Utah Phillips
In February of 2008, at a musician’s gathering in Maine, folk musicians Dan Schatz, Kendall Morse and Jacqui Morse began talking about a CD to celebrate the life and music of Utah Phillips. Within weeks dozens had joined in, and after Utah’s death the project became a two disc memorial, with some of the world’s most respected folksingers recording songs by and for Utah.
Musicians include Emmylou Harris and Mary Black, Pete Seeger, Rosalie Sorrels, Tom Paxton, Jean Ritchie, John McCutcheon, Magpie, Gordon Bok, Emma's Revolution, Ani DiFranco and many others. Proceeds from the sale of this 2-CD set go to suppot Utah’s family.
"Singing Through The Hard Times - A Tribute To Utah Phillips" is released by Righteous Babe Records March 3, 2009.
Available here.
Vellamo
In Finnish mythology, Vellamo is the goddess of the sea. Based in Vaasa, on the western coast of Finland, the folk duo Vellamo has been delighting European and American audiences since 2008.
Pia Leinonen, originally from the arctic region of Lapland, is Vellamo’s lead singer. Her exquisite voice combines her love and vast knowledge of Finnish folk music with the western singer–songwriter tradition in a unique and beautiful way. Her moving and evocative stylings have been compared to those of other story-centric performers such as Joan Baez and Marlene Dietrich.
Joni Tiala, originally from the Finnish port of Kokkola, began playing guitar at the age of 11. He is now a master of several stringed instruments. His eclectic musical background includes writing and performing for theater, progressive and alternative rock and Finnish and western folk. In addition to his work in Vellamo, Joni is an accomplished theater and session musician, and is founding member of the renowned Finnish progressive rock band, Moonwagon.
Vellamo combines the rich tradition of Finnish folksong with an appealing “retro” sensibility (recalling the likes of Judy Collins or Richard & Mimi Fariña), creating an exotic and magical acoustic experience. Pia and Joni have even been known to sneak in a “Vellamo-ized” Jethro Tull song now and then just to shake things up! A visit to the world of Vellamo is an enchanting, educational and unforgettable musical journey.
Vellamo have just released their 1st album, which was recorded in Vermont, USA. It features 7 original songs, written in both Finnish and English, as well as traditional songs from the Finnish, Swedish and English folk song traditions.
http://vellamoband.wordpress.com
Vic Chesnutt
- The Vic Chesnutt album, and why me and Tommy wanted to do it - By Jonathan Richman -
"My drummer Tommy Larkins and I were driving in the van across the United States as we do two or three times a year on our tours of clubs and I said, 'Y'know, we should produce Vic's next record!'. And he said he thought so too. We both were thinking that the way to get the feeling for Vic as a listener was to hear just Vic - no arrangements, no guest guitar solo guys, no 'ironic' touches or anything else to cloud his voice or his poetry. His guitar playing is also the guitar playing on this recording because we think no help is needed. Tommy and I have toured with Vic several times and he's long been one of our favourites. So we're both proud of this record & glad for the chance to make it our way. A lot of it was brand new stuff, a few hours old or becoming a song right there as he sang".
Vic Chesnutt has recorded with many different people for all kinds of labels, but he's never made an album like his debut on Vapor Records.
Chesnutt's first two releases were produced by REM's Michael Stipe, and from there he was featured in the PBS documentary 'Speed Racer' and his songs were recorded for "Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation". A wide range of artists including Garbage, Madonna, Smashing Pumpkins, REM and Live, all covered Chesnutt originals. He has recorded with groups like Widespread Panic and Lambchop, and musicians as varied as Bill Frisell and Fugazi's Guy Picciotto. Chesnutt recently performed on Cowboy Junkie's "Trinity Revisited", with others and over a dozen different releases of his own.
"Skitter On Take-Off" allows Vic Chesnutt to create his most dramatic album yet; recording devastating songs like 'Rips In The Fabric' and 'Dick Cheney' live with no overdubs. This album becomes a unique addition to his history, and allows the singer-songwriter the chance to collaborate with an important influence. "I'm honoured to work with Jonathan Richman. Over the years he's taken me under his wing and mentored me in a very meaningful way, truly shaping me into the songwriter and performer I am today. And it is an ongoing process". Chesnutt and Richman's work together is one for the ages. "Skitter On Take-Off" features Vic Chesnutt, Jonathan Richman & Tommy Larkins. Produced by Jonathan Richman & Tommy Larkins.
www.vicchesnutt.com
www.vaporrecords.com
www.myspace.com/vicchesnutt
Victor Camozzi.....
A songwriting recluse, Victor Camozzi has emerged once more from the gnarled oaks of the Texas Hill Country to release his second full-length album, "Roadside Paradise".
Three years have passed since his debut album "3 Peso Cigar" went Top 10 on the European Americana Chart, earning strong reviews from critics on both sides of the Atlantic. Like an old drinking buddy you bump into at the bar, Camozzi's "Roadside Paradise" serves up rich and instantly familiar tales, filled with lessons from a life lived hard and laid bare. His songs are thoughtful enough to warrant repeat listens, but catchy enough you can still recall the melody... no matter how much you had to drink.
