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| May 2010 www.TennesseeConcerts.com Nashville Tennessee |
ARLENE WOW! LINKS: ArleneWow! Tennessee Concerts page www.arlenewow.com www.cdbaby.com/cd/arlenewow www.horizonmusicgroup.com www.sonicbids.com/arlenewow |
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| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECENT NASHVILLE CONCERT PICTURES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Moody Blues at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Tennessee www.tennesseeconcerts.com/moodyblues --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey concert at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena www.tennesseeconcerts.com/ericclapton --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coming Soon: Pictures of Foreigner, Leon Russell & Emmylou Harris --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville Concert & Event Tickets COMING TO NASHVILLE IN 2010 Norah Jones - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville - 05/14/2010 - Buy Tickets! Emmylou Harris & Dave Matthews - Ryman - 05/19/2010 - Buy Tickets! James Taylor & Carole King - Bridgestone Arena - 05/22 - Buy Tickets! Dierks Bentley - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville - 05/22/2010 - Buy Tickets! Chris Daughtry - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville - 05/30/2010 - Buy Tickets Neil Young - Ryman Auditorium - 06/01 & 06/02 - Nashville - Buy Tickets! Emogen Heap - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville - 06/05/2010 - Buy Tickets! Marty Stuart - Ryman Auditorium - 06/09/2010 - Nashville - Buy Tickets! CMA Music Festival (Fan Fair) - L.P. Field - 06/10 thru 06/13 - Buy Tickets! Always Patsy Cline - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville - 06/20 - Buy Tickets! The Scorpions & Ratt - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville - 07/10 - Buy Tickets! Crowded House - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville TN - 08/02 - Buy Tickets! Brooks & Dunn - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville TN - 08/10 - Buy Tickets! Tom Petty & Crosby, Stills & Nash - Bridgestone Arena - 08/12 - Buy Tickets! Heart - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville Tennessee - 08/17 - Buy Tickets! Paramore - Municipal Auditorium - Nashville TN - 08/21/2010 - Buy Tickets! George Strait & Reba McIntire - Bridgestone Arena - 09/11 - Buy Tickets! Carrie Underwood Play On Tour - Bridgestone Arena - 10/13 - Buy Tickets! OTHER EVENTS Nashville Predators Hockey - Bridgestone Arena - Buy Tickets! Grand Ole Opry - Nashville Tennessee - Weekly Shows - Buy Tickets! Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring The Rockettes - Buy Tickets! CHECK OUT ALL THE CONCERTS ON OUR TICKETMASTER CONCERT PAGE |
| TENNESSEE CONCERTS ARCHIVES See Past Home Pages & Past Newsletters September 2006 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 May 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 July 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 June 2009 September 2009 December 2009 January 2010 April 2010 |
| Editor - Pat Adams |
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| Arlene Wow! Dirty Road Home |
| NASHVILLE VENUES Allen Arena - Belmont College Jackson Hall - T.P.A.C Belcourt Theatre Gentry Center - T.S.U. Grand Ole Opry House LP Field (Formerly The Coliseum) Memorial Gym - Vanderbilt Municipal Auditorium Nashville Super Speedway Ryman Auditorium Schermerhorn Symphony Center Sommet Center Tennessee Performing Arts Center Vanderbilt Memorial Gym Vanderbilt Stadium War Memorial Auditorium Wildhorse Saloon |
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| Gary Allen's Best Song In The World Link: Sonic Bids Winner Page |
| Our Winter 2010 Tennessee Concerts Talent Competition winner is John Thibodeaux |
| TennesseeConcerts Links: Join us in MySpace: www.myspace.com/tennesseeconcerts Email Pat Adams: pat@tennesseeconcerts.com |
| Gary Allen's Music City Mix Gary Allen, the host of The Play It Again Jam , has debuted Nashville's first professional musicians referral service, run by a player that has been there and back many times. $50 signs you in until 2011, all you have to do is email me or show up Sunday at the jam, sign in and we will set you up for your personal and customized listing. Many of the jam squad have already joined and began networking and browsing the new service, and live players, every Sunday at The Elysian Inn at 4 o'clock! Be there or be Square Pants Sponge Bob! Get off the couch and let it get some air. Let's rock Al Bundy style! www.tennesseeconcerts .com/musiccitymix Email Gary Allen |
Third Runnerup in Gary Allen's
Sonicbids Best Song In The World Contest
Michael Jaymes started his music career at 13, writing and performing his own songs
in Staten Island. His freshman year in high school, he first showed his
entrepreneurship, selling 800 tickets for a charity event. He performed at Lincoln Center
with the world renowned Curtis High School Guitar Ensemble, studied Music Industry at
Oneonta College, and competed on their NCAA Men's Swimming Team.
