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Blues Underground Network |
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It always amazes me when I listen to a
CD, of which I am thoroughly convinced consists of a number of artists
performing on it, only to later find out that the Album in question was
basically a one person production. I have had the good fortune to
come across a few such Albums this year, notably K.K. Martin's "Naked
Blues Volume II", in which it is just K.K. Martin with a his Guitar and a
Microphone and Chris Dair's "Crossroads To Freedom". Now with my
introduction to Marco Maenza, I once again have the treat of experiencing
a few Album's that are, except for a very small part, a one man
show.
Born in Italy, Marco Maenza is
referred to a an Italian Blues Virtuoso. A true one man show, Marco not
only plays all the instruments on his Albums, except for the odd rare
guest musician, on at the most, one of the Albums Tracks, he in addition
also does all the recording, composing, arranging, sequencing, and
producing of his projects, at his home studio. Marco's forte' is Rock
style blues, but he also loves Classic rock, and is quite adept at melding
the 2 genres
together.
With the releasing of now three Albums
since January 2009, with "Midnite Train" being his most recent, he
continues to find his music rising in popularity, especially on the
ReverbNation Blues Charts, which he has managed to reach the number 1 spot
in Italy and "high as 4th on the global charts". Marco has also
gained popularity on Myspace with him twice being the featured artist of
the day. Marco has also found himself being featured on many radio shows,
with the most recent being on Jan Carroll's Show "The Lady Plays The
Blues" on www.krushradio.com. It
is through that show that Marco and Jan established a working
relationship, which has culminated into Jan playing a huge part in Marco's
"Midnite Train" Album, in which she is responsible for the writing of six
of the Albums 10 tracks, including the title track. Jan Carroll also wrote
a song for Marco on the release of "Stone House Of
Blues".
When listening to "Stone House Of
Blues" and "Midnite Train", I found it very evident that there was an
Italian singing and I must admit it felt a little strange at first with
Marco's accent, but really that was only a temporary thing, which became
less strange to me, and only more unique, the more I listened. Marco
Maenza, is however, far more than just a good singer, something that you
become quickly aware of shortly after you start listening to his music,
and that is that he is an astoundingly gifted musician, especially
concerning Guitar. In fact if I were going to compare whom his Guitar
playing reminded me of, I would have to say, hands down, Mark Knopfler.
Even his music has that Mark Knopfler feel to it, which I find amazingly
nice to listen to. To me, Marco's music seems to continuously flow, on his
Albums, instead of the Stop Start feel you get on a lot of Albums out
there nowadays. Hypnotic in nature, is a way I guess I could best describe
it.
When listening to Marco Maenza's last
two Albums, his style of Blues came across, first of all, more Guitar Rock
forward in nature and second of all, more World Blues, as well, and by
that I mean, to me his sound feels more of a universal form of Blues,
instead of a style of Blues from any particular geographical region. I
also got that same feeling from Chris Dair's spellbinding "Crossroads To
Freedom"
Album.
Marco Maenza' describes "Midnite
Train" as an "album with ten good blues and rock original songs",
a statement that I certainly concur with. It is also a statement that
could be equally true for the sixteen songs that are found on his "Stone
House Of Blues"
Album.
It has always amazed me when an
Artist I have never heard of, manages to get a hold of me, introduces
themselves, and has enough confidence, that they send me their music to
check out. In nearly all of those cases, I have simply loved
listening to their music, with Marco Maenza being absolutely no
exception.
Marco Maenza is simply one Artist in
which I was over joyed to have become acquainted with and I urge all of
you to give him a listen, whether it be through his Reverbnation Page or
via purchasing his music. A rare and wonderful talent, for
sure.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues
Underground
Network)
Additional Info
Listen To Marco's Music Here...
Websites:
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