Though more polished than his first album, “Roadside Paradise” bears similar sonic testimony to the journey that led him here. Born in Texas but raised in the wilds of Idaho, Camozzi spent a handful of lost years on the coast of California before finally making a staggering return to the Honky Tonk motherland of Austin. Each stop seems to have lodged a musical burr in his style, windblown seeds that take turns blossoming in different songs.
What never changes is the dusty honesty and whiskey soaked truth of the lyrics. Like his heroes Guy Clark and Kris Kristofferson before him, Camozzi was well into his 30's before beginning his recording career. Having lived past the age of youthful posturing, it’s inescapable lessons of real life, earthly failure and frustrations, and the humor it takes the get through which echo in Camozzi’s craft. And it’s these same things which resonate with the listener. Camozzi’s songs become a friend for the journey. A commiserating compatriot for every pit stop.
Work has reportedly already begun on the next album. And with any luck, it will be completed faster than the leisurely pace between the first two. There are even whispers of an upcoming European tour. Will it happen? “Depends”, replies Camozzi. Depends on what? “Well… that depends too”. It’s a typically enigmatic reply from this wily Texan. But whatever Victor Camozzi’s next move, you can count on one thing. It will ring true.
Victoria Vox
"We spend a lot of time in search of keys. Maybe it's the key to success... to happiness... or to someone's heart. As I searched for the right key, I found keys to songs, which opened the door to my own heart. I entered into a year of songwriting ("The 52 Original Song Project") where I unlocked my senses in order to create. I let music in and out. This collection of songs was chosen by producer, Geoff Stanfield and me. Each song holds a special place in my heart. This is simply a record of the time. Thank you for supporting my quest to grow, evolve, learn inspire and be inspired." ~ Victoria Vox
Vince Melamed
Vince Melamed has covered a lot of territory as a sideman and session player throughout his illustrious career. Now this world-class musician has finally settled in to record and release his debut solo album, 'WHAT MATTERS MOST', on Adroit Records.
Vince grew up in Los Angeles, and caught the show business bug at an early age. He formed a band at 14, and signed a record deal at the tender age of 16. His band, the Mugwumps, played every love-in and Sunset Strip-club in L.A., as well as appearing in and providing music for some low budget teen flicks.
But after a short-lived brush with success, Melamed decided to enter music school at CSUN Northridge. After graduating from college, where he co-hosted a radio show, Vince was back on the road as a sideman for Danny O’Keefe, then continuing on with Bobby Womack, David Ruffin, JD Souther, The Eagles, Rita Coolidge, Karla Bonoff, Glen Frey, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Dylan, Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and Dan Fogelberg.
"I had been writing in L.A. whenever I was off the road and enjoyed some success," says Melamed, who during that time had cuts with Cher, Tina Turner and Phoebe Snow.
"I originally came to Nashville to work with Rosanne Cash, and that’s when I began to write music seriously, and was fortunate to find a niche in this community of highly supportive and creative music people," recalls Vince about his decision to relocate. So in 1986, he packed up everything and moved to 'Music City'.
Success soon followed with a flood of songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood ('Walkaway Joe'), John Anderson ('Hillbilly Hollywood'), Jill Sobule ('Too Cool to Fall in Love'), Boy Howdy ('She'd Give Anything'), Restless Heart ('Tell Me What You Dream'), Ty Herndon ('What Mattered Most'), Gerald Levert ('I'd Give Anything'), Jimmy Buffett ('Souvenirs') and most recently, Phil Vassar ('I'll Take That as a Yes').
Vince is also is a founding member of the MCA Records’ group Run C&W.
Now, Melamed's newest effort, 'WHAT MATTERS MOST', includes some of his country hits, but with a different twist. "I'm basically a rock 'n' roll guy, and Jim Tract (the CD’s producer) at Adroit gets that," Vince says. "Jim brought in some great musicians for the sessions. The result is a CD that is infused with an alternative sound that is contemporary and dynamic and includes some of Melamed’s favorite compositions that have yet to make it to the radio.
www.adroitrecords.com
www.vincemelamed.com
www.myspace.com/adroitrecords
www.myspace.com/vincemelamed
Viva Voce
Vanguard Records is excited to announce the signing of alternative indie rockers, Viva Voce - also known as – Kevin and Anita Robinson - and the release of their label debut, “The Future Will Destroy You” on June 21st, 2011. All songs on this new recording were written, produced and mixed by the Portland, OR, duo in their home studio.
“Viva Voce will continue to record, produce albums and tour until a force majeure keeps us from doing so. It is our great joy to now finally be on a label that has a history and lineage to match. We're lifers and it feels good to finally be at home”, states Kevin Robinson.
Known for their hazy atmospherics and soaring guitars, the 10 tracks on “The Future Will Destroy You”, represent some of Viva Voce’s strongest songwriting and musicianship to date. ”The Future Will Destroy You” marks Viva Voce’s 5th recording overall. Kevin and Anita Robinson previously worked with Vanguard when they recorded under the moniker ‘Blue Giant’, featuring Chris Funk (Decemberists), Evan Railton (Swords) and Seth Lorinczi (Golden Bears) in 2010.
www.vivavoce.com
www.vanguardrecords.com/publicity
Wallis Bird
“The sheer visceral energy of Wallis Bird could kick-start an entire economy” ~ The Irish Times
Wallis Bird is wild. Wallis Bird is unpredictable. And she is contradictory. The best way to sum-up an artist who combines so many different styles is with the person themselves - hence the reason for self-titling her new upcoming album.
