent, child, or inside your own soul.

Mikey J and his music is food for thought and reflection and the way the music is arranged and played gently pushes you to think about what he is trying to say and how it may be applied in your own life. Those that appreciate heartfelt lyrical prose, folk-rock, and good old New England values will find a wealth of inspiration and enjoyment in this music.

Visit the Mikey J site for downloads, performance dates, pictures, and updates.

Contact: Michael Johnson
Company: Mikey Js
Address: 1 Rayes Drive, Hudson, NH 03051
Tel: (603) 889-5282
Fax: (603) 889-5282
Email
Website

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

Life’s Road takes you right down Mikey J’s own personal path through 10 descriptive tracks. This is very reflective and relaxing acoustic folk music for the most part and I took a liking to it rather quickly. Some of the tracks are just Mikey featured with a nice strumming acoustic guitar; others have a nice piano tinkling in the background to give it a nice layer that accentuates everything else going on. This production is a well thought out and purposefully arranged.

I found it interesting how tracks 4 and 5 intersect. “Father” is about a man that does not know how to love his Dad. I can see how that can happen at times for many men, as relationships with men are entirely different from what women have with each other. I think the male machismo and competitive spirit can get in the way of resolving any disagreements or issues. I have personally experienced this with male family members. Possibly this is what Mikey is referring to in this song. The next track is “3 Men In The Mirror,’ which is very interesting. He sings about his own son becoming a man, and when he looks into the mirror of life, he sees all three men-himself, his father, and his son. I have caught myself doing this over the last few years myself. As much as we hate to admit it at times, we are a lot like our parents and some of those more disturbing attributes become glaringly obvious to your significant other. Certainly, anyone can relate to this in some way.

What this all boils down to for this listener is a simple fact, the music forced me to look at my own life-past, present, and future. This is not always the easiest thing to do but the music and Mikey’s vocal style, made it a little bit easier to do so. Sometimes music has a way of making you smile regardless of the subject, well most of the time anyway. In this case, I felt that I knew the artist just as if he was a next-door neighbor for years.

Artists like Mikey J come at you with their heart on their sleeve leaving nothing to chance; he brings it all to the table and lays down his cards. It is then up to you what cards you want dealt to you, track by track. In the end, Mikey deals a full house and walks away the winner. I really enjoyed this simple straightforward artist and his music.

Artist: Mikey J
Title: Life’s Road
Genre: Folk-Rock
Label: Independent
Website

01. Only the Mountains
02. See the Light
03. Aged Traveler
04. Father
05. 3 Men In The Mirror
06. Do You Think of Me
07. Still
08. You Never Loved Me Anyway
09. Let Me Go
10. Just Gotta Love Me

Musicians:
Michael Johnson: Vocals, 12 & 6 string acoustic guitar
Duane Carleton: Background Vocals, 12 & 6 string Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitars, Mandolin, Bass
Bob Boyer: Bass Guitar, Drums
Tim Lynch: Percussion, Piano/Keyboards
Rick Sullivan: Snare Drum

© Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Amy’s album “Songs For Bright Street” has been attracting attention, having been selected in Indie-Music.com’s Top 25 Indie Release of 2006 while grabbing a “Best New Country Song 2006″ nomination from Independent Music Awards for “The Real Thing.” Over the last year, Amy has been asked to open for Little Feat, Heartland, Phil Vassar, John Corbett Roger McGuinn, John Gorka, Peter Mulvey, Tracy Grammer, Sloan Wainright, and Steve Forbert.

Amy Speace & The Tearjerks Folk Alliance 2007 Showcases Marriott Hotel and Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis

Wednesday 2/21
10:30pm Sacred Yard, TBA
1:00am Focus Music Presents, Rm #1828

Thursday 2/22
11pm Rumbling & Tumbling, TBA
* 12am Wildflower Records Presents, Performance Alley, Jackson Room
1:30am Grassy Hill Ent., Rm #1812

Friday 2/23
3:00pm Vic’s Kick Ass Women, Rm #1812
* 10:30pm CD Baby Presents, Performance Alley, Jackson Room
11:30pm Wildflower Records, TBA
12:30am Kyser Capos, Rm #1705

Saturday 2/24
12:30am Wildflower Records, TBA
1:30am Fox Run, Rm #1910
(*) Official showcases

Amy Speace has already won a loyal grass-roots fan base, thanks in large part to live performances that merge warmth, humor and emotional immediacy, and to a tireless touring schedule that’s already taken her across the United States. She’s also won considerable critical acclaim, with The Village Voice observing that Speace is “taking her Americana away from twangy contemplation toward tangy confrontation” and noting that she’s “not another of those breathy would-be child poets, but a real singing writer of songs.” Time Out New York stated, “Amy Speace plays sweet, twangy folk music with a clear voice and an innocent vulnerability,” while The Nashville Scene noted that she “balances wry humor with open-hearted honesty.” And renowned Nashville critic Robert K. Oermann, writing in Music Row, dubbed her a “new star.”

http://www.amyspeace.com
http://www.folkalliance.org

This is very mellow laid-back music punctuated by Wolf’s distinct vocal style and elegant acoustic guitar. Although dubbed as folk rock, I heard much more than that. I could hear Wolf reciting poems to music, and in some instances adding his own version of a rap with a rhythm and rhyme to everything (Counting Cracks) he was conveying within a song.

I like what it says on the back cover of the CD…From the ground up. From the construction of the instruments to building our own studio, this album was produced, engineered, and mixed from the ground up-Music is a way of life. Now that tells the story in a literal sense of where Micah and his friends are coming from. I believe it after looking at his biography. He had parents that traveled around to hippie communes in various locations before he became an adult and finally settled in Hawaii. No doubt, his experiences when he was 8 years old when he received his first guitar, the travel, and the exposure to free spirited individuals along with an adventurous lifestyle, shaped who he is today. You can hear it come through in all the rich colors and textures of his music and vocals.

Yes, Micah Wolf comes from places of the heart and soul that few dare to travel within their music because they are too concerned with the commercial viability and technology of the product. This is not a product for Micah. This is his life on the CD, a living breathing entity that needs care, attention, and love, on a continual basis to grow and mature. That in a nutshell is what this music is all about.

Although there is dobro, piano, violin, and drums in the mix, they are understated, although positioned properly to fit into the context of each composition. The voice and guitar of Micah are featured and stand out on the recording, however, everything else you hear is essential to the balance and overall sound of each complete track. I like the way all of the aspects fall together and how each individual track tells a story with the music used as more than just a backdrop. It serves as more of a propellant, an inspiration for Micah to make the lyrics come out and reach you and pull you right in and keep you. It worked well for me but it took more than one listen, which is always the case with anything worth hearing.

Artist: Micah Wolf
Title: Micah Wolf
Genre: Folk-Rock
Label: Blockplane Records
Website
CD Baby Link

Tracks:
01. Burn Me (3:49)
02. Self Esteem (3:14)
03. Storm Is Rollin’ In (3:23)
04. Pay No Mind (3:34)
05. Plastics (3:48)
06. Burden (3:15)
07. Return To You (3:48)
08. Counting Cracks (4:00)
09. Tease Me (2:10)
10. Muse (4:06)
11. To Forgive (4:37)
12. Stand Tall (4:23)
13. Believe (2:51)

Musicians:

Micah Wolf: guitars, vocal, piano
Eric DeVine: bass, dobro, guitar
Michael Buono: drums
Mark D’Antonio: percussion
Maria Zoe: backup vocals track 6
Don Lax: violin track 10

© Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck