Grammy-winner – Indie Voice Blog

TGIF! Are you ready for some great tunes to prepare you for the first weekend of 2018? We have five more reviews for you today, so here we go!

Artist Name: Jay Asher

Album Name: Honestly

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop

Track Listing: 1. Playing Detective; 2. I’ve got the Question Right; 3. Hurt me Twice; 4. Show me how you Really Feel; 5. Norman the Doorman; 6. Texas Dreaming; 7. When I was Young; 8. How Blind can I Be?; 9. Only Everyday; 10. Someone Will be Watching

Publicist: Self-promoted

Review: Jay Asher brings a refreshing breath of fresh air to 70’s pop/rock style music, very reminiscent of early Elton John. He hits the ground running with “Playing Detective,” before slowing it down to a sweet ballad with “I’ve Got the Question Right.” He adds a little soul and dance vibe to “Hurt me Twice” and then back to the ballads with “Show me How you Really Feel.” “Norman the Doorman” is a fun, upbeat pop ditty that would have played well on 70’s radio. In fact, these songs are perfect for a music supervisor looking for retro-style songs for placement in period television and film. Our favorite tracks are “Playing Detective,” “Hurt me Twice,” “Norman the Doorman,” “When I Was Young,” and “How Blind can I Be?”

Recommendation: Definitely get this one. For those of us who lived through the 70’s, it is a wonderful trip down memory lane. For the rest, it is just plain good music.

Artist Name: John Fogerty

Album Name: Blue Moon Swamp (20th anniversary vinyl release)

Label: BMG

Genre: Classic Rock

Track Listing: 1. Southern Streamline; 2. Hot Rod Heart; 3. Blueboy; 4. A Hundred and ten in the Shade; 5. Rattlesnake Highway; 6. Bring it Down to Jelly Roll; 7. Walking in a Hurricane; 8. Swamp River Days; 9. Rambunctious Boy; 10. Joy of my Life; 11. Blue Moon Nights; 12. Bad bad Boy; 13. Just Pickin’; 14. Endless Sleep

Publicist: MAD Ink PR

Review: Originally released on May 20, 1997, Blue Moon Swamp won the Grammy for best rock album, despite the fact that it peaked at #37 on the Billboard charts. In addition, the backing vocals for “Southern Streamline” and “Rambunctious Boy” were supplied by the amazing Lonesome River Band. The album was remastered and reissued in 2004, and tracks 13 and 14 were added as a bonus. The 2017 vinyl release uses the concert backdrop from the supporting tour, and retains all the incredibleness of the original release. For those of us boomers who grew up on the music of Credence Clearwater Revival and the original American Son, John Fogerty, this vinyl release could not have come at a better time. Memories flood back one by one as the intensely CCR-influenced sound comes across the record player speakers. This one is a masterpiece, and we are so proud to have been chosen to review this impeccable album. If you live in or near Las Vegas, or plan to be there January 10-20, we highly recommend you check out Fogerty in concert at Wynn’s Encore Theatre.

Recommendation: If you are a true audiophile, and love vinyl, then you simply must Get this one. Now!

Artist Name: Jules Shear

Album Name: One More Crooked Dance

Label: Funzalo Records

Genre: Pop

Track Listing: 1. Rules of the Game; 2. Painkiller; 3. Be with You; 4. Don’t Remember; 5. Guessing; 6. Looking for Me; 7. The Hunter and the Hunted; 8. A Color that Barely Exists; 9. Oh Marlena; 10. This Flame; 11. Half Hearted Head; 12. When It’s Right; 13. Wrong Again

Publicist: Independent Music Media

Review: If you are a fan of 80’s music, then the name Jules Shear is probably familiar to you, as he wrote Cyndi Lauper’s hit “All Through the Night,” as well as the Bangles’ “If She Knew What She Wants.” He also hosted and co-created the MTV Unplugged series. He recently signed with Funzalo Records and released his firm album of new music in many years. His new music has a very soothing sound, with well-crafted lyrics and simply elegant and jazzy piano accompaniment, with some harmonica thrown in for good measure. Our favorite tracks are “Don’t Remember,” “Guessing,” “A Color That Barely Exists,” “Oh Marlena,” and “Half Hearted Head.”