A musical magpie whose mature, self-affirming songs display an unusual emotional breadth, Wallis defies categorization. The Irish artist has paid her dues, shredding her fingers and breaking string after string from the sheer force of playing on stages small and large across Europe, and throwing her entire soul into each performance with a level of energy that makes her an unassailable force of nature.
Wallis Bird cannot - and should not - be pigeonholed easily. Capable of the delicate, gossamer-thin ballads that her tiny 5ft2 frame would suggest, she can also summon up a whirlwind of passion and rage in the blink of an eye. Her performances can transition seamlessly from the defiant anthems that can motivate thousands of festival-goers into a rousing sing-a-long, to the most hushed and fragile ballads that can captivate an audience into a spellbound silence. Wherever you may find Wallis, she stands out as a contradictory, powerful presence, one that can unite audiences anywhere she plays.
”Wallis Bird” was written and recorded in three places that, while geographically separate, were all deliberately chosen to impose their unique atmospheres onto the songs. From the communist broadcasting station in Berlin of the former GDR where the government broadcast its propaganda until the Berlin wall came down; to an isolated ghost ridden cottage on a godforsaken cliff edge in Ireland during the worst snowstorms in thirty years; to her own flat in Brixton, South London against a backdrop of screaming sirens and looting as the London riots threatened to overrun the city. The result is a record that strives to makes sense of the chaos around us all.
A double Meteor Award winner in her native Ireland, Wallis Bird’s new album is her third and follows her debut ‘Spoons’ and 2009’s ‘New Boots’, both of which saw her garner critical acclaim and tour with the likes of Billy Bragg, Gabrielle, The Feeling & Rodrigo y Gabriela. Bird has also played some of Europe’s biggest festivals, with her recent appearance at Paris’ Rock En Seine Festival prompting one of France’s biggest daily papers, 'Le Monde', to hail her performance as one of the highlights of the festival alongside Arcade Fire. An exceptional guitarist, her unique playing style only adds to the intrigue of her performances. Following a childhood accident which permanently damaged her left hand, Bird learned to play her instrument flipped back to front, thus having to create her own bafflingly complex chord fingerings, much to the bewilderment of any musicians in the audience.
The new album ‘Wallis Bird’ marks another progression, a record deliberately self-titled to mark it out as the defining statement of her career so far. So the confident strut that opens the first single ‘Encore’ nestles alongside the astonishing vitriol of ‘Who’s Listening Now’, the folky pledge of ‘In Dictum’ and the almost carefree ‘Heartbeating City’ – all disparate musical elements that go towards creating the whole that is Wallis Bird as a songwriter. The intimacy of the recordings captures the sound and smell of an acoustic guitar being pushed to its physical limits, the sense of a packed-out local bar being conducted in time and in thrall to the energetic, captivating presence who marshals every element.
This is Wallis Bird, an unpredictable artist who chooses her own path and beckons us to follow.
www.wallisbird.com
www.karakter-worldwide.com
Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros
San Antonio-born Walt Wilkins has been called a genius, more than once, and a writer the caliber of John Steinbeck and his voice as comfortable as a pair of old blue jeans, and he is, and has, all of that. His crafting of story-songs, hard-edged vocals to sing them and a plaintive guitar have made him a fixture of the Texas music scene (and Nashville before that). He’s put his magical touch on recordings by new and veteran artists, too many to count.
With The Mystiqueros, Wilkins has created something of a “Texas Hill Country super-group” that features five great singers and four great songwriters from the heart of the Lone Star State, all of whom have made their own records and are flush with recording credits.
Onstage and in the studio, Wilkins is joined by Bill Small (bass, percussion, acoustic guitar), John M. Greenberg (electric guitars), Ramon Rodriguez (drums, percussion) and Marcus Eldridge (electric guitars). Live performances around Texas are being likened to both outlaw country and classic rock bands, and they’re captured on DIAMONDS IN THE SUN, released July 24 by Palo Duro Records.
Wilkins says this is the most fun he’s ever had playing music in a band in 30 years. He describes the music of The Mystiqueros (nicknamed mq5) as highly reminiscent of ’70s country rock from Texas and the West Coast and blues and soul that members grew up listening to and features high-quality songwriting and musicianship, rhythm, and vocal arrangements.
Small, who wrote and sings the new album’s title track, “Diamonds in the Sun,” was born and raised in New Jersey, and lived and worked in New York City, Boston and Nashville before Austin. He had played with both Eldridge and Greenberg and had done a gig with Wilkins. “So we all knew each other,” he says, “and once we all got on stage together, it became obvious that it was the thing to do.”
