Album Notes

Tony Piscotti may only be a few years into the solo singer/songwriter realm, but he is no stranger to crafting infectious melodies and beautifully simplistic acoustic guitar-driven pieces of art. Tony's first notoriety came as half the nucleus of the much-acclaimed indie band Rain Merchants while attending college on the plains of Central Illinois in the early 1990s. Rain Merchants combined Tony's acoustic guitar and songwriting prowess with the unparalleled stage presence of Hedy Burress, who later went on to fame in the acting environs of Hollywood, California. As Hedy pursued a lucrative film and television career Tony turned inward in order to hone his songwriting skills.

Traveling to kinder his inspiration took him to Portland Oregon, Los Angeles and eventually back to his native Chicago where he reentered the music scene as a sideman with former Rain Merchants band mate Joe Armstrong and his new band. Splitting his time between his sideman duties and performing in various acoustic duo combinations allowed Tony to pen a set of intimate, catchy and confident songs that is currently available in a collection entitled Soapbox Parade on Chicago's Greentown Records (Pied Cow Music-ASCAP).

Around the centerpiece of Piscotti's compositions are performances by some amazing guest musicians, including producer/guitarist Joe Armstrong, actress Hedy Burress on vocals, Jason Upchurch on electric and upright basses, Daryl Coutts of the RONNIE BAKER BROOKS BAND on Hammond organ, Michael Babincak (formerly of the JOE ARMSTRONG BAND) on electric guitar, Greg Fundis & Matt Katzfey from 56 HOPE ROAD on drums/percussion and many more!

Soapbox Parade showcases Tony's unique ability to readily combine such diverse instrumentation as strings, accordion, mandolin along with clever folk and rock arrangements in a way that speaks directly to the listener's soul. The sincere and accessible feel of Tony Piscotti's Soapbox Parade will ensure that he and his unique musical voice will not be unknown for long.

:::RECENT REVIEW OF SOAPBOX PARADE by SMOTHER.NET:::
"Occasionally my days can be so bland that when I rip open a CD using my trusty CD opening device (they're essential damn it!) and nail the stupid sticker thing on top in one go I feel a sense of pride. So it was with that sort of perhaps misguided glee that I inserted "Soapbox Parade". Joyfully written Americana greeted my ears as I traversed through an album that seems more of a dictionary of a road trip through the United States than a folk rocker. Certainly a nod to his brethren in the Pacific Northwest, Tony Piscotti lavishly arranges his record with the sort of perfectionism that is often left to the masters of the recording industry. And righteously so, after all how could you write lyrics this good only to have a sub par background of music behind the words?" J-Sin/Music Editor