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Stoney Clove’s Soul Picnic
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Stoney Clove Lane "Stay With Me" (Woodstock MusicWorks2008)
‘Stay With Me’ is the latest ...Stoney Clove Lane "Stay With Me" (Woodstock MusicWorks2008)
‘Stay With Me’ is the latest release from Stone Clovey Lane on Woodstock MusicWorks, a small independent label that is dedicated to bringing some lesser names to our attention. On this evidence there is a treasure trove of talent to be heard on this label.
SCL are a two-piece band with Adam Widoff amd Jeremy Bernstein writing all the songs, apart from a joint writing effort with Simon Felice (Felice Bros) on the fourth song ‘Castle Fall’. With the likes of The Fleet Foxes getting rave reviews and proving that there is an audience for great song writing and playing in these days where genuine talent like this is often left in the bargain basement within a few weeks.
The variety on this record is staggering from the J J Cale (Cocaine) influenced opener ‘Crawl’ through to ‘Lonesome Road’ where we are treated to Neil Young circa 1970 ‘Helpless’ period. But it would wrong to say this record is derivative (what isn’t these days). Jeremy and Adam have their own template and whilst they are hugely influenced by the above and The Band this is a cracking record. Playing most of the instruments themselves they are supported by numerous musicians including the legendary (sorry to use that expression) but I reckon John Sebastian (Loving Spoonful) is rightly described as ‘legendary’ who is featured playing harmonica on ‘By Your Side’. Clocking in at about 40 minutes over the 14 tracks, each second is well used.
Highly recommended.
Date review added: Monday, July 07, 2008
Reviewer: andy riggs
Reviewers Rating: 9 out of 10
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Stoney Clove Lane
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Whether it was sparked by sheer curiosity or one of the several documentaries bearing its name, many...Whether it was sparked by sheer curiosity or one of the several documentaries bearing its name, many of us have asked our parents at one point about their possible participation in the Woodstock Music and Art Fair of 1969. Perhaps it is the image of our straight-laced parents passing around a joint to the sounds of the greatest artists of the ’60s that entertains our minds so much, or maybe it is the thought of a 3+ day-long festival where “peace and love” were central themes instead of “parking and concessions”. Regardless, the event is considered one of the most important in the history of American music and most people under the age of 50 are reliant on fuzzy videotape and photographs to provide an idea of how influential it really was. For any actual residents of Woodstock, New York, I imagine that the history is inescapable. Considering that Woodstock is generally synonymous with quality music, I always wondered myself how thriving the music scene in that area of upstate New York actually was. As it turns out, the current music fans appear to be as passionate as their forefathers; check out any of the artists on the local record label, Woodstock MusicWorks, to see for yourself. Stoney Clove Lane is one of the handful of local artists on the label that has really impressed me and, though the members do not look quite old enough to have been participants in the legendary festival themselves, they clearly would have fit right at home on stage in their hometown 39 years ago.
While Stoney Clove Lane has been reputable in Woodstock since the release of their debut album, Bernstein & The Kid, in 2003, it appears as if they are about to receive some well-deserved widespread recognition due to the release of their third and newest album, Stay With Me. Named conventionally after the road bearing a similar name, Stoney Clove Lane is guided by two main members, Jeremy Bernstein and Adam Widoff. As the guitarist and lead vocalist, Bernstein writes the lyrics while the multi-instrumentalist Widoff writes the music and plays everything else, ranging from organs and drums to bass and slide guitar. The two are hardly modest when describing their most recent release, calling it the “strongest collection of tunes” they have put out. After listening to it for the past few days, I have to agree wholeheartedly. Though the catchy folk-rock appeal of Bernstein & The Kid and the poignant fusion of country and pop of their second album, Down Rent War, provided for plenty of enjoyment, Stay With Me sees the band at a creative peak in which their structural and melodic tone never suffers from being overly repetitive or predictable. From sweeping ballads like “Tonight” and “Gone” to brisk interpretations of traditional rock in the vein of “Castles Fall” and “Chasing Rainbows”, the 14 tracks keep the listener constantly amused, even if several styles sound remarkably familiar.
Apart from Stoney Clove Lane’s classic-rock repertoire fitting in very well with their geographical standing, the talented duo are able to produce a sound that should draw comparisons to the likes of Neil Young, The Byrds, and The Band without lacking in their own version of ingenuity. By blending elements of blues, folk, country, and purely initiated rock ‘n’ roll, they utilize genres that tread within a frame of familiarity. However, as a track as capable as “Castles Fall” could tell you, Stoney Clove Lane excel in even the simplest of circumstances. Bernstein’s vocals are comparable to Neil Young on tracks like “Lonesome Road” and “Ontario” throughout the album, but “Castles Fall” sees him revert to a haunting delivery that is more reminiscent of Richard Manuel during his prime in the late ’60s. The track is initially guided by an extremely basic guitar progression as Bernstein ruminates about how all things must come to an end, all in suave melodic elegance. The verse chugs along in traditional form but the chorus is where “Castles Fall” becomes irresistible. Upon its emergence, Widoff throws a stark organ under a more intricate guitar progression, contrasting well with Bernstein’s quivering vocals to establish a somewhat cinematic feel. “But you’re not here at all to watch my castle fall and turn to dust,” he sings during the second chorus, shortly followed by a concise bluesy guitar solo that summarizes the aforementioned touch of romanticized pain in immensely enjoyable form.