Greenberg, a busy first-call guitarist, singer and producer around the Hill Country with four solo records, was born and raised in Oklahoma. He contributed the song “Red River Blues” to the album and describes The Mystiqueros as “the band every kid wanted to be in” back in the ’70s music world of rock ’n’ roll, country & R&B: “You were generally partial to one, and I was a rocker. But that’s the coolest part of being a Mystiquero! There are all three elements on this record, and that’s why it was plausible to put a rockin’ song like ‘Red River Blues’ on the same album next to a great country song about Hank Williams.”
Eldridge, a well-respected guitarist in Texas born in Tomball who’s made two soulful solo records, put his clear tenor voice to Wilkins’ “All These Memories” for DIAMONDS. He believes playing in The Mystiqueros is a rare opportunity. “There are no more bands like this left on the planet. … We all do what we do, bring it and blend it with the other talents in the band,” he says. “This kind of a thing is not planned, it just happens.”
Rodriguez, who grew up in Brownfield and has worked with several young Texas bands and artists, sang back-up on “Big Shiny Cars” and a small part on “Honky Tonk Road” on the album. He calls the band “a powerhouse” and the record a timeless thing, modern but with a vintage feeling. As the youngest member of the band, he jokes that he can still cut his own meat and that he pushes the others with his grooves and his beat to stay up late. “We have fun on the road,” he says. “It shows in our shows.”
For Wilkins — from his first musical influences as an Air Force brat, to his first band at age 15 to writing his first song (homesick while studying in the seminary) to playing own songs and writing in Nashville to his first album and producing others’ — The Mystiqueros might just be about coming home, at last.
Walter Rootsie & His Blue Connection
Saying that Walter “Rootsie” Hopmans is an old southern boy is technically correct. He was born in 1962 in Goes-South, a small town on one of the isles in the south west of Holland.
He started young in music and after roaming Spain and Finland he played from 1993 till 2001 in the well known Dutch rock formation “Geronimo”, from Amsterdam. From then on he started to write his own songs. In the meantime he kept his Finnish connections and played with many different bands and artists throughout Finland.
In 2003 Walter formed his first own band in Finland named “The Backboners”, that was later renamed “The Blue Connection”. In 2007 the debut album “Get Up And Go” was released. This album contained only original songs written by Walter. The album was followed up with successful tours in Holland and Scandinavia. After that Walter experienced some health problems that had an impact on his music career but the recovery process gave this singer-songwriter inspiration to write new songs. He started to play solo gigs in Holland and in Finland again with his Finnish band the Blue Connection. Just released is the new CD called “Dark Water”. He and the band members travel on a regular basis between Holland an Finland to play their music for mostly Dutch and Finnish audiences.
Wanda Jackson
“She’s like my rockabilly Etta James. I love her, she’s so brilliant. I don’t think ‘Rollin’ In The Deep’ would exist if it wasn’t for Wanda Jackson” ~ Adele
“Wanda Jackson, an atomic fireball of a lady, could have a smash hit with just about anything” ~ Bob Dylan
“There’s an authenticity in her voice that conjures up a world and a very distinct and particular place in time. It’s not something that can be developed” ~ Bruce Springsteen
'Unfinished Business', the new album from legendary singer Wanda Jackson, will be released October 9th, 2012, on Sugar Hill Records. This is Jackson’s 31st studio album and marks the producing debut of fellow renowned musician and songwriter Justin Townes Earle. Of working with Earle, Jackson comments, “From day one I really liked Justin’s idea to take me back to my roots and make a record of country, blues and rockabilly songs. The band was extra tight and great to work with during the whole process. The record just sounds terrific and I’m hoping that my fans enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it”.
'Unfinished Business' continues Jackson’s unparalleled five-and-a-half decades of influential and groundbreaking music making. Recorded in Nashville at House of David Studios in early 2012, the 10-song album features renditions of “California Stars” (Woody Guthrie, Jay Bennett, Jeff Tweedy), “Pushover” (Billy Davis and Tony Clarke), “It’s All Over Now” (Bobby and Shirley Jean Womack) as well as a duet with Earle on “Am I Even A Memory” (Greg Garing).
The new album follows Jackson’s 2011 Jack White-produced 'The Party Ain’t Over', which received both widespread critical and commercial acclaim. Of the record, NPR Music raved “At 73, she still exudes a youthful sound and spirit, and decorates her unique voice with an effortlessly deep and gravelly swoop at the most unexpected times”, while The New York Times noted Jackson “still sounds fantastic, and her gnarled, feisty vocals are a good fit with Mr. White’s scrappy production”. Moreover, the album found Jackson enjoying her first ever charting on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at #58. Jack White declared “Jackson is influential to every modern female singer, whether they know about her or not. She broke down those walls in the beginning, when it was the hardest to do”.
After performing to sold-out audiences across the country last year, including a 10-city tour supporting Adele, Jackson embarks on a series of performances this fall, including a special show at New York’s Highline Ballroom on October 12. Critically praised for her recent live shows, The Los Angeles Times claims “…she’s still fired up with power and sass”, while the Minneapolis Star Tribune adds “Holy moly, what a powerhouse. This tiny woman in red fringe and jet black hair can still sing with the same power and pizazz of the girl a quarter her age. Her voice still shifts effortlessly from warbly to scratchy to clear as a bell, and still has that girly then sultry then girly then again sultry quality about it”.
www.wandajackson.com
http://publicity.sugarhillrecords.com
Watermelon Slim
"Watermelon Slim incarnates the deepest and truest roots of American music. Combine Jimmy Rodgers, the Carter family & Bob Wills with Blind Lemon, Sonny Boy Williamson and Wilson Picket - and you have Slim - a one-of-a-kind pickin'n'singin Okie dynamo."
