Michael Biddlecom - Sonic Battalion CD review

Update 3/10/16: Michael passed away on 2/17/16. I've decided to include the heartfelt message on Mike's memorial card from his funeral in tribute. "I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun. Of happy memories that I leave when life is done."

Update 1/27/16: I've just learned that Michael has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Please keep Michael in your prayers.

Michael Biddlecom - Sonic Battalion CD review

The title track, Sonic Battalion, is a powerful track that will satisfy any heavy metal or hard rock fan. I'm a bit biased but this is the style of music that I love to hear Michael play because he executes the style with tons of power and passion. A couple of WWII samples set the mood and bring in the heavy guitar rhythm. The rhythm is punctuated by some absolutely ripping guitar solos. This song gets my blood pumping and adrenaline flowing whenever I hear it. Sonic Battalion is my favorite on this CD.
Youtube link https://youtu.be/hQJU8qqTJrY?list=PLTxQuyb0vUCxl1vEkcXjr2-EaHy55EQ4D
Lost In Heaven starts off with some whispering Italian verse provided by Cheryl LaDuca. I found myself being drawn into the song by this and curious as to what was coming next. Michael's vocals take over on top of a rhythm track that is fairly subdued until the third verse kicks in. This part of the music packs a heavy punch and it sounds great in contrast to the mellow parts of the verse. A bell tone brings in a melodic guitar solo that quickly turns into a flurry of notes that soar by with lightning speed. https://youtu.be/xAhrWvL-WDQ
Love Is Blind highlights Michael on acoustic guitar. The acoustic guitar provides an upbeat rhythm while some keyboard parts provide the melodic content. A searing wah-wah guitar solo takes the song out in style. https://youtu.be/az1RACu92rU
Promises has an 80's sound and a timbre that builds in intensity as the song continues. Once again Michael takes the song out on a high note with some stinging lead guitar playing.
https://youtu.be/Vf7tBsVJ1TA
Stranger In My Skin features Michael playing some nicely played acoustic guitar.
https://youtu.be/c_xgol8644E
Sagittarius invokes a feeling of waiting caution. The sound of this song made me feel like I was walking down a darkened hallway waiting for something to jump out and scare me. The shouting verses' release the spell with some aggressive guitar playing. Sagittarius is one of my favorite tracks on Sonic Battalion.
https://youtu.be/kM5_fs90GRg
When I'm Missing You is a lesson is musical restraint, Mike shows that he knows when to play and when not to play to let the groove breathe a little. Of course Mike lets it rip as the song continues. Great instrumental track that is reminiscent of Jeff Beck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEF_-98Xtkw
The final track, Morning Star has become more important and alot more meaningful to me since his untimely passing. The melody has a haunting quality and brings back many fond memories I have of Mike and his music. R.I.P. Mike 9/5/59 - 2/17/16.

https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarist253

https://twitter.com/guitarist253

Thank You Mike! 

This post is dedicated to Michael Biddlecom.

Joe Pinnavaia - Solace CD review

Joe Pinnavaia - Solace CD review.
Solace is a 3 song EP of instrumental guitar rock at it's finest. Solace starts off with Collapse. Collapse has a metallic edge complete with some soaring guitar melodies. Joe displays his outstanding guitar technique with fretboard tapping and quick as lightning solo flights. The middle section really caught my ear as it's different from the rest of the song. Joe hits a huge sounding power chord in this section as the sound of a cricket chirps into the music. Joe displays his versatility with some super sweet sounding guitar to carry this section through. The powerful section sounds even more powerful after it kicks back in. Joe takes out Collapse out with more fantastic and frenetic guitar playing.
The second track, Solace, has a uplifting sound but still rocks out with vigor. Layers of melodic guitar playing combine together to create a cohesive and exciting sound. Again the middle section hit me in just the right spot with it's ethereal quality. A nice build up brings the rockin' intro part back in and the drums are highlighted as Solace comes to a close.
Transient closes out Solace in style. The song has a nice, jazzy guitar rhythm track and Joe rocks it up with some really melodic solo playing on top. Joe's flawless guitar technique really shines through on this track. A couple of bass solos are highlighted on Transient. Transient is my favorite song on Solace.
Any fan of the instrumental music of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai will absolutely love Solace.
Solace can be heard on cdbaby through this link http://cdbaby.com/cd/joepinnavaia5
Thank You Joe!