After listening to a bustling track in the vein of “Castles Fall”, giving a track like “Tonight” a spin should prove indicative of Stoney Clove Lane’s stylistic diversity, especially for an artist of their naturalized stylistic preference. This one has more of a country edge to it, backed by the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar over the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. Along with the concluding “Gone”, it is the most prevalent ballad on an album full of varying tempos and tonal guidelines. “No more blue skies, the well has run dry, I’m all alone,” Bernstein sings, capitalizing on the melancholic atmosphere to a commendable extent. The chorus complements the bare verses extremely well, featuring a variety of sparkling keys that supplement the acoustical melody to an ardently invigorating effect. “Chasing Rainbows” may serve as an ideal single choice, drawing immediate comparisons to The Allman Brothers with a twangy mix of expressive country and folk-rock. As a whole though, Stay With Me is a brisk collection of accessible tracks that should appeal to fans of classic rock. Considering that a large demographic is still drawn to the allure of such a style, the quality presented on Stay With Me should open Stoney Clove Lane to new horizons of success.
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Stoney Clove Lane | Stay With Me (Woodstock MusicWorks)
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Fans of the Rolling Stones will often spend hours at a time arguing the merits of a favored era of...
Fans of the Rolling Stones will often spend hours at a time arguing the merits of a favored era of their storied career. If like me, you’re most in awe of the peerless albums released between 1968-72, you might find something to hang on to in Stay With Me, the latest album by Stoney Clove Lane.
That’s not to say the Chichester-based band is derivative. But that campfire blues vibe runs through songs like “Chasing Rainbows,” and “Crawl” conjures images of dusty shacks in the Deep South where the music hits you below the belt as well as in the heart.
Just because you didn’t find Stay With Me on vinyl at some yard sale in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean it’s not a classic. It’s so full of killer riffs and old-school boogie, you’ll be forgiven for imagining pops and scratches where there are none to be found.
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Sunday Music Spotlight - Stoney Clove Lane
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They must put something in the water in Woodstock. The tiny little hamlet just keeps churning out ba...They must put something in the water in Woodstock. The tiny little hamlet just keeps churning out bands rooted in classic Americana. The latest to cross my path is Stoney Clove Lane.
Jeremy Bernstein and Adam Widoff form the basis of Stoney Clove Lane, and they bring an interesting mix of styles to the band. The end result is a mash of rock, folk, and funk that sounds familiar, but not in any way you can put your finger on. It’s kind of like what you would get if Bootsy Collins replaced Rick Danko in The Band. Or put banjos into P-Funk. Or something like that.
Earlier this year the band released their third album, Stay With Me on Woodstock Music Works. It’s a lean and mean offering, trimmed of all unnecessary ornamentation.
Stoney Clove Lane - Stay With Me“Crawl”
The opener from Stay With Me shows some of the funk in Stoney Clove Lane.
“Chasing Rainbows”
This song epitomizes Stoney Clove Lane’s ability to sound familiar, yet with no obvious reference point. I’ve listened to this song about 10 times now, and while I like it, it’s driving me a little crazy that I can’t figure out who it sounds like.
-Sean Stansell
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"Stay With Me" gets a 5 star review
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"Stay With Me" Reviewed by
"Stay With Me" by Stoney Clove Lane is a swampy folk rock album full ..."Stay With Me" Reviewed by
"Stay With Me" by Stoney Clove Lane is a swampy folk rock album full of great melodies and an organic sound. The vocals are intimate and real. The musicianship is great, and the sound is very polished with a great amount of energy put into the performances. There is a very effective creativity in the production and instrumentation. The arrangements are all solid and the quality of the recording lends itself well to the style. Highlights include "Tonight" with a wonderful guitar progression and a memorable vocal performance. "Stay With Me" features a great sing-along chorus, another great vocal performance and a carefree vibe. "Gone" wraps the album up nicely with a bit of psychedelia. If you enjoy new CDs with a refreshing 60s/70s rock sound, you'll dig this excellent CD.
