REVIEW: Randy Stern - Give

New York musician Randy Stern has spent the last decade performing with punk/grunge band The Nerve and has recently established himself as a prominent solo performer in the New York music scene. Randy’s new album Give offers well-rounded and captivating performances as Randy defines his solo sound for the first time.

The first track on Give is Deeper and Deeper. It’s evident listening to this opening song that Randy Stern has chops not to be meddled with in this tune similar to that of later Tom Petty tunes.

Better Days has a very 90s pop feel similar to that of Hootie and the Blowfish and Soul Asylum. Once again, though, Stern throws in some classic rock melodies for a new, yet familiar sound.

Rita has kind of an old-timey Johnny Cash feel with walking bass lines and a little bluesy slide guitar thrown in. This track demonstrates early on the diversity that Randy Stern delivers to his audiences.

The Night is probably my favorite song on this album. The chorus is extremely catchy and Stern’s vocal performance is so full of energy and emotion and with a little harmonica thrown in there, you can’t help but like this one.

Give, the title track of the album, shows a little of Randy’s slower side. His voice on this song reminds me of an early Eric Clapton.

The Only Woman is a blues song that seems heavily influence by southern rock legends and gives this track an energetic and authentic bluesy feel.

Into Your Heart takes it down a notch with this emotionally moving song. It’s really impressive how Randy is able to capture so much energy in the vocals while barely letting out a whisper.

Home is just a great song. It brings to mind 90s icons Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen.

Life is Good is an uplifting song and so appropriately titled. It’s a laid back tune that will leave its hook stuck right in your head all afternoon.

Simple, simply isn’t my favorite track. I think it’s a little lacking in energy and, after hearing some of the previous tracks, I feel Randy has more to offer this song than he demonstrates here.

In The Midnite starts out slow, but builds into an epic song that’s just perfect. I couldn’t say enough good things about this track.

Ain’t Dead Yet is a little folk song at the end of the album. This acoustic track is an awesome performance by Stern. It’s nice to hear a more raw approach to his music.

Overall, Give is an awesome addition to any music collection. For fans of 90s pop/rock, classic rock, folk, blues and country, you surely will not be disappointed with this one.

4 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Randy Stern at www.randystern.info

REVIEW: Dan Rio - Listen to the Rain

Dan Rio is a perfect balance of singer/songwriter and guitar player. With his album Listen to the Rain, this is clearly evident through his thoughtful lyrics and spectacular guitar solos. Rio’s soulful voice and instrumental talents give rise to a plethora of emotions with music that really touches you on a personal level.

First and foremost, Dan Rio is a great songwriter. And with influences like James Taylor and Eric Clapton, you’d expect nothing less. Listen to the Rain is a great demonstration of Rio’s talents as a singer and songwriter with descriptive imagery and ambient vocals that will capture your attention and leave you dumbfounded.

Dan’s skills at singing and composing are only part of what makes this album great. Tucked in cleverly throughout the CD, you’ll find great lead guitar solos that rival Clapton at his best.

One track that sticks out in particular is the title track, Listen to the Rain. This is a killer song to say the least. This is the kind of song that you’d hear overplayed on the radio and not mind because it never gets old.

For fans of all genres, check out Dan Rio’s Listen to the Rain. Rio has proven, with this album, that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary soft rock.

4.5 stars out of 5

You can learn more about Dan Rio at www.danriomusic.com

REVIEW: Bud Buckley - It's About Time

Bud Buckley, of Florida, with his acoustic guitar and songwriting finesse, has been renowned by numerous publications and has performed numerous live shows including some of the larger festivals on the scene. While acoustic artists have somewhat smothered the music scene, Buckley sticks out from the sea of folk and classic rock with jamming grooves and multi-genre masterpieces.

Influenced by legends like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer, Bud Buckley creates his own style with It's About Time, mixing in some great leads and poetic lyrics that genuinely leave you bobbing your head with every track.

Let Me Go, a track that gives rise to images of an early Eric Clapton, captures the feeling of pushing away the world to go somewhere deep inside where time is non-existent.

Elevator takes a different approach than most tracks on this album. With kind of a funky almost 80s style, this track describes the similarities between time and an elevator with a mind of its own. Elevator has the feel of the Police mixed with a little Peter Gabriel.

There's no way this album will be lost in the mix as Bud Buckley has proven himself as timeless musician whose songs, although maybe not fit for mainstream radio at the moment, may very well take music back to its roots of genuine songs and lyrics that people can relate to. Its only appropriate that It's About Time has the theme of timelessness as the listener can easily be lost in the music and enter into a place where time is meaningless.

4.5 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Bud Buckley at www.myspace.com/budbuckley1