Inside the Music June 2022
Hello Everyone!
I hope everyone is looking forward to a great summer! As we move into the summer months and start dreaming about those long days on the beach, the music is still as hot as the weather! There were several new releases since my last article, and we will take a look at those this month, as well as update some of the releases we covered last month.
So with that being said, let's go Inside The Music shall we?
3 More Minutes - Deb Browning
Deb Browning's meteoric rise to Beach Music fame has been nothing short of spectacular and so much fun to watch! Just to recap, Deb burst on to the Beach Music scene with her first original release "Dancin'" in 2019 which hit #1 on several Beach Music charts. In 2020, she followed up with "In My Dreams, which also hit #1 on several Beach Music charts and finished #10 for the year on Eric Bowman's Wave New Beach Music Countdown. In 2021, she released her next original tune "Stop Messin' With My Man", which hit #1 on over TEN Beach Music charts, and finished in the top 10 for the year on six charts! The music video for "Stop Messin' With My Man" has received over 466,000 views as of May 2022.
Folks if my math is correct, that's three releases and three #1's! Now that's getting it done! Not to mention her collaboration with Gary Lowder "You're No Good", which finished in the Top 10 for 2020, and her Christmas CD "Here Comes Christmas", which included two original songs. Her latest collaboration with The Six Piece Suits "Take Me By The Hand", has also hit #1 on several charts and is still climbing other charts as of this writing! Can you say Beach Music Superstar? Deb was voted Rising Star by The Carolina Beach Music Awards in 2021, and she has more than proved that to be correct!
But wait, there's more!! Deb recently released her sixth original tune "3 More Minutes". Inspired by a brief conversation with a woman at Fat Harold's Beach Club, who told Deb she wished someone would ask her to dance so she could have "3 More Minutes" on the dance floor, Deb began writing the song almost a year before its release. Well folks, Deb has another hit on her hands! The song has a perfect shag beat for the dancers, tip of the spear production from Tim Sidden, and a leave no doubt vocal performance from Deb! The song also features some of the top musicians in Beach Music providing the perfect instrumentation at just the right time! There is also a very cool video for the song which was filmed at Fat Harold's Beach Club. The video is available at http://www.debbrowningmusic.com
As we move into the summer months, look for "3 More Minutes" to make a major move up the Beach Music charts! With "Take Me By The Hand" still so strong on many charts, it may take "3 More Minutes" a little while to make its move, but I expect this song to be another major hit for Deb! A relative newcomer to the Beach Music scene compared to other artists, Deb Browning is continuing to cement her legacy in Beach Music history!
"3 More Minutes" is available for download at all of the major streaming platforms. Download your copy today! You will be so glad you did!!
That You Hear In A Song - Too Much Sylvia
Too Much Sylvia released their latest song "That You Hear In A Song" on May 11th and boy is it a GREAT one! This smooth offering just grabs you from the opening note and never lets you go!! The vocals on this tune are so heartfelt that they just make you want to grab that special someone and head straight to the dance floor! The back up vocals, production, and instrumentation on this track are tip of the spear!
From the one sheet for the song released by Green Dot Records:
too MUCH SyLviA is ready to release their latest song and we couldn’t be more excited! Call it a smoothie, call it a ballad, call it what you wish; this song will have you swooning with a familiar feeling. “We were both the kind of lonely… that you hear in a song.” This 3:48 tune appeals to shaggers and non-shaggers alike. Couples will immediately be drawn in and to the dance floor, as it is dialed back and intimate. We think this one is really special. It’s different (in a good way!) for Too Much Sylvia, which is apparent pretty early in the song. No worries, the signature “Too Much Sylvia harmonies” are still there! They come in right on the first verse and go through the end of the song. “THAT YOU HEAR IN A SONG” is written & produced by keyboardist Rick Lee (two-time CBMA Writer and three-time Producer of the Year) and it features Steve Long (2020 CBMA Male Vocalist of the Year & 2021 Male Vocalist Nominee). It was performed and recorded at Traffic Sound Studio. The recording and mix engineer is David Rhyne, who the band refers to as their “fifth Sylvia!”
Folks I can't say enough good things about this song!! As the one sheet says, call it a smoothie, call it a ballad, call it what you wish. I know what I call it. I call it a HIT!! This song is definitely worthy of Song Of The Year consideration. It has it all: it is an original, the vocal is so undeniably impressive, and the production and instrumentation is some of the best in the business! DJ's you will definitely want to add this one to your collection! You can never have enough smoothies and ballads and this is a great one!
Too Much Sylvia's place in Beach Music history is more than secure, but they just added a great new chapter to their legacy with the release of "That You Hear In A Song". Download it today from I Tunes or any of the major streaming platforms. You will be so glad you did!!
Bad Boy - Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot featuring Bridger Warlick
Wow!! Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot can absolutely do no wrong!! Their new CD "The After Party" has already produced three number one songs (if my math is correct) from two different vocalists! "I Got The Feeling" and "Just Like Falling In Love" feature Gary on the lead vocal and "Usta Be My Girl" features Harold Smith on the lead microphone! Could there be a fourth? I think it is a definite possibility!!
"Bad Boy" features trombone player Bridger Warlick on the lead mic and to say he nails this song is an understatement!! Bridger takes this old Ray Parker song and absolutely makes it his own!! He delivers a leave no doubt vocal performance on this track that just makes you want to get up and dance! Bridger started playing trombone at the early age of eleven. By his teen years he was playing with a band and on his way to performing on a professional level in clubs and at corporate events. When Bridger is not on stage or in the studio, he is attending Methodist University where he is a member of the tennis team. How's that for multi talented!!
Featuring top shelf production and tip of the spear instrumentation that we have become accustomed to from Gary Lowder, "Bad Boy" is destined to make a move to the top of the Beach Music charts! It is already #14 on Riptide Radio and #12 on Eric Bowman's Wave New Beach Music Countdown! Look for it to make a full frontal assault on the charts as we head into the summer! For more information on Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot, visit http://www.garylowdermusic.com or their Facebook page.
Breathless - Lesa Hudson
Lesa Hudson released her new original song "Breathless" on May 3rd and the song is already smokin' up the Beach Music charts! "Breathless" is currently #15 on both The Surf Top 20 and Eric Bowman's Wave New Beach Music Countdown and is receiving major airplay across the Beach Music airwaves! From the opening guitar lick, this song just grabs you and won't let go! There is just a funky groove about this song that drives you to the dance floor. It is the perfect tempo for shaggers, but I think it would be a great line dance tune as well! I'm sure one of Lesa's fans has already choreographed a line dance for the song!
The song features a smokin' sax ride from none other than Funky Leroy Harper Jr. which elevates this song to top shelf level. Throw in tip of the spear engineering and production from none other than Rick Strickland, and you have another smash hit for Lesa, one of her best yet! Lesa Hudson continues to write great original material and build upon her legacy in the Beach Music industry. Her live shows with Rick Stickland are always full of energy and the fans love it! If you haven't seen Lesa and Rick live, don't miss their next show!
DJ's and fans will definitely want to add "Breathless" to your music collection and playlist! Download it today from any of the major streaming platforms. You will be so glad you did! Well done Lesa Hudson!
Sylvia Johns Ritchie - Not That Liberated
Sylvia Johns Ritchie's new song "Not That Liberated" is featured on the new Patman and Robin Records compilation CD "Happy Go Lucky". Sylvia performed the song live at Deckerz Bar and Grill this past weekend and the song received a great response! Sylvia was also featured on Eric Bowman's Wave New Beach Music Countdown this past weekend, and the song was met with rave reviews! This is a fun tune that the ladies will definitely enjoy! The song was written by Sylvia and was inspired by the old Virginia Slims cigarette commercial with the tag line "You've come a long way baby". Sylvia took that line and ran with it saying "I've come a long way baby" and a Beach Music song was born! With "Days Of Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses" still charting very strong, it may take this one a little while to make its move, but I think you will definitely see this song on the Beach Music charts in the coming weeks, especially as we move through the summer. It has that fun summertime groove to it that should garner it a lot of airplay.
Sylvia Johns Ritchie continues to write original songs that work so well in the Beach Music market. She has teamed up with Doyle Wood and J.K. Loftin on several projects and the results have been nothing less than outstanding! In my opinion, Sylvia is one of the more under rated artists in our industry. You should do yourself a favor and check out her entire catalog on I Tunes or your favorite streaming platform. Not only should you download "Not That Liberated", but I bet you will find another song or two that you will love to add to your collection! Well done Sylvia! Keep putting out these great original tunes!
Since my article was late last month due to me being sick, I thought I would leave up the songs I covered last month, just in case an artist or group may have not seen their review. My articles are archived every month, but I thought it would be a good idea to leave the ones from last month up, and add any updates that may have occurred since last month. Updates will be in bold at the end of each song review.
When Romance Was King - Sammy O'Banion
Sammy O'Banion released his latest song "When Romance Was King" and I must say this is one of Sammy's best releases ever! Yes, I said ever! This is a Sammy original, produced and mixed by none other than Beach Music legend Freddy Tripp! The vocal on this track is phenomenal, as Sammy's voice has never been clearer than it is on this track. He sings with a passion that just makes you want to hit the dance floor with the one you love! The lyrics take you back to a day when things were simpler, we were young and we dreamed, and life was simpler it seemed! Folks the production on this track, the addition of strings, the killer horn parts mixed in at just the exact right spot, the impeccable leave no doubt vocal performance by Sammy, and the smooth shag tempo that makes this one an easy dance tune for everyone, make this tune the best track released at SOS! Yes you heard it right here! I have listened to them all, and folks this is the best tune to be released during SOS! I will go even a step further and say this is one of the best releases to hit the Beach Music industry in years! It is that good! It reminds me of some of the great O.C. Smith releases of the past, the great Billy Scott's "My Kind Of Girl", and many of the other great "smoothies" of the past. Anyone that has ears should know that this is a no doubt candidate for Song Of The Year! It has it all: tip of the spear production, a leave no doubt vocal performance from Sammy, catchy lyrics that just get in your head and stay there, and a smooth shag groove that just beckons you to the floor. Folks they don't make music like this anymore. The song title is "When Romance Was King", but it makes me think of an era when music was king! An era when artists used to record with full orchestras in the studio, an era when real instruments were used, an era when the music coming out of the studio was magical. That's what "When Romance Is King" reminds me of. I can't say enough good things about this song. I've ran out of superlatives! Do yourself and your music collection a huge favor and go to I Tunes or your favorite digital download spot and download "When Romance Was King" today! You will be so glad you did! It is available on the digital release "Son Of Walk That Walk" from Forevermore Music. Sammy O'Banion's place in Beach Music history is secure, but he just added a great new chapter to his legacy with the release of "When Romance Was King"! Hats off to you my brother!
Update: "When Romance Was King is currently #10 on Eric Bowman's Wave New Beach Music Countdown!
Want You In My Life - Cat 5 Band
The Cat 5 Band has released three new songs over the last few weeks; the first being "Want You In My Life". They followed that up with "Drive", and "Never Give Up On Love". I will say, in my opinion, "Want You In My Life" is the best release for Cat 5 since "Beach and The Boulevard". This is another song that should get strong consideration for Song Of The Year! An original tune written by Jerry West, "Want You In My Life" features an epic vocal performance from Jerry, tip of the spear production from Tim Sidden, and instrumentation that is as good as it gets! Folks we need more high quality releases like this in our market! It raises the bar and makes everyone work harder to produce quality material! This is as good as it gets! I have played this song over and over since SOS, and I just can't get enough of it! It is good enough, in my opinion, to warrant Adult Contemporary radio play! I'm trying to decide if it is a ballad, or just a killer smooth shag groove, but I know this for sure: It is a GREAT tune from an amazingly talented group! "Want You In My Life" will be available soon on all of the major streaming platforms. Do yourself a favor and download it as soon as it is available! You will be so glad you did! Great job guys! Keep churning out those original tunes!
Update: "Want You In My Life" is doing exactly what I thought it would do as it is screaming up the Beach Music charts! It is currently #9 on The Surf Top 20, #15 on Riptide Radio, and #21 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown, but wait, there's more!! Another new Cat 5 tune "Never Give Up On Love" is also smokin' up the charts as it is currently #8 on the Surf Top 20!! This original tune penned by Charlie Sattenfield features another of Cat 5's talented vocalists, Tim Sidden, on the lead microphone! This is another smooth ballad that features the incredible instrumentation we have become accustomed to from Cat 5, and showcases the extreme versatility and talent of this Beach Music supergroup! Cat 5 will be playing all over the Southeast this summer. If you have a chance to see this group live, don't miss it!! I will give you your money back if you are not BLOWN AWAY!! In the meantime, head on over to your favorite streaming service and download "Want You In My Life", and "Never Give Up On Love", plus sample the other Cat 5 offerings. I bet you will find another song or two that you will want to add to your collection!!
Me and My Music - The Tonez
The Tonez have recently been one of the hottest bands in the Beach Music market! Capitalizing on their smash release "Lotta Love", which hit every major Beach Music chart, and their high energy live performances, The Tonez have been playing all the clubs and festivals up and down the East Coast! They recently decided to go into the studio and record the follow up to "Lotta Love", and boy did they pick a good one! They picked an old gem from The Spinners "Me and My Music", and absolutely made it their own, nailing the tune from start to finish!! While "Lotta Love" featured The Tonez outstanding female vocalist Laura Kepley, the group shows it's versatility by completely flipping the switch on this one, featuring male vocalist Jonathan Treece who absolutely kills this song! Throw in tip of the spear production, and that always present killer horn section from The Tonez, and folks can you say Beach Music hit? I can, and anyone who has ears can! This song is currently smokin up The Beach Music charts as it is currently #12 on Riptide Radio, and #18 on Eric Bowman's Wave New Beach Music Countdown! Look for this tune to put a full frontal assault on all of the Beach Music charts as we move into the summer months! It should be one of the feel good hits of the Summer!! Well done guys!!
Update: "Me and My Music" continues to climb the Beach Music charts as it is currently #2 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown and #8 on Riptide Radio!! This song is garnering major airplay all across the Southeast!! Look for it to crack another chart or two in the coming months! If you have a chance to see The Tonez live, don't miss it!! I have seen them on more than one occasion, and I promise they bring the party!! You will not be disappointed!!
Sandy - Rick Strickland
Rick Strickland debuted his latest original tune "Sandy" on April 11th during a Facebook Live show. This song features an incredible vocal from Rick, his always outstanding instrumentation, and a smooth shag groove that should bring the dancers to the floor. Rick Strickland has given us so many Beach Music hits over the years that they are too numerous to list here! If you are a fan of Beach Music, you know!! Look for "Sandy" to continue in that long line of success for Rick, as I expect this song to continue to climb the charts as we move into the Summer months!!
Update: "Sandy" is currently #11 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown with Eric Bowman!
Pat and Robin Patterson (aka Patman and Robin) released their brand new compilation CD "Happy Go Lucky" on April 29th. A CD release party was held at Deckerz Bar and Grill in North Myrtle Beach and to say a LARGE TIME was had by all would be an understatement! I was honored to help host the CD Release party for this great new compilation, and if you were there, you witnessed an outstanding array of talent at Deckerz that day! Many artists stopped by to share their talent including R. Mark Black, Russell Henry, Deb Browning, Sylvia Johns Ritchie, Doyle Wood, Rhonda McDaniel, and Marsha Morgan! Songwriter extraordinaire Charlie Sattenfield was in attendance as was Richard Foxworth, the drummer for The Gold Standard Band, and Gary Lowder made an appearance as well!
"Happy Go Lucky" contains four tunes that have hit #1 on the Beach Music charts including "Summertime Memories" from Craig Woolard and Tim Cashion, "All About You" from Reverend Bubba D. Liverance, "Days Of Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses" from Doyle Wood and Sylvia Johns Ritchie, and "Take Me By The Hand" from Deb Browning and The Six Piece Suits. Now that's getting it done folks! Many of these songs are still charting very strong as of this writing, and this CD should have plenty more to show up on the charts in the near future, giving it strong legs as we move into the Summer months!
Other songs on the CD that should see chart action as we move into the Summer months include an absolutely stunning version of "Tennessee Whiskey" from The Gold Standard Band, "Tequila On Ice" from Wayne Free (which may be the sleeper song on the CD), "The Thing About You" from The Carolina Coast Band featuring Rhonda McDaniel, "Just In Time" from Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot, "Not That Liberated" from Sylvia Johns Ritchie, and the title track from Don Dixon "Happy Go Lucky", which was recorded in memory of Billy Jeffords, aka Dip Ferrell. Billy had always wanted to record this old Marvin Gaye tune, but unfortunately passed away before he was able to do so. Producer and friend Don Dixon stepped in and nailed this song! I know Billy is looking down very proud!!
The CD is rounded out with The Shag Doctorz excellent version of "I Wanna Be Your Everything", "If I Could Build My World Around You" from The Main Event Band, "Words Can Break Your Heart" from The Benningtones, and "Moonlight Feels Right" from The Jeffords Brothers. Also included on the CD is a breathtaking performance of "How Am I Supposed To Live Without You" from Marsha Morgan which was recorded live!! Marsha was killing it on stage the night this song was recorded, and her amazing vocal range is on full display during this effort! We played this song at Deckerz during the CD Release Party and it brought the house down!
Folks this CD is loaded with hits from top to bottom! From the opening track "Just In Time" by Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot to the closing track "I'm Not That Liberated" from Sylvia Johns Ritchie, this CD has it all! A great mixture of tracks from start to finish; some up-tempo, some mid tempo, and two incredible ballads. As the liner notes of the CD say, "Now all that is left to do is "Tennessee Whiskey" and "Tequila On Ice" (not necessarily in that order), "Take Me By The Hand", and let us be "Happy Go Lucky"!!
Well done Pat and Robin Patterson!! Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of this amazing project!
Folks do yourself and your music collection a favor by going to http://www.largetime.net click on The Store, and order your copy of "Happy Go Lucky" today! You will be so glad you did, and you too, can be "Happy Go Lucky"!!
Update: As I predicted, more songs from this CD are now charting! I called "Tequila On Ice" the "sleeper" song on this CD and boy have I been proven right! "Tequila On Ice" is currently #13 on The Surf Top 20 and has become one of the "feel good" hits of the Summer!! I think this song is headed to the top of the charts and could be the fifth #1 from this compilation!! "The Thing About You" from The Carolina Coast Band featuring Rhonda McDaniel has also cracked the charts as it is #17 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown, #20 on Riptide Radio, and on the voting list for The Surf Top 20! Still charting from this CD are "Summertime Memories", "Days Of Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses", and "Take Me By The Hand". Get your copy today!!
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KHP Music released their long awaited new compilation "Another Day On Ocean Drive" during SOS and boy this one is sure worth the wait!! The CD is chocked full of hits with many of the songs currently charting on the Beach Music charts, and many more that are sure to find their way on to the charts in the near future! The CD includes new mixes of "Start It Up" from Rickey Godfrey and "Let Me Be The One" from Terri Gore. Both of these tunes have spent significant time on the Beach Music charts. Previously released songs on the CD include John G. Franklin's smokin' "Hey Baby" , and a song that has hit #1 on several charts "Lovin' Arms" from Salt Luvs Pepper.
New tunes on the CD come from The Main Event Band and their killer version of the Johnny Rivers classic "Poor Side Of Town". Sharon Hyler Woodruff gives us a leave no doubt vocal performance on this tune which is currently charting on all of the Beach Music charts. One of my current favorites is "Let Me Make Love To You" from R. Mark Black. Mark takes this Gene Chandler classic and absolutely makes it his own!! From the opening sax ride, this song smokes it up from start to finish! "Let Me Make Love To You" is making a push toward the top of the chart as it is currently #2 on The Riptide Radio Top 20. Look for it to hit #1 in the coming weeks!
Freddy Tripp gets in on the fun with his original tune "The Real Deal" which is currently #11 on The Riptide Radio Top 20. Southside Saints member Devin Dove hits us with his smokin' original tune "Can't Get Enough" which should be hitting the Beach Music charts in short order. Former Band of Oz member Chris Keaton bravely tackles the Stylistics "Break Up To Make Up", and magically pulls it off in stunning fashion.
Former Embers member Andy Swindell contributes "Wait For The Thunder", an absolutely blistering original tune that should receive plenty of chart action in the coming months. The song that just may be the sleeper on the CD, and one of my current favorites, is "I'll Always Love You" from Blackwater. The guys take this old Spinners tune and absolutely make it their own! This song is smokin up the Beach Music charts as it currently sits #5 on The Surf Top 20!!
Scrolling down the song list on the CD, we stumble upon an artist named Lafon. Who is Lafon? Well he is better known in the Beach Music community as Jim Quick. He recorded his new original tune "Flying Solo", under his middle name which happens to be Lafon. This is a different effort than we are used to from Jim and it will be interesting to see how this song does in the coming months.
If you have ever been to Buoys in North Myrtle Beach, you have probably seen Andy and Oneida and The Last Ride, as they frequently provide the entertainment for Buoys. They contribute their rockin' "I Quit" to the project which should do very well for them on the Beach Music charts. This song is definitely in the pocket for the dancers.
Tim Cashion provides the title track for the project with his original tune "Exactly What I Need". When Tim is not playing keyboard for Grand Funk Railroad, he dips his feet into the Beach Music water, and this is one of his best releases yet!! "Another Day On Ocean Drive" is definitely "Exactly What I Need"!!
Folks the group at KHP Music has been putting out quality projects for decades now, and this one is no exception!! Fourteen quality tracks from start to finish! I think the liner notes for this project sum up it perfectly! "From "Start It Up", to "I Quit", KHP Music has done it once again, serving up 14 fantastic tunes that more than define this phenomenal genre, and showcases the depth of talent in Beach Music today. Slide this one in your CD player, turn up the volume, and enjoy Another Day On Ocean Drive - it's exactly what you need.
Congratulations to Keith Houston, Julian B. Fowler, and Jay Jenkins for their work on this amazing project. Do yourself a favor and go to http://www.buybeachmusic.com and order your copy of "Another Day On Ocean Drive" today! Your Beach Music collection will be so glad you did!
Update: Many songs on this CD continue to move up and down the Beach Music charts! The title track from Tim Cashion "Exactly What I Need" is now charting at #20 on The Surf Top 20, and #8 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown. "Poor Side Of Town" from The Main Event Band is absolutely smokin' up the Beach Music charts as it is #17 on The Surf, #9 on Riptide Radio, and just hit #1 on Eric Bowman's Wave New Beach Music Countdown this past week! "The Real Deal" from Freddy Tripp is making a push to the top of the charts as it moved to #5 on Riptide Radio this past week and is #20 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown. "Lovin' Arms" from Salt Luvs Pepper is at #12 on Riptide Radio and #4 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown! "Let Me Make Love To You" from R. Mark Black is holding strong at #2 on Riptide Radio, #14 on The Surf Top 20, and #5 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown. Again, I am being proven right on the sleeper song on this CD as well. "I'll Always Love You" from Blackwater is #7 on The Surf, debuted on the Riptide Top 20 this week at #17, and is #18 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown. "Can't Get Enough" from Devin Dove rounds out the songs charting from this CD as it is #23 on The Wave New Beach Music Countdown. Get your copy today!!
It's hard to believe, but the week of April 18th marked the 25th Anniversary of the ground breaking CD release "Carolina Girl" from Terri Gore. Wow! Where does the time go?? In celebration of this epic milestone, Chris Biehler and the folks at Forevermore Music have released a digital remaster of the Forevermore release "Son Of Walk That Walk!". Included on this release is a digital remaster of "Stay A Little Longer", which was included on that epic "Carolina Girl" release! Also included on this digital release is the aforementioned "When Romance Was King" from Sammy O'Banion; a future Beach Music classic in my opinion!
Also included on the digital release is "Ain't Giving Up Nothing" from Al King, "Countdown To Love" from The Showvinistics, "Queen Of The Hop" from Danny and The Juniors, "Ain't No Smoke" from The Legendary Dukes, "I Never Thought (I'd Be Losing You)" from Billy Scott, "Dream Merchant" from Jackie Gore, "I'll Cry With You" from Jay and The Techniques, "Obsession" from Terri Gore and Jim Quick, "It Won't Be Wrong" from The Legendary Dukes, "Drunk And Lonely" from A.J. Swank and The Swanky Modes, "Bad Girl" from Susan Trexler, and "Beach Fever" from The Fat Jack Band.
Folks head on over to I Tunes or your favorite streaming platform and download "Son Of Walk That Walk!" Fourteen strong tunes from start to finish. "When Romance Was King" and "Stay A Little Longer" are worth the price alone; but download the entire CD for your listening pleasure. You will be glad you did!!
Be on the look out for more digital projects from the folks at Forevermore Music!! Check back here for updates as we will keep you abreast of future projects!
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The Band Of Oz released their long awaited new studio release "Coolin' Out" during SOS and the results have been outstanding!! The CD contains previously released #1 songs "I'm Just Thinking About Cooling Out", and "All You Get From Love Is A Love Song". Also included on the release is the current #1 song on 94.9 The Surf's Top 20 "You To Me Are Everything"!
As promised in last month's edition, I am going to do a complete review of this CD song by song. So here we go!
