Broken Things - Stephen Piotrowski

Stephen Piotrowski - Broken Things

Stephen Piotrowski Broken Things is an impressive and outstanding release of solid, truly melodic, piano based music topped with strong vocals. In the vein of Ben Folds Five. 
From Stephen's music page "Not athletic enough to play sports and not pretty enough to model, Stephen Piotrowski turned to music at a young age. A self-taught piano player, he underscores his expressive vocals with subtle, yet haunting piano melodies that accentuate the honesty and rawness of his lyrics. A true story teller at heart, Stephen has a way of capturing the essence of the human condition, expressing his musical ideas in a tasteful and relatable fashion. He draws both melodic and lyrical inspiration from artists such as Jason Mraz, Ben Folds and John Mayer. Stephen recently released his first full length independent album, “Broken Things” which is available for streaming and download." https://www.facebook.com/stephenpiotrowskimusic/ 
https://twitter.com/musicbystove

Batman Graphic Novel reviews for Queen City Bookstore and Artvoice newspaper

My latest venture in creative writing is a further expression of my love for the classic art form that is the comic book. 
Emil from Queen City Bookstore https://www.facebook.com/queencitybookstore was gracious and thoughtful enough to ask me to write for the weekly Graphic Traffic column http://artvoice.com/issues/v13n50/graphic_traffic published by the Artvoice newspaper. 
The Graphic Traffic column reviews the latest and greatest graphic novels in conjunction with Queen City Bookstore. All the graphic novels published in the column are available @ Queen City Bookstore at a deep discount. A BIG thank you is in order to Emil from Q.C.B. and Artvoice! THANK YOU!
Review for The Joker: The Clown Prince of Crime is currently in print.
http://artvoice.com/issues/v13n52/graphic_traffic/the_joker

Here is the first review Emil from Queen City accepted and Artvoice published in the 12/11 - 17/2014 issue http://artvoice.com/issues/v13n50/graphic_traffic/batman

Top 100 Music Blogs and Websites For Rock Music Fans in 2020

Joe Tell's Music Blog would like to thank the website: Top 100 Rock Music Blogs And Websites For Rock Music Fans in 2020 for recognizing this music blog and ranking it the Top 100 for 2020.
Thank You!
Here's a link to check out the website https://blog.feedspot.com/rock_music_blogs/

Lenny Revell "Lessons" CD Review

I was first exposed to Lenny Revell through the Spy Guys TV Show free newspaper and when I first seen his picture I thought to myself "Cool, T-Shirt Lenny". Lenny was wearing a black Spider-Man T-shirt. Being a Comic Book Fan I noticed it right away, and being internet savvy I went to the Spy Guys website and seen a video of Lenny singing and playing and I must say I was impressed by his talents. Lenny is a talented singer/songwriter who accompanies his singing with his own skillful piano playing. Lenny is a 1-man show who writes his own music and covers other artists' music as well.

OK, on with the review...
First of all Lenny is backed up by an excellent back-up band on "Lessons", the full band fills out Lenny's impressive arrangements and enhances Lenny's overall sound. The few times I have seen Lenny perform he has been by himself so I was pleasantly surprised to hear Lenny backed up by a full band.
Song 1 "All In Your Head" is very positive and upbeat, a good choice for kicking off the CD.
Lenny's overall sound on this track reminded me of Billy Joel.
"Expectations" sounds like it could be a cool 70's TV show theme-song turned Top-40 hit, the verses are very catchy and melodic and they are filled out with some nice, reggae guitar rhythm playing and a melodic piano solo rounds out this track. The arrangement and singing on this song are reminiscent of a song you may hear on a Broadway, New York sound stage.
The title of track 5, Ghost, interested me as anyone who knows me knows I'm into the paranormal...I can envision some hot dancers clicking their fingers to the intro...click, click,...
anyway, the initial progression has a familiar sound but Lenny quickly makes the familiar sounding melody into a unique song all his own, the subject matter is scary good!

"Who Am I?" is my fave song on this CD, the subject matter (Spider Man) is right up my alley and the guitar playing on this track is amazing, being a guitarist/bassist myself I was waiting to hear some nice guitar on the "Lessons" CD and this track provided it.

Track 7 "My Passion Of Life" has a Broadway Show Tune feel to it.

"Serenity" moved me with it's melancholy feel and melody.

"Love Is Just Her Fix" is one of my fave tracks on "Lessons", the guitar solo is fantastic and the groove and melodic lyrics are top notch.

Track 10 'Til Death To Us Part" has a 70's era Disco groove to it.