JOE PINNAVAIA: Solace

http://cdbaby.com/cd/joepinnavaia5

1 - Collapse

2 - Solace

3 - Transient

 Joe Pinnavaia is a world class Guitarist and Instructor having been a featured artist on Steve Vai's Digital Nations Label. He is now a True Fire.com Instructor teaching students of varying levels from all over the world from the U.K., U.S.A and Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Russia, and Venezuela.

With nearly 30 years of playing experience and 20 years of teaching experience Joe is able to provide results for those who seek to elevate their playing to another level. Joe completed his musical education at Villa Maria College of Buffalo and at the University at Buffalo where he studied with Joanne Castellani from the world renowned Castellani/Andriaccio Duo and also studied with Italian born jazz/fusion virtuoso Tony Scozzaro and is now studying with Canadian Born Artist Dave Martone.

     Joe has also worked with Corey Lowery of Eye Empire, Dark New Day, Stuck Mojo, and Stereo Mud co-writing and internationally releasing BREAKERBOX's single "Soul to Life" and has appeared live with BREAKERBOX for select shows in New York including opening for Seether and Living Colour. 

     Joe recently worked with Corey and also Garrett Whitlock (Mark Tremonti Project) on this 3 song EP with anticipation of writing more material for a full length release. 

"TTR (Test Tube Rhino) is his project for launching selfish guitar madness. Lucky us. His liquid tone, melodic lines, and tendency to break out savage note flurries are delightful."

-Mike Molenda, Guitar Player 

"His playing breathes the lyrical melodic phrasing of Joe Satriani with elements of Buckethead’s acoustic mastery and articulation of the brilliant Paul Gilbert. For guitar instrumental lovers, InVitro is everything you could ask for."

Alex Jasperse -

musesmuse.com 

"The instrumental tracks veer from Steve Vai/ Joe Satriani speed shredding to Lenny Kravitz funky blues and rock to Jeff Beck Blow era jazz rock. "

Bob Silvestri -

Best of WNY.com

"Rock guitar instrumentals that allow for plenty of solo space, multi-layered esoterica, melodic richness, over-the-top shred, liquid legato lines, torrid tapping - in short, an outlet for the "experimental and selfish side of my playing," as Pinnavaia describes it."

The Undiscovered -

Guitar 9 Records 

"Test Tube Rhino is a killer project made up of killer tracks, killer writing and playing. Creative, diverse, interesting and gripping are all words I would use to describe this music."

Tom Hess - Tom Hess Music Corporation

"All instrumental, the sound is a pure sonic guitar feast in the timeless musical spirit of Robert Fripp and even Norwegian guitar god Terje Rypdal."

Robert Silverstein-

Music Web Express 3000 

"...very reminiscent of a certain Mr Fripp and his adventurous freedom of note choice and relaxed approach do call to mind Joe Satriani – all simmeringly quite cosily together in the sort of controlled sonic gumbo that needs a little spice…..which of course he adds in the form of some blazing modern techno-fetish lines."

Robert Silverstein-

Music Web Express 3000

"As a one-man project, Test Tube Rhino could suffer from a lack of diversity – but it doesn’t. Understated numbers like “I’m Not Doing Anything to Feel Sorry” shows Joey P. has a deft touch with supple lead guitar figures."

Christopher J. Kelter -

Rough Edge.com 

Thank You Joe!

Michael Biddlecom - Mystic Compass

Guitarist/Songwriter Michael Biddlecom has posted an impressive body of work on YouTube. I've recently found this out while doing some research for my upcoming review of Michael's "Mystic Compass" CD.

Here's all the links, songs are listed in chronological order. Click and Enjoy!

