A-B | C-D
| E-F | G-H |
I-J | K-L | M-N | O-P | Q-R |
S-T | U-V | W-X |
Y-Z
Southern
Nights
"Southern Nights: Volume 1:Americana"
Reviewed By Michael P. Jones
My response to the "Southern Nights" CD can be summed up in one
simple, but actually very descriptive word: "Wow!"
"Southern Nights" is a trio that hails from the Portland Metropolitan
Area and does things right -- or should I say "perfectly." Whether
they are up on stage or in a studio, or just creating a package for their CD,
they give their best and it comes through loud and clear.
This CD, titled "Southern Nights Volume 1: Americana," was released
just in time for the New Millennium. The CD features thirteen outstanding songs,
all new, that were written in 1999. Eleven of the tunes are written by Wayne
Richards, with "Maybe" and "When We Were Young" co-written
by Richards and Karolyn Laster.
Just who are "Southern Nights"? They are Wayne Richards, Carolyn
Laster, and Cheri Brown, three incredibly talented individuals who have been
gaining recognition as their music increases in momentum.
The past several
years "Southern Nights" have performed at the prestigious "Stormy
Weather Arts Festival" on the Oregon Coast, with their performances seeming
to dominate the "Great Northwest Music Stage" at the Cascade
Geographic Society's increasingly popular "Mount
Hood Huckleberry Festival & Barlow Trail Days" and at the "Mount
Hood Salmon & Mushroom Festival." Wherever they perform, audiences
all seem to love them. Perhaps it's their particular style of New Folk that
features all original songs which seem to touch everyone. Perhaps its their
blend of outstanding guitar work with beautiful harmonies that seem to invoke
continuous reveries once they stop performing on stage, or when the recording
halts, as in the case of this CD.
The "Southern Nights" trio consists of a blend of individuals whose
talents appear to be seemingly unlimited. And, if the CD "Southern Nights
Volume 1: Americana" offers any sort of proof to this truth with its New
Folk mood that's harnessed with an interesting and strong dose of Countried
flavor, then we can hopefully expect even more recording projects from them.
All the vocals were done by Richards, Karolyn Laster, and Cheri Brown, with
Richards on guitar. However, assisting on "Southern Nights Volume 1:
Americana" were a number of people who are not only talented musicians, but
also great friends of the three who wanted to lend a hand in making this
recording project a reality. They include Ken Brewer on fancy guitar, Arlene
Hale on bass, Tracy Grammer on violin and mandolin, Mike Pearson on piano and
organ, Dave Griffith on flute and wind synthesizer, Gary Watters on synthesizer
and keyboard, Mark Evilsizer on percussion and drums, and Doug Fulton on
harmonica.
The songs featured on "Southern Nights Volume 1: Americana" are
nothing short of being great. Which one is the best is difficult to say, and
surely will provoke some arguments since you have 13 to listen to.
"Soup Surprise," the lead-off song on the CD, is a good illustration
of Richard's work as a songwriter. With clever lyrics accompanied by
country-flavored music, not to mention an appropriate illustration of a can of
"Soup Surprise" inside the accompanying song booklet, it's a great
beginning to an impressive CD.
"Billy the Kid and Soup Surprise,
two pretty good answers to what otherwise
Would still be a mystery to me
Billy the Kid and Soup Surprise,
the rain on the sage and a pink sunrise
It may be everything you'll ever need."
"So Easy" is probably the best song, and it rightfully deserves this
credit since it made it into the finals of the Portland Songwriters
Association's "Showcase Finals." However, in reality it's still
difficult to say, since there are so many great tunes that are featured on this
CD.
"Maybe," written by Richards and Laster, as well as their other
jointly-written song, "When We Were Young," are two other favorites
from the CD. Both are possessed by lyrics that will be long remembered by
listeners as thought-provoking poetry.
"Country Love" is equally as good as any other stand-out song on the
CD. Written by Richards, this tune portrays love, Country love, that is, that is
masterfully crafted with lyrics that are interwoven into some interesting
Country-Folk instrumentation that accents the song's message of simple living
and appreciating the love that goes along with it.
