Bruce Marshall Group
“Misspent Youth”
ATM Records
12 Song CD
“Misspent Youth” (ATM): B+
Since disbanding his Boston-based band, Bruce Marshall and the Clue, in the late ’80s to form this group, it has been a long ride for the Concord singer/songwriter. Thankfully much of it is captured here in the group’s fifth recording. Marshall says the autobiographical core of the album is slightly embellished in its oft-visited themes of addiction, youthful ignorance, lost love and personal remorse, but his songs are so well-crafted that it all rings anew. With a Jesse Winchester-like skill for blending blues, country and jazz and a monster ear for a hook, Marshall’s tunes have a way of taking hold and resonating long after they end. Download: “3 Chords and the Truth.” (Appearing tonight at Smoken’ Joe’s BBQ and Blues.)
Nate Dow
Boston Herald 6-11-10
Bruce Marshall Group
"Misspent Youth"
ATM Records
12 Song CD
Everything a listener would expect to hear from veteran performer Bruce Marshall's sixth and latest CD, "Misspent Youth", is prominent and evidently clear from beginning to end in this very professional and very listenable release. With many apparent blues influences and a sensible and well thought-out sequence of songs, each Marshall composition on the CD typically has a great melody, intelligent lyrics and a first-rate delivery: Bruce's superb finger-picking guitar playing catches your ear on every melody and whether he's playing the acoustic folk blues of "Slave To My Senses" and "There Go I", the first and last songs on this project, or the varied and more electric performances on the middle ten tunes, all recordings sound crisp and memorable, and each arrangement has the aural consistency, in the bigger picture, of being recognizable as coming only from this incredibly talented individual. Even the songs like "Blues In The House" and "Conscience As My Witness", two straight B.B. King inspired performances, still bear the Marshall imprint as do every other offering on this well-balanced mix of different blues sounds. The rocking blues of "3 Chords And The Truth", the college-radio friendly r&b of "Dirty Side Down", "Restless Soul" and "Gold", the Southern/Country feel of "Misspent Youth", "My Own Bed" and "Procrastination" (all with a stripped-down Marshall Tucker groove); and whether he's using an electric or acoustic guitar, Marshall has an instinctive pop feel to his musical persona and sometimes the strength of the song isn't in what notes he plays but in what tones he doesn't play and in the music's uniquely Bruce Marshall sound. And this sound is all his own and that's a very good thing; this is a strong CD from this consummate local professional.Last year, Bruce was selected and sent by the BBS to represent Boston at The International Blues Challenge, and "Misspent Youth" illustrates why his creativity is a good example of many of the best aspects of what our current local blues scene is all about.
AJ Wachtel
Boston Blues Society
Bruce Marshall Group
Restless Soul
(ATM)
Bruce Marshall has been one of my favorite performers ever since I heard him live with the Toy Caldwell Band. He was a member of the TCB from 1989 - 1990 and lent his vocals to many of Toy's classics like "Running Like the Wind" and "Take the Highway" as well as his own "Welcome to the Human Race." He's posted several videos from his days with the TCB at his web site brucemarshall.net. By the way, the TCB version of "Running Like the Wind" is a very cool, a slowed down moody version featuring some very evocative guitar work by Toy and lead vocals by Bruce.
Bruce recently released Restless Soul on ATM Records and it features 15 acoustic tracks. Many are his most requested songs like Angeline. Bruce offers several new tunes as well. Whether new or old, the album is sure to please. I highly recommend it as well as Bruce's other fine CDs including Kalispell, featuring a rousing seven-minute version of "This Ol Cowboy" or "Love the Ride" which features the TCB rarity "Welcome to the Human Race" (Toy on guitar, Tony Heatherly on bass, Bruce on vocals).
The haunting title track kicks of the CD and like all of Bruce's work it's impassioned. He has the ability to paint a clear picture to wherever his songs take you and this one is clearly reflective and definitely inspirational. "Slave to My Senses" is a soulful tune about the the "misplaced" passions and vices that at times can control us. "Sliver of the Moon" takes us on a smooth sail past the point and adventures beyond. Angeline is one of my favorite songs by Bruce and the acoustic version carries with it all of the angst of the original. There's a lot of tasty finger picking on "Impossible Companion" whose lyrics point out "just the same as everyone, we always say how things will be different" but "we cut and run." "Take Back the Night" hits the pain of senseless deaths head on. Bruce has never been afraid to get political and this song is a fine example.
The edginess continues with "Gold," a fervent song about greed and the sins that go with it. The mood lightens up with "Honey Dip" and it's jazziness is infectious. This song would be well served with the backing of a swing band and horns... How about it Bruce? "Calm Before the Storm" takes us on another lyrical journey that only veteran lovers can understand. "Good Things" carries an uplifting message about perseverance and standing tall. Things take a decidedly different turn with "If Dreams Were Money," a song that finds a man struggling with the fact that despite all his hard work monetary wealth hasn't come his way. Relationships are again in the spotlight on the "What We Had Is Gone," a dark tail about a lover scorned. In "Haunts You in the End" Bruce sings about the demons that tend to rear their ugly head just when we'd prefer them not to.
The CD closes out with two instrumentals "Flying Low" and "Crawdad Creek." The former os soft and breezy and the latter comes with a little funk. The whole CD is pleasing from beginning to end. Bruce is one heckuva talent and he has many CDs to choose from. If you're like me, once you give one a ride you'll want to test drive the others as well. They are all worth the time.
-Craig Cumberland
Gritz Magazine
Bruce Marshall Group
Kalispell
(ATM)
My first introduction to Bruce Marshall came during the late eighties (or maybe early 90's) when Bruce was playing keyboards for The Toy Caldwell Band. I knew he was quite talented on the keys, b ut I had no idea what a talented multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter he is.
On his latest release, Kalispell, Marshall turns in a five-star album filled with fifteen great tracks, singing his heart out and playing lead guitar, organ, Dobro, national resolectric and acoustic guitar. Bruce is joined by some terrific musicians, and the sound reflects the best of 1970's Top 40, with hints of that Caldwell/Marshall Tucker sound peppered throughout.
Marshall's songs are great, especially the traveling "Kalispell," featured here in full length and edited versions. It's got all the earmarks of a radio hit. Then again, so do most of Bruce's tunes, the countryish "Dancehall Sweat," the introspective "Can't Cheat Fate," and the blues rocker "What Kind of Fool," which features guest James Montgomery on harp.
As a tip of the hat to his former employer, Toy Caldwell, Bruce does a knockout version of Caldwell's "This ol' Cowboy," it's a perfect fit among the other 14 tunes, adding just the right dash of essence to push this album over the top and into my list of the best of 2003.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Gritz Magazine
Bruce Marshall Group
Kalispell
(ATM)
Bruce Marshall, former member of the Toy Caldwell Band, recently released "Kailspell" on ATM Records. It features a great cover of This Ol Cowboy... and his rendition absolutely blows me away! While it stays true to the original's vibe, the BMG adds a very cool piece of themselves to one of the coolest songs that's ever been written. What's really amazing is that the tone of Toy's guitar is replicated better than I've ever heard before. If you didn't know, you'd swear it was Toy. It sounds like vintage MTB. Bruce says, "in the spirit of Toy's approach, we cut the song live with no overdubs. Only first take solos allowed!" He goes on to say, "I miss that man so much." If Cowboy were the only good song on the disc, it would be worth the price alone - but the CD is captivating throughout. It's not southern rock, but it some of the most refreshing stuff I've heard recently. Why is it that my favorite music of late has come from independent artists? Perhaps its because they can record whatever they damn well please and they stay true to themselves. This is certainly true of the Bruce Marshall Group.
The CD jump starts with a jazz flavored tune called Last Call and First Light. The horns also add a Big Band era vibe. And the rhythm section. Wow! It reminds me of MTB's George McCorkle and Paul Riddle. Lyrically, I'm reminded of my single days and the frustration those love forsaken nights could bring. The next song takes us to Kalispell; a town near Glacier National Park that Bruce encountered while riding his motorcycle to Yellowstone. This song is just begging me to take it for a ride to the Sierra's so I can roll down the window, crank up the volume and take in the smell of the pines and the freedom that the mountains bring. Great songs take you on a journey and this one takes me for a soul cleansing ride without ever leaving home. There is some sweet, sweet fiddle playing that accentuates this theme. It's an anthem I haven't stopped playing since I got it. The quality of my speakers are being tested for sure.