"Prelude/Revenge Of Little Red Riding Hood" is a tour de force in piano playing, impressive and melodic, the classical piano playing on this track highlights Lenny's talented and masterful piano playing. The intro sounds like a horror film soundtrack, the track continues into a classical/rock E.L.O type of song, I very much enjoyed this song.

Lenny sounds and plays like a true recording artist should, in my humble opinion Lenny should take a musical trip to New York City and/or Hollywood where his piano playing and melodic singing will probably take him very far in the music business, Buffalo doesnt have a whole lot of opportunities for talented singer/songwriters like Lenny, which is a shame because Lenny is such an amazing talent.

The Vincent James Explosion

The Vincent James Explosion

VJX IV

JERRY VINCE JIM 

Here's Vincent James filling in with Yvonne Schmidt's band at Burgerfest 2012.

The Vincent James Explosion is an original Art-Rock-Fusion trio based out of Buffalo, New York and formed in 2006 by composer, guitarist, and instructor Vincent James Mastrantonio. The band also consists of locally renowned drummer and author Jim Linsner and "superman" bass player Jerry Sampson. Our particular brand of high energy groove based progressive music is winning over crowds all over the north east. We have opened for several national acts including The Alex Skolnick Trio, Brian Augers Oblivion Express, Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. In this age of complete artistic freedom our goal is to continue to record, promote, and self produce original music.

We currently have four CD's: "Jammin' with J.T.", "Revelation", "Blown", and our latest "VJX-IV". CD's are available at every gig and can also be purchase on itunes. 

***We appreciate all of our fans and friends who have supported us all these years. Thank you*** 

Click on http://www.thevincentjamesexplosion.com/ to find out how you can get The Vincent James Explosion's latest CD "VJX-IV"

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vincent-James-Explosion/159795070752016

http://www.reverbnation.com/thevincentjamesexplosion

http://www.myspace.com/thevincentjamesexplosion

Here's Vince's drummer Jim Linser's website link http://www.jimlinsner.com/

Vincent James Explosion's "BLOWN" CD Cover

ELLEN - Buffalo, NY

ELLEN

ELLEN 471 NIGHTS music review.

471 Nights kicks off with a folk rock song called Ain't It Easy. Ellen's singing voice has a striking quality with its genuine honesty and heartfelt soulfulness. The lyrics are unique and interesting and John Cameron's guitar highlights the music perfectly.
Submission's lyrics come from the standpoint of a headstrong woman offering no apologies for how she feels. John Cameron's melodic slide guitar compliments the song without overpowering it.
Little Girl starts off with some melodic bass lines from there the lyrical content becomes heavy. The lyrics seem to tell a story of a little girl who left this life too early. 

Goodbye is my favorite song from 471 Nights. Musically the song is sparse with a highlight on the acoustic guitar and upright bass, both played by Ellen. The vocals are melodic with a melancholy feel. The song is mellow but powerful with feeling and subtle nuances.

So Beautiful is also one of my favorite songs on 471 Nights. The song is a uplifting bluesy rocker that will make your toes tap and your hands clap. The wah wah guitar solo by John Cameron is the best solo on 471 Nights.  

The title track, 471 Nights, starts off with the sounds of stormy weather. Lyrically the song seems to describe a romantic relationship that took a turn for the worst. Another killer guitar solo is provided by John Cameron.
471 Nights is a great first effort by the ELLEN band, here's to hoping more great music will be released soon. 

Ellen Cameron-Trainham - Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Upright Bass and Keyboards
John Cameron - Guitar
Mike Badach - Drums
Produced by David Hiser
Recorded - dblsland studios
Mastered - Stephen Ferrand Studios
Special thanks to John and Wanda Cameron.

ELLEN FB link
https://www.facebook.com/ELLEN-478793345495884/

Rock-o-ween: A Spooktacular Mash for Monsters of Rock!

Friday, November 1, 2019 at 7 PM – 11:30 PM at Sessions On The River, 133 Niagara Blvd, Fort Erie, Ontario L2A 3G6
https://www.facebook.com/events/413153962739598/

ROCK music lovers from Niagara region and beyond, this is the ULTIMATE All Ages/Licensed Halloween Weekend Party for YOU! No DJs. No trance. Just pure unapologetic LIVE rock'n'roll brought to you by some of the region's finest acts including... 

