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News and Reviews
In the news....
The Velvet Marias Pack the NationalBy Author and Editor: Mary Catherine Gaulding
Apr 01, 2010
That One SongThis Week: Velvet Marias, “Don't Mind If I Do."
Interview by Mike Rutz 2/23/2010
Reviews....
American Profile
"The Velvet Marias"
written by Neil Pond on 3/31/10
VP/Editor in Cheif
AmericanProfile.com
With a salvo of ax-slinging crunch, honky-tonk high spirits and soulful swagger, The Velvet Marias come calling from Richmond, Va., on a CD created with steaming strands of rock ’n’ roll’s most fundamental DNA.
Singer Sarah Gleason, guitarist-vocalists John Ran Smith and Paul Pearce, bassist Michael Skiffington and drummer Jorge Santamaria straddle a wide stream of influences on the 12 homegrown original tracks of Don’t Mind If I Do but ultimately stand tall on their own musical legs.
These songs of boozers, losers, lovers, leavers and dreamers bear the stamp of Janis Joplin’s ballsy wallop, the Stones’ randy, rowdy, high-voltage hammering, Merle Haggard’s barroom bruises and other admirable imprints that point to the band members’ collective years learning at the feet of the masters. “My Hometown” rings with the pumping heartland pride of a John Mellencamp power anthem. “Jackson” slices an alt-country, cowpunk trail back to a place where life was good. The title track is a rowdy, sing-along ode to adolescent high spirits and hijinks. “Shame On Me” takes a blues-drenched waltz through the tainted afterglow of a regrettable one-night stand. “Stuck Right Here” will resonate with anyone who’s watched the joyride of youth fade into the grind of adulthood.
As Bruce Springsteen once sang, “From small things, mama, big things one day come.” The Velvet Marias won’t be coming to an arena near you—yet. But Don’t Mind If I Do has the rootsy, real sound of a band that clearly knows where it’s coming from, and the direction it’s meant to be going.
—Neil Pond, American Profile
"The Velvet Marias"
written by Neil Pond on 3/31/10
VP/Editor in Cheif
AmericanProfile.com
With a salvo of ax-slinging crunch, honky-tonk high spirits and soulful swagger, The Velvet Marias come calling from Richmond, Va., on a CD created with steaming strands of rock ’n’ roll’s most fundamental DNA.
Singer Sarah Gleason, guitarist-vocalists John Ran Smith and Paul Pearce, bassist Michael Skiffington and drummer Jorge Santamaria straddle a wide stream of influences on the 12 homegrown original tracks of Don’t Mind If I Do but ultimately stand tall on their own musical legs.
These songs of boozers, losers, lovers, leavers and dreamers bear the stamp of Janis Joplin’s ballsy wallop, the Stones’ randy, rowdy, high-voltage hammering, Merle Haggard’s barroom bruises and other admirable imprints that point to the band members’ collective years learning at the feet of the masters. “My Hometown” rings with the pumping heartland pride of a John Mellencamp power anthem. “Jackson” slices an alt-country, cowpunk trail back to a place where life was good. The title track is a rowdy, sing-along ode to adolescent high spirits and hijinks. “Shame On Me” takes a blues-drenched waltz through the tainted afterglow of a regrettable one-night stand. “Stuck Right Here” will resonate with anyone who’s watched the joyride of youth fade into the grind of adulthood.
As Bruce Springsteen once sang, “From small things, mama, big things one day come.” The Velvet Marias won’t be coming to an arena near you—yet. But Don’t Mind If I Do has the rootsy, real sound of a band that clearly knows where it’s coming from, and the direction it’s meant to be going.
—Neil Pond, American Profile
Richmond Music Journal
The Velvet Marias at Cafe Diem
This Bon Air band really delivers soulful rocking blues and alt-country twang. Think of artists such as Gram Parsons, Lucinda Williams, Dylan and Warren Zevon, and you'll get a sense of what type of an electrified show you're at. I really took notice after hearing a handful of tunes they covered from a San Diego band, The Beat Farmers, which had a cult following in the '80s and early '90s until the untimely deaths of their singer and drummer. Their cover of alt-country rocker "Bigger Stones" was the highlight for me. Add in a handful of their own originals and this genuine group of friends have a good time and poke a little fun.
The Velvet Marias is five talented musicians, including the sultry voice of lead vocalist Sarah Frances "Kitty" Gleason. John Ran Smith does the hollering and rockin' guitar and may at times take on an alter ego, most notibly on Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away." Dave "Slim Shady" Palombo plays the lead guitar in any fashion necessary and ocassional mandolin and harp, while Michael "Nino Pinta" Skiffington rocks back and forth on the Rickenbacker bass. Hidden in the back and keeping the beats rocks the cool hat toting Jorge "Velvet" Santamaria.
-- Jack Taggart
