Trespass Music is pleased to share this stellar review of Bruce T. Carroll's new album " Ruckus and Romance" from Italy's Remo Ricaldone of Lonestar Time.
"For several years Bruce T. Carroll has performed on the stages of New York City making himself known in the local area as a talented performer and songwriter of considerable sensitivity and humor.
Following many years as owner and curator of the renowned Watercolor Cafe in Larchmont, New York, Bruce has returned to his roots, crafting a series of songs; songs that well represent his world, showing a great heart and the ability to express the wide range of emotions ranging from the pain of loss to binding love, yet always in an intelligent and never clichéd or unimaginative way.
"Ruckus And Romance" introduces us to an artist who inevitably picks up the legacy of characters like Bob Dylan, Tim Buckley, Paul Siebel but also James Taylor and John Prine. Bruce T. Carroll crafts his songs with personality and originality, and is supported by a series of class sidemen. From the electric guitars of Marc Shulman to keyboards of Clifford Carter, the acoustic guitar of David Spinozza, the magnificent voice of Nicole Alifante (a protagonist of these songs), and the violins of Sara Milonovich, Sierra Noble,and Tracy Grammer, these players give a further poetic touch to songs that are already melodically excellent.
"When Two Worlds Collide" opens the album splendidly, with a great freshness, and splendid aura and flavor between country music and anthemic songwriting, with a plea for the strength and conviction of a social commitment to refugees around the world.
"These Things Are Mine" is more intimate and personal, a reflection on the various phases of life, interpreted with vivacity and a voice that divides and conquers.
"A Dream Is A Dream" is truly dreamy thanks to Nicole Alifante and her vocal interpretations in a song suspended between past and present, dream and reality.
"The House On The Hill" instead leads us to the harsh reality of the great economic crisis of recent years, and heavy loss of Bruce's house, yet it reveals a combination of great charm with the violin of Sierra Noble and Jon Cobert's accordion.
The album then continues with themes to which we can all relate, such as separations and bonds that are born and end with that bitter-sweet touch. Bruce is an excellent storyteller. I underline the sliding "Shakedown" which reminds me of certain things reminiscent of James Taylor in the balance between pop influences and soulful colors.
"Hurt You Instead" introduced by the angelic voice of Nicole Alifante reminds one of the very first Joni Mitchell album for purity and beauty, while the final track "Angel Angel" is the seal of a very enjoyable album throughout. See you next time, Bruce ....
Remo Ricaldone - Lonestar Time - Italy
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MORE about Bruce T. Carroll
After years spent “lost in the wilderness” of music and commerce (i.e. building and running a music venue in Larchmont, NY), Bruce T. Carroll has returned to his roots and his first and abiding love: lyric songwriting. With the release of his first album Ruckus and Romance, Bruce has forged a new career as a singer-songwriter using irony and imagery as tools in trade....
John Platt, the dean of Americana, folk, and roots music at WFUV radio, and the host of the long-running “Sunday Supper” show on which Bruce has been featured, has called Ruckus and Romance a “very accomplished album, attuned to the zeitgeist of the moment”.
“This album was a long time in the making and involved the efforts of a great many musician friends. From the extraordinary musicianship of Clifford Carter, David Spinozza, Marc Shulman, Sara Milonovich, Tracy Grammer, Lincoln Schleiffer, Joe Bonadio, and Nicole Alifante, to the aid and counsel of co-producer Al Hemberger, this collection of eight songs touches all the stylistic bases and, I hope, reaches many people on many levels...Thanks for listening!”
Bruce T. Carroll
Bruce T. Carroll WEBSITE - CLICK HERE