Album Notes

Artists like The New York Dolls, David Bowie, Ian Hunter, Willy DeVille, Peter Wolf, Billy Squier, Joan Osborne, Maceo Parker, Paul Simon, David Johansen and Simon & Garfunkel have something in common...

...they've all called upon the talents of The Contes.

New York City Brothers Steve and John Conte are a rare breed; singer/songwriter/artists who make great records of their own and yet are versatile enough to contribute to other artists records and tours. Give a listen to their eclectic new CD, "Bleed Together" and you'll understand. The Conte's leap effortlessly from power pop to Bossa Nova, soul ballad to lounge, rock and roll to Americana.

"Bleed Together" marks the Conte brother's third independent release since leaving Mercury records and their band Company Of Wolves in 1992. In early 1993 they began gigging with their new project, Crown Jewels. The Jewels released two albums, "Spitshine" in 1996 and "Linoleum" in 1998. The band's music was heard on over 120 radio stations coast to coast and was featured in numerous network television shows and films. Both albums enjoyed critical acclaim from such sources as Musician magazine, the Grammy Showcase and London's Classic Rock magazine who gave their sophomore release four stars calling it, "#5 of the top ten albums of the year" in 1999. In September 2001, after three years of touring and writing they began work on a new record.

Steve and John have stepped outside the Crown Jewels box for this new project. The Contes, "Bleed Together" CD shines new light on the Conte brothers talents. In addition to their usual strengths, bass player John plays guitar, banjo and sings lead on a few songs while guitarist/singer Steve plays keyboards, six string and four string bass, mandolin and handles some of the editing and sampling.

Rounding out the record are some of the best musicians in the biz; drummers Charley Drayton (Keith Richards, B-52s, diVinyls, Shelby Lynn), Nir Z (John Mayer, Genesis, Alana Davis), Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors, Joan Osborne) and Rich Pagano (Patti Smith, Ian Hunter, Robbie Robertson ) The Uptown Horns (Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker ), the alto flute of Danny Wiliensky (James Brown, Bowie, Steve Winwood) and on violins, Antoine Silverman (Sheryl Crow).


The album features other members of the Conte family: mother Rosemary, an accomplished jazz vocalist, adds scat vocals; while John's newborn son Leonardo makes his recording debut with his in-utero heartbeat.

The Contes, "Bleed Together" was mixed by the legendary Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Fiona Apple, Don Henley)at The Hit Factory in New York City.