After a long journey in the studio and a detour in the road caused by unexpected tragedy, Urban Blue has released their newest project.
A Thousand Stories Never Told is the title of this ten song collection from the band. Nine new originals and a classic cover from the Sixties create an eclectic playlist reflecting the many influences of longtime songwriting partners, Mark Mayo and Mark Polott. With the acrobatic and exciting Lars Haake on alto sax and the powerful and versatile David Donen on drums, their sonic vision has been captured. Frank Cervantes’ rhythmic guitars are the glue that holds it all together.
Some special guests add to the tapestry, including Lloyd Landesman on a rockin’ piano, the great Cati James on vocals and Duncan Wickel on a hot fiddle. Produced by Mayo and Polott, they brought in longtime consultant Joao McDowell as associate producer, to lend his many talents to the project and to try to keep them in line. The amazing Nick Cipriano was chief engineer and did all the final mixes. It was a team effort, with many discussions, debates and a lot of laughs.
A Thousand Stories Never Told is the title of this ten song collection from the band. Nine new originals and a classic cover from the Sixties create an eclectic playlist reflecting the many influences of longtime songwriting partners, Mark Mayo and Mark Polott. With the acrobatic and exciting Lars Haake on alto sax and the powerful and versatile David Donen on drums, their sonic vision has been captured. Frank Cervantes’ rhythmic guitars are the glue that holds it all together.
Some special guests add to the tapestry, including Lloyd Landesman on a rockin’ piano, the great Cati James on vocals and Duncan Wickel on a hot fiddle. Produced by Mayo and Polott, they brought in longtime consultant Joao McDowell as associate producer, to lend his many talents to the project and to try to keep them in line. The amazing Nick Cipriano was chief engineer and did all the final mixes. It was a team effort, with many discussions, debates and a lot of laughs.
Upstairs Sleeping
Bills in My Pocket
Long Way Home
Waiting for the Real You
In 2004 Urban Blue released their first CD. The haunting blues, It’s Different Today, was it’s closing song and also chosen as the name of the project. This was written post 9/11 in NYC. The writers had watched the horrific events of that day unfold firsthand from a dramatic vantage point. Fourteen tunes were ambitious but the band was up to the task. Mark and Mark were joined by Jim Taormina on keyboards, Doug Sako and Alan Plotkin on drums and the horn tandem of Dave Painchaud on trumpet and Senien Hicks on saxes. Longtime friend and fellow member of Polydor Records Haystacks Balboa, Lloyd Landesman, co-produced the project with the Marks.
Notable cuts on the CD were Lila, a remake of Mayo and Polott’s composition from a second, unreleased Polydor Records project in 1974 and the percolating Dancing the Night Away. The opening rocker, Bag O’Weed was featured in High Times Magazine and the guys covered the classic Crossroads with a new twist. The seeds of Urban Blue were planted and the fruit would keep growing.
Notable cuts on the CD were Lila, a remake of Mayo and Polott’s composition from a second, unreleased Polydor Records project in 1974 and the percolating Dancing the Night Away. The opening rocker, Bag O’Weed was featured in High Times Magazine and the guys covered the classic Crossroads with a new twist. The seeds of Urban Blue were planted and the fruit would keep growing.
Crossroads
Middle of Nowhere
Dancing the Night Away
It's Different Today
The music of Urban Blue is also available on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon Music.