MICHAEL MAZZARELLA: Only Hope For Winter Dvd

Michael Mazzarella

Only Hope For Winter Dvd

© 2004 MICHAEL MAZZARELLA

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Michael Mazzarella temporarily steps out of his role as Rooks frontman, joining The Fellows Of Mortimer to render a very unique DVD. Recorded and filmed at the legendary Outer Realm Records studio, the fellows offer 21 separate refreshing LIVE performanc

tracks

1 Vows
2 House Of Fortune
3 Meditation
4 Music Sound Sensation
5 Down
6 Nightfall
7 Circle Of Fools
8 If I Knew
9 Love Said To Me
10 Apology
11 Trip
12 Folk Hero
13 Blue
14 Better Start Right Now
15 Long Ago
16 Wish You Well
17 WAR
18 Always You And Me
19 Steeplechase
20 Reasons
21 Only Hope For Winter

notes

Michael Mazzarella's name has been synonymous with The Rooks beginning with the emergence of the band's highly-acclaimed debut album a decade ago. Fast-forward to NOW! Mazzarella is still a Rook. A new album (Something Blue) is in progress. The sound of The Rooks has been evolving and turning new corners with each release. Although various players in the group have come and gone, leader Mazzarella remains. There has been an intermission in the Rooks' story...but stay tuned. In the meantime, Mazzarella has been working!

We proudly present to you the Only Hope For Winter DVD. Seven enterprising friends united, blue-printed a map, set their sails and followed a wind that took them to a place unknown. Of these men, Mazzarella, Huw Gower (The Records, David Johansen), Dave Rave (Teenage Head) and Greg Field (Ronnie Spector) have joined together to play for you ABSOLUTELY LIVE, in a recording studio. With help from lifelong friends utilizing their own studio, cameras, lights, and a fresh approach, the guys deliver a DVD that
plants a flag on virgin soil. You will see and hear the musicians spontaneous and free while working from hastily recollected crib-notes - without rehearsals and often making it up as they went along. Simply revisiting old Rooks standards and repainting them by the numbers wasn't
good enough, wasn't much of a challenge. Taking something old, borrowing and reworking made their playing come to life. Before now, Vows, Better Start Right Now and Trip had never been performed live at the piano. To this
writing, Wish You Well and War have never been played in public! Six songs are new to all fans including three (Nightfall, Blue and Long Ago) from The Rooks' next album. And yes, the band's power pop classic Reasons is also on
the set-list, only now wrapped around a folksy Donovan meets Nick Drake slant courtesy of Huw Gower's inspired arrangement. From the tongue-in-cheek disclaimer to the final falling notes of the cinematic title-track Only Hope
For Winter, one thing is certain; You will be viewing a DVD unlike any other.

If you've never been in a recording studio, please have a seat. If you've never seen Michael Mazzarella on stage, here's your ticket. He and The Fellows Of Mortimer want you to enjoy the show. We hope that this Do-It-Yourself project sparks your curiosity and fires your interest to
purchase a copy. A long time in the making, this project, often marred by curious ups and hapless downs is proof that Mazzarella and gang truly love what they do best...MUSIC!!!

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Fun Fun Fun
    author: George Valis

    This is a fun watch. Coming from a longtime fan of The Rooks, it was nice for this Mid-western pop fan to finally see Mike Mazzerella in action. Lots of Rooks classics with a different spin and plenty of others that are only found on this DVD. MM is cool in front of the cameras with or without the Rooks. Thanks for all of the great music Mr. Mazz.

  • Master at his Craft
    author: ctdannyd

    I had the wonderful fortune of meeting Michael, and even sitting in (spectator only!) of his recording sessions in Hartford. The man works hard. Don't know how else to say it. Most of the songs were the culmination of many, many, many takes. Anyone that is considering making music a profession would do well to watch him work, and learn from his dedication over the years, no matter what life has thrown at him. Great job M!

  • Great Songs/Great Performer/Wanted a bit more!
    author: Levitation Holmes

    Wonderful intro. (for me) to Mr. Mazzarella's work. I had heard of the Rooks but never took the time to check them out. Well, after seeing this DVD I bought Encore Echoes and A Wishing Well. Inspired! The only caveat to a stellar review would have been some/any "banter" between the principals or even some more "documentary style" footage showing more of the process of making music the Mazzarella way and not simply 22 separate performances(although I did like seeing Mr. Mazzarella's hair grow and shrink throughout!). Still, a WONDERFUL DVD and I would highly recommend it to Rooks/Power Pop/Mazzarella fans everywhere!