Paige Kopp & Foolproof
https://www.facebook.com/paigekoppandfoolproof/

Whatzername
https://www.facebook.com/whatzernamemusic/

Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold 
http://www.rosecoraperry.com/

and last but not least Redcoat!
https://www.facebook.com/redcoat905/

Hosted by 91.7 GiantFM's Pat Porter, the evening's festivities will also include skill-testing ROCK Music Trivia (with PRIZES!!!) PLUS an INCREDIBLE "Rockstar-in-the-Making" Swag Giveaway for BEST "Rockstar"-lookalike COSTUME, featuring instruments and accessories from D'Addario Canada, Blackstar Amps, AxePaxe and Long & McQuade St. Catharines!

So, bust out the wild hair, smeared makeup, ripped jeans or leather pants and come celebrate all things ROCK at this fang-tastic event with us!

Trick or treat bags given to the first 30 people through the door!!! Doors at 7:00 pm. The Party kicks off at 7:15 pm.

Presented by Sessions on the River and HER Records Inc.


**DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS, PLEASE NO MASKS. VALID GOVERNMENT ID WILL BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL ON SITE.**

Jim Crean - Buffalo, NY

For all the latest music/news/photos goto Jim Crean's Official website: http://www.jimcrean.net/

Jim Crean is part of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. Congratulations Jim!

Jim Crean "Broken"(Official Music Video)

FEATURING: Jim Crean~Lead & Background Vocals,

Steph Honde~Guitar , Vinny Appice~Drums, Rik Fox~Bass, Robby Lochner~Lead Guitar

Jim Crean "The London Fog” & “Gotcha Covered”

The highly anticipated new album by Jim Crean titled “The London Fog” released on Visionary Noise Records on CD, Digital Download & Vinyl format and is Distributed Worldwide.
“The London Fog” Album features a who’s who of Iconic Legendary All Star musicians such as Carmine Appice (Rod Stewart/Ozzy Osbourne/Vanilla Fudge/Cactus/Pink Floyd/Blue Murder) Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath/Dio/Heaven & Hell/Derringer/John Lennon) Mike Tramp Official (White Lion/Freak Of Nature) Frank DiMino (Angel) Tony Franklin The Fretless Monster (The Firm/Blue Murder/Whitesnake) Robby Lochnerr (Jack Russell’s Great White/Rob Halford’s Fight) Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot/ Ozzy Osbourne /Whitesnake/Blue Oyster Cult/ Dio / The Guess Who) Rik Fox ( W.A.S.P / Steeler / Sin) Steph Honde(Paul Dianno Iron Maiden / Hollywood Monsters) Chris Holmes Official (W.A.S.P ) Raymond Tabano (Aerosmith) Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian / Zakk Wylde ) Colleen Mastrocovo (Hair Nation) Ronnie Robson (Hollywood Monsters / Dover) A.D. Zimmer (Lou Gramm Band / Hair Nation) Eric Lebailly ( Stu Hamm / Adagio) Chris Tristram (Jack Russell’s Great White / House Of Lords / Joe Lynn Turner / Slash ) Christopher Konys (Tango Down ) Dave Pontrello (Session ) Freddy Villano ( Dee Snider’s Widowmaker / Quiet Riot / American Mafia ) Artie Dillon (Appice / Carmine Appice Slamm ) Carl Canedy (The Rods / Manowar ) Mitch Perry (Talas / MSG / Cher / Lita Ford / Edgar Winter / The Sweet)
Produced By Steve Major & Jim Crean. Executive producer Steve Susman III & Micah Jackson. ARTWORK BY Jeffrey Alan Dbury.
As an added bonus the label is putting out Jim Crean “Gotcha Covered” Album that has a vast array of cover songs! The album features Jim Crean, Dave Pontrello, Art Kalenda, Eric Lebailly, Steph Honde, Ronnie Robson, Produced By Steve Major & Jim Crean. Executive producer Steve Susman III & Micah Jackson ARTWORK BY Jeffrey Alan Dbury.

London Fog album art.

Gotcha Covered album art.

JIM CREAN “Insatiable” (2016) Rocker Records, LLC

The highly  anticipated new album by Jim Crean titled “Insatiable” on Carmine Appice’s label Rocker Records. Jim Crean's “Insatiable” features a who’s who of Iconic Legendary All-Star musicians such as Carmine Appice (Rod Stewart/Ozzy Osbourne/Vanilla Fudge/Cactus/Pink Floyd/Blue Murder) Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath/Dio/Heaven & Hell/Derringer/John Lennon) Mike Tramp (White Lion/Freak Of Nature) Phil Lewis (LA Guns/Girl) Frank Dimino (Angel) Martin Slott (Push) Jimmy Bain (Rainbow/Dio) Tony Franklin (The Firm/Blue Murder/Whitesnake) Robby Lochner (Jack Russell’s Great White/Rob Halford’s Fight) Rowan Robertson (Dio/Bang Tango) Phil Naro (Talas/Peter Criss) Dave Constantino (Talas) Stan Miczek ( Honeymoon Suite/The Guess Who/Sass Jordan/Killer Dwarfs/Harem Scarem/Tom Cochrane) Glenn Nash (Kim Mitchell/Lee Aaron) Colleen Mastrocovo (Hair Nation) Alberto Campuzano (Annihilator ) Steve Major (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) Roger Banks (Sarasin/24k) Don Jamieson (That Metal Show).