After a chance backstage meeting at Lollapalooza with Snoop Dogg, Jonathan Davis
(Korn) and Ziggy Marley, he saw kindred souls doing what he wanted to do, influencing
people with music. At 26, he is going for the light at the end of the tunnel and his goal is
losing the day job to write, collaborate, record, produce and perform for live audiences
365 a year!
Now a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, Michael has shared the stage with local
notables Zac Deputy, Nate Holley, Sol Driven Train, Shawn Fisher and Ben Robinson.
In the meantime he is training for Iron Man competition and for hammering away at the
music world. In his own words, "I am a strong believer that I have achieved, among
many things, my vocal excellence, persistence and song inspiration through keeping
my body at a high level of physical fitness and never ever taking no for an answer."
Michael Jaymes, vocalist/guitarist, may play an acoustic guitar but he rocks his songs
with the perfect visual representation for it's earthy swagger and heartfelt vocal
performances.
Michael caught my attention early in my Sonicbids competition and he never left the top
three after a three month, brutally tough competition.
The music is rock/pop with elements of jazz, funk, soul and world music. He has been
compared to Dave Mathews, and he has no problem with that but will tell you, "There is
no need to hype me, the performance speaks for itself." I have heard you, literally, and
there's little doubt many others will soon have that chance.
Michael is like the Energizer Bunny on steroids! He is grounded, professional and I
haven't even mentioned his blazing guitar work. The dude knows his way around a
guitar and a lyric. Don't take my word for it. Go to his My Space and listen to End. It
reminds me of Hendrix's wah wah style from Band of Gypsys. I played with Billy Cox,
bass man for the Experience in the early Charlie Daniels Band, so I know of what I
speak.
Personal favorite of mine, because it flat rocks outloud, is Get On By. Masterful universal
rock & roll virtues and tuneful grooves that bring to mine the furious, creative music
explosion from NYC in the 70's, with bands like Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors.
The rhythmic interplay in these tracks are aggressive but not excessive. I think a live
album would be a great introduction for Michael Jaymes. It worked alright for Frampton.
The collective virtuosity of the songs makes for a lot of spontaneous almost jam band
synchronicity. If you can capture that Michael Jaymes spark on tape he could give up the
day job, and I wouldn't be at all surprised. Congratulations and thanks for raising the
bar so high that I can't even win my contest!
Gary Allen (Stonewall Jackson/JJ Cale/The Charlie Daniels Band)
LINKS:
www.soundclick.com/thepignottiproject
www.sonicbids.com/michaeljaymes
www.myspace.com/pignottilive
Sonicbids Best Song In The World Contest
Michael Jaymes started his music career at 13, writing and performing his own songs
in Staten Island. His freshman year in high school, he first showed his
entrepreneurship, selling 800 tickets for a charity event. He performed at Lincoln Center
with the world renowned Curtis High School Guitar Ensemble, studied Music Industry at
Oneonta College, and competed on their NCAA Men's Swimming Team.
After a chance backstage meeting at Lollapalooza with Snoop Dogg, Jonathan Davis
(Korn) and Ziggy Marley, he saw kindred souls doing what he wanted to do, influencing
people with music. At 26, he is going for the light at the end of the tunnel and his goal is
losing the day job to write, collaborate, record, produce and perform for live audiences
365 a year!
Now a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, Michael has shared the stage with local
notables Zac Deputy, Nate Holley, Sol Driven Train, Shawn Fisher and Ben Robinson.
In the meantime he is training for Iron Man competition and for hammering away at the
music world. In his own words, "I am a strong believer that I have achieved, among
many things, my vocal excellence, persistence and song inspiration through keeping
my body at a high level of physical fitness and never ever taking no for an answer."
Michael Jaymes, vocalist/guitarist, may play an acoustic guitar but he rocks his songs
with the perfect visual representation for it's earthy swagger and heartfelt vocal
performances.
Michael caught my attention early in my Sonicbids competition and he never left the top
three after a three month, brutally tough competition.
The music is rock/pop with elements of jazz, funk, soul and world music. He has been
compared to Dave Mathews, and he has no problem with that but will tell you, "There is
no need to hype me, the performance speaks for itself." I have heard you, literally, and
there's little doubt many others will soon have that chance.
Michael is like the Energizer Bunny on steroids! He is grounded, professional and I
haven't even mentioned his blazing guitar work. The dude knows his way around a
guitar and a lyric. Don't take my word for it. Go to his My Space and listen to End. It
reminds me of Hendrix's wah wah style from Band of Gypsys. I played with Billy Cox,
bass man for the Experience in the early Charlie Daniels Band, so I know of what I
speak.
Personal favorite of mine, because it flat rocks outloud, is Get On By. Masterful universal
rock & roll virtues and tuneful grooves that bring to mine the furious, creative music
explosion from NYC in the 70's, with bands like Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors.
The rhythmic interplay in these tracks are aggressive but not excessive. I think a live
album would be a great introduction for Michael Jaymes. It worked alright for Frampton.
The collective virtuosity of the songs makes for a lot of spontaneous almost jam band
synchronicity. If you can capture that Michael Jaymes spark on tape he could give up the
day job, and I wouldn't be at all surprised. Congratulations and thanks for raising the
bar so high that I can't even win my contest!
Gary Allen (Stonewall Jackson/JJ Cale/The Charlie Daniels Band)
LINKS:
www.soundclick.com/thepignottiproject
www.sonicbids.com/michaeljaymes
www.myspace.com/pignottilive
| Submit to the Tennessee Concerts Song Contest |
| Click on logo |
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| (c) 2005-2010 Tennessee Concerts Designed, owned and published by Pat Adams. All rights reserved. |
| Sonicbids Competition |
| See our own Nashville related YouTube videos from Tennessee Concerts editor & photographer Pat Adams. You can watch videos one right after the other. Press Play to start. To go the next video or past video, put your cursor over the screen. The left side will pop up an arrow to go back. The right side will pop up an arrow to go forward. Go to right side to click to next video. VIDEOS INCLUDE: NEW VIDEOS' FROM OUR "PLAY IT AGAIN JAM" See Play It Again Jam videos from 2010, 2009, 2008 & 2007 |
Tennessee Concerts Sonic Bids Winners
Winter 2010 - John Thibobeaux from Port Neches, Texas
Summer 2009 - Vall Halla from Nashville Tennessee
Spring 2009 - Within Reason from Birmingham Alabama
Tennessee Concerts Featured Artists
Brennan Stoelb from Jasper Indiana
Winter 2010 - John Thibobeaux from Port Neches, Texas
Summer 2009 - Vall Halla from Nashville Tennessee
Spring 2009 - Within Reason from Birmingham Alabama
Tennessee Concerts Featured Artists
Brennan Stoelb from Jasper Indiana
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| Runners up: (in alphabetical order) A Fragile Tomorrow, Cooper Boone, Doug Spears, Eris, Holly Cormier, Glenn Bryant, New Anointing, Ollie Childs, Rayla Ray, Sarah VanderHaar, Southern Mischief, Stonebruise, The Granfalloons, The Vinyl Plane, Yellow Delicious, Zach Williams & The Reformaiton |
| THE PLAY IT AGAIN JAM SEARCHES FOR VENUE Do to the recent closing of the Elysian Inn, the Play It Again Jam is looking for a new home. If anyone is interested in having the Play It Again Jam play at your venue, contact Gary Allen or Pat Adams. The Play It Again Jam is sponsored by TennesseeConcerts. The Jam originated in 2006, after Gary Allen had an idea to have Nashville musicians come together for networking and jamming. The Play It Again jam is a Nashville rock & roll musicians jam See pictures and videos from the jam on our Play It Again Jam pages. Become a Fan of the Play It Again Jam on FaceBook. Play It Again Jam pages: www.tennesseeconcerts.com/jam |
| Submit to the Gary Allen Music City Song Competition |
| The Winner of our Winter 2010 Tennessee Concerts Talent Competition is John Thibodeaux |
| Check out the following pages on Tennessee Concerts |
| Check out our Opryland USA Theme Park pages featuring pictures and videos of the park and rides. www.tennesseeconcerts.com/opryland |
| Check out our Lynyrd Skynyrd SouthernTribute.com pages featuring exclusive pictures and related videos www.SouthernTribute.com |
| James Sudakow Michael James Heather Cohen Nuke The Soup Hank Thomas & Silent Thunder Chris Morrisette Cooper Boone Jared Costa Sherbetty Dan Russo Guitardogs Blackberry Blues Band Holly Bernt Taryn Cross Fred Rush Lonesome Dan & The Curmudgeons Pete Jenkins Michelle Boudreaux |
| Paul Grenier Jeff Maddox Bailey Gibson SweetKiss Momma Francesco & Friends Ric Proctor John Boyd Britt Sondreal/His Girl Friday Wendy Waller Harvey Cartel Frank Bonifazi Craig Sailer The Halley DeVestern Band Digney Fignus Dave Lykins Jack Sparks Meagan Tubb Austin Cunningham Daphne Denniston |
Heather Michele Cohen
I spend many hours listening to
Sonicbids artists, always hoping to
hear something fresh,exciting and yes,
even wild.Heather Michele Cohen fits
that bill, and after previewing the first
track of her soon to be released EPK,
I seriously do believe
"This Girl's Gone Wild!" and so will
her fans! Courageous songs that are
revealing and at times very personal.
Steve Rutledge, who is producing the
project, is the CEO of Steelstring
Productions Studio and Pure Genius
Records. The new EPK should hit I
Tunes and radio stations in April.
Heather's singing is seductive, playful
and powerful. She has developed her
own style with this track, and there's
no doubt she can encore with this
song and leave her audience crazy,
breathless and wanting more.The
guitar work is energetic and the riffs
are catchy, passionate and clever. It
rocks like The Pretenders on a good
day."This Girl's Gone Wild" exceeded
all my expectations and has all the
marks of an anthem like those guys
that do Devil Went Down To Georgia
and The South's Going To Do It! I
know a few things about southern
rock, but Heather has channeled it
already from somewhere, out there.
Perhaps the third southern rock from
the sun?
Heather does something with a lyric
that is rare. She twists and bends it
into your face and heart. "Damn That
Radio" is another triumph from this
collection of originals written and
co-written by Heather and friends. She
seems to be fully aware of who
sounds best with her in the studio and
it pays off on this song. "Damn That
Radio" is a rock and roll treat with her
signature stamp all over it that comes
as no surprise after listening to a few
of these new tracks. Gretchen Wilson
would be proud of the redneck gun
toting attitude about the times in which
we live, so well executed by a singer
that could probably sing the phone
book and make it interesting.
"Could Of Been Me" is a complete
detour from the harder rocking style
and succesfully scores as the stand
out country ballad of the set. It's
peaceful and even mellow on the
surface, but the theme is, what could
have been, in a perfect world. A
beautiful, disarmingly simple, and
almost understated, haunting piece of
music. Heather sells this one with that
Billie Holiday attitude.
You can't copy anybody and end up
with anything. If two people are alike,
one of them is uneccessary. She owns
this one with great delivery and
astonishingly clean, clear notes.
"My Sanity" could have been written
by Ben Stiller from Meet The Parents!
He must have been hearing these lyrics
in his head when he came face to face
with Di Nero. I thought my family
was dysfunctional, and they are, but I
feel somewhat like Beaver Cleaver
after taking this lyrical journey through
Heather's slightly bent family tree. Her
rocky childhood and personal
problems makes for an unrivalled
musicality and honesty of expression
that is as refreshing for the listener as
it is probably personally disturbing to
her. The voice is so angelic it almost
masks the painful story underneath. I
especially like this track.
All of these tracks work well together
and "Tough Luck" is no exception. It's
sassy, sultry and the theme is, you're
going to miss Heather when she is
gone. A song that beautifully proclaims
female independence with modern
sensibilities.Heather sounds
world-wise and earthy with a maturity
beyond her years on "Tough Luck". I
love her intimate singing style and she
really knows her way around her own
lyrics. I imagine her live performance
is comparable to slipping into your
favorite pair of jeans.
And if you don't know what I am
talking about, TOUGH LUCK!
Gary Allen (JJ Cale, The Charlie
Daniels Band, Stonewall Jackson)
Heather Michele Cohen Links:
www.sonicbids.com/heathermichelecohen
www.myspace.com/heathermichelecohen
I spend many hours listening to
Sonicbids artists, always hoping to
hear something fresh,exciting and yes,
even wild.Heather Michele Cohen fits
that bill, and after previewing the first
track of her soon to be released EPK,
I seriously do believe
"This Girl's Gone Wild!" and so will
her fans! Courageous songs that are
revealing and at times very personal.
Steve Rutledge, who is producing the
project, is the CEO of Steelstring
Productions Studio and Pure Genius
Records. The new EPK should hit I
Tunes and radio stations in April.
Heather's singing is seductive, playful
and powerful. She has developed her
own style with this track, and there's
no doubt she can encore with this
song and leave her audience crazy,
breathless and wanting more.The
guitar work is energetic and the riffs
are catchy, passionate and clever. It
rocks like The Pretenders on a good
day."This Girl's Gone Wild" exceeded
all my expectations and has all the
marks of an anthem like those guys
that do Devil Went Down To Georgia
and The South's Going To Do It! I
know a few things about southern
rock, but Heather has channeled it
already from somewhere, out there.
