CD Review
Young Avenue By Alex Kramer This CD is from 2016, I just recently got this from Alex Kramer. Title “Young Avenue” Let me tell you it is awesome. I love it when you get an album that you really can’t put into any genre. This is one of those albums, I would say that there are many aspects of Jazz/Rock music on this album. A lot of the songs are remising of the 70’s & 80’s. The album starts out with a song “Loving You is Easy” that sort of has a sound that you could here on Bourbon St. in NOLA. A real upbeat tempo, This song starts out with a little bit of a New Orleans Brass Band sound. The chorus has a real catchy rhythm to with a clarinet in the background with some great harmony backing vocals. That just set the song. Second song “Wait For Me” I really love the rhythm on this track. It has a Funky/Soul feel, especially when they bring the horns in. The lyrics are well written of a guy trying to get his girl back. The described way Alex uses metaphors in this song puts it on a whole different level from your typical love song. Third song is “Chill In My Bones” This song has that T-bone Burnett feel to it. Kind of Jazz/Blues sound. On the lines of the eerie New Orleans sounds, This is one of my favorites on the album. Alex’s voice is perfect for this song, he really brings the whole song together. Another song that has a very descriptive lyrics in it. The lyrics really sets the mood. Fourth song is “The Riddle” is my favorite song on the album, I think the reason that it is. The song has such a simple melody to it, plus Alex’s vocals just glide with the rhythm of the song and then when you get to the chorus it takes a little bit of an upbeat turn with the backing vocals. The other thing that I like about this song is the drum work on it. The drumbeats are so clean and tight. This song is one that I would put into a Top 5 List. Fifth song “Interlude” is just a little over a minute instrumental. It is very good; I am just not a fan of instrumentals. Sixth song “Ain’t Nothing New” Another one of my favs. This song starts off a little on the melancholy style, kind of a Harry Nilsson song. Which is a great thing. Once again Alex lyrics are very well written that you don’t have to think hard about the song it’s painted there on the canvas of the song. Then the song picks up a little bit with the tempo for a few bars and finish with the same melancholy sound. Great job. Seventh son “On The Level” is probably the only hard rock song on the album, Which doesn’t mean that it’s out of place on this album. I think it still fits in with the concept of the album. Cause it’s still got the great vocals that Alex does so well. This song has a much more upbeat tempo & powerful drums. I see people at a show hearing this song just standing there bouncing up & down with their hands held high. From the first note to the last it has that heart pounding thumping. Like the other songs the lyrics do a great job of telling the story. The last song “Testimony” This song is one with the most Funk to it, has a real Prince vibe to it. It’s got me wiggling in my seat as I write this. This song kind brings the whole album together in one song. One of those feel-good songs just to boogie to. Now I have to say your going to think the album is over, the digital counter still shows like 4 mins left and all you got is silence. But wait, when there is about 2:38 left it kicks back it with some more Funky music. Now to put all of this in perspective. I have to say that Alex has an amazing voice that can sing the mellow songs and go to a Rocker style song. Alex’s vocals are very unique, meaning that he doesn't sound like anyone else. Now Alex with the help of some friends wrote on the songs, which to me is a feat in itself cause all of these songs are top-notch. Again, I know this is not a new release (except to me) but it’s one of best albums that I have heard in a while. I can sit and listen to this album from start to finish a few times over. So, I highly recommend you check out Alex Kramer. https://www.facebook.com/alexkramermusic/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/24Y6MdPK7XLkDyBhlurlOv
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This issue of my Blog is about Maddi Warren, Maddi is somewhat a Hometown Girl from Missouri. Springfield, Mo. to be exact. I live in St. Louis, Mo. so close enough.
