Syracuse natives have success with Shadowdogs
author: Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY)
November 2, 2003
Section: Stars
Edition: Final
Page: 18
MARK BIALCZAK MUSIC CRITIC
"Somewhere ... South of the Clef" *** 1/2 (out of 4) Shadowdogs, Mindful Eye Music.
Syracuse natives Bruce Fitzsimmons and Rich Maiorano have success with San Francisco Bay-area band Shadowdogs.
With Fitzsimmons on guitar and vocals and Maiorano on acoustic guitar, the band's disc "Somewhere ... South of the Clef" gives a good look into the sunny side of country rock.
Maiorano says that growing up in Syracuse, the two were influenced by The Byrds, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and The Flying Burrito Brothers.
With great players adding pedal steel guitar, fiddle and mandolin touches, the Shadowdogs often lean more heavily toward the country side.
On "Talk of the Angels," Fitzsimmons sounds like Vince Gill: kind of tender, kind of tough. On "Cry," though, a Joe Walsh-like guitar riff brings the Eagles to mind.
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Shadowdogs is a very talented country-rock group with a sound spawned in Souther
author: Phil Harmonic/SD Troubadour
SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR
Alternative country, Americana, roots,
folk, gospel, and bluegrass music news
Vol. 2, No. 10
July 2003
SHADOWDOGS
Somewhere…South of the Clef
By Phil Harmonic
Shadowdogs is a very talented country-rock group with a sound spawned in Southern California by such bands as Poco, Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, Eagles, and Flying Burrito Brothers. Their new CD, Somewhere… South of the Clef is right out of the mold shaped by Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman, et al. The group, headed by Bruce Fitzsimmons, is made up of well-seasoned musicians, including such notable guests as Dennis Caplinger and the late Jerry Glassel.
Fitzsimmons wrote nine of the songs and Rich Maiorano wrote the remaining five. Besides handling all the lead vocals, Fitzsimmons also mixed and produced the CD. His voice is pleasant and quite suited to this style. Bassist Jon Scarantino is listed as the only background vocalist and, if this is so, adds excellent well-balanced, full textured harmonies that remind me of Timothy B. Schmidt and Randy Meisner, two accomplished bass-playing vocalists who both played in Poco and the Eagles.
The lush sound is extended and embellished by Rick Schmidt’s pedal steel guitar and Dennis Caplinger’s fiddle, mandolin, and banjo. Normally I don’t like to see musicians produce and mix their own work, because they tend to overproduce and polish. However, Fitzsimmons, also a multi-instrumentalist, delivers a fine effort. With a wonderful substance that shows through. There is a lot of good listening here, and it is good listening music when you’re hangin’ around the house. It has pick-me-up flavor that’s uplifting. There are also slower songs that create a more melancholy feel, but all in all, this is feel good music, which will find you bouncing in your chair.
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"Until You Smile" demonstrates the extent of guitar possibilities. It features
author: Bill Fark/North County Times
CD REVIEWS
A "Somewhere South
of the Clef"
Shadowdogs
Released By: Mindful Eye Music
Bill Fark
For the North County Times
On the Shadowdogs’ debut CD "Somewhere South of the Clef", the new Fallbrook-based alt/country band takes the country-western genre in a slightly different direction.
The group (which has performed locally at the Fallbrook Farmer’s Market) performs songs in traditional style, along with a mix of others influenced by genres from blues to rock. Shadowdogs are a five-member ensemble –Bruce FitzSimmons, Rich Maiorano, and Rick Schmidt, playing various guitars, bassist Jon Scarantino and drummer Kevin Glassel—but for this CD, guests boost the number to 11. This makes for a full-bodied sound and some very interesting arrangements.
"Until You Smile" demonstrates the extent of guitar possibilities. It features spectacular fingering by guest guitarist Jerry Glassel playing an acoustic instrument, as well as guest Ed Casey on pedal steel guitar, and FitzSimmons on a second acoustic guitar. The trio team again on the sentimental "Lean On Me", and Glassel switches to electric guitar on "Baby Don’t Like to Be Left Alone," with Maiorano (who wrote the piece) on acoustic guitar.
FitzSimmons is the most versatile musician. He wrote eight of the 14 songs and collaborated on another. He is also the principal vocalist and plays acoustic guitar on all but two tracks.
Maiorano shares creative honors on five of the songs. His "One More Drink" is in typical Western style, with novelty dobro passages. His other numbers are "Dancin’" and "Love Gives Up". Other guest musicians, soloists in their own right, are Dennis Caplinger, on fiddle, mandolin, and banjo, and Scott Sekol, Jim Hollingsworth and Jerry McCann on various guitars.
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'SHADOWDOGS' gave an exhilarating performance Friday evening June 13th at the
author: Fallbrook Village News
CONCERT REVIEW
Fallbrook Village News
June 19th, 2003
ENTERTAINMENT
Time Travel
Nathalie Taylor
Staff Writer
The Eagles weren’t in concert on Friday the 13th, but if you closed your eyes you might have thought it was so. Jack Tempchin, writer of several Eagles hits including "Already Gone", and "Slow Dancing", took concert guests back in time with his exhilarating performance. Backed by his talented bass player, Norman Sancho, Tempchin was in perfect form.
"You can go home but you can never go back." Temchin told the audience at the Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts during the benefit concert for the Fallbrook Unified School District Education Foundation. His performance, Punctuated with clever stories about where and when he penned his songs, gave listeners a ‘peaceful easy feeling.’
The energetic evening began with entertainment by San Diego veteran songwriter Peter Bolland leading his band Broken Hills, through a delicious trove of mellow alt-country tunes.
Jerry McCann who has performed in concert with Credence Clearwater Revival. Chicago and several other popular groups, gave a soulful performance of songs from his new CD ‘All Lit Up Like The Moon.’
Fallbrook’s own Shadowdogs with Bruce FitzSimmons (vocals/guitar/piano), Jon Scarantino, Kevin Glasse, and pedal steel guitar master Rick Schmidt, thrilled the audience with sounds from their alt-country repertoire. "I particularly liked FitzSimmon’s vocals and Rick’s playing." Said jazz vocalist Robin Adler who had a chance to sit in the audience Friday evening.
Despite the efforts of Michael Jones and Brenda Montiel, the auditorium was not filled to capacity, However many of those in attendance are hoping another concert will be coming soon. Rick Gord, who records the Padres broadcasts on Channel 4, was glad he came. "All I can say is wow!" he exclaimed. Over $500.00 was raised during a raffle for a beautiful Taylor guitar, won by Larry Robinson. The concert, which lasted almost three hours, was recorded to video and 32-track digital.
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