1. I'm Just Thinking About Cooling Out - From the opening keyboard ride, this song just grabs you from start to finish! Dustin Ahkuoi nails this song from start to finish and sounds like he has been singing Beach Music his entire career, although we know that's not the case! A former #1 song, "Coolin' Out" sets the stage for what is to come on this dynamite CD!
2. You To Me Are Everything - I was somewhat surprised when this song was released as it had already been covered by Craig Woolard, but Band of Oz had this one in the can for awhile; just waiting to include it on the CD. Well their version is different, they made it their own, and they absolutely nailed it! Chuck French delivers a leave no doubt vocal performance and the horns on this track take it to the next level! Currently #1 on The Surf Top 20!
3. Whatever Turns You On - When I first heard this song, I said to myself "this is the next hit from this CD". Well as it turns out, I was right again as this song debuted at #5 on The Surf Top 20 last week! Tim Morris kills this Billy Ocean tune and when you throw in perfect instrumentation, perfectly placed back up vocals, and superb production, you have another #1 on your hands! Mark it down. This is the next #1 from this CD!
4. Rock It Little Baby - This previously released Chris Jennings original made all of the Beach Music charts when it was released. Another superb track that just adds to the overall greatness of this CD!
5. All You Get From Love Is A Love Song - Only The Band of Oz could take a Carpenters song and turn it into a monster Beach Music hit, but that's exactly what they did! Dustin Ahkuoi again delivers a leave no doubt vocal performance, and at the risk of repeating myself, thrown in superb production and instrumentation, and it's no wonder this song went to #1 in just a few short weeks!
6. The Drifters Medley - Chuck French does a masterful job navigating these Drifter's classics. His vocal range is on complete display during this medley. Superb and well placed backing vocals make this another song that could enter chart land in the near future!
7. Try My Side Of Love - The classic Band of Oz horns start this song. Tim Morris takes it from there on another song that could find its way onto the Beach Music charts!
8. Same Ole Thang - This fun original tune from Chris Jennings and Dustin Ahkuoi showcases the "country" side of Dustin's vocals. A great inclusion on the CD to provide a different feel from the group and showcase the band's versatility!
9. On The Street Where You Live - From the opening keyboard and backing vocals, this song is as smooth as it gets! Chuck French kills this song as again his vocal range is on complete display! The instrumentation on this song is incredible; think Big Band Sound! This song will be in line to be another #1 from this CD!
10. Loving By The Pound - Band of Oz horns reign supreme again!! Another killer vocal performance from Dustin Ahkuoi as he owns this Otis Redding classic!!
11. When Did You Fall - More killer Band of Oz horns begin this next track! Tim Morris steps up to the lead microphone and kills this song from start to finish! Another song with superb production and instrumentation.
12. Got To Be You - This Dr. Victor tune has been covered by many Beach Music groups, but again The Band Of Oz had this one in the can for awhile, and Chuck French does a great job with this tune. The accompanying back beat and well placed horns make this an easy dance groove for the dancers!
13. I Want To Be Where You Are - Again the legendary Band Of Oz horns lead this song! Dustin Ahkuoi's vocal is a good as ever, but it's the well placed backing vocals that make this song kick! Another tune from this incredible CD that should make a push to the top of the charts!
Folks when you review a CD as good as this one, it's hard to come up with superlatives for each song. Some of you may think "Craig they all can't be that good". Well I'm here to tell you they can! Every song on this CD has the same qualities: a leave no doubt vocal performance, top of the line instrumentation from some of the best in the business, tip of the spear production and engineering from Keith Houston, and backing vocals and harmonies that are mixed in at exactly the precise moment.
This is as good a group CD that has been released into our market in years! A no doubt candidate for Group CD Of The Year! Go to http://www.buybeachmusic.com right now and order your copy or pick up a copy at the next Band Of Oz show. The ultimate prize for the Beach Music fan would be to catch the Band Of Oz live, and pick up a copy of this incredible CD all on the same night!!
Well folks that's it for this month (as if that wasn't enough)!! So much new music being released on a daily basis! Check back here next month as we go Inside The Music and bring you up to date on all of the new Beach Music releases. Also be on the look out for some exciting news coming from Inside The Music and http://www.beachmusic45.com as we try to stay out front of all things happening in the world of Beach Music!
Until next time.....
See ya at the Beach!
Craig