I found Maddi on one of her YouTube videos. The first time I heard Maddi’s voice it gave me chills. I believe it was her song “Can’t Be Saved” Maddi’s voice has the same sound of someone that has been singing for decades, not of someone that has been singing for only 11 years. She has such soulfulness & just a beautiful sound of Life to her voice. No matter how many times I listen to her songs, they always transport me to another place. This quality is hard to find nowadays special on the radio. So now for Maddi’s songwriting, you can tell that she writes from your heart & soul. She recently put out album called “These Roads” you can find it digitally form for now she is hoping to bring it out in physical form soon. Maddi’s songs definitely hit home for the average person. There is nothing sugarcoated about her songs, they tell the story straight from the hip. Maddi’s music is the kind that I always look for but can’t always find. I love it when you can put a label on an Artist. For Maddi’s I would say somewhere between Country & American/Roots. It definitely your own sound. I have not fell so strongly about an Artist for a while Like Maddi. So, I very highly recommend you check out Maddi Warren, here are some places you can do that: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCReYW4jDXw0RD19AnLPwJeQ https://www.maddiwarren.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wt6uQyg2xWlYhGIU4jne6?si=oztebEZGS2-u0zFZ7NDdhA&dl_branch=1&nd=1 https://www.facebook.com/maddiwarrenmusic/ I recently got a chance to ask Maddi some questions, here are her answers. Hope you enjoy them. To Michael, First of all, thank you so much for sending me these questions. I appreciate your support of musicians. From Maddi 1. How long have you been playing music? I have been playing music for 11 years. I started when I was 15 years old. 2. How many bands have you been in? I have been in 4 bands. The first band was called Madison Avenue. It consisted of myself and a drummer. We played together for 7 years. We played a lot of bars and local venues in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. I also played with a singer/songwriter named Kimberly Atwood in a duo called Local Honey. We did a lot of writing together, and played local shows along with some songwriting rounds in Nashville. The third band I played in was The Lori Locke Band. I met Lori through an open mic when I was 16, and she invited me to play a music festival that she and Clint Dinkins, rhythm guitarist in the band, put on called Peachtree Music Festival. After that I joined Lori’s band at several local venues. Shortly after we started playing together, Lori and I started a band with Shannon Stine, another female musician based out of Ozark, Missouri. This group was named the Flame Lilies. We played several house concerts and listening room shows. I currently play with my sister Alli Butler as a duo. 3. Where were you born? I was born in Springfield, Missouri, November 13, 1995. 4. Are you self-taught? I am a self-taught guitarist, and kick drum/foot percussionist. I started playing guitar and songwriting when I was 15 years old. 5. Who are your biggest influences? My biggest influences include Brent Cobb and Gillian Welch. I consider both of them some of the most humble and honest songwriters I have heard. 6. What style of music do you consider yours? I believe my music can best be described as “acoustic grit.” Growing up in the Ozarks greatly influenced my songwriting and sound. I believe most of my music is raw and haunting. 7. What was your first gig? How old were you? My first gig was a show at Bass Pro Shops for a Professional Angler. I was 15 years old. 8. What advice do you have for someone starting out in the music business? I would tell them to always do what makes them happy. Being a musician is full of highs and lows, but the highs are so rewarding-they make up for the lows. I would also tell them to not sell themselves short, it is easy to feel beholden to people who want to book you. But “exposure” doesn’t always pay the bills :). If they are a songwriter, I would also tell them to never throw any songs or lyrics away. Keep everything because even though it may not seem like a good idea at the time, it could be the inspiration for a future song. 9. Do you write your own songs? Yes. I just released my debut album, These Roads, on November 20, 2021. 10. What would people be surprised to hear that you have in your personal song collection? As far as songs I have written, I think people would be surprised to learn that I have some softer, simple songs mixed amongst my gritty, upbeat songs. As far as songs others have written that I listen to, they are all over the spectrum. I listen to a variety of genres depending on my mood or setting. Sometimes I enjoy classical music, I also love bluegrass, old country, blues, and rock n’ roll. 11. What would you be doing if playing music was not an option? I am a full time Special Education teacher. So, I would continue to teach if music was not an option. 12. Besides your own songs, what is your favorite song to perform? My favorite song to perform at the moment is Wilder Days by Morgan Wade. 13. If you were strictly a songwriter, who would you like to see sing your songs? I would love for Gillian Welch to sing my songs. She’s got such a classic, timeless sound. |
AuthorHello, My name is Michael. I am into music, have been for over 48yrs. Big fan of all kinds of music, right now it has been the Blues for the last 10yrs. I do not play any instruments, But I very interested in the recording aspect of the industry. Have messed around with it a little and always learning new things about it. I have met many wonderful people because of Music.. Hope you enjoy my Blogs... In the last two years I have been producing House Concerts. I also in the past 2 years got to produce and engineer an album for a very good friend of mine from Sweden "Magpie". Archives
February 2024
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