Insatiable album art.

CD art for Jim Crean's 2011 release "Velvet Crush".

Flyer for Velvet Crush CD release party.

Jim in action!

Jim Crean is an excellent and talented hard rock/metal singer whom I've known since my high school days. His melodic vocal stylings have earned him and his bands several B.M.A. music awards & multiple nominations. Jim is a great singer who has toured the states, performs in several great bands and no matter what venue he performs in Jim always delivers the goods when performing live.

This blog post is dedicated to Jim and to all the great people he has worked with over his storied career.

You Rock Jim!

Here's some more great online links to find out more about Jim Crean...

Check out a classic high quality video of Jim Crean in action!

Heres the link http://youtu.be/Jcf0vwcMcMg.
http://myspace.com/jimcrean

http://www.facebook.com/jimcrean24

Goo Goo Dolls & Rob Thomas with special guest Dean Lewis at the Buffalo RiverWorks in Buffalo, NY on Sunday, December 15th, 2019

Buffalo, NY-  Monday, September 30, 2019 – Goo Goo Dolls & Rob Thomas with special guest Dean Lewis to perform on Sunday, December 15th, 2019 at the Buffalo RiverWorks. This show is all ages and begins at 7:30PM with doors opening at 6:30PM.

Tickets are $59.50 and go on sale Friday, October 4th at 10 AM. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and https://mystar1025.radio.com

Goo Goo Dolls:

The Goo Goo Dolls formed in 1985 in Buffalo, New York. Guitarist/vocalist Johnny Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac, and drummer George Tutuska initially banded together under the name the Sex Maggots -- their new moniker was chosen from an ad in True Detective magazine at the behest of a local club owner. Originally a cover band with a taste for power pop and classic rock & roll, the group soon began writing original songs. Their early sound recalled the Replacements' origins as a bratty punk band: melodic, snotty, and a little bit thrashy. That sound was the reason the band attracted the interest of the heavy metal label Metal Blade, which issued their debut album in 1987 (known either as The Goo Goo Dolls or First Release). Released in 1989, the follow-up album, Jed, continued in a similar vein, and the band's college radio breakthrough came with 1990's Hold Me Up, a Replacements-ish power pop record.

In 2018, the band celebrated the 20th anniversary of their mainstream breakthrough, Dizzy Up the Girl, touring the U.S. and playing the album in its entirety. They capped the year with the release of a pair of live albums. Their 12th release, Miracle Pill, appeared in September of 2019.

For more information please visit: www.googoodolls.com.

Rob Thomas:

Life, love, and music eventually arrive full circle. We reach the place where we began not only wiser, but with more wonder for the bearing of the past on the future. Three-time GRAMMY® award winner Rob Thomas progresses by recognizing his roots. In fact, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and Matchbox Twenty co-founder picks up a thread from his formative years and weaves a bold and bright new chapter on his fourth solo offering, Chip Tooth Smile (Emblem/Atlantic Records].

Fittingly, the experience earned from over two decades as one of modern music’s preeminent songwriter and front men empowers him to do so.

“I’ve always been a radio kid,” he explains. “I grew up listening to all of this music from the late seventies and early eighties in the car with my mom. I knew every lyric to every song on the air. There’s a sensibility to the way I write that’s been informed by eighties songwriters, especially. I feel like I grow each year. Hopefully, that trend will continue until I am ready to stop.

He most certainly does on Chip Tooth Smile. In fact, the record represents a confluence of firsts for the New York-based artist. After three tour packed summers, he took the summer of 2018 off and commenced writing for what would become his latest album. Three years removed since 2015’s The Great Unknown, he amassed a career high 60 ideas to be whittled down into the next body of work. All along, there would be no choice but to work with longtime friend Butch Walker behind-the-board as producer. It notably marked his first collaboration outside of producers Matt Serletic and Steve Lillywhite, but one he admits to “manifesting.”

For more information please visit: RobThomasMusic.com

My Guitar Mate

www.myguitarmate.com

Yer fave music blogger and the owner of My Guitar Mate, Mike George from his visit to the House Of Guitars.

Thank You Mike!