Michael's profile on YouTube is www.youtube.com/user/guitarist253
Impaler by Vicious Circle http://youtu.be/Fpui1ZTSXR4
Nightmares by Vicious Circle http://youtu.be/2YHqbUmOh2E

Mystic Compass by Michael Biddlecom http://youtu.be/6jUAj7qc5fY
Sydonia by Michael Biddlecom http://youtu.be/vwMIwyx7iNs
After The Rain by Michael Biddlecom http://youtu.be/rjolyrAval8
What Does It Take? by Michael Biddlecom http://youtu.be/m8FbysytIE4
Sapphire Blues by Michael Biddlecom http://youtu.be/4nNaWNJEeaA
Into The Nebula by Michael Biddlecom http://youtu.be/haoR7BKP0o4
Lost As Love by Michael Biddlecom http://youtu.be/Ly0w3q95ewA
The Enemy by Michael Biddlecom and Joe Cristofanilli http://youtu.be/sP_q11738j8
Mad Theater by Michael Biddlecom and Joe Cristofanilli http://youtu.be/Q-PpzkHnzzk
Miles Before You Sleep by Michael Biddlecom and Joe Cristofanilli http://youtu.be/6MMhSRMeHDI

Michael Biddlecom

UPDATE 5/7/13: Michaels newest CD is entitled Strange Therapy. Mike's newest release can be purchased at any Record Theater location.

Mike has a new Youtube channel with new music! Check it out...

http://www.youtube.com/user/Masks253

Dream Stages http://youtu.be/L9nf3vA2_O8

Empty Rooms http://youtu.be/Hwrl2L73egU

Music and Lyrics by Michael Biddlecom, Cinematography for Empty Rooms by Patsy Silver Cristofanilli.

Thank You, Mike!

Michael Biddlecom - Strange Therapy

UPDATE: Michaels newest CD release is entitled Strange Therapy.
Pick up your copy at Record Theater today!

Mike Biddlecom is a prolific songwriter and accomplished guitarist who is working on a new CD release. Included are a sample of Mike's latest Youtube posts', I'm sure a couple of these songs will be on the new release, check 'em out and get a preview...

The Stars look down tonight from 12/11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IwDMEGuQh4&list=UUK90ol2j2yC1rOu9RfgftXg&index=12
The Truth from 12/11
http://youtu.be/UBUWYxeHPi4
Emeralds from 12/11
http://youtu.be/kO1XxZWKZYM

Cool Movie Soundtracks

http://www.naxos.com/

http://www.naxosradio.com/

http://www.gnpcrescendo.com/

This CD is worth picking up just for 1 the PJ Harvey track alone.

King Kong.

Band 101 - Number 4

Welcome to another installment of Band 101. Band 101 deals with the problems you may have to contend with as a member of a full band. More specifically a cover band who plays hit songs in local bars to earn extra money. I have 34 years of experience dealing with many of these problems firsthand.

Any potential member of any working cover band must realize before joining that they may end up playing, at least 1 song they may not enjoy at every gig. These songs may stay on the set list, especially if the girls get up and dance every time the band plays them. By giving the people what they want your band will build and keep a loyal following. If you're not willing to play a few of the same songs at every gig then you should definitely not start or join a working cover band.

Learning new songs is essential to keep things interesting for everyone in the band as well as the audience. It's best if all the band members agree on all the new songs that will be added. If you're easy going and willing to play songs that 1 or 2 members in the band choose then things will go smoothly. If you can't all agree on any given song it's best to take a democratic vote to keep things fair. Every band should work as a team in order to keep every band member happy. Once everyone agrees on a few songs to add it's best for everyone to learn them at home before attempting to play them at practice.

When trying to add new songs it's very important to be able to listen and realize when a song isn't sounding good at band practice. Trying to soldier on with a bad sounding song can put a damper on a good practice. It's best to drop bad sounding songs and just move on to the next song, if you can't agree on whether or not to drop any song, again, it's a really good idea to take a democratic vote to keep the peace. Any one song, no matter how much any one particular member may really love it, is not worth keeping on the set list if it sounds bad. You can't let your love for any particular song get in the way if it's not working out. Remember that the band can always learn a new song to replace a song that sounds bad. If individual egos get in the way a "even if it's bad it's good" song policy can really stifle any positive progress the band can ever make. Many songs can end up sounding bad, this is not a good thing, especially if you want to keep a following. Being flexible with a song list and smart enough to keep good energy flowing are often overlooked but these are a couple of key elements if you desire to keep a good cover band together.

It's important to recognize your weaknesses and play up your strengths when learning new songs.
A potential new band song may sound great when you're singing and playing it at home alone with your acoustic guitar but suffers when played with the entire band.

If you're inexperienced you should be open to honest and constructive criticism from fellow band members when practicing new songs. This is a good thing. It's a very bad thing if you're ego gets the best of you and you can't accept any kind of criticism from your fellow band members. Just wait until you get up in front of a hostile and intoxicated audience! They do not hold any comments back no matter how well you think you are playing and performing!

