|
Welcome to EvO:R Entertainment |
The Bill Carrera CD Reviews
Welcome to the EvO:R Carrera Reviews Section.
I would like to take a few minutes to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Bill
Carrera and I am the new music reviewer here at Evor. I wanted to let you know a little
about my thoughts on music. It's important to let the people that I review know how I
think of and listen to music.
First of all I believe that if your music sucks then
the world should know about it! After all, you have the nerve to charge as much for
your stuff as the majors do so it better be pretty damn good, and if it is, I'll also
tell the world. I'll hold nothing back!
Bill Carrera
Review of Close Enough For Klezmer -
The Alexandria Kleztet
I recieved a batch of cds today with a note that said, in part, "Pay attention to 'The Alexadria Kleztet' WOW!!!"
Of course my curiousity was piqued, so that's the first cd I put in the player.
I've got to be honest, the first few seconds had me wondering where the "wow" was, but I'm a tenacious s.o.b.
so I let it play on ... and I'm glad I did. This cd brings you up, mellows you out, then brings you up again
on a musical roller-coaster that is nothing short of dizzying.
Mixing traditional Jewish music with elements of jazz, rock and world beat, the music itself is at the same
time interesting and familiar. I can't find any fault with the musicianship or the arrangements and the
nuts-and-bolts aspects of mixing and mastering were faultless as well.
It does tend to lean more in the traditional direction and isn't a cd you want blasting at a teen blow-out,
but it would be very much at home in nearly any other social setting.
Music Samples
/Kolomeike/
Hine Ma Tov/
Where There's a Will, There's a Waltz/
Doina & Waltz/
/
Klezmer Nova/
Revenge of Untitled/
Bassist on the Roof/
The final word on this cd is "buy it."
Bill Carrera...EvO:R Reviewer.
Review of Pages Of Sand -
by Kara Johnstad
Omigodwhatavoicethisgirlhas.
Okay, I've caught my breath and can write this review. From the first funky strains of slapping bass
I was hooked, but when Kara piped in, it took my breath away ... this lady can sing! I was instantly
whisked away to a simpler and happier time where music is a whole-body experience one can feel as well
as hear.
While it doesn't matter at all what the words are with Kara singing them, the writing is actually
excellent, meaningful and contemporary. As jazz compositions go, most of these songs are very,
very strong with nothing short of amazing bass and piano. They feel at the same time spontaneous
and structured, a mix which sounds impossible, but if you listen to this cd, you'll know what I mean.
This album was recorded live, which just astounds me all the more because of its near perfection
... the proof that such a tight live performance is possible should give all the struggling
musicians out there hope.
Music Samples
/Surrender/
/ Holding Onto Love
/ Pages of Sand
/ Smoked Out Blues/
/ Glimmer Glisten Glow
/ Where Is It Written
/ 9 Melody/ Sufi Samba/
/ Winter Has Come
/ Full moon /
I stand in awe this cd and I hope to hear more from this group in the future.
Bill Carrera...EvO:R Reviewer.
Review of Songs Of Love -
by Meade Skelton
The piano work is good, the vocals are good pitch and tone, but this cd fails to impress me.
No, that's not quite right. I found myself actually gritting my teeth while listening to this
album and can't quite put my finger on why.
I think it may be that this singer sounds like he's trying to sing opera to jazz tunes. I think
his music lacks soul and personality ... at least the singing. Even the piano work, while certainly
good, sounds a bit mechanical and at times, almost forced.
Another thing that's bothering me about this cd is it's all covers, with the exception of two songs.
I am of the personal opinion that covers should only be played live.
Song Samples
/True Love
/Nicole, Will You Marry Me?
/Fly Me To The Moon
/My Funny Valentine
/I Think We Are In Love
/Heartaches
/Your Song /
I think Mr. Skelton would be a good addition to any jazz group as a pianist and backup singer, but
I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy any solo work he releases.
Bill Carrera...EvO:R Reviewer.
Readers respond to the review
Review of Texas Tea-
by U.S. Eagle
I'm not sure how to begin here ... how about Bob Dylan sings Hank Williams. It's obvious right from
the start that these cds have never been mastered and need to be mastered like Dolly needs a bra.
I put that out of my mind and tried again, ignoring the glaring obvious and trying to imagine myself
sitting in a honky-tonk with a cold beer on the table in front of me and U.S. Eagle up on the stage.
That helped immensely and I was able to decide the band isn't bad at all. The writing is solid, the
musicianship is tight and the overall feel of the music is very good.
Solid Texas sound with obvious Hank Williams and Bob Wills influences. While most of the songs are
traditional c&w, they do stretch out on occasion and treat the listener to some country rock and
even a touch of bluegrass here and there.
Song Samples
/Shot in the Dark
/Coconut Grove
/You Lied
/Ooh La-la
/Texas Tea/
/I Like It
/Close to Me
/Blue Water
/A Girl Like You
/Long Neck /
The strong point to these cds is the pickin' ... talented and nimble fingers workin' that geetar.
The weak point is the vocals and I'm guessing that would be fixed by an audio engineer that knows
how to better blend vocals into the mix.
Bill Carrera...EvO:R Reviewer.
Review of Road To Sunnyside -
by Christie Aitken
I was tapping my foot before the end of the first bar and literally started bobbing my head and felt
a strong compulsion to find a partner and hit the dance floor with my best two-step.
This artist grew up "in a small island community steeped in folk and bluegrass" and her music strongly
smacks of both. Very talented voice and she's got full control of it. Her wrtiting is lyrically strong,
her compositions slightly above adequate. While I didn't hear anything that wowed me, I didn't hear
anything I would say wasn't good.
The one major fault I find here is in the mastering and mixing and those problems are only minor.
In fact, I'd say there are a couple songs on this cd that could chart with a little, and I mean
just a teeny little bit, of remixing.
Her press blurb says she's been compared to Joni Mitchell, Sheryl Crow and Carly Simon. I can
understand why, but to expand on that I'd say her voice compares to Carly, her writing to Joni
and her composing to Sheryl.
Maybe I'm being too critical, but when I hear something this close to great, I feel compelled to
be that way and I really feel this cd falls just short of the mark. It's a good album, it's even
an exceptional album, but it's not a great album ... and it could be.
Song Samples
/Drive
/Road to Sunnyside
/Living
/Alone
/Out of the Storm
/Remember /
/Sweet Time
/Far Away Wild
/Midnight Dream
/Rainbow Eyes /
/All This Time
/Without You
/The Music is My Medicine /
With all that said, if she ever plays in my neck of the woods, I'll buy a front-row ticket.
Bill Carrera...EvO:R Reviewer.
Want Bill Carrera to review your music?
It will be honest and above all, very interesting.
All you need to do is send your CD to:
Bill Carrera
EvO:R Reviewer
544 Bar None Rd
Forsyth, Ga.
31029
Reviews will appear in the order that CD's are sent so don't delay
as it takes a couple weeks now and we just got started!
|
|
|
