Brooklyn Voices – July 2014

July 6, 2014 by David K. Moseder

“These songs are especially deep for me,” says Joan Osborne about her new CD, Love and Hate She wrote or co-wrote all 12 tracks, making it her most intimate album to date…It’s been a busy year so far for Fabolous: He recently released an extended version ofCuffin Season on video, is featured on the new Mariah Carey album, introduced the Brooklyn Nets during Game 6 of their playoff against the Raptors, and is working on the soon-to-be-releasedLoso’s Way II… No Fools, No Fun, recorded at Brooklyn’s Studio G, is the debut album from Puss n Boots—Norah Jones’ collaboration with Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper. The group celebrated the July 15th with a live performance at The Bell House in Gowanus…Nicole Atkins (featured in Brooklyn Roads Volume 3, Issue 3) cracked the top 10 of Billboard’s Folk and Heartseeker charts with her new album, Slow Phaser, which also made the top 40 among Independent and Top Rock releases. By the way, her video of Girl, You Look Amazing is a riot…Michael Moore callsMistaken for Strangers, the new film about The National directed by frontman Matt Berringer’s brother Tom,
“One of the best documentaries about a band that I’ve ever seen”… The video forDigital Witness, the breakout track from the new self-titled album bySt. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) has racked up more than 1.4 million hits on YouTube… Americana/roots singer-songwriter Roger Street Friedman’s debut CD, The Waiting Sky, was recorded by fellow Brooklynite Felix McTeigue at several studios around the borough, including Saltlands, Strangeweather, McTeigue’s own 802 Media Group and Friedman’s home studio… It’s been three years since The Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s last album, but indie pop band hasn’t abandoned us. They’ve just released Days of Abandon, which has already spawned two singles, Simple and Sure and Eurydice.

Notable Quote: “Pete Seeger was a messenger of universal love and peace. He was my first inspiration to write and share music in my own way. God bless.” –Neil Diamond

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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