Perhaps the third southern rock from
the sun?
Heather does something with a lyric
that is rare. She twists and bends it
into your face and heart. "Damn That
Radio" is another triumph from this
collection of originals written and
co-written by Heather and friends. She
seems to be fully aware of who
sounds best with her in the studio and
it pays off on this song. "Damn That
Radio" is a rock and roll treat with her
signature stamp all over it that comes
as no surprise after listening to a few
of these new tracks. Gretchen Wilson
would be proud of the redneck gun
toting attitude about the times in which
we live, so well executed by a singer
that could probably sing the phone
book and make it interesting.
"Could Of Been Me" is a complete
detour from the harder rocking style
and succesfully scores as the stand
out country ballad of the set. It's
peaceful and even mellow on the
surface, but the theme is, what could
have been, in a perfect world. A
beautiful, disarmingly simple, and
almost understated, haunting piece of
music. Heather sells this one with that
Billie Holiday attitude.
You can't copy anybody and end up
with anything. If two people are alike,
one of them is uneccessary. She owns
this one with great delivery and
astonishingly clean, clear notes.
"My Sanity" could have been written
by Ben Stiller from Meet The Parents!
He must have been hearing these lyrics
in his head when he came face to face
with Di Nero. I thought my family
was dysfunctional, and they are, but I
feel somewhat like Beaver Cleaver
after taking this lyrical journey through
Heather's slightly bent family tree. Her
rocky childhood and personal
problems makes for an unrivalled
musicality and honesty of expression
that is as refreshing for the listener as
it is probably personally disturbing to
her. The voice is so angelic it almost
masks the painful story underneath. I
especially like this track.
All of these tracks work well together
and "Tough Luck" is no exception. It's
sassy, sultry and the theme is, you're
going to miss Heather when she is
gone. A song that beautifully proclaims
female independence with modern
sensibilities.Heather sounds
world-wise and earthy with a maturity
beyond her years on "Tough Luck". I
love her intimate singing style and she
really knows her way around her own
lyrics. I imagine her live performance
is comparable to slipping into your
favorite pair of jeans.
And if you don't know what I am
talking about, TOUGH LUCK!
Gary Allen (JJ Cale, The Charlie
Daniels Band, Stonewall Jackson)
Heather Michele Cohen Links:
www.sonicbids.com/heathermichelecohen
www.myspace.com/heathermichelecohen
fio!
Fio caught my attention as a
songwriter and singer with flair and a
hip New York City flavor, that at times
is down home "chicken fried"
southern. That's because he was born
in North Carolina, and moved from
Florida to the Big Apple in 2005. He
has a worldy maturity beyond his
years, perhaps the old soul in a young
mans body Jackson Browne sings
about. You have a lot to prove when
you put ! on your name, and he backs
it up as one of my most impressive
and grounded winners in the Sonicbids
international competition.
Fio! garnered a larger fan base in and
around Manhattan, playing regularly at
recognized venues such as the
renowned Joe’s Pub, Rockwood
Music Hall, Justin Timberlake’s
“Southern Hospitality”, Arlene’s
Grocery, and the world famous Bitter
End. They have also played such
notable venues as 12th and Porter in
Nashville, as well as Hotel Café, The
Mint and Universal City Walk in Los
Angeles.
Fio was nominated as Wikimusic
Guide’s “Artist to Watch” in 2006, and
City Sessions “Top Ten Artist” for the
web series “Best of New York” in
2007. In 2009 he was chosen to be the
face of Dali speakers for its
advertising campaign “Nothing Added,
Nothing Taken Away” focusing on
true music, after they discovered his
music online. Fio has opened for Jason
Aldean, Rodney Atkins and Kenny
Rogers.
Their first two albums are Jeff Fiorello
and Live at Rockwood Music Hall, are
available on iTunes as well as the new
EP hopefully at about the time this
piece is published.
The new tracks I reviewed below are
from a soon to be released EP and
include: Fly, Rosaline, The One &
Trainwreck. An interesting, melodic
and even soulful compilation of songs
that tell stories and take you on a
journey like a classic movie or good
book.
Fly is dangerously contagious and
haunting. It reminds me of REM in
their prime. The song's emotions are
wounded but determined. A stately,
reflective, pop rich, heavy hitting
ballad about faith and doubt. Fio is
viscerally engaged in his singing and
poetically lethal in his writing. The
dynamics between the acoustic verses
and the chorus are masterfully
executed most often pulled off by very
disciplined English bands, like Jethro
Tull and Yes.