OK, back to learning new songs, if 1 or 2 band members learn the new songs and a couple haven't yet it's best to put these songs aside for next practice. It may seem like a good idea at first but you should never try to go ahead and teach the band members who don't the songs how to play them during practice, this is a bad thing. Trying to teach them can become a very long and tedious process, especially if that player isn't a quick learner. The band members who already know the songs will become increasingly bored the longer the lesson continues. They now have to find something else to do and that something will probably be interrupting you while you are attempting to teach the song. They may even leave the room and become disinterested in continuing practice altogether. If and when the lesson ends you may have to find everyone, get them back together and convince them all to continue practicing a song that the member you just taught may still not know good enough to even bother playing. If this becomes a regular thing then that member will stop learning new songs and will start to rely on you to teach them to him at practice, this is a really bad thing.

Going ahead and playing the songs without the entire band knowing them is not a good idea either.
If you play the songs the end result may be a really bad sounding attempt at a potentially good addition to your song list. Playing any new song badly over and over again is a great way to kill any positive momentum you have flowing at a good practice. It's important to develop good listening skills in order to realize when a song isn't really working out. Another result can be that if the members who haven't learned the songs play the wrong notes or the wrong groove the fluffed part will probably end up being the part they continue to play every time. Especially if everyone in the band says "that sounded great!" after the song is over. Why should that player bother learning the correct notes if playing it wrong or just plain bad "sounded great"? If a fluffed part "sounds great" then they may begin thinking that they can get away with fluffing their parts for all of the songs, this is not a good thing. If you are always fluffing parts and you can't be bothered to put the time and effort in to learn songs correctly you should not join a working cover band.

It's important to realize that the entire band should work as a team, no one's singular opinion should ever be considered more important than any another band members. If you think your opinion is better than everyone else's then you are letting your ego get in the way. This is not good thing. Stubborn egos will result in a member quitting, the band constantly changing members or a break up.
If you want to keep a good working band together for awhile it's a really good idea to put your ego aside and do what's best for the band. If you can't do this you shouldn't start or join a cover band.

Through my 34 years of musical experience I've learned that it takes at least one solid year for a new band to really gel and sound good when playing together. If you don't think the audience can hear the difference between a seasoned line-up of good players who have learned to play well together and a bunch of new members who have thrown together a set list to play out then you're fooling yourself because they can.

Experienced cover bands realize that it's a really good idea to have a ton of great sounding songs ready to play so the songlist can be a little different every time you play out. A song that doesn't go over in one bar may work well in another. Playing the same setlist will get old real quick and may lead to a member quitting or the band breaking up out of sheer boredom. If the band you're in can't be bothered to learn any new songs band members may turn to alcohol, drugs and the most dreaded scourge of any band, overplaying! to keep thing interesting when practicing and playing out.

Please email any inquiries to jtellfotos@yahoo.com, thank you.

Bully - Feels Like CD review

I first heard of Bully through one of their opening bands from their current tour called Heat.
(see show review)
I found a great youtube video of Bully playing the song Trying live on the Conan O'Brien show so I was eager to see the band live. The song that really hooked me into Bully was when I first heard Milkman, which is also on this CD but I'm getting a little ahead of myself.
Feels Like starts off with I Remember. The opening track is chock full of youthful rock energy and ends rather quickly, leaving the listener wanting more. Alicia Bognanno screams through the song but still manages to convey heartfelt emotion and sentiment through the lyrics. Great opening song.
Reason keeps the energy level high and continues along the same vein as I Remember. A melodic lead vocal and guitar line carry the song along into a heavy crescendo.
Too Tough plods along with a heavy groove that immediately hooked me in with it's melodic simplicity. The lyrics seem to be describing the break up of a relationship. The vocals have a come hither quality that is hard to ignore.
Brainfreeze is another up tempo rocker that could be described as punky grunge. Smells like a college radio hit to me.
The first single from Feels Like is the somewhat controversial Trying. The lyrics convey the feeling of a troubled youth who is trying to deal with a uncertain future. Alicia proves why she took the torch from Courtney on this one with a great vocal performance that is full of angst and exciting energy.
Trash features some great guitar noises combined with notes of dissonance to create a heavy sound. The low key to screaming vocals are a perfect topping for the guitar interplay.
Six is a punk rock song. Fast and full of energy and exuberance.
Pictures is another great rocker with a kick ass bass sound and a new wavish chorus.
Milkman is my favorite song on Feels Like. The raw energy that the band exudes is infectious and the music has a aggressive edge that really raises the cool factor of the song. Just as the feeling of the song hits you it's over in a flash.
Feels Like ends with the song Bully. This song is another aggressive rocker that keeps the overall energy of the CD flowing in the right direction. Love the harmonic blending of the bendy guitar notes with the vocals.
I would definitely recommend the Feels Like CD to any college radio, punk rock, grunge or alternative rock music fan.

