The Longshadows
Encyclopedia
The Longshadows are a musical collaboration between Gin Blossoms
vocalist Robin Wilson
and composer/producer Steve French formally of brit/pop band Starclub
.
, thus placing The Longshadows, (in their current form,) on hold.
"Along with Wilson's singing, the key to the Longshadows' identity is a dynamic and atmospheric guitar sound based on open tunings. The just-completed album, which bares the working title Simple Minded Way, demonstrates that French (who plays and programs all the parts himself) is an equally adept producer, creating rich soundscapes out of his intricate electric and acoustic work and momentum-inducing grooves, which conspire to push Wilson's lush vocals in intriguing new directions. The appeal of the album is that it's at once resonantly distinctive and comfortingly familiar." -- Michael Laskow, TAXI
CD :
and how Internet delivery is helping artists not tied to a major label.
Gin Blossoms
Gin Blossoms is an American pop rock band formed in 1987, in Tempe, Arizona. They took their name from a photo of W.C. Fields which bore the caption "W.C. Fields with gin blossoms", referring to what appeared to be the actor's gin-ravaged nose, but was actually a skin condition known as rosacea...
vocalist Robin Wilson
Robin Wilson (musician)
Robin Wilson is an American musician, most notable for his work as the lead vocalist of the rock band, Gin Blossoms.-Career:...
and composer/producer Steve French formally of brit/pop band Starclub
Starclub
For the club in Hamburg, see Star-Club.Starclub was an early 1990s rock band from England.-The band:*Owen Vyse - Vocals, guitar, Hammond organ, keyboards*Steve French - Guitar, backing vocals*Julian Taylor - Bass, backing vocals*Alan White - Drums...
.
History
The duo met when their respective bands toured the states in the 90s. After French relocated to New York, he began writing and recording a body of work that he would eventually ask Wilson to front. The result was an album entitled Simple Minded Way. On the heels of the Longshadows release came the reunion and touring schedule of Wilson's primary band, Gin BlossomsGin Blossoms
Gin Blossoms is an American pop rock band formed in 1987, in Tempe, Arizona. They took their name from a photo of W.C. Fields which bore the caption "W.C. Fields with gin blossoms", referring to what appeared to be the actor's gin-ravaged nose, but was actually a skin condition known as rosacea...
, thus placing The Longshadows, (in their current form,) on hold.
Reviews
"The pop of Simple Minded Way is a slight departure from Wilson's day job band, with the album written and produced by Steve French -- formerly of Brit band Star Club. Yet the collaboration of Wilson's voice and French's songs gels incredibly well on almost every song, most notably on standout track, "Wishing We Weren't So", the melancholic "Weight On My Mind" and the Sixties-influenced "Sail On". The rousing chorus of "To Saione" reveals the perfect musical chemistry The Longshadows possess and the title track is yet another strong track with a slow-burning melody. The return of the Gin Blossoms will be much anticipated by fans, but Simple Minded Way provides ample evidence that other musical avenues could be exploited by Wilson in the future if the reunion does not go according to plan." -- ink19.com, July 2006"Along with Wilson's singing, the key to the Longshadows' identity is a dynamic and atmospheric guitar sound based on open tunings. The just-completed album, which bares the working title Simple Minded Way, demonstrates that French (who plays and programs all the parts himself) is an equally adept producer, creating rich soundscapes out of his intricate electric and acoustic work and momentum-inducing grooves, which conspire to push Wilson's lush vocals in intriguing new directions. The appeal of the album is that it's at once resonantly distinctive and comfortingly familiar." -- Michael Laskow, TAXI
TAXI (A&R)
TAXI is an Independent A&R company, based in Calabasas, CA, that was founded in 1992 by music veteran Michael Laskow with the intent of helping songwriters, artists, bands, and composers get their music heard by record labels, music publishers, and supervisors of film/TV projects.- Annual...
Simple Minded Way
- Release Date: 2006
- Produced by Steve French
CD :
- "Sail On"
- "To Saione"
- "Wishing We Weren't So"
- "Simple Minded Way"
- "Long Shot"
- "Can't Keep My Mind From You"
- "Phoenix In Your Footsteps"
- "Weight On My Mind"
- "Little Birds"
- "Falling Water"
Articles
The Net is the Independent Artist's Radio - August 2005 review of the Longshadows on MP3 NewswireMP3 Newswire
Founded in 1998, the same year as MP3.com, MP3 Newswire is the oldest active news site devoted to digital media technology. Notable for its series of essays that chronicled the rise of digital music and the Internet’s acrimonious relationship with the record industry, MP3 Newswire initially was...
and how Internet delivery is helping artists not tied to a major label.