Billy Joel and his drummer have a
connection that I haven't heard since,
until I heard The One. I love the vibe
of this tune. It's magnetic, upbeat with
great harmony. A pleasant surprise.
Especially strong are the Steve Gadd
style drums complimenting the lyrics
and the power and dynamics of
subdued to full band, is very effective.
I suspect Fio writes and plays music
as if it really matters to his musical
soul and eternal being, his true
spirituality. Two thumbs up for this
track! This could be Fio's Piano Man,
and that's saying a lot in my book.
Rosaline is powerfully dramatic,
oozing enthusiasm and musical
straightforwardness that keep
everything together and moving briskly
along. The melody is interesting and
the girl singers are a nice touch. The
guitar solo starts off very jazzy and
understated before it switches to a
tasteful electric guitar. His less is more
approach was taught to me by the
master JJ Cale. Fio's lyrics have been
compared to John Mayer and Jason
Mraz, and I second that emotion. I
personally see Fio scoring movie
soundtrack hits and filling the shoes of
a singer/songwriter the caliber of
Kenny Loggins.
I hope Fio! makes it to the radio air
waves before Trainwreck becomes the
next Black Crowes single. This track
taps the big-footprint backbeat and
raucous interplay of the 70's style
guitar driven bands with meaty guitar
riffs. An exploration of his southern
rock roots remain the center or at least
a tributary of American roots music.
I love this track as the one that first
caught my attention and put me in
touch with Fio! and their music.
Trainwreck makes me think Fio! can
enjoy as much fortune in the sales
charts as on the road. That is a good
thing. The Charlie Daniels Band played
everywhere with electricity. No videos
or MTV then to do all the footwork.
You may get to stay at home a little
more often and collect checks from
your mailbox. Cale loves that
arrangement!
Gary Allen (JJ Cale, Stonewall
Jackson, The Charlie Daniels Band)
www.fiomusic.com
www.sonicbids.com/fiomusic
http://www.myspace.com/jefffiorello
Fio caught my attention as a
songwriter and singer with flair and a
hip New York City flavor, that at times
is down home "chicken fried"
southern. That's because he was born
in North Carolina, and moved from
Florida to the Big Apple in 2005. He
has a worldy maturity beyond his
years, perhaps the old soul in a young
mans body Jackson Browne sings
about. You have a lot to prove when
you put ! on your name, and he backs
it up as one of my most impressive
and grounded winners in the Sonicbids
international competition.
Fio! garnered a larger fan base in and
around Manhattan, playing regularly at
recognized venues such as the
renowned Joe’s Pub, Rockwood
Music Hall, Justin Timberlake’s
“Southern Hospitality”, Arlene’s
Grocery, and the world famous Bitter
End. They have also played such
notable venues as 12th and Porter in
Nashville, as well as Hotel Café, The
Mint and Universal City Walk in Los
Angeles.
Fio was nominated as Wikimusic
Guide’s “Artist to Watch” in 2006, and
City Sessions “Top Ten Artist” for the
web series “Best of New York” in
2007. In 2009 he was chosen to be the
face of Dali speakers for its
advertising campaign “Nothing Added,
Nothing Taken Away” focusing on
true music, after they discovered his
music online. Fio has opened for Jason
Aldean, Rodney Atkins and Kenny
Rogers.
Their first two albums are Jeff Fiorello
and Live at Rockwood Music Hall, are
available on iTunes as well as the new
EP hopefully at about the time this
piece is published.
The new tracks I reviewed below are
from a soon to be released EP and
include: Fly, Rosaline, The One &
Trainwreck. An interesting, melodic
and even soulful compilation of songs
that tell stories and take you on a
journey like a classic movie or good
book.
Fly is dangerously contagious and
haunting. It reminds me of REM in
their prime. The song's emotions are
wounded but determined. A stately,
reflective, pop rich, heavy hitting
ballad about faith and doubt. Fio is
viscerally engaged in his singing and
poetically lethal in his writing. The
dynamics between the acoustic verses
and the chorus are masterfully
executed most often pulled off by very
disciplined English bands, like Jethro
Tull and Yes.
Billy Joel and his drummer have a
connection that I haven't heard since,
until I heard The One. I love the vibe
of this tune. It's magnetic, upbeat with
great harmony. A pleasant surprise.
Especially strong are the Steve Gadd
style drums complimenting the lyrics
and the power and dynamics of
subdued to full band, is very effective.
I suspect Fio writes and plays music
as if it really matters to his musical
soul and eternal being, his true
spirituality. Two thumbs up for this
track! This could be Fio's Piano Man,
and that's saying a lot in my book.
