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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmVX_2NIqaQ
Whisperin & Hollerin (UK)
Review:
'VOLPE, CHRIS'
'SHIPWRECKED!'
- Label: 'Self Released (www.chrisvolpe.com/)'
- Genre: 'Alt/Country'
Our Rating: 9 out of 10 stars
From the opening chords of the first track - 'Where I Bury My Words' - you know this is going to be something special. A lonesome pedal steel backs Chris Volpe's lonesome voice as he sings the line "Every day is a new day is what they say" with a distinct air of resignation. The melancholy mood is unmistakable, giving the song in a desolate tone of someone barely keeping his head above water on a par with that found on Ryan Adams' classic 'Heartbreaker' album.
What is instantly evident is that Nashville-based Volpe is not only an exceptional songwriter but also that he has assembled a top rate backing band to accompany his turns on guitar, banjo and harmonica. Donnie Herron has played pedal steel and fiddle with Bob Dylan, Kenny Malone has drummed with Johnny Cash & Cat Stevens, Jeff Coffin was blown sax and clarinet with the Dave Matthews Band while bassist Bryn Davies has backed Patti Griffin. If you're going to be shipwrecked, this is the sort of crew you want on board.
Having such a great band gives Volpe the luxury of being able to switch musical styles at ease. Although you'd be right to place it in the Americana rack, the songs also touch upon elements jazz-folk-country and pop.
The folkier tracks work best for me but then again I've always been a sucker for pedal steel and the sax touches stray too close to AOR territory for my taste.
'Dusty Bibles' is one of the album's key tracks. This is a tongue in cheek morality tale about what happens when you turn your back on the good book. As proof, he gives a series of ungodly sinners with names ranging from Saddam Hussein to Keith Moon. The dark humour pitches it in the folk-noir territory that reminded me a little of Jim White. It's quite a fun tune at first but at a little over 7 minutes long, the joke is a little too drawn out.
A more successful long track is 'Afraid Of The Dark', where Volpe reflects on the environmental mess of our planet with a depth of vision and articulacy to match the weighty subject matter. The fact that he is able to pull off such a complex song with such assurance makes it remarkable that this is Volpe's debut release and incredible that his talent hasn't been snapped up by a major label.
On other songs, Volpe wears his influences on his sleeve so it's not hard to spot nods to Bob Dylan (Highway 61) and Leonard Cohen (Stranger Song) on 'Steamroller Rain' and 'Ice Upon The Ocean' respectively.
Another clue to the roots of his sound lies in the sure footed cover of Townes Van Zandt's classic 'Colorado Girl'. I can think of no higher praise than to say that this is on a par with the recent version of the same tune by the mighty Steve Earle.
Volpe's website lists a clutch of various musical organisations who have recognised his songwriting skills. With the right breaks and decent airplay he should make an equal impression on ordinary joe listeners.
This is one of those albums that you'd do well to buy two copies of - one to enjoy for yourself, the other to spread the word.
author: Martin Raybouldhttp://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=6354
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Performing Songwriter--May 2009
Chris Volpe's gentle vocals, padded by long strains on the harmonica, whining pedal steel and warm acoustic guitars, have a nice way of relaying some hard truths on his new disc, Shipwrecked. Shades of Neil Young emerge in the bleak "Afraid of the Dark," which tackles the weighty issue of environmental pollution and paints a picture of the resulting mess when mankind fails to react responsibly. The seven-minute song is sonically dissonant and intentionally noise-cluttered, accurately reflecting Volpe's morose lyric.
His tongue-in-cheek writing style takes center stage in the sharp social commentary "Dusty Bibles" and the sax-accented "Don't Go," in which he begs his lover to ignore him: "If I ever tell you to leave, don't go." Occasional electric guitars, alto and soprano sax, clarinet, bass and cello round out a set that demands repeated plays. Artfully done, Shipwrecked is easy on the ears while pricking the listener's conscience. —LCB
http://performingsongwriter.com/pages/music/117.cfm
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Until May 15th, download Shipwrecked! below using the "widget". To download, either pay what you want to pay or email 5 of friends about the record.
October 08--
"Shipwrecked!", produced by Grammy-winner Phil Harris (Doc Watson) and Chris Volpe, is scheduled to be released in early '09. Stay in touch for preview recordings, show dates, and other updates! ===
Album Lineup.
Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Dave Matthews Band): Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax
Bryn Davies (Patty Griffin, Tony Rice): Upright Bass, Cello
Tyler Grant (Drew Emmitt, Billy Nershi): Electric Guitar (Track 10)
Donnie Herron (Bob Dylan, BR549): Pedal Steel Guitar, Fiddle
Kenny Malone (Cat Stevens, Johnny Cash): Drums, Percussion
Chris Volpe: Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
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"Refugee Blues" was released in 2006:
Chris Volpe captivates audiences with his master guitar playing and soulful voice.
Through his songs, Volpe tells haunting tales of American experiences--from giving up everything and everyone you know to move to New York City in "Jersey Sun," to feeling lost in this vast country in "Refugee Blues," the title track of Volpe's most recent CD. He won the studio time to record "Refugee Blues" when he was awarded "best song" at the West Coast Songwriting Association's (WCSA) contest.
All 15 songs on the CD were recorded live in one take, with no overdubs, editing, or effects--a stellar recording feat--which only adds credence to Volpe's innate music abilities.
What's more, Volpe won an Independent Music Award--Folk/Singer-Songwriter Album of the Year-- for "Refugee Blues" in 2006. Past winners of this worldwide competition include the likes of Chris Whitley and Dan Bern. The judges, to name a few, were Norah Jones, Melissa Etheridge, and Bill Wyman. Volpe and "Refugee Blues" were also highlighted on NPR's open mic feature, and 6 songs from "Refugee Blues" were featured on PBS's nationally broadcast mini-series, Roadtrip Nation, in the fall of 2007. The documentary follows modern-day American youths as they travel from coast to coast in search of an appropriate life direction.
===The San Francisco Bay Guardian wrote in 2006, "One listen to Refugee Blues and you'll realize Chris Volpe is not your mother's Leo Kottke. While the fingerpicking of this self-taught virtuoso often draws comparison to the legendary guitarist, it is his lyricism that sets Volpe apart. Accolades from the West Coast Songwriting Association attest to the fact that Volpe and Refugee Blues perfectly invoke the feelings of alienation and desperation arguably intrinsic to living in modern-day America."===
He is also the winner of the Singer/Songwriter Awards, an international competition based in London (We Are Listening), which flew Volpe out to London for a week to record with producer Steve Williams (Sting, Eric Clapton). Volpe has taught himself to play piano, bass, banjo and drums, among other instruments.