Recommendation: This one is great for all true music lovers. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Artist Name: Strange Boy

Album Name: Annuniciation

Label: Self-released

Genre: Electronic Ambient

Track Listing: 1. Annunciation; 2. Love the Night; 3. I Won’t say Those Things; 4. Corbusier

Publicist: Practise Music

Review: The vocals stand out as they soar above the simple accompaniment on the first track, “Annunciation,” leaving the listener with a feeling of airiness like a good yoga stretch. The songs are so complexly constructed but fit together so nicely that it is easy to just sit back, relax and let the music take you on an amazing auditory journey. It is hard to believe that this is a debut EP because the sound is that of truly accomplished musicians. It is a bit unusual but no less enjoyable, although it may not have a lot of commercial appeal. Nevertheless, it is a worthy effort.

Recommendation: Give these lads a chance. They deserve it.

Artist Name: Jacquie

Album Name: The Only One

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop/Soul/R&B

Track Listing: 1. Am I the Only One; 2. California Dreaming; 3. Manipulation; 4. The Old Me; 5. For You; 6. What’s a Girl to Do

Publicist: SG PR

Review: You may well remember Jacquie from her appearance on The Voice at the age of 15 where she was mentored by Christina Aguilera. Immediately signed to a major label after the show, she was not ready for the onslaught of the music business. Now 20, she is making a comeback as an indie artist with the release of her new EP. We have featured the music videos for the first two tracks in our Monday Mashup column and are proud to be able to finally review her EP. Needless to say, we were not disappointed. This young artist is one of the rising stars in pop music, and should go far with her soul-tinged pop music. “Am I the Only One” is a powerful pop empowerment song with a stunning music video, as is “California Dreaming” (and no, it’s not a cover). We love how she has taken the painful lessons of the past five years and used them to become stronger and more powerful than she was when she shone on Season 5 of The Voice. Every song is strong, and we expect any one of them would shine on pop radio. This

Recommendation: Don’t think twice. Grab this one now. It’s one of the best of 2017.

“Tall, blond, bodacious and sensual, newcomer Darby Williams commands the stage just as she commands her dynamic vocal range, with artistic creativity and a personal touch not often found today. Signed personally to Roc Cartel by label founder and President Ray De La Garza, Williams captures the essence and the nuances of perhaps the greatest collaborators in jazz history – Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.”

So begins the press release for jazz artist Darby Williams, which was sent to this reviewer by one of his sources, Deborah Radel, publicist and fellow indie music lover. Come to find out Williams had recorded a duet with Grammy and Oscar winner Peabo Bryson, which has been released as a single to highlight Williams’ debut album, Me. With this reviewer’s interest piqued, an interview was set up with Ms. Williams, and here’s how it went:

IV: How did you hook up with Peabo?

DW: My manager, Richard Flanzer and my label, Roc Cartel, set up the duet. We are planning on touring all of my music at some point, but our primary focus is on the duet.

IV: How did the album title come about?

DW: My label chose the title “Me” as I am a new artist who they wanted to introduce to the jazz world in particular.

IV: What makes the duet with Bryson so special?

DW: The duet is very breezy and fun while the remainder of the album is a collection of Ellington ballads. Most people are already familiar with those tunes so they wanted them to see what makes my music unique.

IV: What was your training?

DW: I started singing in church at the age of 3. I always sang together with my her Dad, who loved jazz, so I turned into a jazz girl. We’d get in the car and start singing to Sinatra and others and he’s still singing with me today.

IV: What other jazz or music influenced your style?

DW: The Ellington/Strayhorn swing songs were always my favorites but their ballads were what I loved. They were challenging to perform but such a privilege to get to do them. They are not easy to sing and emotionally impact me very deeply. During the recording process, there were many times I would just burst into tears as the meaning behind the lyrics hit home. This (recording music) is all very new to me and I feel very lucky to have this opportunity.

IV: Why is recording music is so different?

DW: It’s like Alice in Wonderland for me. The whole process is very amazing. I have two great producers, Jason Switeser and Flanzer, who are legends in the industry. I’m being well taken care of and loving every minute of it.

IV: How did the label deal with Roc Cartel come about?

DW: I was introduced to De la Garza (the label owner) through a friend of a friend of my manager. When De la Garza found out I was a singer, he was intrigued. It went from there. It’s kismet for a girl from Salem, Oregon to get this opportunity. I subsequently moved from Salem to Portland but am now considering an apartment in NYC to expand my horizons.

De La Garza had this to say about Williams: “Darby has such a diverse vocal range that her interpretation of these songs makes them relevant and accessible to everyone. We are looking forward to introducing this work to many who are not yet familiar with this legendary music, as well as, to those who hold a deep appreciation for these timeless classics.”

“Darby is a fantastic vocalist with command and range. I’ve sung with the greats and she’s more than holding her own,” added Peabo Bryson.

Williams is currently scheduling her tour to support her album, and hopes to include Europe and Japan on her itinerary. Her album dropped in August.

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