Rosaline is powerfully dramatic,
oozing enthusiasm and musical
straightforwardness that keep
everything together and moving briskly
along. The melody is interesting and
the girl singers are a nice touch. The
guitar solo starts off very jazzy and
understated before it switches to a
tasteful electric guitar. His less is more
approach was taught to me by the
master JJ Cale. Fio's lyrics have been
compared to John Mayer and Jason
Mraz, and I second that emotion. I
personally see Fio scoring movie
soundtrack hits and filling the shoes of
a singer/songwriter the caliber of
Kenny Loggins.
I hope Fio! makes it to the radio air
waves before Trainwreck becomes the
next Black Crowes single. This track
taps the big-footprint backbeat and
raucous interplay of the 70's style
guitar driven bands with meaty guitar
riffs. An exploration of his southern
rock roots remain the center or at least
a tributary of American roots music.
I love this track as the one that first
caught my attention and put me in
touch with Fio! and their music.
Trainwreck makes me think Fio! can
enjoy as much fortune in the sales
charts as on the road. That is a good
thing. The Charlie Daniels Band played
everywhere with electricity. No videos
or MTV then to do all the footwork.
You may get to stay at home a little
more often and collect checks from
your mailbox. Cale loves that
arrangement!
Gary Allen (JJ Cale, Stonewall
Jackson, The Charlie Daniels Band)
www.fiomusic.com
www.sonicbids.com/fiomusic
http://www.myspace.com/jefffiorello
| MICHAEL JAYMES |
First Runnerup in Gary Allen's Sonicbids Best Song In The World Contest
Berklee School of Music would no doubt explain James Sudakow's music like this. Fusion music
is typically instrumental, with complex time signatures, rhythmic patterns, extended track lengths
with lots of improvisation. Most prominent fusion musicians have a high level of virtuosity,
complex compositions and mixed up meters as well as anticipation of recurring beats as it unfolds
in time. Or, as Charlie Daniels explains it in the popular Geicko commercial, "That's how it's done
son!" I suggested James end his shows with that comment to see how it would play in San
Francisco. We both laughed at the notion.
In the seventies, the top of my list for jazz/rock/fusion after Miles Davis of course, was the
intense guitar, drums and keyboard fireworks of The Mahavishnu Orchestra. In 2010, my fusion
exploration would begin with the work of electric violinist, James Sudakow,
first runnerup in my current Sonicbids music competition. His first CD, GREEN, is fusion at it's
heaviest and is a gateway to a musically unexplored world. The songs are ambitious, transcendant
with great riffs that are not repetitive but skillfully executed, flashy and progressive, but remain
firmly planted in a rock footing reminescent of the creative brilliance of Pink Floyd. He definitely
treads in the giant progressive footsteps of violinists Jean Luc Ponty and Jerry Goodman from
Mahavishnu Orchestra. I love Jame's beautiful tone and harmonic adventurous approach as well as
his predecessors and recommend GREEN and his latest project, There Is No Sound In Space, to
the most discerning lovers of this superior style of instrumentalists. The new CD release continues
to feature the melodic and virtuostic electric violin in many styles and textures in tandem with
electric guitar work by Under Radio guitarist Eric Zimmerman, and incorporates a heavy dose of
industrial electronica rock.
James puts a lot of thought into musical composition when he is perfectly capable of showing off
with speed and flash, more in the vein of my touring friends, the Dixie Dreggs and Weather Report.
Radio promotion says James wields an electric violin like Hendrix did his guitar, and called his
music frighteningly good. Not unlike Jimi, James is also a master of the art of distortion, sound
effects and controlled feedback. Charlie Daniels amplifies his fiddle with a Marshall stack as James
does, and I am partial to that biting Marshall sound.
Both CD's are funky and the synthesizer and guitar work is always haunting and interesting.
The songs have a divine alchemy of spirituality and fury that makes me suspect James may be
receiving musical transmissions from some other place. The band is powerful and the tracks unite
elements that would make fans even of music fans that are all about the lyrics. John Lennon said
it's not the lyrics that's important. It's the attitude of the track! Jame's voice is a striking ability to
blend jazz, rock and funk creating a soulful voice on the violin. James also has the attitude and a
band that would be hard to ignore. They deliver great melodies with meticulous and blazing
arrangements.
James Sudakow is a world class player and premier composer and I am proud to have this level
of participation in my song wars contest. Heartfelt music with a modernist sensibility mixed with
earthy and spacey leanings. Foremost, it's fresh and just plain fun to listen to James Sudakow and
company. This band has great players, and do things that musically are as challenging as anything
that has come before them.