You Can't Cheat Fate is a powerful message about the angst we all feel trying to figure out why things happen the way they do. The bittersweet feeling is captured perfectly both lyrically and musically. Dance Hall Sweat is a roadhouse rocker that fondly recalls those teenage days when bands played dances (instead of DJs). A Charlie Daniels style fiddle accompanies the track. Actually, this would make a great CDB song... Say Little takes you back to the 40's - I know my Mom would love this tune. The band is versatile and this tune is but one example. While it reminds me of the 40's, the electric guitar solos and interplay substitutes for the horns that would have accompanied the tune back then. And there's a line at the end that cracks me up. Too funny!
Can I Change My Mind is a cover of the R & B song that was a hit for Tyrone Davis. This rendition oozes with coolness and soul. Again, the guitar work is outstanding. And you gotta love that sax! Cold April Rain brilliantly captures the mood of a cold, rainy day. It smolders with subtle intensity. I would love to hear this song performed live - it's the kind of song that's just begging for extended treatment. There's some very fine sax work at the fade. What Kind of Fool picks up the tempo and is highlighted by harmonica and the type of background bass singer that makes women swoon.
I Need a Raise is a rockin' little shuffle that would be a crowd pleasing sing-a-long in concert. Paper Trail carries the monetary theme all the way to bankruptcy and jail. A dark smoky song, it is appropriate for these days of uncertainty and sadly all to biographical for many. The seven minute cover of This Ol Cowboy follows. Rescue is a forlorn song about heartache and 20/20 hindsight. The down on your luck theme continues with Man Out of Time though musically the tempo picks up - and it captures the turmoil of the lyrics nicely. House Lo Mein, an instrumental, reveals the versatility and strength of musicianship of the Bruce Marshall Group. This is one tight band. I hope that a double-live CD is on the horizon because for those of us who can't make it to the East Coast, we need the privilege of hearing this band at what I'm sure is an unforgettable show. I have no doubt they absolutely smolder!
The CD features a ten-page booklet that includes liner notes, lyrics and insight into why Bruce wrote or chose to record each song. He definitely gives his fans their money's worth!
I first heard Bruce Marshall on a live Toy Caldwell tape (Upper Saddle Creek, New Jersey, 1990) and was blown away by Welcome to the Human Race. Paul Hornsby said, "it has all the makings of a hit." That song - performed by the TCB - is featured on the BMG's debut CD "Love of the Ride", released in 1992.
by Craig Cumberland
www.tuckerhead.com
Bruce Marshall Group
Kalispell
(ATM)
Bruce Marshall has been on the New England music scene for years and has paid his share of dues. His first recognizable project came in the eighties with his band The Clue. For most of the nineties he has fronted his crack band the Bruce Marshall Group, as well as performing as a duo with New England blues legend James Montgomery. During that time he has released vinyl albums (remember them?) and CD's and performed continually throughout the region.
On his latest album "Kalispell," Marshall and his band, Dave Cournoyer on guitars, John Donahoe on saxophone, fiddle and mandolin, Jeff Majeau on bass guitar and Bud MacLellan and Pete Premo on drums and percussion, walk a fine line between pop rock and country twang. Marshall's got a great voice while guitarist Dave Cournoyer doles out some of the slickest guitar licks ever heard. Bruce Marshall's lyric writing and music reflects a true slice of Americana that appeals to everyone from bikers to stoners to baby boomers. Sporting a tight band, great songs and a world-class delivery, The Bruce Marshall Group has a real winner on their hands with "Kalispell."
Metronome Magazine
BRUCE MARSHALL - CONCORD'S ROCK JOURNEYMAN
by Allen Pratt
The Middlesex Beat
PO Box 395
Shirley, MA. 01464
www.middlesexbeat.com
Concord musician and songwriter Bruce Marshall made a brief announcement near the beginning of a recent performance held to celebrate the release of Kalispell, the Bruce Marshall Group's new CD. Car trouble was going to delay the arrival of one of his band members, Marshall explained to the expectant crowd at the Sit-n-Bull Pub in Maynard.
