Sonsup
What happens when you blend in the sounds of Sunup (Garry Manuel & Goon Wilson) with their sons (Marshall Manuel & Ethan James)? You get SONSUP! Acoustic rock with gritty vocals that are laced with harmonies in the majority of the songs. This album is a treasure, blending the styles and songs of Sunup in with the songwriting artistry of their sons, truly weaving a tapestry of life into the music that is both personal and celebratory. Aside from the Beatle cover of I'll Be Back, which features all four on vocals and some terrific upright bass by Ed Castilano, all the songs are penned by members of the group. Many of the songs are autobiographical and upbeat, featuring vocal harmonies and an abundance of acoustic guitar work.
The Sunup songs were revamped to fit the style of Sonsup and kick things up another notch. The recording engineering was done amazingly by Marshall Manuel and produced by Garry Manuel. Other musicians featured on the album are Ed Castilano (brother of original Sunup bassist, Charlie Castilano). Ed is the consummate professional, who also performs with the Rochester Philharmoic Orchestra. H. Luke Anderson, who has his own great release out on Wavepool Records (and long time friend of Marshall's) and Ray Boss on drums, who has been friends with Marshall practically since birth and has been performing with Marshall since they began playing instruments.
Sonsup CD - Mail check or money order, payable to RAMP for $10 (includes any taxes and shipping).
Sunup
Saratoga Sunrise: SUNUP’s sound culminates from fusing contemporary folk, with country, smooth jazz and rock, with an emphasis on vocal harmonies. Stylistically the music hints a blend of C,S & N, Acoustic Alchemy and Dan Fogelberg. Sunup weaves a tapestry through their music by creating images of meeting friends, horses galloping trackside, along with the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains. Through the power of song, they have successfully produced a soundtrack to summer sunshine and romance, creating memories that can be stirred up with merely a listen. Some of the highlights of this recording are “Kings and Queens”, which was Sunup’s most requested tune and one performed at many a wedding ceremony. With strong vocals and delicate acoustic instrumentation, it remains a timeless, standout track.
The album contains a wonderful tribute to the late Hall of Fame horse trainer, Woody Stephens. Utilizing the strength in their vocal harmonies along with the warm sounds of acoustic guitar and piano, it could easily become a soundtrack for a documentary or movie about Woody. It paints pictures of horses working out at dawn and offers a glimpse into the world of thoroughbred horse racing. Several of the other tracks are devoted to both the paradoxical beauty and gaming side of horse racing. Horse lovers will relate immediately to “Life Is a Gamble” and two other instrumental tracks, featuring the writing and acoustic guitar work of Garry Manuel.Many of the tunes were written and inspired by times spent in the Adirondack Mountains and Saratoga Springs in upstate NY.
SUNUP opened shows for Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee, Eric Anderson, the James Gang and others. Sunup performed concerts, coffeehouses, colleges and clubs mostly in the upstate NY and New England areas and a number of live radio shows on WCMF and WGMC, in Rochester.
Single: Kings and Queens -
iTunes
Passion and Politics
Open Up (youtube) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dgVxKT-jrM
Chuck Bianchi & Jerry Preston Dreaming Out Loud
After performing together as a duo for the past decade, electric bassist Chuck Bianchi and acoustic guitarist Jerry Preston have released their debut outing, Dreaming Out Loud. This recording is a collection of nine original compositions: four solo bass pieces, three works for acoustic guitar, and two duets. With his 5-string Zon, Bianchi, a Berklee graduate, utilizes altered tunings, two handed tapping techniques, harmonics, and chordal work to create dynamically rich, multi-layered voicings that are both technically intricate and emotionally expressive. Preston, with his own unique and unconventional approach to acoustic guitar, presents the listener with a repertoire full of complex, yet melodically sensitive pieces Dreaming out Loud songs. Together, Bianchi and Preston compliment each other's creativity with beautifully arranged harmony and interwoven melodies Dreaming out Loud buy CD music. Bottom Line: On Dreaming Out Loud Bianchi and Preston aren't afraid to push the boundaries of conventional thinking. Searching, challenging, and inspiring best describe this project. ~Cliff Engel International Institute of Bassists. Dreaming out Loud album for sale by Chuck Bianchi was released May 11, 2004 on the Dreaming Out Loud Music label.
MARSHALL MANUEL
Marshall Manuel is a Singer/Songwriter/Producer from Rochester, NY. Growing up with very musical parents, he first picked up the trumpet but ultimately ended up with a guitar in his hands. Inspired by John Mayer’s “Any Given Thursday” live concert, Marshall dove head first into songwriting. His passion for songwriting then led him into the realm of sound recording and music production. Marshall’s early projects illuminated his Pop/Rock influences where as his latest project, “Proving Ground”, conveys his discovering of Hip-Hop/R&B production. He is currently writing/recording for multiple new projects due to release in fall 2017.
Proving Ground - Marshall Law
iTunes
Lost Again - Marshall Law
iTunes
Spotify
iTunes - Meaning Everywhere