Paolo Conte Reveries Nonesuch, 2003 Often described as Italy’s answer to Tom Waits, Paolo Conte, while similarly eccentric and oddly charismatic, bears nothing more than a passing tonal resemblance to the gruff bohemian icon. Conte’s weathered voice supplies plenty of broody mood, but his real charm lies in the way he can shift from style to style — cabaret; Neapolitan folk; jazz; French chanson, and tango — without sounding hackneyed. Whether you know Italian (or French,... [Read more...]
By: Rick LaClaire
Article Category: Rick LaClaire
This Happened To Us! Part I By Rick LaClaire At age eleven I was given a gift which lasted ten years, a subscription to Outdoor Life magazine. Within were a wealth of stellar outdoor writers: Ray Bergman, Byron Dalrymple, Joe Brooks, Jack O’Conner, Stu Apte… I only wish I could be among their number. Their stories were more than entertainment, they were inspiration. Wintertime was a house-bound time in Northern New York, but that monthly arrival of global bloodsport transported me to lands... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
The Stephan Michael Connection The Stephan Michael Connection combine the sounds of soul and funk with the lyrics of familiar classics — sweet soul music and funky dance tunes from Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Sam and Dave to the soulful rock n’ roll of Van Morrison, J. Geils, Bill Withers, and Billy Preston. They wanted to call themselves the Cluster Funks but thought their mothers might object. Growing up in the Detroit area, it’s easy to see how... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
Nancy Kelly Nancy Kelly’s vocal style is a study in phrasing, style and swing. She’s both old school and new. She’s experienced, yet her delivery and ideas are fresh. She can take a song and turn it up or down, and leave you believing that it was meant to be exactly that way. It takes great jazz chops to do that, and Kelly’s are superb. She has earned many awards and enlisted fans from around the globe. Nancy began her musical career with piano lessons at age four in her hometown of Rochester,... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
DAMION SUOMI and PALEFACE As dedicated Resident readers should already know, Cocoa Beach-based singer/songwriter Damion Suomi crafts elegant, drink-fueled lamentations and explosive, midtempo rockers with one ear cocked toward the dusty world of alternative country and the other bent toward the Irish tradition. Suomi spent a number of years filling time in various local bands before striking out on his own, and his eponymous debut album, a collection of tunes that were “birthed from pubs, drinks,... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
CAN’T HANG Can’t Hang has “It” — that indescribable quality that draws people in. “It” could be the tight rhythm section, the booming bass, the unique, punky-dub guitars, or the reggae-infused songs noted for their smooth vocals and catchy melodies, but the four-piece have an ability to turn any crowd of boring sitters into dancing fans. Made up of vocalist Luke Mysko, guitarist Steve Lynch, bassist Rob Eisenhut, and drummer Alex Crowley, Can’t Hang have... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
Ben Wilson Strange Dogs CBJS; 2009 “Easy Listening,” within the parlance of music criticism, is usually invoked with snobbish derision and aimed at the unchallenging, watered-down compositions of John Tesh or Yanni. It has however become a legitimate genre unto itself, one in which several honest musicians have flourished. Local singer/songwriter and guitarist Ben Wilson isn’t one of their ilk, at least not in the strictest sense, but his latest CD, Strange Dogs, could definitely... [Read more...]
By: Lance Stardancer
Article Category: Horrorscopes
AQUARIUS: If you find yourself in the company of wolves, don’t wear sheep’s clothing. They will try to eat you and it will be difficult to defend yourself with all that cumbersome sheep’s clothing you’ve got on. PISCES: I foresee a big party in your future. There will be many of your close friends and family in attendance. Everyone will laugh and have a great time and you will be spoken of very highly by all. I’m just letting you know because you won’t be able to hear... [Read more...]
By: Lani Mucha
Article Category: C.B. Surf Museum
At this time of year, the hardcore or desperately seeking can still be found in the lineup wearing wetsuits topped off with booties and gloves. The water temperature is hovering around the low 50s. For me, the lack of water time has less to do with the temperature than with the swells out of the north passing us by to the south. The sport of surfing has always been a great way to stay in shape, and dry land training or other types of on-the-water activities are a must during the winter. After a surf... [Read more...]
By Paddy McDrinksey
Article Category: Bartender of the Month
As partial as I am to my old tried-and-true haunts, I always get a thrill out of discovering new watering holes and barkeeps. They take me back to that first sip of sweet elixir I enjoyed in my youth and that wonderful sense of newness and discovery. Back in old Killkilly, it was the practice for every infant to down a small nip of whiskey every day until they got their sea legs beneath them. I remember it like it was yesterday, but my legs feel like it’s been 45 years… Imagine the look... [Read more...]
