WFUV

The Lone Bellow – Debut Album

Listening to my “OLD FAITHFUL” radio station 90.7 WFUV one autumn afternoon, a voice came through the speakers of my car. I said to myself, “Is this some sort of compilation featuring Steven Tyler?” I listened hard and still couldn’t figure out and reached for my Shazam app for assistance. THE LONE BELLOW – YOU DON”T LOVE ME LIKE YOU USED TO.

After a little research, it turns out that Steven Tyler has nothing to do with THE LONE BELLOW. The group is actually from Brooklyn, NY who formed after the lead singer Zach Williams, wife suffered temporary paralysis. He learned to play the guitar and discovered that his vocal range was extraordinary and began to pursue his career. THE LONE BELLOW now consists of Brian Elmquist on Guitar and Vocals, and Kanene Donehey Pipkin on mandolin and vocals.
The harmonies created by the group are clean and cut. Replicating the sound of a fine trained choir while beckoning the American Folk Rock genre. To have such a clean sound with this genre really makes THE LONE BELLOW stand out with the best.
In their opening track “Green Eyes And A Heart Of Gold”, they set the mood with a train like enthusiasm of getting up and going. He keeps his lyrics simple but not boring. Where some groups simply repeat their chorus, verse or bridge (middle 8), Zach Williams recreates it. During the first half of this track, he has a sub chorus / verse that starts of as “We’re Broke in NYC…”. It is sung simply with the standard melody of the song, and then in the last half of the track he breaks it out again but almost as a bridge, where you can’t even distinguish that the two sections are one in the same aside from the lyrics being identical.

Probably my favorite, and I think their first single is “Bleeding Out”. Harnessing the power of the three to create a beautiful trio of harmony, in a Vienese Waltz, while having a more rock edge with a folk sound. The literal beating of the drums lets you feel the emotional beating that Williams experienced while his wife was suffering. I imagine him walking down the streets with the weight of the world on his shoulders expressing
All the buildings, they lean and they smile down on us
And they shout from their roof tops, words we can’t trust
Like you’re dead, you are tired
You’re ruined, you’re dust
Oh you will amount to nothing, like tanks full of rust
But we scream back at them
From below on the street
All in unison we sing, at times, been redeemed
We are all of the beauty, that has not been seen
We are full of the color, that’s never been dreamed
Well, nothing we need ever dies, yeah

The group is full of passion, harmony and simplicity. THE LONE BELLOW is on the radar to be one of those break out groups and with a little bit more promotion, touring and street cred, this group has the potential to share the spot light with groups like Mumford and Sons and The Punch Brothers. Tomorrow night the debut their first show at Carnegie Hall. So if you’re in the area, I’d grab tickets and get the full LONE BELLOW EXPERIENCE.

Album Review: The Mavericks – In Time

by Pamela Gordon

The first time I heard The Mavericks I was sitting in my car listening to my favorite radio station WFUV, and couldn’t believe my ears. It was a hybrid of sounds, that was joyously complex, melting both the old and the

new, and the “North” and the “South”.

After a seven-year stretch of no music, The Mavericks have ironically come back with the album “In Time”. It truly was only time that changed since their last album, maintaining their original and unique sound that can only be descried as The Mavericks. Raul Malo’s vocals exudes sex and desire, track after track with his Elvis and Ray Orbison like sound. With the accompaniment of a Ska strumming guitar, Latin brass section and great harmonies, the Mavericks surely are not to be reckoned with.

As you may know, I cover country music here on Manhattan Digest. When you listen to this album you may say to yourself, just as I did, “That can’t just be country, can it?” The truth is, it’s not, The Mavericks are so versatile, they can’t be labeled under just one genre. Their span of style covers Country, Ska, Rock and Banda. Banda you ask me, Banda is a type of music that is brass based, mostly Mexican, and has had a large presence in Mexican Pop.

I spoke with others and asked their opinion on what genre they thought it fit under. After different answers it finally clicked, The Mavericks. That’s what they are, mavericks, “One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group.” The definition itself sounds a bit abrasive, but because of this characteristic they have created a real name for themselves.

With tracks like “Back In Your Arms Again,” and “Born To Be Blue,” the desire to to soulfully sing along is turned all the way up on the dial. The tracks not only want to make you sing but dance as well. During the demanding yet convincing track “Come Unto Me,” my passion to dance the Rumba throws chills from my neck to my feet. I had even brought the track to my dance class where others agreed that the song bled sexuality and masculinity. There is a soft side to The Mavericks as well, during “Forgive Me” Raul Malo masters his vocals, gliding whimsically through lyrics of repent and yearning while accompanied by the tip-toeing of the piano.

If I had the convincing power to make you all by one album that I have wrote about thus far, this would be it. It may have been a long time since The Mavericks have come together to put out an album, but it goes to show good music can not be rushed, and it will come “In Time.”

Through The Eyes Of Brandi Carlile

by Pamela Gordon

Through the Eyes Of Brandi Carlile

When I used to hear the words “Country Music” I had a narrow minded view of a spoon slapping, twang sounding, lyrically limited genre. Brandi Carlile’s “Bear Creek” is a perfect illustration of how vast country musics reach can be while touching the many emotions of the soul.

Carlile’s lyrical genius manages to evoke emotion and put me in the shoes of a child, a lover, a strong women and a lost soul. Each and every track tells a different story, rather then having a constant theme throughout the album.

I feel that to do “Bear Creek” real justice, this review must go into several of her tracks in depth, as each has its own special element that deserves to be explored. The opening track, “Hard Way Home” has a musically upbeat sound, including a bit of a “soul clap” giving that boisterous feel. “Raise Hell” encompasses a powerful element, while allowing to feel her struggle not only through her lyrics but through her voice. During “Keep Your Heart Young”, Carlile demonstrates the classic country sound with beautiful harmonies, with an exquisite accompaniment of an acoustic guitar, a walking upright bass line and the soft sound of brushes tickling the snare drum. With the ballad “A Promise to Keep” the sorrow of Carlile is expressed with her melodic lyrics and classical quartet with the accompaniment of a guitar, touching both your heart and soul.

Carlile has effectively and emotionally put out an album with cutting-edge elements that many artists strive to have. She displays lyrical mastery, vocal finesse and is accompanied by a variety musical styles, putting together what REALLY makes an album. Each track has something special to give to the listener, and is worthy of a gander so we can share the Carlile experience together. Do yourself the COUNTRY favor.

Pamela Erin Gordon

WFUV

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