-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Dutch Review
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Hello Holland, there's another reason to cheer, if you still have a warm heart for music from bands ...Hello Holland, there's another reason to cheer, if you still have a warm heart for music from bands as historic as Little Feat, Buffalo Springfield and The Meters. The band is called Stoney Clove Lane and salute their new third CD called "Stay With Me." Inside of the simple shaped shell, is an indication that this review is on the late side. “With the snows coming to an end, and spring on it’s way, we are happy to announce the completion of our third album Stay With Me” The summer runs to an end and autumn is upon us, that's a true reality. This does not mean that those of us into the organic swamp folk-rock melodies, no longer have to stand still. Stoney Clove Lane is Jeremy Bernstein and Adam Widoff. They wrote, recorded, produced and mixed everything. The two have divided the duties, Bernstein writes good stories based on known male hardships in life and multi-instrumentalist Widoff played virtually all the instruments on this third release. The mastering of the Stoney Clove Lane CD was in the hands of Todd Vos. Vos has in the past done good things including Natalie Merchant, Indigo Girls and The Gov't Mule. The sound is full, to achieve this the two New Yorkers have involed a large number of musicians. The first three tracks borrow a lot from JJ Grey & MOFRO. The banjo in the funk soul opener 'Crawl' as an example. The harmonica that in "Stay With Me 'comes from none other than John Sebastian (The Lovin' Spoonful). The southern Florida swamp sound suddenly turns to a kind of Sergeant Peppers and Wish You Were Here trickles on the track 'Lonesome Road. Striking is also the daring collaboration with percussionist vocalist Mike "Clip" Payne of the psychedelic funk formation Parliament Funkadelic. As I said, time to relax(?) and enjoy this contemporary brew that does revive ancient times. The autumn lends itself excellently. (Jan Janssen)
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Stoney Clove Lane Stay With Me
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Stoney Clove Lane smacks of ’60s and ’70s rock influences that will bring baby boomers back to the d...Stoney Clove Lane smacks of ’60s and ’70s rock influences that will bring baby boomers back to the days before condoms, crack, and neocons. Named after a road in Chichester, the band draws upon the woods for inspiration—and woodsy folks for guest appearances on this record. The music is extremely thick, smoky, and syrupy, like a good country breakfast. But it is cold-comfort food. The lyrics reek of lost love, empty houses, and wistful days. Thankfully, singer Jeremy Bernstein has a voice born for sincerity and woe, tainted from too much whiskey and cigarettes and late-night stokings of the woodstove. His partners capitalize on the drama with sound collages built from B3s and banjos. Peeking through the dirge are meaty electric guitar tones that would make the rock gods proud. The result melds contemporary voicings of Devendra Banhart and the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson with the old-school roadhousings of the Steve Miller Band, Steppenwolf, Traffic, and early Nazareth. The songs don’t break new ground, nor do they claim to. This is homegrown roots rock with country spice and folk sprinkles. Although there are some extremely catchy gems (“Crawl,” “Castles Fall”), striking some of the lyrically and compositionally pedestrian tracks (the title cut and “Life Keeps Rollin’ By”) would have made for a much stronger record (that, and another ear on the drum mix). Even so, many will find Stoney Clove Lane an accomplished and pleasant respite from the frenetic bleeps and bloops of today. See the band live on August 17 at the Rosendale Sunday Summer Series.
by Jason Broome, July 28, 2008
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BERNSTEIN & THE KID: Stoney Clove Lane
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There's something particular and peculiar about Upstate New York musicians. Perhaps they're drawing ...There's something particular and peculiar about Upstate New York musicians. Perhaps they're drawing from the ineffable essence of the nature that surrounds us, perhaps they're simply afforded a fertile creative haven by our fortress of forests and mountains. A certain aural aesthetic often emerges; something couched in pop sensibilities but with strong folk underpinnings and a hint of melodic rock.
Going deeper into the woods, we find Stoney Clove Lane, titled after the quaint Chichester road on which singer/songwriter Jeremy Bernstein home-recorded this humble opus. There is an exciting amount of variety here, from odd plodding ballads to up-tempo foot-stompers. "Cloudless Sky" has a strong Pink Floyd vibe, while "Got it Made" is all breezy guitar and subtle swagger. Upbeat cuts stomp along to solid grooves, such as the wah-inflected clap-along "That's For Sure" or the banjo-kissed, mouth harp heavy "One Horse Town."
There is something particularly affecting about this collection of compositions, especially for an Upstater. Through a dozen tracks, Bernstein glimpses the timeless beauty of our locale and effectively conveys his personal vision of a life carefully contemplated and energetically expressed.
—Zac Shaw
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Stoney Clove Lane
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Rock n Roll is alive and well in 2007. Stoney Clove Lane gets back to the basics on their debut albu...Rock n Roll is alive and well in 2007. Stoney Clove Lane gets back to the basics on their debut album. A guitar laden epic that defines the upstate New York sound, slide guitar, a little banjo, and some straight up rockin from guitarists Adam Widoff, J. Bernstein, Todd Voss and ------
supersonic