A less seasoned performer might have betrayed some sign of anxiety. After all, CD release parties don't happen every day, and the instruments and equipment for a five-piece band were at their places on the otherwise empty stage. But Marshall is a veteran rock and roller - a "blue collar musician" in his words. He confidently assured his listeners that help for the disabled vehicle was on its way. He then entertained the gathering with a solo set that displayed an agile voice, talented songwriting, and a facile, melodic guitar technique.
The audience was thoroughly entertained by Marshall's performance. And before long, the complete Bruce Marshall Group flanked him on stage. Car troubles forgotten, the band set the crowd on its feet with a revved-up evening of music featuring a rich foundation of classic Southern rock, soul, country, and swampy rhythm and blues.
The Bruce Marshall Group is Bruce Marshall, lead vocals and guitar; Dave Cournoyer, guitar and vocals; John donahoe, saxophone, fiddle, mandolin, and vocals; Jeff Majeau, fretless bass; Pete Premo, drums; and Bud MacLellan, drums and percussion. The band has most recently played nightclubs, ski areas, and other venues in New Hampshire and Maine, and can be heard at eastern Massachusetts's locations including the Sit-n-Bull and Ashland's John Stone's Inn.
Marshall has worked closely with many of the music industry's big names, including Toy Caldwell and blues legend James Montgomery. A prolific songwriter, his "If Dreams Were Money" resulted in a ASCAP Songwriter Award. Marshall sometimes escapes to his old Airstream travel trailer in Vermont, where he says "I light a fire, hang back by myself and promise myself that I'll have a song or tow under my belt when I come home."
Marshall's first professional band, Whitecap, showcased the intricate twin lead guitar style made popular by the Allman Brothers' Duane Allman and Dickey Betts. Whitecap got a steady job at a Leominster club in the '70's, which enabled the band members to quit their day jobs and focus on playing music full time. "I was selling shoes at the time" says Marshall. "I did the math - I was going to make twenty dollars more a week playing music that I was selling shoes. I haven't looked back since."
After Whitecap, Marshall led other band projects, including the long-lived Bruce Marshall and The Clue, which was on the road for much of the '80's and had a significant Massachusetts following.
In the late '80's, a significant opportunity came Marshall's way when he learned that the Toy Caldwell.
Band was looking for a lead singer. Caldwell, a founder and the leader of the Marshall Tucker Band, was the writer and singer of "Can't You See," the band's first U.S. single.
Marshall submitted a demo tape, and Caldwell agreed to give Marshall an audition. "I was on cloud nine at that point," says Marshall, who was asked to learn two songs for the audition. "I lived and breathed those two songs for about a week."
The audition was to take place during the band's sound check at a Scituate nightclub. On the audition date, the band arrived late and the promised sound check didn't occur. Marshall wasn't about to let his opportunity slip away. "I picked up my acoustic guitar," he recalls, "and walked into Toy Caldwell's dressing room. I said, Toy, I know you didn't get a chance to do a sound check. I want to play "Desert Skies" for you right now. I hope you don't mind." And before he could say yes or no, I just started playing the tune. Toy smiled, and said, "that was really good. I'll tell you what, I'm going to have you sit in with the show tonight."
Marshall sat in, but the audition wasn't over. "It was a long, multi-step process," says Marshall, whose next audition was at Sir Morgan's Cove in Worcester. "They really wanted to be sure."
Ultimately successful, Marshall became a full-fledged member of the Toy Caldwell Band, singing, playing keyboards and guitar, and touring with other groups who were major influences on Marshall, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels, and the Outlaws.
In 1991, Marshall formed the Bruce Marshall Group, which has performed steadily ever since. Marshall supplements those performances with acoustic sessions, solo performances, and collaborations with the musical partners he's developed in his three decades of performing.
The Bruce Marshall Group's new CD, Kalispell, is available through CD Street, CD Baby, Amazon.com or by mailing a check for $15 plus $2 shipping and handling to:
Bruce Marshall
519 Bedford St.
Concord, MA. 01742.
Marshall performs solo the first and third Wed. of every month at the Walden Grille, 24 Walden St., Concord, MA.
For a complete schedule of upcoming performances, visit the groups website at: www.brucemarshall.net
