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press photos
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press release
ARLON BENNETT FINDS HIS 'VOICE'
SUMMER'S VOICE CD SOLIDIFIES TIMELESS TALENTS OF CONSISTENTLY AWARDED SONGSMITH
"Arlon has a gift for wrapping quiet introspection and pathos within melodies that you'll quickly find familiar." - Sing Out!
"Arlon Bennett presents his stories in song using a variety of unique and compelling �camera angles'. He is a singer/songwriter who brings you stories from unique perspectives, and draws you right in. His guitar work is masterful and blends so well with the spirituality of his music." - Singer Magazine
"Spiritual in tone, the music matches Arlon's acoustical brilliance with personal tales of woe and eventual triumph�" - The ROOM Magazine
Every decade or so, a voice appears on the folk music scene that makes you sit up and take notice. When that voice is paired with songs and lyrics that tell a story or sing of the human spirit, it is truly magical. That voice is Arlon Bennett." - Jane Falvey, Kingston Coffeehouse, WRIU Kingston, NY
"I really enjoyed working with Arlon. He offered a lot of caring toward our Wednesday's Child � a lot of good advice, and he really seemed to have a genuine interest in her and her future." - Lydia Reeves, producer, NBC 10 Philadelphia
"Arlon, with just his charm and an acoustic guitar, was able to share our stage with the manic energy of Groovelily. He became an Arts Center favorite. In response to our weekly questionnaire asking for our audience's picks for future shows, the answer often comes back, "Arlon Bennett." Great musicianship, storytelling songs that engage an audience, and an aw-shucks charisma that we don't see in Jersey too often!" - Scott Sheldon, Watchung Arts Center
TAPPAN, NY (March 1, 2007) -- Awards committees for major music festivals and songwriting contests have been recognizing steadily what the rest of North America is poised to realize about ARLON BENNETT. With the release of his third album, SUMMER'S VOICE, the New York songsmith confirms he very well may be one of the most gifted unsung artists of our time.
With a voice that goes down like honey and an inherent tunefulness forever on the money, Bennett has begun to subtly construct a sturdy career bolstered by consistent awards and high-ranking notices at the likes of the Kerrville, Folk Alliance and Great Waters folk gatherings, and in the Billboard, Mid-Atlantic and Rose Garden song competitions. Known for engaging live audiences with an aw-shucks charisma while applying his vocal paintbrush to the fabric of American life, the Long Island native illustrates his knack for creating deceptively simple vignettes on disc in much the way Norman Rockwell took to canvas with SUMMER'S VOICE(Red Sea Records).
Bennett's timeless storytelling unquestionably descends from his classic folk-rock era influences, and on SUMMER'S VOICE, the significant impact of Harry Chapin, James Taylor, Cat Stevens and Jim Croce is undeniable.
The title track to SUMMER'S VOICE already has been embraced by Bennett's beloved New York Mets. The team used the song in a recent memorial tribute to legendary announcer Bob Murphy at a packed Shea Stadium. With a new baseball season unfolding, SUMMER'S VOICE places Bennett securely in the on-deck circle.
Baseball aside, Bennett also uses cars (the playfully edgy "Red Light Kiss"; the pop standard throwback "Fender Bender Baby"), civil rights ("Be the Change") and war ("Bandana Man") as memorable settings for his SUMMER'S VOICE narratives. He deftly adorns each one with unyielding melodies and delicate harmonies. This diverse yet highly cohesive collection heralds its eclecticism from the opening track, with the infectious, jazzy swing of "Forgive Me." Similarly, Bennett brings new bounce to Johnny Cash's "Straight A's in Love," the album's lone cover.
Bennett isn't trying to change the world -- just his little piece of it. He was greatly rewarded again last year when chosen to appear on the new Music for Life 2006, the Public Domain Foundation's latest CD compilation of compositions dedicated to social and political concerns. The project is piloted by Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary on behalf of worldwide family service organizations.
No matter what Bennett's deepest concerns, he never gets preachy. But don't be deceived by his easygoing style. The challenge of making it all sound so simple is the benchmark of durable songwriting craftsmanship. Indeed, SUMMER'S VOICE establishes ARLON BENNETT as a voice for all seasons.
SUMMER'S VOICE is available now at CDBaby.com and all major digital download sites. Visit ARLON BENNETT on the web at www.arlonbennett.com and www.myspace.com/arlon. |
press clippings
| PUBLICATION |
DATE |
| U.S. 1 |
April 4, 2007 |
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bio
"You write songs the way Norman Rockwell would paint," a fan once said to ARLON BENNETT. Arlon thought it was an interesting comparison, and then realized it was an accurate description of what he does: "I use a vocal paintbrush on a sonic tapestry to tell stories of Americana."
That description could not be truer than on SUMMER'S VOICE, Arlon's third and latest release, on Red Sea Records. He takes listeners to a gas station conversation with a Vietnam veteran, an important bus ride with Rosa Parks, to stop lights with young lovers, and to eavesdrop on passing thoughts between two couples of different generations. Once you get past his infectious melodies, you'll be surprised when you find what some of his songs really are about. For instance, "Small Body Blonde" is all about his first six-string guitar, not a curvaceous lady. But that's Arlon's style � relay the story with a twist and some panache. He's also not afraid to tackle subjects like death and forgiveness, wrapping them in jazzy progressions and harmonic interludes.
ARLON BENNETT was born and raised in the suburbs of Long Island's South Shore. But his New York accent disappeared by the time he returned to the area following stints upstate and in the Midwest.
Arlon was a Long Island teenager when he fell in love with the classic singer/songwriters of the 1970s - and his early folk-rock influences include Harry Chapin, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Neil Young, and Don McLean. Arlon connects with the troubadour who has something to say without preaching, and he admires the artists who realize great storytelling is great storytelling, whether it's Dylan, Springsteen or Cash. Arlon even pays tribute to Johnny Cash on SUMMER'S VOICE with a smooth interpretation of "Straight A's in Love."
Arlon's visibility in the folk Americana scene has been growing steady and strong. He has opened for such acts as Michael Smith, Chris Stamey and Steve Seskin, and has sung with Livingston Taylor, while accumulating songwriting awards throughout North America. Arlon won the Rosegarden Song Competition in 2005, placed second at the Great Waters Folk Festival in 2004, and has been a finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival and many others. Arlon also was twice selected by Noel 'Paul' Stookey to perform in his Music-to-Life showcase at Kerrville � first with "I Am the War" (from his sophomore CD, The Watch Man), and more recently, with "Be the Change" (from SUMMER'S VOICE). Aside from winning awards in the Billboard, Mid-Atlantic and Unisong contests, Arlon is equally proud that his lyrics to "The Ace in Grace" (from his 1999 debut, Fountain of Dreams) were used in the official statue dedication of late tennis champion Arthur Ashe in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia.
Arlon's music reached a bigger playing field more recently, when the New York Mets chose the title track of SUMMER'S VOICE to be featured in a tribute video to Hall of Fame sportscaster Bob Murphy before a packed house at Shea Stadium.
There's always something meaningful in Arlon's songs because he recognizes the power of music to reach people. He gives his skills and talents to organizations like Hospice and "Wednesday's Child" (NBC/Philadelphia), and participates in fundraising efforts for numerous causes.
Arlon is never afraid to experiment and push his boundaries. His inherent need to constantly evolve is unmistakable on SUMMER'S VOICE. And his music always comes from the heart.
"It's the most rewarding way to communicate," says Arlon. "I wouldn't have it any other way." |
tour dates
| DATE |
DAY |
VENUE |
CITY |
| March 25 |
Sun. |
Club Havana � CD Release Party |
New Hope, PA |
| March 28 |
Wed. |
Tin Pan South Songwriters Fest Hall of Fame Lounge |
Nashville, TN |
| March 31 |
Sat. |
First Reformed Church |
New Brunswick, NJ |
| April 6 |
Fri. |
Minstrel Coffeehouse |
Morristown, NJ* |
| April 7 |
Sat. |
Mine St. Coffeehouse CD Release Party |
New Brunswick, NJ |
| April 13 |
Fri. |
Port Jazz � CD Release Party |
Port Jefferson, NY |
| April 21 |
Sat. |
Sacred Bean Coffeehouse |
Flanders, NJ |
| April 28 |
Sat. |
House Concert |
Collingswood NJ |
| May 9 |
Wed. |
Cool Beanz-Acoustic L.I. Live Podcast |
Saint James, NY |
| May 18 |
Fri. |
Princeton ConTEMPORARY-Arts Center |
Princeton, NJ |
| May 20 |
Sun. |
Bitter End |
New York, NY |
*Opening for Cosy Sheridan |
website
Visit ARLON BENNETT online at:
www.arlonbennett.com
www.myspace.com/arlon. |
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