Album Notes

Frank Manzi has been writing and singing for more than half his life, and his devotion to his craft is evident to anyone who has ever seen him perform. While drawing from various influences, he remains sincere, honest and original in a world too often littered with carbon copies.

His honesty has caught the attention of many critics and fans alike. Johnny Memphis, a god of Western Massachusetts radio (immortalized in Dar Williams’ "Are You Out There") says “Frankie has the soul of a poet and the heart of a rocker.” Critic Kevin O’Hare of The Republican (Springfield, MA) offers this opinion: “His voice is consistently magnificent, a cool mix of a rough-edged rocker and sweet singing pop craftsman.”

In the mid-1980’s, Manzi cofounded the roots-rock band The Breakdown. Regional acclaim followed, then a Boston Music Award nomination, then a video on MTV, then a recording contract with Cypress/A&M Records … the boys from Springfield were on their way. The band began recording their debut album, produced by Kenny Aronoff of John Mellencamp fame. A corporate merger put the project on hold and the band eventually fell through the industry’s cracks. A short time later, figuring they had given it their best shot, The Breakdown broke up.

But Frank Manzi just kept going. He’s spent more than 20 years as a musician and has released five recordings, "One Horse Town," "Little Boy," "Going Home," "Somewhere in Between," and most recently, 2007's "Bright Corners of the World." He’s headlined clubs, colleges and coffeehouses all across the Northeast and appeared with national touring acts like Taj Mahal, Ritchie Havens, and Marshall Crenshaw.

Manzi’s career has earned him a devoted following and he continues to win over audiences with his sincere approach to making music. Whether he’s fronting a band or playing solo, Frank Manzi is sure to get your attention. In the music world, people always want to come up with labels for your “kind” of music. Folk. Rock. Americana. Country. But Manzi’s sound is difficult to categorize ... and that’s just the way he likes it.