I expect great things from these guys and predict they will be bigger than Charlie Daniels, musically
of course! I digress..My advice is not to be concerned whether critics think what you're doing is
going to fit with what's on the radio. Gregg Allman told me once they would never get radio play
because of the length of their songs. That changed when Dickie Betts wrote
"Rambling Man". Congratulations James. You're going to Disneyland! (with the Grizwolds).
The economy is bad you know :)
Gary Allen (The Charlie Daniels Band/JJ Cale/Stonewall Jackson)
James Sudakow Links:
www.evexp.com
www.sonicbids.com/jamessudakow
www.myspace.com/jamessudakow
Berklee School of Music would no doubt explain James Sudakow's music like this. Fusion music
is typically instrumental, with complex time signatures, rhythmic patterns, extended track lengths
with lots of improvisation. Most prominent fusion musicians have a high level of virtuosity,
complex compositions and mixed up meters as well as anticipation of recurring beats as it unfolds
in time. Or, as Charlie Daniels explains it in the popular Geicko commercial, "That's how it's done
son!" I suggested James end his shows with that comment to see how it would play in San
Francisco. We both laughed at the notion.
In the seventies, the top of my list for jazz/rock/fusion after Miles Davis of course, was the
intense guitar, drums and keyboard fireworks of The Mahavishnu Orchestra. In 2010, my fusion
exploration would begin with the work of electric violinist, James Sudakow,
first runnerup in my current Sonicbids music competition. His first CD, GREEN, is fusion at it's
heaviest and is a gateway to a musically unexplored world. The songs are ambitious, transcendant
with great riffs that are not repetitive but skillfully executed, flashy and progressive, but remain
firmly planted in a rock footing reminescent of the creative brilliance of Pink Floyd. He definitely
treads in the giant progressive footsteps of violinists Jean Luc Ponty and Jerry Goodman from
Mahavishnu Orchestra. I love Jame's beautiful tone and harmonic adventurous approach as well as
his predecessors and recommend GREEN and his latest project, There Is No Sound In Space, to
the most discerning lovers of this superior style of instrumentalists. The new CD release continues
to feature the melodic and virtuostic electric violin in many styles and textures in tandem with
electric guitar work by Under Radio guitarist Eric Zimmerman, and incorporates a heavy dose of
industrial electronica rock.
James puts a lot of thought into musical composition when he is perfectly capable of showing off
with speed and flash, more in the vein of my touring friends, the Dixie Dreggs and Weather Report.
Radio promotion says James wields an electric violin like Hendrix did his guitar, and called his
music frighteningly good. Not unlike Jimi, James is also a master of the art of distortion, sound
effects and controlled feedback. Charlie Daniels amplifies his fiddle with a Marshall stack as James
does, and I am partial to that biting Marshall sound.
Both CD's are funky and the synthesizer and guitar work is always haunting and interesting.
The songs have a divine alchemy of spirituality and fury that makes me suspect James may be
receiving musical transmissions from some other place. The band is powerful and the tracks unite
elements that would make fans even of music fans that are all about the lyrics. John Lennon said
it's not the lyrics that's important. It's the attitude of the track! Jame's voice is a striking ability to
blend jazz, rock and funk creating a soulful voice on the violin. James also has the attitude and a
band that would be hard to ignore. They deliver great melodies with meticulous and blazing
arrangements.
James Sudakow is a world class player and premier composer and I am proud to have this level
of participation in my song wars contest. Heartfelt music with a modernist sensibility mixed with
earthy and spacey leanings. Foremost, it's fresh and just plain fun to listen to James Sudakow and
company. This band has great players, and do things that musically are as challenging as anything
that has come before them.
I expect great things from these guys and predict they will be bigger than Charlie Daniels, musically
of course! I digress..My advice is not to be concerned whether critics think what you're doing is
going to fit with what's on the radio. Gregg Allman told me once they would never get radio play
because of the length of their songs. That changed when Dickie Betts wrote
"Rambling Man". Congratulations James. You're going to Disneyland! (with the Grizwolds).
The economy is bad you know :)
Gary Allen (The Charlie Daniels Band/JJ Cale/Stonewall Jackson)
James Sudakow Links:
www.evexp.com
www.sonicbids.com/jamessudakow
www.myspace.com/jamessudakow
| The TennesseeConcerts sponsored Play It Again Jam A Nashville rock 'n' roll musicians jam with myself (Pat Adams) and Gary Allen (from the Charlie Daniels Band & JJ Cales band) Official Jam web pages: www.tennesseeconcerts.com/jam |
| James Sudakow |