- Jerry Wexler, legendary producer -
Bill Homans, a.k.a 'Watermelon Slim' has a storied past from which he draws experience and fodder for the fourteen tracks on his latest release The Wheel Man on NorthernBlues Music.
Watermelon Slim first appeared on the music scene in the early 1970s as the only Vietnam veteran to record a full length LP album during the Vietnam war, a 1973 protest-tinged "underground" release entitled Merry Airbrakes.
In the subsequent years his original material has been reissued and performed by anti-establishment icons such as Country Joe McDonald. He developed friendships and musical bonds with Barbara Dane, roommate Henry 'Sunflower' Vestine of Canned Heat, and his dear fishing buddy, seminal Chicago blues harp plyer 'Earring George' Mayweather.
In his 30 years of music he has played with Vestine, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, the late John Lee Hooker, in Paris with expatriate New Orleans barrel-house piano player Champion Jack Dupree, Boston's leading blues guitarist and producer Chris Stovall Brown, and most recently with Muddy Waters' guitarist 'Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin.
But not until recently did he fully chase the dream.
Less than six months after leaving his most latest truckdriviing job, hauling industrial waste, Slim is now making a living as a full time touring bluesman. The decision was predominantly the result of a recent and nearly fatal heart attack, and the renewed perspective on mortality that followed.
Logically, why drive industrial waste around Oklahoma to dispose of when one can drive bandmates around the United States to play music and entertain? Pleasingly, the blues community has officially recognized him as one of the best contemporary blues artists with a nomination for a 2005 W.C. Handy Award for Best New Artist Debut.
Watermelon Slim & The Workers received 6 Blues Music Award nominations in 2006 and Slim was inducted into the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame on May 26th, 2007.
"The Wheel Man" available here:
www.rootsy.nu
Waz E James
Calling it his "2nd home", legendary country rock guitarist and former leader of The Flying Burrito Brothers, John Beland, returned to Australia in September 2011 to record and produce the Waz E James Band. This marks John's first return to Australia in 8 years.
For over three decades John has shuttled between Australia and the USA, producing and recording behind many Oz country artists such as Bec Willis, Michael, King, Kel-Anne Brandt, Marg Manfield, Shayne Parley, Michael O'Rourke, Chris Webbe, Diana Woods, Lee Conway and Brian Cadd.
Besides his long recording history in Australia, John has also toured the country extensively as a solo artist,and with his band the Flying Burrito Brothers. He's also hosted several songwriting workshops, as well as guitar clinics throughout the coastal region.
John's credits are truly amazing, having recorded and written for such major stars as Kris Kristofferson, Linda Ronstadt, Ricky Nelson, Dolly Parton, Kim Carnes, Bobby Bare, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, the Bellamy Brothers, Brian Cadd and many, many more.
Says John, "Waz and the boys have a style of music that's right up my alley. They remind me of all the great singer songwriter artists that sprang out of LA in the early 70's, such as Little Feat, The Burritos, Ry Cooder etc. I'm very excited about this project, and to be returning to a country I truly love."
www.waz.com.au
http://gravelroadrecords.com.au
Wendy Flower
Creating a follow-up to a masterpiece can be daunting.
Iconic singer-songwriter Wendy Flower has made a triumphant return with “New”, her first new pop album since 1969’s Wendy & Bonnie folk-rock-psych-jazz cult classic “Genesis”.
Flower’s diverse sonic canvas spans her epic, mini-symphonies, “Cinders”, “Skyways”, ”Flaws” and “Child’s Play”, the poignant Americana of “Faded Rose”, the jazzy, breezy “WInd Chimes”, the sunshine pop of “The Corner”, the heavenly vocal blending on “One Last Dream”, the continental, flamenco sound of “Jamais Toujours”, the nostalgic “Ferris Wheel”, and the haunting folk-rocker “Kindness of Strangers”. The album contains a bonus track, the classic rock-sounding “Long Night”, as well as a never-before-heard Wendy & Bonnie snippet. “New” was well worth the wait.
Wendy herself created the intricate, multilayered harmonies for this 2013 release. Many talents helped with the project. A gifted producer, Adam Rossi (Luce, Megan Slankard) teamed with Wendy to bring the work to fruition. The album’s musicians included Gawain Mathews, lead guitar (Mickey Hart Band, Ben Lee); Ezra Lipp, drums and percussion (Sean Hayes, Huckle); Paul Olguin, electric and acoustic bass (Mary Wells, Bob Weir, Mazzy Star), Savannah Jo Lack, electric and acoustic violin (Alanis Morissette, Rod Stewart), Joe Cohen, saxophone, clarinet (Thomas Dolby) and Paul Freeman, acoustic guitar (romper), who wrote several of the songs. The rest were penned by Wendy, who played keyboards, as did Rossi.
