Zane Williams

Peter Bradley Adams. Traces, Just let this CD Loop

I sit here with Peter Bradley Adams “Traces” CD playing on my I Phone and I have for the past 2 weeks. I walk the dogs, Listening to “Traces” I sit a my computer Listening to “Traces”. I drive in my car Listening to “Traces”.
The funny thing is, I bought this CD the day it released (Oct 20th 2009) Listened and said. Awwww it’s not as good as “Leavetaking” released (Aug 5th 2008). As is usual with me I dismissed something that was great. I qued it up about 2 weeks ago and I haven’t stopped yet.

If your familiar with “EastMountainSouth” you know who Peter Bradley Adams is. He and Kat Maslich formed in 99 and released a debut self titled album with Dreamworks in 03

On Traces as with Leavetaking Peter has a way of just making you sit back, close your eyes and take in his voice, lyrics and stellar production. Peter’s guitar and Piano work are understated and superb. This is why I have had Traces on Repeat for the past few weeks.

The CD begins with Family name a tune about lineage, and loss and knowing who you are and where you came from. Family name chugs along moving you to tap your foot or rock to and fro. Next up For You great lyrics like “leave your nightmares behind and I will dream a better dream for you”. Makes you delve deeper into this CD and listen with attentive ears. The Title track Traces comes up 3rd and has a little more production with a little step to the Fok/Rock side of the spectrum. The CD moves along telling about Love and Loss and missing and even making mistakes even letting that person come back one last time in I Tell myself. This track is hauntingly beautiful with an electric guitar and minimal production. One of my favorite tracks is Heart of a Girl the production is smooth, but moves forward, with cello, piano and Fiddle and Luke Bulla from WPA , (Lyle Lovett) doing honors on Fiddle. This track is telling me this is where he found love and what it looks like. He’s not there now, but now he recognizes it. I could go through every song on this album, and sing it’s praises, but I will leave you with that.
Peter finds a way to say what we are thinking in certain situations. It’s all been said before, but Traces seems to say it in a fresh new way.

I think it’s Brilliant I give it high marks will call them J’s (stars are over done) and Traces gets many of them JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

Go buy this CD, dowload it and sit back relax and take it all in.
J.T. Keel
www.40yearphone.call.com
www.jeffreytodd.com

Works Progress Administration. A must Listen.

Welcome to my 1st Review. I’ve decided that my 1st one should be an Indie with a bit of Muscle. WPA (Works Progress Administration).

Let me tell you 1st that when I Review an album I do not listen 1 time and then give my thoughts. I listen a dozen times maybe even more. I want to know the music and feel of the album not just how good or bad a recording is. I am a musician and I care about good recordings, but I am a songwriter and the songs are what is to be served.

WPA. Glen Philips, Sean Watkins, Luke Bullla, who? Luke Bulla along with Sara Watkins and a host of others from club Largo in LA.

WPA was an initiative of FDR in 1939 to put people to work in a tough time. It inspired creativity and art along with hard work. The members of WPA feel that this collaboration is in that same vein.
Glen Phillips (the person to collaborate with) he’s done a bunch of it and it’s all pretty damn good. (Mutual Admiration Society) Sara, Sean Watkins (The Thorns) Shawn Mullins, Pete Droge, Matthew Sweet. Glen was one of the writers, but didn’t tour. Of course "Toad the wet Sprocket" and I am sure much more that I don't know about.

Ok, WPA fully Indie starts with “Always have my Love” (glen) Straight out of the gate, full on sounds like it’s in the heart of Nashville, but also an LA vibe in it. Glen sings “Rise Up” with honest conviction, but very pensive. Glen brings Lyrics to the table that amaze, and speak to whomever is listening.
Sean Watkins serves up “Not Sure”, “Paralyzed”and “Your already gone”. On 1st listen I am not as fond of Sean’s voice, but the harmonies more than make up for it for me. After a few more listens and knowing the song Sean’s voice fits the vibe of the song
and draws you into what he is singing rather than how he’s singing.

The surprise for me is Luke Bulla, I don’t know who he is. He plays Violin for Lyle Lovett
apparently he sings and writes songs too. Brilliant, love his voice on “Who’s gonna Cry for you” and “Remember Well” Wow! this tune really drew me in, probably my Fav on the CD. “Not Sure” (Luke) another tune I’ve felt I have heard before ,very natural.

“The Cry” is a haunting tune and upon 1st Listen, didn’t grab me, but as I got in the mood the vibe was there and it didn’t get skipped again.
The other great surprise for me is Sara Watkins on “ I Go to Sleep” (Ray Davies) her voice is tender and light, but sings with passion. Sara Puts her stamp on the CD with “The Price”
The CD has a fun filled southern honky tonk fiddle tune “A Wedding or a Wake” a great fun toe tapping tune. With all sharing vocal responsibilities The CD ends with Sara on “The Price” a piano Vocal Penned by Bentmont Tench the Piano Player in WPA and a singer/songwriter in his own right.

To sum up this CD. I will give it 5 stars, (yeah I know so high to start with), but this CD with each listen got better, and better. Each collaborator brings his/her own thing to the
CD and it gels. Lyrically strong, taking on Love, Loss, Life and Living.
Hopefully will hear more from this collaborative effort. Purchase this CD and go see them Live I
am sure you will not be disappointed.
You can visit www.wpamusic.com and listen as well as download. You can even name your price to pay. The joy of an Indie, even and indie of this caliber. Good on ya.

J.T Keel
www.40yearphonecall.com

New Music and JT Musings on the Music Biz.

40 Year Phone call. what the heck is that? It's JT's way of saying it's taken me 40 years to figure Out what I love and what I love to do. I've been doing it my whole life and didn't realize it's what God put into me. I will be reviewing some of my favorite music as well I will give my experience as a working, traveling, struggling musician. Be on the look out after Christmas for my 1st review.
Be safe and Happy Christmas, and Merry new year.
JT

New Music and Even some old Music

Hello, this is JT. I am an Indie Musician, singer songwriter and Lover of Music. I am starting a Blog on Indie Music and will be Reviewing Music from Folk, Pop, Rock, Americana, Country and Christian genre's. I Love music, I love talking about music.

I will List some of my favorite artist, both here in the US and around the World.
So come visit, if your a musician send me some tunes and I will be review your CD.
thanks Music fans.
JT