  • Fantastic!
    author: Robert Wilson-musicforrobert@yahoo.com

    What a great look into the world of musicians perfoming live in a studio. Now that Huw Gower (formerly of The Records) is in The Rooks, the future looks to be very exciting as far as what music we'll get from this great band. I love the DVD and I'm happy that The Fellows Of...was just a side project. The Rooks live!

  • All the musicians complement each other on these sessions.
    author: Stewart Guy - Bristol. England.

    Set in a recording studio in Hartford. Michael Mazzarella with the Fellows Of Mortimer, (Huw Gower, Greg Field & Dave Rave), run through 21 songs. Some old, some new, some re-arranged and given a new breath of air and come up with this DVD. Nice to see and hear Huw again. But all the musicians complement each other on these sessions.

  • Mike is fervently dedicated to his craft and is a superb songwriter.
    author: John Bezzini

    I have known Michael Mazzarella all my life. I have seen his songwriting skills mature over the years. He is writing beautiful pop melodies that you do not see from many present day songwriters. I was fortunate enough to have helped with the production of this DVD and I am extremely proud of the achievement of my longtime friend.

  • A must see for Mazzarella fans
    author: Dave Farrell - Dublin, Ohio

    If you like The Rooks, you will like this DVD also. Michael Mazzerella and friends are live and everything that's right about musicians playing together is here. His songs are great, his singing is real and the Fellows Of Mortimer are a perfect combination of Rock and mellow tones. The new songs are amazing.

  • Michael Mazzarella with The Fellows of Mortimer rocks!!!
    author: Stacy Warren

    This DVD is excellent. I found out about The Rooks from my friend in New Jersey. I've been a fan ever since and this DVD gave me the chance to see Michael in action for the first time. The whole thing is wonderful. Take my advice and buy one. It's well worth it.

  • Great DVD from the main Rook
    author: Larry Zimmer

    Michael Mazzarella's performances on this DVD are great. I love the new songs and the Fellows Of Mortimer do their thing well. It's great to see an independent artist release a DVD.

  • This DVD is a must see. Michael Mazzarella's star quality shines.
    author: Douglas

    If you're having doubts about Michael Mazzarella without The Rooks, worry no more. The Fellows of Mortimer are a perfect backing band for this ace of the pop genre. Actually, that title doesn't do Mazzarella justice as he has gone way beyond the power pop field. This DVD shows his versatility as a writer and performer. There's not a lot of jangle here. It's mostly piano and acoustic guitars. There's a lot more rock than power pop and the performances are clean and intense. Hugh Gower, Greg Fields and Dave Rave do their work well and fill out Mazzarella's songs expertly and with a fresh approach. The new songs are fabulous. mazzarella continues to impress and move forward.

  • Rockin DVD with very cool live studio takes!
    author: Randy

    This DVD is great for fans of Michael Mazzarella, and those into 60's folk, beatles, Donovan, Nick Drake, etc. Many Rooks classics are re-done, with piano, acoustic guitar, keyboard accompaniment. A very ambient, and cool collection.

  • author: jason s.

    Love it. It looks and sounds great. Micheal Mazzarella shows why he's one of the best out there today. Considering that it's all live is really impressive. The band behind him are all pros and respect the music that Michael has written. I think all music fans will like this DVD. It's cool to be a fly on the wall amongst the wires, mics, lights and recording machines. One of my favorite DVDs in my collection.

  • A must have for any Rooks/Michael Mazzarella fan!
    author: Georgygirl

    What a great surprise this DVD is! Michael Mazzarella and the Fellows of Mortimer (Greg Field, Huw Gower & Dave Rave) breathe new life into old fan favorites and let fans tag along to watch. From the much loved “Reasons” which has a new arrangement ala Nick Drake to the gorgeous “Nightfall”, a stunning new song from the upcoming “Something Blue” CD, this DVD is amazing from beginning to end. There is so much here to absorb but the greatest part about all of this for me though is the live studio feel. Since Michael solo or in a band setting rarely tours or plays out this is a wonderful alternative. To see some of my favorite songs performed live and in such an intimate setting is awesome. Very, very cool!

email

Please log in to email this artist.