Valerie Vampola

92 stories · Page 5 of 5

ReviewsAlbum Review: Johnny Burroughs – DAY 1When you think about contemporary worship music, you think of 20 piece bands singing with at least three acoustic guitars. When Northern Coloradans hear the name Burroughs we think of the 9 piece “sweaty soul band” fronted by Johnny, the eccentric red-haired dude who commands you to get up and dance. “DAY 1,” Johnny Burroughs’ debut solo record is clearly not The Burroughs and is distinctively about singing praise to God, but it’s done with soul, in both the literal and metaphorical senses.Valerie Vampola · Jun 8, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Ethyl and the Regulars – Honest WorkEthyl and the Regulars’ new album “Honest Work” is a reflection of just that – a mature Americana sound grounded in tradition, yet they incorporate jazz elements including a Thelonious Monk melody as a thematic tool for instrumental conversation.Valerie Vampola · May 16, 2019FeaturesLeave It To The Beeves: Erie Rock Trio’s Release ‘Adam And Beeve’ Brings ItThe band needed a name. Matthew Sease pulled the biggest book from his mom’s shelf, opened to a random page and pointed to a word.Valerie Vampola · May 13, 2019FeaturesMichael McDonald: A Fool Who Still BelievesWhen Michael McDonald is on stage Thursday, April 11 at Union Colony Civic Center in downtown Greeley, singing our favorite songs like “Taking It To The Streets,” or “I Keep Forgetting,” for the millionth time, he is thanking us for continuing to love who he is.Valerie Vampola · Apr 10, 2019MusicAlbum Review: Julian Cary – heaven?indeedJulian Cary is a jazz artist, but he doesn’t allow the idea of what jazz should be interfere with his expression: On “heaven?indeed” he neglects traditional song form, adapting the music to fit the form of E.E. Cummings’ poems. The record retains a subtle honesty wrapped in moments of dynamic, tonal beauty.Valerie Vampola · Apr 8, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Graham Good & The Painters – Good ThingsThe Fort Collins “Funk-n-Rock-n-Roll” band Graham Good & The Painters’ second EP opens with the uplifting gospel-esque of “Good Things,” like the start of Sunday morning service, but Graham Good & The Painters take it further than church.Valerie Vampola · Apr 2, 2019FeaturesThe Unlikely Candidates: Kyle Morris On Seeking The UnexpectedSince their beginnings, The Unlikely Candidates have toyed around with a slew of different sounds, despite charting more than once in Billboard’s Alternative Rock category. “We’ve Always been influenced by bands who weren’t stuck on one particular sound,” Kyle Morris Says. The Unlikely Candidates play The Moxi Theater on March 3.Valerie Vampola · Feb 24, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Jenna McLean – Brighter DayJenna McLean abandons the path of the lounge songstress, instead programming “Brighter Day” like a horn player. As winner of Downbeat’s 2018 Outstanding Vocal Jazz Soloist award in the graduate category, McLean has truly refined her craft.Valerie Vampola · Feb 15, 2019FeaturesThe True Colors Of Silver & GoldSilver & Gold’s new EP Color (out February 8) used the influence of a short production span, their closeness as a band (both geographically and emotionally) a man named Dan Diaz to create an album that stands out from the rest of their work.Valerie Vampola · Feb 4, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Pie Lombardi – Worry LinesPie Lombardi’s second album “Worry Lines” presents a somewhat autobiographical outlook. It’s a coming of age, but not quite a blossoming into the expectations set for oneself. “I’m trying to get into a bigger scope of just writing and not really thinking about what it’s supposed to sound like,” Lombardi says. “Worry Lines” releases January 25 with a Moxi Theater appearance supporting Neyla Pekarek.Valerie Vampola · Jan 22, 2019FeaturesEverbody’s Got The Blues at Cranford’sSince June, 2018, Cranford’s Tea Tavern has hosted the The Blues Party, a recurring Wednesday night hang for musicians, from those who only know three chords to experienced professionals who’ve played their whole life. It didn’t matter what instrument they played, Buchholz and Haug gave them an equal opportunity to play. In between songs, the players exchanged song choices, guided each other through grooves and made sure they knew how to kick off the songs.Valerie Vampola · Jan 4, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Greta Van Fleet – Anthem Of The Peaceful ArmyGreta Van Fleet have gained a lot of popularity by appealing to rockers both young and old. Their second full-length album Anthem Of The Peaceful Army once again pays homage, both musically and lyrically, to their heroes. You can hear melodic bits of John Paul Jones and the energy of Pete Townshend supporting the aggressive wails of Josh Kiszka, especially in tracks such as “When The Curtain Falls” and “Age of Man.”Valerie Vampola · Dec 17, 2018