"Cause nothing's like the way
my baby she says hello
She's happy just to see me
comin' home
She smiles and says I love you
and the long day slips away
She's in every Country Love Song
that they play."
"Southern Nights Volume 1: Americana" was produced, engineered, and
mastered by the person the trio describes as "the patient, gifted genius of
Gary Watters aka Pat Doro" of Take The Lid Off Productions. An impressive
recording project, Watters (or is it really Doro?) has captured this threesome
perfectly on disc.
As for the
packaging on "Southern Nights Volume 1: Americana," credit goes to
Kathleen Williams and Jerry Elparin of Magic Glass Photography. Their
artistically-fashioned graphics are accented by some outstanding photography
that dominates with a brilliant photo of a set of steps that appears to cascade
down into a garden-like setting, while the back is occupied by a a lone yellow
school bus maneuvering along an obviously misplaced modern asphalt roadway that
cuts across a Western Desert landscape, as if to leave its own misplaced mark on
this particular patch of earth.
As for the trio that makes up "Southern Nights," you'd be hard-pressed
to find nicer people. Forget for a moment that they are talented; Richards,
Laster, and Brown are the kind of folks that remind you of being as pure as the
wind-driven snow, making them three individuals for whom you want nice things to
come their way. Well, their CD is one heck of a blessing for all of them.
Wayne Richards is a singer/songwriter with his feet firmly planted flat on the
ground as he reaches into everyday life and creates lyrics that most everyone
can seem to identify with. He is a great guitarist who appears to literally
invoke a kind of unique, quiet symphony with the music he creates.
Richards has a long tradition of performing, recording, and publishing. He is
one of the founders of the "Portland
Music Association".
A dedicated tunesmith, Richards has written hundreds of songs. One of his tunes,
"So Easy," placed in the finals for the "Portland Songwriters
Association Showcase," while "Blossoms of May" took second at the
"Dallas Texas Songwriters All-State Gospel Competition."
Carolyn Laster is the second member of "Southern Nights" and is the
primary promoter of her trio. She is also an accomplished writer and radio talk
host who seems to be always in demand as a studio singer.
Laster is a national award winning singer who possesses an impressive range to
her voice that has almost a magical quality to it. She was a member of a
Regional Touring Champion Accapella Quartet and was invited to perform at the
Arlene Snitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon and at the Superdome in New
Orleans. But, her main talent clearly is when she is up on stage or in the
recording studio performing as a member of "Southern Nights,"
capturing the songs with her beautiful harmonies or lead vocals.
Cheri Brown is the third member of the trio. An accomplished singer with
impressive credentials, she was a member of the four- time Regional Champion
Accapella Chorus in which her group was selected to perform in the multi-ethnic
"Good in the Hood" production. She was also accepted as one of
Portland Oregon's famous "Singing Christmas Tree" performers, and also
toured and performed in Europe.
Brown is well-known for her beautiful vocals and perfect sense of timing,
wonderful range, and world-class ear for music. She has opened for such
entertainers as "Manhattan Transfer" as well as Roy Clark. Her role in
"Southern Nights" brings an amazing range of experience and vocal
gifts to the trio.
"Southern
Nights" is a popular Northwest trio who can fill your musical needs with
New Folk music that everyone should enjoy. With their beautiful harmonies and
well-crafted songs, they're available for any venue wanting the best. With tunes
ranging from the tender and sweet to love and sensitivity to the heart-tugging,
not forgetting the toe tappin' to the get-out-on-the-dance-floor rhythms, as
well as the just plain funny and slightly risqué, they perform all original
music of the people.
This trio has now entered a new dimension for their music. Their CD
"Southern Nights Volume 1: Americana" can now introduce new audiences
to their original songs, as well as help to remind their ever-loyal followers
that even when off stage their music can still entertain them.
The CD "Southern Nights Volume 1: Americana" is a must. To say the
least it is impressive, from its great 13 songs to the captivating photography
featured in its packaging. Clearly, if anything could best illustrate the
talents and the professionalism of this trio known as "Southern
Nights," it is this recording project that should create the mold for
anyone willing to take to a studio and capture their music.
You can order The CD "Southern Nights Volume 1: Americana" by sending
a check or money order for $15 (plus $3 for shipping) to: Green Swings
Productions at P.O. Box 82267, Portland, Oregon 97282.
For touring and booking information on "Southern Nights", also contact
Green Swings Productions by calling (503) 257-0643. You can even reach them via
electronic mail at so_nights@yahoo.com
or just be keeping your ears tuned in and listening to the sound of great music
being carried out into the world by the wind; odds are it'll be the music of
this talented trio.
[SPECIAL PERFORMANCE NOTE: "Southern Nights" has performed at the
Cascade Geographic Society's 1998 and 1999 "Mount
Hood Huckleberry Festival & Barlow Trail Days," and at the
Society's 1998 and 1999 "Mount
Hood Salmon & Mushroom Festival".]
Reviewed By Michael P. Jones
Paul Summers Jr. is a singer-songwriter who specializes in promoting and sharing
good music: his own! His Soft Alternative Rock tunes speak of the elements of
life that all of us face; they are tunes that conjure up emotions that everyone
has, but are probably too busy to stop and take notice of. This ability is
clearly the art of a true tunesmith.
Summers has taken his music from the recording studio to the
wide open road, performing in clubs, coffee houses, and concerts, and anywhere
else where there's an audience. And, now with two CDs to his credit, he's even
more determined to share his creativity with people who want to listen to both a
gifted and energetic performer and a prolific songwriter who writes from the
heart.
The story of Summers' struggle in the music business is
similar to most other musicians: one heck of a lot of miles donated to the
pock-marks of too many highways and back streets; living out of suitcases in
dingy hotel rooms or anyplace he could toss his bedroll; and entertaining what
has become a blur of people's faces in his audiences that, he cannot remember
their names, only their reactions to his songs.
It's been a lot of years and many thousands of miles since
Summers began traveling that unpredictable and the
no-one-said-that-it-would-be-this-hard road as a professional in the music
business. Today, having recorded two CDs featuring his original songs, there is
a renewed sense of purpose to take to the road once again and hawk his creative
wares. And why not, since his career is continuing to steadily build.
Summers comes from Las Vegas, Nevada, although you wouldn't
believe this with his must-be-an-Oregonian mannerism and sincerity. Having come
from a place that he describes as "culture-barren" and
"synthetic" with all its glitz and glamour, he made the best of it and
honed his skills as not only a musician, but as a tunesmith.
The Vegas nightclubs opened up opportunities for Summers and
his music, especially when he began playing in the larger venues. He has opened
for "Little Feat", "Devo", "Crash Test Dummies",
and "The Smithereens", as well as "Matthew Sweet". At the
3,500 seat Hard Rock Hotel, he broke-in the audience for the legendary "Al
Green".
In spite of Summers' success in Las Vegas, he soon realized
that his original music would never get the support that his hard work should
one day reap. So he headed out for the more artist-friendly Pacific Northwest,
taking refuge along the Willamette River in Portland, where his creative juices
not only flowed, but his stage personality blossomed. Revitalized by the rain
that turned the landscape green, and the changing seasons, Summers' talent
soared. The result was a revitalized confidence in his music, and a
determination to share his songs with a variety of audiences.
Today, Summers is absolutely committed to his career as a
singer-songwriter. He's an artist extraordinaire whose passion to his music and
his down-to-earth approach to this way of life is illustrated in the CD
"Brag's A Good Dog" and his latest recording "Juggling
Butterflies", with his "Paul Summers Band".
The Northwest inspired Summers to write more original songs.
These became a special 13-tune collection called "Brag's A Good Dog".
This CD, whose title was taken from an old saying of his father, sent him on the
road touring and showcasing his original songs. Two years passed, 1,400 copies
of this recording sold, and radio stations in 22 states gave it airplay.
