What You Got" from Matt O'Ree "Live"
Matt O'Ree has been cranking out the blues-rock since he was an early teen. With all the trappings of a genuine guitar hero, he plays with fire in his fingers and blues in his soul. At age 13, he sunk his roots in the blues - Albert King, Howlin' Wolf, to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. After establishing a good foundation, at age 15, Matt played in various bands, honing his skills through time and pure dedication. This led to Matt being an accomplished studio musician only two years later.
In 1997, Matt began writing and recording material that evolved into his debut CD, 88 Miles". It was released in 1998 and gained national reviews and airplay, pushing the band to a higher level which included opening shows for national recording artists such as: Kansas, Buddy Guy, Leslie West and Mountain, The Outlaws, Govt Mule, Robin Trower, Johnny Winter, Dickie Betts, Gretchen Wilson, The Screamin Cheetah Wheelies, Bernard Allison, Chris Duarte, Indigenous, Robby Kreiger, Bill Perry, Walter Trout, Labambas Big Band, and Smokin Joe Kubek.
The completion of his second CD, "Chalk It Up" was the breaking point of blending blues and rock together to form a unique sound of his own. This was released in June 2001 and also received rave reviews with regional and national press recognition and airplay.
In the March 2006 issue of "Guitar World Magazine" there is a review of Matt O'Ree's latest release "Shelf Life", appearing alongside numerous rock legends including Audioslave, Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, and The Deftones, that claims that "New Jersey's Matt O'Ree is quickly carving out a name for himself as 2006's new guitar hero."
The latest release from Matt O'Ree, "Live", is a CD/DVD combo that was shot at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ in July 2007 by 6 time Emmy Award Winning Producer, Mike Pomarico and his 9 time Emmy Award Winning Camera Crew. "Live" contains songs from all 3 of Matt's previous releases, as well as two new unreleased songs.
Some of Matt's most recent accomplishments include:
*Chosen to play Winter NAMM 2009
*Won the chance to compete at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN on February 4-8, 2009.
*Headlining The Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival with an attendance of 20k people
*Chosen by Pat Savage to have his music featured on his new Discovery Channel series "a Bikers Lifestyle.The Savage Roads".
*Winner of Guitarmageddon "King of the Blues" 2006 hosted by BB King and John Mayer on 6/8/06
*Winning a total of 8 Asbury Music Awards at the Legendary Stone Pony for:
Best Blues Band (2004-2007)
Best Guitarist (2004-2006)
Best Local Release - "Shelf Life" (2005)
Best Song of the Year - "Saints & Sinners" (2005)
*Sharing the stage with world famous drummer Buddy Miles
*Invited to play at Les Paul's Birthday Party
*Finalists in the Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Competition.
*Performed at the first NYC tribute to legendary blues-rock guitarist Rory Gallagher, winning him a standing ovation from a sold out crowd.
Recent Reviews of Matt O'Ree "Live"
"I could be greedy and not tell you a thing about the best kept secret in New Jersey from the good old USA, or about his CD/DVD 10th anniversary release, but that is not what I nor Rockeyez is all about.” It is all about the music.” Hence, a local guitar hero of mine, a guitar slinger to most, one day, mark my words he will be known in every blues and rock club around our crumbling world- Matt O’Ree.
I had conducted an interview a few years back with this fine young lad who, was hard at work winning many awards (such as the Guitar Center sponsored “Guitarmageddon King of the Blues”, defeating over 4000 entries pitted against him. ) O’Ree also won four 2005 Asbury Music Awards at the Legendary Stone Pony for:
Best Blues Band
Best Guitarist
Best Local Release - "Shelf Life"
Best Song of the Year - "Saints & Sinners”
Matt O’Ree was also invited to perform at the legendary guitarist himself, Les Paul’s birthday Bash! Not to shabby. There are more accomplishments that Matt has achieved, and I recommend hitting his site for the full Monty.
Well, it has been 10 hard years pounding the road for Matt, who has finally released a live CD/DVD combo “Matt O’Ree Live”. This awesome combo features songs from all three of Matt O’Ree’s previous releases, as well as some new scorchers.