As a teen, Wendy became lead vocalist of the promising Bay Area band rock band Crystal Fountain. Then, with her sister Bonnie, she recorded the now classic “Genesis” album, produced by jazz great Gary McFarland. Session players included Larry Carlton, Jim Keltner and Mike Melvoin. Though it was garnering interest from radio, TV and press, the album quickly disappeared, due to the bankruptcy of the label, Skye Records.
Wendy subsequently sang with numerous other Bay Area bands. With sister Bonnie, she recorded jingles and added vocals on sessions with prominent artists, such as Cal Tjader.
Wendy earned her childhood education degree and taught music. She wrote and recorded children’s music, including the animal rights-related “My Pet Songs” and the album “Flower Power”, which communicates the sounds and messages of the 60's to young listeners.
Meanwhile, “Genesis” had become a cult favorite. Interest from such artists as Stereolab and Broadcast, as well as such producers as Irwin Chusid and Mike Alway led to the album’s release on CD via the Sundazed label. It earned rave reviews from North American, UK, European and Japanese critics, as well as continuous global airplay.
The innovative Welsh band Super Furry Animals chose a sample from “By The Sea”, one of the beloved songs from “Genesis”, to open their “Phantom Power” CD. While playing San Francisco’s legendary Fillmore Theatre in 2003, they invited Wendy to join them on stage. She performed a duet of the band’s “Hello Sunshine” with front man Gruff Rhys to a standing, cheering, full house. SFA included the rehearsal of that number in their DVD documentary “American Sasquatch”. She sang with the band in following years at New York City’s The Tonic and London’s ICA. More recently Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab, Monade), covered the Wendy & Bonnie classic “By The Sea”.
In June 2007, at Andy Votel’s invitation, Wendy traveled to England and was warmly received as the closing act at the UK’s Llama Festival. Wendy then played the Meltdown Festival, which was curated by Jarvis Cocker. Sean O’Hagan and the High Llamas backed her at that show, where she was featured as one of the “Lost Ladies of Folk,” along with Susan Christie and Bonnie Dobson.
Now Wendy is revealing another world of harmonious wonders with “New”.
Wendy Waldman
Wendy Waldman is a critically acclaimed recording artist, as well as a writer of multi-platinum songs for other singers in musical genres ranging from country to pop, film, jazz, children's music and R&B. She is one of the first woman record producers to have a major impact in the music industry. Wendy Waldman's career in the music business started with her band, Bryndle, in the early 1970s in Los Angeles. Bryndle was made up of Wendy Waldman and her friends Karla Bonoff, Kenny Edwards, and Andrew Gold.
Waldman's solo career had an auspicious beginning. The first Wendy Waldman album, "Love Has Got Me," was released by Warner Bros. Records in 1973 and proclaimed by Rolling Stone Magazine to be the "singer-songwriter debut of the year." She has made eight critically acclaimed solo albums and toured extensively as well. In 1996, a "best of" collection was released on Warner Brothers, followed by the reissue of all of the Warner albums in 2005.
More than 70 other artists have recorded her songs in fields as diverse as pop, R&B, jazz, country, film, Latin and cowboy music. Among her biggest records are "Save The Best For Last" and "The Sweetest Days" by Vanessa Williams; "Fishin' In The Dark" and "Home Again In My Heart" by the Dirt Band; "Baby What About You" by Crystal Gayle; "I Owe You One" by Aaron Neville; "Heartbeat" by Don Johnson, "I'm Gone" by Alison Krauss, and most recently, "Fishin in the Dark," released on Garth Brooks' new box set.
Her songs have also been recorded by Maria Muldaur, Robert Smith of the Cure, Linda Ronstadt, Kim Carnes, CeCe Winans, NewGrass Revival, Randy Travis, Randy Meisner, Edgar Winter, Jesse Colin Young, Percy Sledge, Kenny Rogers, Judy Collins, Melissa Manchester, Rita Coolidge and Bette Midler to name just a few. Waldman became the first woman to produce country music extensively and was responsible for Susy Bogguss' award-winning debut album, as well as projects for the Forester Sisters, Jonathan Edwards, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Matraca Berg and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
Waldman produced the last New Grass Revival album, "Friday Night in America," considered a tour de force in the acoustic music world. In recent years she has focused on producing independent artists, among them Ronny Cox, Brian Joseph, John Cowan, Arthur Lee Land, Anna Wolfe, Katy Moffatt and Rosie Flores, and has coproduced all three of the Bryndle cds which have been recorded since 1995. The most recent project is a live acoustic album for the Los Angeles based rock band Hypnogaja, and she is currently in the studio with the legendary folk/jazz artists Artie Traum. After many years, a new Wendy Waldman cd is finished and will be released in the summer of 2006.
Waldman is the only female musician in the Taylor Guitars clinician program and is in demand for her songwriting workshops/performances. She also tours extensively as a solo artist and in combination with other friends, all across the country and in all kinds of venues.
As a true veteran of the music industry, Wendy Waldman imparts a sense of great joy and passion about all aspects of music making.
