Wes Houston Band
Nothing Funny About It
© 2004 Wes Houston Music (661809000228)
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An eclectic group of seasoned veterans whose collective style can loosely be described as "roots" music, a combination of American blues, country, folk, bluegrass, jazz and rock.
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Wes Houston has been creating vintage American music for more than four decades. His style has been described as a combination of blues and folk, and you don't have to listen too closely to hear the influences of rock, country, jazz and even gospel stirring in his songs. These are all uniquely American musics and that's no surprise to the many long-time Houston listeners, because Wes' songs have always reflected the heart and soul of American real-life. Wes doesn't concern himself with fads or fleeting trends, but finds his inspirations in the day-to-day striving of real people making their way, hands-on, through life. The circumstances of that struggle are enduring and timeless.
Starting out in the turbulent 1960's, Wes played Resurrection City with the Rev. F.D. Kirkpatrick. Into tradition roots music, the soundtrack for the changing social consciousness of America in the '60's, he injected his unique view of things contained in his own songs. Along the way, Wes' recordings were included in the legendary "Broadside" anthology albums; the same records that included Pete Seeger and introduced Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Eric Andersen, and other seminal denizens of Greenwich Village, that have been released by the Smithsonian Institute in a five CD boxed set entitled, "The Best of Broadside."
But it wasn't long before Wes landed back in his native Queens Village, New York, neighborhood and took up residence in the local joints, with plenty of friends and gypsies to spice up a troubadour's life. His preference for surrounding himself with great musicians led to a succession of notable bands, and Wes' All-Star Space Band was Long Island's premier homegrown musical circus during the '70's Golden Era of Long Island music (over 300 clubs with live music at one time!). That band racked up a slew of notable milestones including being the very first band ever to play at NY's legendary "CBGB's" and the very last band to play at NY's also-legendary "Max's Kansas City." Their single "Wandering" became a turntable hit in college towns all over the Northeast.
Today the Wes Houston Band is as rock solid as ever. Playing engagements from Performing Arts Series to local pubs, traveling with five musicians, Wes with his guitar, three-decade sidekick George Christ with his bandolero of harmonicas, long-time rhythm section Ray Forgione on drums and Demos Manolis on bass, and keyboard wiz Fred Piscop. The band also carries its own lighting effects with the decade-veteran King of Wing as operator. Of this combination The Musician's Exchange said recently, "The Wes Houston Band is a genuine piece of Americana right in our own backyard."
Wes is also the host of his own television show, "Wes Houston presents..." that is shown monthly in Nassau County on Cablevision's Public Access network.
Wes Houston, his music and his fans will be there to enjoy as long as there are folks who are working for a living and care about music that makes them feel like someone's with them in their struggle for a place in life.
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Great CD, great guys.
author: Paul CianciarusoMy uncle is Peter Anthony, who is in the band, and i saw them play just last Sunday. They were great, and this CD is exceptional. I have it in my car all the time. Really spans to many different feelings and styles. I suggest you give this CD a listen to, you will enjoy it. Wes and the band are great guys.
Great CD, great guys.
author: Paul CianciarusoMy uncle is Peter Anthony, who is in the band, and i saw them play just last Sunday. They were great, and this CD is exceptional. I have it in my car all the time. Really spans to many different feelings and styles. I suggest you give this CD a listen to, you will enjoy it. Wes and the band are great guys.
Rich and deeply satisfying
author: Theresa SzpilaThe songs included in this CD cover life's broad spectrum with thought and feeling; they defy narrow genre categorization; each is a timeless classic in its own way, in its own right; and each is rich and deeply satisfying. A first hearing should be enough to 'WOW' any listener, regardless of musical taste, training or background, but repeated hearings reveal the real and complex breadth and depth of the songs and the high caliber musicianship of the entire band. Food for the mind. Food for the soul. Very rich. Very satisfying.