The CD is a well thought bundle of Matt O’Ree at his best throughout his career. It covers all colors in the spectrum of what you would expect from a guitar player. From the opening cut “What You Got “a Robin Trower type ripper to the acoustic instrumental “Song For Bernie” that demonstrates true feel (Yes feel! Remember what I am always writing about). There are also your blues barn burners like “ Back Home” which gives you the foot stomping you need ;to the highly acclaimed (and my favorite) “Saints and Sinners” which is just a fireball of pure musicianship demonstrated by the entire band. By the way, this is a power trio at its best. Bass player Lance Taylor holds it all together nicely while Monster Magnet drummer Bob Pantella lights up the CD with pure adrenalin.
The DVD is a video of the live performance, were you can watch and learn or purely enjoy! The DVD was filmed live at the Starland Ballroom in N.J by Jupiter Video Productions- a nine-time Emmy Award winning camera crew and produced by six-time Emmy Award producer Mike Pamarico. This package is a one-two punch!
I know it must sound like I am all for the home team, Fuck Yea, I am! But as the saying goes” put up or shut up”! Buy this or any other of Matt O’Ree’s music and judge for yourself! I guarantee you will be onboard the fan bus faster than the rising gas prices!
Bravo to Matt and Da Boys!
Rock On!
5 out of 5 Stars
-Joe Manno May 2008- www.rockeyez.com
Reviews of "Shelf Life"
"New Jersey's Matt O'Ree is quickly carving out a name for himself as 2006's new guitar hero."
His latest CD "Shelf Life" garnered four awards at the 2005 Asbury Music Awards, which honors the finest talent on the New Jersey Shore scene - Best Release, Song Of The Year (for Saints And Sinners), Best Guitarist and Best Blues Band. Shelf Life will sit comfortably in a record collection filled with the down n dirty music of ZZ Top and the adventurous jam band sounds of Govt Mule. Running Home," "God Send" and "Worth The Live," are three of the albums 13 tracks where ORee takes his love of the blues and uses it as a foundation for an innovative and revolutionary sound while paying tribute to the greats who came before him.
-Guitar World Magazine March 2006
This Jersey axman has been gaining momentum since his 1997 debut, 88 Miles. O'Ree's playing has won him consecutive top guitarist honors at the Asbury, NJ, Music Awards, as well as spots opening for Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and Govt' Mule.
O'Ree's Robin Trower - Meets - Billy Gibbons style is showcased on his latest CD, "Shelf Life".
Talk Box:
Quote Matt O'Ree - "I wanted to make a record beyond what I have done in the past; new sounds, heavier tones, more production. "Shelf Life" is more rock blues then blues rock, and it soul-fried to the max."
-Guitar World Magazine Febuary 2006
"Matt's sound feels like Rock and Roll met the Blues at some smokey bar and they went home to make beautiful music together. "Shelf Life" represents the perfect balance, a musical Yin-Yang; blues and rock, shuffle and soul, saint and sinner, traditional and timeless."
"Six-time Asbury Music Award winner Matt O'Ree's latest CD 'Shelf Life' sounds like rock, feels like blues and combines the two into a soulful mix that creates something special."
-Matt Mrowicki, Publisher, Chorus and Verse
When you see Matt play live, you get the feeling that you've been let in on some wonderful secret that you just can't sit on. You want to share your secret with other like minded music lovers. You feel like you are watching someone outperform their paycheck and you want good things for him. "Saints and Sinners" is a rocker, as is "Marry You", but you can't miss the blues influence and quirky arrangements. "What You Got" and "Stay" also straddle the line between hard rock and blues, due mostly to Bob Pantella's drum beating.
The clear hit on this album though, is "Running Home". With its radio friendly guitar riffs, smart lyrics and smooth delivery, it stands out as the CD's signature track. The flirty hook is never out of arm's reach and returns each time a little better and more welcomed.
All and all, the CD is a can't miss. If you know anything about Matt O'Ree, you already know that much. The talent, the passion, the attention to detail is obvious. With "Shelf Life" you're getting into the head, heart and soul of a brilliant artist. Buy the album. Come see him play. One day, and it may be sooner than later, when he's no longer playing in your backyard, you'll wish that you did.
- Upstage Magazine, September 2005
