Creeping Time

I know it's been over a week since my last post, so sorry about the delay. I want to spend this next entry to showcase some bluegrass. Growing up, I had little control over the radio and I often spent my time in the car forced to listen to NPR. Every Sunday night, the local NPR station in Dayton Ohio, WYSO, would play various bluegrass artists. To be honest, I really didn't care for it growing up. That would change in college, though, when a friend of mine invited me to a bluegrass show at a local bar where his band was headlining. Listening to the fantastic instrumentation of guitar, banjo, drums, fiddle, and bass, I was immediately brought into a style of music that I dismissed so easily in my childhood. So here's a bit about a band called "Creeping Time."

Creeping Time was formed in 1997 in Seattle Washington. Joined by bassist Ken Nottingham, drummer Dave Forrester, fiddler Kjell Anderson, and guitarist Michael Splay, this band has a lot to offer in both energy and musicality. Though much of the lead vocals come from Dave Forrester, one of the most impressive features of the band are the vocal contributions from two other band members.

Listening to as much of their music I could get my hands on, I found one particular album that I really enjoyed. "How to Fly", released in 2001 is a terrific album with lots of good tracks to offer. There are a few observations that I made while listening. First, the lead vocalist has Bob Dylan qualities. Secondly, the instrumentation is quite diverse. In this album, in addition to the familiar instrumentation, I heard piano in "Sparky's Lament", harmonica in most of the songs, and (most surprisingly) an accordion in "Bright Summer Day". From beginning to end, this album is solid and if you like bluegrass or folk in any regard, I recommend checking out Creeping Time.

Creeping Time can be found at http://www.creepingtime.com, Amazon, and iTunes.

Youtube Links:

• Mexicali Blues
• Buckeye
• Marcus and Amelia
• Rest Stops
  

Boyce Avenue

The fist band I want to share is Boyce Avenue. If any of you were able to attend my wedding, you would have heard one of their songs, a cover of the song "Forever" by Chris Brown. What really got me into them is their acoustical covers. Led by Alejandro Manzano with brothers Daniela and Fabian, this Floridian band has been featured on iTunes and has a decent following on Youtube, Twitter, Myspace and Facebook. Recently, Boyce Avenue signed with Universal Republic Records, the same record company as Jack Johnson and 3 Doors Down.

Their sound can be best compared to 3 Doors Down with acoustic roots and softer vocals, with a slight Jimmy Eat World flavor. Though the 3 Doors Down sound doesn't really surface in their covers, it really comes out in their new album. Their music is beginning to hit the mainstream, but I really took to the band's unexpected acoustical versions of songs written in very different styles such as the "Shadow of The Day" (Linkin Park), "Viva la Vida" (Coldplay), "Disturbia" (Rhianna, yes, Rhianna), and of course "Forever" (Chris Brown).

While I particularly enjoy their covers, Boyce Avenue is more than capable in producing original tracks including "Change Your Mind" and "Every Breath". Their latest album is set to hit iTunes on June 9th so check it out!

Video Links:

• Change Your Mind
• Every Breath
• Forever
• Viva la Vida
• Will You Be There

www.boyceavenue.com

Act II: Muse Trick

Muse Trick: Welcome

Part Two....This is actually my second attempt at a blog. I created my first blog on a topic that I thought I was interested in, but turns out I didn't have enough to write about. I'm especially excited about this blog because I think it could be more beneficial to my readers as well as my subjects.

I've always been hugely impacted by all types of music. I mean, I usually don't listen to music, I experience it. Often I find myself taking in by a track to the point that I completely lose myself in the melodies. For me, though lyrics can be powerful, I find myself more engrossed in the instrumentals. I don't care what is sung (to an extent) as long as the music moves me.

Before you discount me, I do come from a music background. I played various instruments including the clarinet, bass clarinet, contra-alto clarinet, mellophone (a marching version of the french horn), tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, piano (just a bit), and guitar. I also sang for about seven years. This background helped me begin my appreciation for music.

The purpose of THIS blog is to showcase musicians beyond underground---musicians that I believe have talent that nobody has heard of. The genres that I intend to focus on are:

1. Raw talent: impressive clips of musicians with excellent musical talent on a single instrument or voice.
2. Folk
3. Rock
4. Rock Alternative
5. Jazz

Look for posts twice a week and thanks for reading!

-Paul