Album Notes

Benyaro, "Benyaro" (2007) "Soulful acoustic phenomenon..." - Amy Matzke - music writer, The Roanoke Times (9/08) --------------------------------------------- "New York City's Benyaro play the kind of introspective, deeply emotional acoustic music that fans of the form should swoon over. The harmonies are crystalline, the playing flawless, and the songs tight. In short it's an impeccable recording." - Chris La Tray - music critic, Missoula Independent (8/08) --------------------------------------------- "Indie acoustic soul..." - Boulder Weekly (7/08) --------------------------------------------- "The upcoming studio album from this Brooklyn-based acoustic folk/rock/Americana act invites comparisons to the glory days of CSN&Y (mainly due to their heavenly vocal harmonies...) - Jim Reed - music writer, Connect Savannah (7/07) --------------------------------------------- “His (Ben’s) amazing voice is the calling card of Benyaro …acoustic roots/folk songs with much feel, soul and emotion…a comparison to Ray Lamontagne comes to mind…splendid album.” - Valère Sampermans - music writer, ROOTSTIME (Belgium, 5/08) --------------------------------------------- "...not-so-secret weapon is the voice of multi-instrumentalist Ben Musser.....Musser sounds akin to a young Cat Stevens." - Rick de Yampert - entertainment writer, The Daytona Beach News-Journal (2/08) --------------------------------------------- "Relaxed, peaceful, and largely acoustic, benyaro sounds to be born less out of the smoggy subways and more out of the Smoky Mountains." - Ryan Muldoon - music writer, Richmond Times-Dispatch (2/08) --------------------------------------------- "Soft folky pop that grows on you...attractive, acoustic based songs that hark back to seventies soft country rock times...the sound is varied and their harmonies are reminiscent of the likes of Poco." - Paul Kerr - music writer, Americana UK (1/08) --------------------------------------------- "The modern folk sound of guitarist Ben Musser makes the feet tap and the voice hum." - Sabina Dana Plasse - entertainment writer, Mountain Express (Ketchum, ID - 7/08) --------------------------------------------- "a sophisticated blend of soul, folk and finely executed song craftsmanship, all the way through... There is a lot of energy in the music, it could easily go electric. Musser's playing is finely textured, the songs are well composed, and his voice is a confident vehicle for generally uplifting, pensive lyrics." - Joel Weickgenant - music writer, Savannah Morning News (2/08) --------------------------------------------- "From a truly underground (NYC subway) background, the uniqueness of benyaro, a folk-pop trio led by Ben Musser and sister, Meg Chamberlin, is the creation of songs with themes of idealism, mountains and stars, and a latent spirituality while keeping to a simple folk-pop format. Older listeners will recall memories of late 60's-early '70's country pop that one might see on TV. "Humble Child" is a fine introduction, with a sound comparable somewhere between a righteous Gram & Emmylou, and Three Dog Night." - Dan Herman - DJ/podcaster, Radio Crystal Blue (11/07) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ben Musser and Tucker Yaro met in the spring of 2005. Tucker responded to Ben's bitter Craigslist.org posting, they chatted, then discovered they lived close to one another in Brooklyn, NY. Convenience motivated them to meet. Tucker was moved by the depth of sound Ben created on his four-track. Ben was equally inspired by Tucker's musical and vocal ability and found it added a new dimension to his material. Ben worked for a personal manager of recording artists that believed he had a gift. She told him that if he proved he was willing to work for it, she would help. With no draw yet to book gigs the manager suggested they hone their skills on the subway platforms. If they drew crowds consistently, they knew they had something. Drawing crowds came easier than Ben, Tucker or Ben’s boss thought possible. Benyaro quickly became a favorite of the cops on the station beat. Next, Musser incorporated the strong vocal ability of his sister, Meg Chamberlin. Meg’s voice adds a choir like combo of sweetness and power. She also lends bits of percussion to the live show. The trio began booking in Austin, Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, DC, Charlotte, Philly, Richmond, Charlottesville, etc. via word of mouth with no demo to hand to bookers or promoters. They became at once a critic’s pick and a crowd pleaser. Benyaro supported the legendary Malcolm Holcombe in Boston, NYC and in Johnson City, TN. Only a year and a half later Benyaro saved enough money to record their self-released, self-titled debut album which is now available at Benyaro shows, on iTunes, CD Baby and across the internet. The project is produced by Ben Musser and features the trio performing material written by Musser and a uniquely gifted LA songwriter, Scott Claassen, who also appears as guest pianist/organist on one tune as well. The album is receiving great press and airplay from DJs across the country in ME, CT, NY, NJ, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, IL, VT and now out west in TX, CA, CO, UT, and OR. Fresh off of a 48-show, 17 state tour to the west coast and back, Benyaro is happy to resume filling NYC venues beyond their capacities, receiving accolades for their definable brand of acoustic roots and soul. Catch a gig. Enjoy quality live music and pick up this their treasurable CD. Add it to your collection of quality music. You will play it addictively.