"Brag's A Good Dog" provides a full menu of the
songwriting talents of Summers. With a voice often resembling that of Tom Petty,
the lucky thirteen songs that are featured are as refreshing as a street poet's
special collection of verse.
"You Deserve My Love" is a notable song, with a
straight-forward message of music accented by a violin that's uniquely inserted
in just the right places. "Spoiled Generation", with its folksy
presentation and Bob Dylan-like harmonica makes this a notable traveling song
that takes the listener on a journey. "Wayward Potion Blues", with its
lyrics written in first-person, is also notable with it's brilliant harmonica
work. The magic of the slide guitar in "Caught In The Maze" is
refreshing. The title tune, "Brag's A Good Dog", an instrumental,
demonstrates that Summers is master of the Folk guitar.
One of the main highlights of the CD "Brag's A Good
Dog" is a song entitled "Doubts". This tune offers a lingering
array of guitar mastery with haunting lyrics. It is not only brilliant but most
assuredly addictive. Of all the thirteen offerings by this singer-songwriter on
this CD, this best represents the talents of this artist.
Reviewed By Michael P. Jones
Paul Summers Jr. is a singer-songwriter who specializes in promoting and sharing
good music: his own! His Soft Alternative Rock tunes speak of the elements of
life that all of us face; they are tunes that conjure up emotions that everyone
has, but are probably too busy to stop and take notice of. This ability is
clearly the art of a true tunesmith.
Summers has taken his music from the recording studio to the
wide open road, performing in clubs, coffee houses, and concerts, and anywhere
else where there's an audience. And, now with two CDs to his credit, he's even
more determined to share his creativity with people who want to listen to both a
gifted and energetic performer and a prolific songwriter who writes from the
heart.
When Summers returned from the road to Portland, the
experience clearly had nurtured his song writing talents even more. Next came
the "Juggling Butterflies" CD which featured his latest songwriting
direction, which he calls "ultra-honest personal tales that reflect my
experiences, conclusions, and abilities as a singer, lyricist and
guitarist."
Backed by a band, the "Juggling Butterflies" is
special and reveals this singer-songwriter as a gifted performer whether it's in
the studio or in a live performance. And, while reflecting on this latest
recording venture, Summers describes the finished product as
"ever-evolving", and whose "songs seem to playfully dance around
the balance beam which ties good to bad; pain to joy; intuition to
insensitivity; wisdom to carelessness."
Guest artists who appear on "Juggling Butterflies"
include the following: Michael Keith Fouts on drums and percussion; DARA Quinn
on keyboards and piano; Mike Dillon on conga drum and bongos; and Mike D on bass
guitar. Summers plays guitar and harmonica.
Notable songs on "Juggling Butterflies" include:
"Elizabeth", featuring Latin-influenced guitar work that takes you
south of the border; "Cold Feet" with its haunting lyrics; and the
beautiful and thought-provoking Folk Rock tune "What U Wish 4", whose
words are accented by the sound of a fleeting harmonica.
Both of Summers' CDs can be purchased at Music Millenium and
Locals Only. You can also order them directly from Summers by contacting him at:
Autonomous Records CD, P.O. Box 56104, Portland, Oregon 97238-6104.
"Brag's A Good Dog" sells for $15 (which includes shipping);
"Juggling Butterflies" sells for $10 (which includes shipping); or
both CDs for only $20 (which includes shipping). Or, you can take your chances
by tracking him down at performances in clubs, coffeehouses, and festivals at
just-about-anywhere along the West Coast and throughout the United States, and
purchase them directly from the stage.
Summers will also be one of the featured performers at the
year 2000 "Mount
Hood Huckleberry Festival & Barlow Trail Days". Be sure and stop by
the Musician's Table during his performance to purchase your copy of the
CD's.
For additional information about Summers and his music, you can call him at
(503) 285-1558. And, be sure to check out his website at www.mp3.com/pauljr to
download songs and for other information such as tour and performance dates, or
contact him via email at JamPAULjr@aol.com for updates. You can also get on his
mailing list, which has grown to to over 800 interested listeners from around
the U.S.A.