Wes Charlton
Upon visiting Nashville, TN, to perform at the A.M.C., Wes Charlton decided not to leave and has thus resided there ever since. He tours regularly and will release his full length follow up to his debut, "American Bittersweet", on Judy Collins' Wildflower Records in January 2009.
The new album is titled "World On Fire" and is already being compared to such works as Neil Young's "Tonight's The Night", Tom Wait's "Rain Dogs" and mid-60's Bob Dylan. Jerry Jodice of 'The Great American Music Hour' says, "It's refreshing to hear music that's great in and of itself, not because of any hype... It's quickly becoming my current favorite!"
"World On Fire" available here.
www.wescharlton.com
www.myspace.com/wescharlton
www.wildflowerrecords.com
West Of Eden
For a decade West of Eden has thrilled audiences with their unique Celtic folkrock. The highest of songwriting standards combined with the extraordinary voice of singer Jenny Schaub has earned them a solid reputation amongst critics around the globe.
The band has become accustomed to being called "Simply phenomenal" (Rock ‘N’ Reel). "Masters of their genre" (U.N.T.) and "the best living example of the folk rock genre in action" (Irish Music Magazine).
"Safe Crossing" is the band’s 7th album, and their finest offering yet. It features 13 strong, carefully crafted songs that carry stories about people and shipwrecks outside Cornwall and around the Scilly Islands.
The album was recorded on location at Sawmills Studio (Robert Plant, Oasis and many more) and features guest performances by Irish flute player Steph Geremia, Swedish singer-songwriter Christian Kjellvander and The Celtic Brass Quartet.
On "Safe Crossing" West of Eden delivers a broad palette of Celtic music that echoes of their love for everything from traditional tunes to contemporary folk. But make no mistake - Whether intimate acoustic storytelling, traditional tunes or catchy uplifting folk rock, West of Eden has a unique and soulful sound of their own.
Swedish by birth they may be, but in heart and soul they are definitely Celtic!
www.westofeden.com
www.facebook.com/westofeden
The Whats
Unlike most two piece bands who feel the need to play more to make up for their lack of personnel, THE WHATS keep the music minimal, tight, economical and punchy, veering sharply towards the "less is more" philosophy. 
Simple repetitive rhythms and melodies dominate, two minute two chord songs, no drum fills, clean dry recordings.
The lack of bass and / or any other instrumentation except for a very sparsely used keyboard may deter a few, but THE WHATS carry on with a minimalist principle and a punk rock foundation paying homage to bands like The Clash.
Tim, vocalist and guitarist, fails to reserve his honest and deliberate vocal approach. The melodies clearly stem from a lifetime of running home from school with worn-out Chuck Taylors and an unwashed Sex Pistols t-shirt to listen to old punk and indie music through oversized headphones. The lyrics spill out naturally and sometimes rushed, showing that Tim may have more to say than he has time to do so.
Dean's drum approach mirrors the band’s general mindset - less is more. As the son of an eclectic drummer, he lets a variety of genres seep in during the songwriting process. The amalgamation of the two create a standard that is far too often overlooked in today's music world- three-chord rock can still make for a sound deemed worthy of rock’n’roll.
The title of their debut album, ‘All Mouth, No Trousers’, may be all too sarcastic. The band plays with less of a 'no action' mentality and instead substitutes it for a 'shut up and play' attitude that can still reach out to a crowd of new teenagers, still wearing Chucks, still keeping music a secret in their bedroom, still walking, breathing, and rocking out to the music that might just save the world, one disgruntled teenager at a time.
Whitehorse
"Smokin' hot" ~ Ron Sexsmith
Six Shooter Records' Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet tie the musical knot with the debut of their new band, Whitehorse, marrying their talent and chemistry on stage as an undeniably smoldering duo.
Individually, they have been recognized with awards and nominations from the Juno Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards, the Hamilton Music Awards, the Independent Music Awards and the Polaris Prize.
Gutsy and resolute in their pursuits of sound and substance, Luke and Melissa's fusion of the personal and professional brings to mind the road-tested romance of Johnny and June.
Whitehorse breaks headlong and heartstrong in pursuit of it all, cards on the table, everything on the line. Whitehorse figures the odds the way travelers count miles, undaunted by twists and turns of luck and road, so let dice and wheel roll.
www.sixshooterrecords.com
www.sixshooterrecords.com/whitehorse
Will Hoge
On January 26, 2010, venerated songwriter Will Hoge steps to the fore with 'The Wreckage,' (Rykodisc/ADA), his most impassioned album of rugged and powerful rock and roll to date. The new album, Hoge's first since 2007's acclaimed 'Draw the Curtains,' features eleven new songs of heartfelt choruses and raw, emotive power that curse life's wrong turns and celebrate its triumphs.
Recorded at Nashville's Sound Emporium with producers Ken Coomer (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo) and Charlie Brocco (George Harrison) and mixed by Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash), the new album was crafted with a depth of sound and musicality that undeniably breaks new ground for Hoge.
Routinely performing 200 + dates per year, Hoge was temporarily sidelined by a serious traffic accident in 2008 on his way home from a recording session. After spending several months recuperating, he completed the album and recently returned to the stage with a string of sold out hometown shows in Nashville.
