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Guest Musicians on "All Over The Road" CD Kenny Aronoff: Drums Chad Manning: Fiddle Emory Joseph: Dobro, mandolin D.B. Walker: Guitars, Dobro Michael Bruninga: Bass Larry Steelman: B3 Organ Andon Davis: Guitars, mandolin Mars Arizona has a population of two, Nicole Storto and Paul Knowles, singer songwriters who blend their strong vocals, instrumental prowess and lyrical abilities into a singular vision. Both artists have a distinct style and, as their voices intertwine to augment a song’s melodic line, they create a complex and totally original harmonic dance. “All Over The Road”, mostly recorded in the HillTop Cabin studio at their Mill Valley CA home, is less rock than their debut, “Love Songs From The Apocalypse.” It has a warm organic sound rooted in the country and old time music Knowles heard growing up in the South. It’s alt.country that doesn’t tilt very far to the alt. side of the equation, an exploration of real emotions marked by heartfelt sincerity, without any irony or self-consciousness. The focus remains squarely on the songs and the artists who deliver them: tales of heartache, oppression, loss, recovery, joy and ultimately, resurrection. “All Over The Road” was produced and arranged by Knowles and Storto and its blend of originals and covers gives listeners an intriguing look into the past, present and future of Mars Arizona. “He Broke Your Heart” is a straightforward song of lost love accented by Knowles’ weary vocals, ghostly slide guitar fills and a whistled solo that brings Andy Griffith to mind. “Goodbye Peace” is a eulogy to Noel Cross (Sofa), the band’s late bass player; Storto’s multi-tracked vocals convey all the grief and rage we feel at the loss of a close friend. The title tune is an energetic, twang heavy cosmic honky tonk rocker with a screaming slide guitar solo from Knowles. The song was inspired by WDVX (Knoxville, TN.) DJ and drummer Michael Flannagan, an early supporter of the band who passed away in 2003. He would have been tickled pink by the fact that drummer Kenny Aronoff played on a song dedicated to him. The cover tunes that Mars Arizona drop into the mix show off the band’s skills at arranging outside material. They give Buck Owens’ “Excuse Me, I think I’ve Got A Heartache” an anguished reading by slowing it down and accenting the emotional pain behind the lyric. Storto’s vulnerable vocal and Chad Manning’s aching fiddle make their rendition a real tearjerker. “Working Class Hero” blends Chad Manning’s spooky fiddle and a desolate vocal from Knowles, while the band takes Gillian Welch’s “Elvis Presley Blues” to church with a sanctified instrumental coda featuring Larry Steelman’s Hammond B-3. The title track from the new release made its radio debut on Doc Holiday’s “Watusi Rodeo” on Indie 103.1 in Los Angeles, “The World’s Coolest Radio Station” according to Rolling Stone magazine. It is also getting airplay on WDVX, Knoxville TN and has already charted on XM radio’s Cross Country station. The album is currently in the MilesofMusic Top Ten as of this writing, and will receive heavy radio promotion. The band will be on the road for the summer and fall of 2005. For further information contact: Contact: concierge@marsarizona.com Paul @ BigBarn Records : 415-465-0449 Publicity: Michelle Roche - 706-353-3244 http://www.michelleroche.com Radio Promo: Peter Hay - 718-369-1370 | ||
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Other artists from CA Isul Kim Martine Locke Lisa Alice | |||
Uncommon Ground Past Show Dates | |||
| 2005-07-19 (1147 days) | Ellery | ||
| Phyllis Heitjan | |||
| Mars Arizona | |||
