Robert Frith
Robert Frith
SELF-TITLED
©2009 T-Vel Records
Review by Lucky Boyd
From the opening cut, Robert Frith reminds you why he’s a recipient of the Texas Music Awards Singer/Songwriter of the Year Award. Frith’s Texas influence on rock rhythms places him in a class by himself. The album jumps with “Law Dog” and “Miss Saturday Night” which will get your toes tapping. Frith reprises his 2005 TMA performance with “I Can’t Go To Mexico” and that’s just the first three cuts of this baker’s dozen gem. The instrumentation is classic Frith, using every perfectly subtle opportunity to orchestrate each track as if it was the focus of the entire album. Frith’s voice is distinct and Texas music fans know Robert instantly when they hear him. Destined to be remembered as one of the greats in Texas music, Robert Frith offers his best work to date. The writing is solid as Frith co-writes about half the album and pens the rest himself. “Just Like That” is an uplifting anthem of hope for those in love. “Ain’t No Big Thing” brings out the rocker in Frith and includes one of his signature licks. We call it a cliffhanger. It’s where the music comes to an abrupt stop except for one instrument. Frith is a master of the technique. “King Crab” takes you a little East of Frith’s home to the sounds of Southern Louisiana. You know what that means… it’s rockin’ Cajun time. Acoustic Blues are the order on “Rainwater” and “Diamond In The Rough.” Frith is masterful, crossing genre lines as smoothly as a highway lane change. Robert wears his Country hat on “More Everyday” and rounds out the album with a pensive folk song that places a perfectly-tied bow on this gift to the Texas music scene.
Previous notes:
Robert Frith has no trouble combining stylish blues licks, funky guitar rifs, pop lyrics, and a true Texas roadhouse flavor. Then comes the next song, and a totally fresh combination. His CD, "BOOGALOO" (TVel Records) is an island of well penned tracks, with the title coming from his daughter's nickname. This eighteen-cut offering is a true treasure from the Frith-ized “Jambalaya” to the crowd fave “Blew ‘Em Away.” Frith’s voice is memorable and powerful as he envelopes song after song with his smooth Texas style. One female fan told me that every time Robert sang, she smelled chocolate chip cookies. Go figure. This native Texan offers two other impressive titles, "THAT LONG BLACK RIBBON," (TVel) released with Frith's band, Third Coast, and his incomparable solo project, "PONTUNE," (TVel) which dons most of the members of Third Coast. Frith is inexhaustible in his writing, partnering with the likes of Douglas Greer, cranking out one great tune after another. Expertly co-produced by Robert Frith and Ernie Wells, all three discs are true food for the Texas music soul. From the acoustic excellence of "I Want To Feel" to the near-Blues Travelers "Now-A-Days," to the George Michael-ish "Filth", Frith captures the listener in stereo and doesn't let go. Frith ranks with Dana Cooper and Ken Gaines as one of the best song deliverers in the Texas music business. On a wider scale, I’d place Robert Frith right next to John Mayer any day. Meaningful lyrics, flawless orchestration, and innovative arrangements are the trademarks of this artist. No Texas music collection could be complete without these three Robert Frith titles. Get them now! You'll be the next Robert Frith fan. Frith is definitely one of the artists you would find in my five-disc changer, and for those of you who know me, those are hard positions to earn.
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Boogaloo
Robert’s third CD, again with a variety of styles and feels. 18 tracks insures that there is something for everyone, including R & B grooves, driving Rock, tender ballads, a live cut, and a few acoustic only numbers. One of the most unique artists to come along in a long time, asked who he thought he most sounded like and he said “Myself”. He is the kind of artist that strives to be himself, and in a cookie cutter world it is wonderful to find music that strikes so many chords in all of us and is completely unique.
“Boogaloo” was Recorded and Produced by Robert in his “Cadenza Studio” with Robert playing many of the instruments himself on a few of the cuts. Several songs selected are the original “Demo” versions that Robert decided to release on this album, leaving their original form and feel.
* “Robert Frith serves up another gem, although this time “Boogaloo” is a little more laid-back than the previous release “Pon*tune” with more diversity in arrangements. It’s definitely “music to chill by” as we used to say back in college. Robert shows his humorous side with “Yo Yo Pa”, a commentary on the strange nature of the music business. It’s also satisfying to see that Robert finally recorded several of the covers that his live shows are famous for, like “Jambalaya”, and “Dancing in the Moonlight”. They are great! His collaboration with songwriter Doug Greer continues on “Boogaloo” with great results. Check out “California” and “Capital Hall” for starters. It’s a great buy. You can’t go wrong.
Reviewed by: Teddy on MyTexasMusic.com
© 2003 All rights reserved. T-Vel Records.
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Pontune
Robert's second CD, critically acclaimed and loaded with outstanding original songs. Expertly co-Produced by Robert and 8th Note Production's Ernie Wells, Pon*tune has received airplay on radio stations across the U.S. on four different formats-Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, and Country.
Mytexasmsuic.com states, "his incomparable solo project, "PONTUNE," (TVel) dons most of the members of Third Coast. Frith is inexhaustible in his writing, partnering with the likes of Douglas Greer, cranking out one great tune after another. Meaningful lyrics, flawless orchestration, and innovative arrangements are the trademarks of this artist."
© 1998 All rights reserved. T-Vel Records.
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That Long Black Ribbon
This is Robert's breakthrough as a Singer/Songwriter into the professional world of music. His first CD recorded in early 1994 along with Third Coast, a heavy lineup of talented musicians consisting of David Oltremari (Bass), Pat Weickenand (Harmonicas), Greg Bowen (Drums), Darren Gaspard (Vocals), and Mike Rosenbaum (Keyboards).
Combining stylish blues licks, funky guitar riffs, pop lyrics, and a true Texas roadhouse flavor. Then comes the next song, and a totally fresh combination. True food for the Texas music soul. From the acoustic excellence of "I Want To Feel" to the near-Blues Travelers "Now-A-Days," Frith's first release saw a great deal of radio airplay. The first cut on the CD "No Need" was the most requested song in rotation on Beaumont, TX. Radio for 4 months straight.
Outstanding musicianship throughout the project and deep/heartfelt songs make Robert's first offering a classic.
© 1994 All rights reserved. T-Vel Records.
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