Will Hoge will return to Europe in January 2010 for a number of live dates to promote the album.
www.willhoge.com
www.myspace.com/willhoge
Winterbloom
Singer-songwriters Antje Duvekot, Anne Heaton, Meg Hutchinson and Natalia Zukerman have come together to present a new holiday album (8-song CDEP) and live show, tailored for the winter season. It is called "Winterbloom: Traditions Rearranged" and celebrates the best parts of collaboration.....
www.winterbloom.com
www.anneheaton.com
www.antjeduvekot.com
www.meghutchinson.com
www.nataliazukerman.com
Wyckham Porteous
West Coast artist Wyckham Porteous has recorded a new album for Cordova Bay Records that was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham last winter in Vancouver.
Oldham left school at sixteen to work for fashion designer Mary Quant; became a publicist who helped Brian Epstein promote the Beatles in their early days; and helmed the Rolling Stones' rise to glory as their manager. He spends part of his time each year split between Vancouver, British Columbia and Bogota, Colombia.
Porteous, born in Victoria, British Columbia, schooled in Nanaimo and lives in Vancouver but has been a world traveller supporting previous albums that have been released in the US, UK, Canada, Italy, The Netherlands and Germany. Previous releases have reached the Top Ten on the Gavin Report's "Americana" chart and the video for the title track of his last release was in the National Canadian Bravo Top Ten list for 20 weeks.
In theatre, Wyckham has received back to back Jesse nominations for "Outstanding Sound Design" and "Original Composition".
He and Oldham have created a quiet, comfortable record that mostly features Wyckham's original tunes. However, Oldham remembered his early days in the business when he worked for The Beatles and felt this album should include a cover of "Please, Please Me", but recorded as it was meant to be when it was written. Originally it was a tribute to Ray Orbison and copied his slow and methodical way. George Martin requested that the tempo be upped considerably for The Beatles released version.
Playing a hunch, the track was previewed on two BBC Radio 1 programs in late winter generating a tremendous response from listeners. With just 3 spins each on two shows over 500 emails were generated demanding that the track be released for sale to the public. With the album completed, titled "3 AM", it will be scheduled for release shortly.
www.wyckhamporteous.org
www.cordovabay.com
Zachary Richard
Militant environmentalist and cultural activist, poet and singer-songwriter Zachary Richard’s roots are deeply planted in his native Louisiana. Inspired by the various styles of the region, his songs go beyond the limitations of any particular genre. Zachary’s style is uniquely his own.
Zachary received his first recording contract at the age of 21. He was the last artist to sign with Elektra records before the creation of WEA. That album, 'High Time', was lost in the maelstrom surrounding the merger and was not released until early 2000, when the original masters were found in a vault in New York City and made available on Rhino Handmade.
It was during his early days in New York that Zachary made a discovery that would influence his art and effect the rest of his life. With the advance money from the record company, he purchased a Cajun accordion. From that moment on, he was swept up by the French language culture of Louisiana. Delving into the Cajun tradition, Zachary formed the first new generation Cajun-Rock band. It would be years, however, before Cajun music became popular outside of rural Louisiana. In the meantime, Zachary career led him to Canada and France.
From 1976 until 1981, Zachary lived in Montreal, recording seven French language albums including two gold albums, 'Mardi Gras' and 'Migration'.
Despite critical and commercial success in the French-speaking world, Zachary returned to Louisiana in the early 80's and began another phase of his career, this time recording in English. He recorded two albums for Rounder Records, 'Mardi Gras Mambo' and the perennial favorite 'Zack’s Bon Ton', before signing with A&M, and recording two albums for the label, 'Women In The Room, and 'Snake Bite Love'. Non-stop touring and the strength of these recordings guaranteed Zachary an international following.
In 1994, after and extended absence from the French market, Zachary returned to Canada to play at the Acadian World Congress in New Brunswick. Passionately inspired by his heritage once again, Zachary began a new collection of French songs.The result was 'Cap Enragé'.This double platinum (Canada) album established Zachary Richard as one of the foremost singer-songwriters in the French-speaking world. Once again Zachary had broken the mold, weaving a musical tapestry rich in atmosphere, with masterfully crafted lyrics dealing with far ranging themes.
The celebrated Creole poet, Aimé Césaire, once said that to separate himself from one of his languages (French and Créole) would be like cutting off one of his hands. It is much the same for Zachary. Participating completely in two distinct cultures and creating in his two languages, Zachary’s artistic experience is unique. He is the most American of French songwriters, and the most French of the American.
New album "Le Fou" just released.
www.zacharyrichard.com
twitter.com/ZacharyOfficiel
Utah Phillips
Vellamo
Vic Chesnutt
Victor Camozzi
Victoria Vox
Vince Melamed
Viva Voce
Wallis Bird
Walt Wilkins
Walter Rootsie
Wanda Jackson
Watermelon Slim
Waz E James
Wendy Flower
Wendy Waldman
Wes Charlton
West Of Eden
Whats
Whitehorse
Will Hoge
Winterbloom
Wyckham Porteous
Zachary Richard