Band 101 - Number 6

Band 101 is a blog series that deals with the in's and out's of being a participating member of a working cover band.

Entry number six deals with a somewhat controversial subject, using cheat sheets when playing live. First off, no matter what any band member may say cheat sheets are OK to use if you can't remember the words to a song or the chord changes. Practicing a song at home is great but playing live is very different, sometimes memorizing a song can be hard no matter how many times you may practice it at home. Cheat sheets are a great tool on the road to memorizing any song. A no cheat sheet band policy is really not a good thing, as at least 1 band member may need them to perform confidently. It's not uncommon for a famous recording artist to use cheat sheets so I think it's OK for any local musician to use them. I've witnessed famous recording artist Lucinda Williams use a songbook onstage. Lucinda wasn't glued to her songbook so it didn't detract from her outstanding live performance. It's no secret that Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath fame has the words to his songs continuously displayed on a fake monitor out front. This is the best way to do it but not all musicians have the technology or the budget to do this. The absolute best way for a working musician to "cheat" is to have a ipad or computer device set up on your mic stand so any quick glances can go unnoticed while performing. Finding a special attachment for your mic stand is easy to find if you want to buy one for your ipad. If you don't have a ipad I found the best way to make a cheat sheet is to write in big, bold black ink, any notations on a large sheet of foldable white paper. Be sure print your notes in big, black bold lettering. Using any other color ink will render your cheat sheets illegible once you find yourself under colored stage lighting. The best place to put any cheat sheets is on the floor directly in front of you. If you're playing a club that provides monitors you can tape them to the front of your monitor to hide them from the crowd, this will not affect the sound from the monitor. Lyrics can be taped on a side fill. Be sure to place them directly in your line of vision so you see them while you're singing. I found that cheat sheets are the absolute best way to defeat any crippling self doubt you have with any song you're not sure on. Be sure not to spill any liquid on them so you can use them for your next gig. The main thing to remember is that if you find yourself looking at your cheat sheets more than the audience you are supposed to be performing for then you are relying on them too much. Clearly, memorizing a song is the best way to go.

Band 101 - Number 5

Band 101 is a blog series that deals with the in's and out's of being a member of a working cover band.

Episode 5 deals with the fine art of improvisation within the fairly strict confines of any cover song. Unless you're going into the studio to record a unique version of a cover song it's best to learn any cover song the proper way before trying to improvise with the chords or the arrangement. Especially if your band plans on performing the song live in front of an audience. Playing any song the proper way gives the audience a chance to recognize the song. If you change the arrangement or decide to get fancy straight away the audience may become disinterested in your band's special version. Once you have the crowd hooked in by playing a song the proper way you can then start improvising or jamming, if that's what your band wishes to do. Playing a song in the proper way will probably be enough to impress of bar full of people. But once you begin improvising or jamming you can then show off your unique talents in an attempt to further impress the crowd. A high energy guitar, bass or drum solo can boost the energy level of any crowded bar room. Once you notice the crowd beginning to lose interest in your jamming, it's best to go back to the original groove and close the song out. Some cover bands choose not to improvise, but once you start learning how to read crowds you can jam out as much as you like. Jamming on a good groove, especially if the girls are dancing out front, can raise up the energy level of any room. The art is knowing when to jam at just the right moments in order to continue holding the crowds undivided attention. All of these jamming judgement calls come with years of experience and a proven set list full of crowd pleasing songs. Jamming gives your bands soloist something to look forward to as well as your loyal following. Once your band earns the reputation of a being a good jamming band chances are your following will be chomping at the bit wondering when your band will cut loose and let some solos fly.