Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local CD Review
Grumpy Al Just Another Day In Paradise Self-Released; 2009 To most locals, Al “Grumpy Al” Urezzio is simply the colorful character behind Melbourne landmark the Burger Inn, a place beloved by old-fashioned hamburger fans throughout the County. They’ve come to know and love him for his miraculous cooking skills and for his famously testy demeanor, but die-hard Grumpy Al devotees also know that he’s also one of the area’s best musicians, a highly talented one-man band whose hoard of original... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local CD Review
Damion Suomi Needs A Little Water P Is For Panda; 2009 A fable attributed to Aesop tells of a vixen who proudly trotted her brood of young foxes in front of a lioness nursing her lone cub. “Is that all you have?” sneered the vixen. “Yes, only one,” replied the lioness. “But a lion.” Similarly, Needs A Little Water, Damion Suomi’s latest release, is a mere three tracks long — brief, by most recording standards, but a lion nonetheless. What Water lacks... [Read more...]
Vintage Welcome To Earth Self-released; 2009 Here’s a question: Is there anything more insidious than Amazon’s “If You Like” feature? You know, the one that suggests I buy Takin’ Care of Business: The Best of Bachmann-Turner Overdrive because I once purchased the Brandenburg Concertos? That same brilliant algorithm that assumes I’ll like Blink-156 because I bought The Story of The Clash many moons prior? My own knowledge of contemporary music is by no means comprehensive,... [Read more...]
Sunnyland Steve Demo’d Self-released; 2009 No disrespect to all the Parrotheads out there, but if you count yourself as a true Floridian and really want to follow a bard who reflects your laid-back, beachy lifestyle, you’re squawking up the wrong palm with this Jimmy Buffett character. What you really need is Sunnyland Steve, the real-life incarnation of Cocoa Beach musician Steve Burchfield, a singer/songwriter/guitarist who lays strong claim to the laureateship of the Sunshine State... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local CD Review
Mary Pastorius From Then Until Almost Now Mæric Music; 2007 Comprised of 17 tunes culled from a 10-year span of tireless creativity, local singer/songwriter Mary Pastorius’ From Then Until Almost Now fairly bursts from the surfeit of compelling musical ideas it contains. While several of the tracks have never been released until now, many have made previous appearances on other recordings she had an impressive hand in. Described by Pastorius as a kind of “clearing house” of some... [Read more...]
Just Blue Below The Damage Cherry Tonic, 2009 The word “just” is defined in many ways. Among them, “Guided by truth.” And, “Simply. Certainly.” So it’s serendipitous that the Melbourne-based duo of Just Blue embodies those definitions through simple, pure music. In fact, moments of serendipity have followed Just Blue since Melissa Barelmann (vocals) and Chad Fagg (guitars, backing vocals) met in early 2006, brought together by a love of simple, personal songs.... [Read more...]
LOCAL CD REVIEW MD420 Self-Released; 2008 There’s no denying the beach does something to music. It can strut in from Detroit, its chest puffed out with garage-rock inflections and bold power chords, or it can come slinking through the back door with New York attitude and gobs of eyeliner, but once it feels the sand between its toes and warm water lapping up against its ankles, it takes a deep breath, slackens its rhythms and turns its attention to the things that truly matter. Unfortunately,... [Read more...]
Arturo Echarte Acoustic Survivor Self-released; 2008 It’s clear from the outset of Acoustic Survivor that guitarist Arturo Echarte plays from his soul. That he donates all of the proceeds of his local performances to those in need only confirms his devotion to the original aim of his craft. Where others make noise about making music “for the love of it” or “to change lives,” the highly-talented Echarte follows through with his promise, and then some. Apart from being... [Read more...]
Ben Wilson Songs for Naked People Self-released; 2005 Originally from the small hamlet of Elkton, KY, Palm Bay musician Ben Wilson has been playing music since the age of 14. It certainly shows on the impressive Songs for Naked People, a highly accomplished 13-track album of original material he released in 2005. On it, Wilson, who provides vocals, guitar and bass, blends traditional acoustic singer/songwriter fare with upbeat, almost childlike folk inflections, matter-of-fact delivery, and a love... [Read more...]
