Sidestreet Reny

Artist Information

Biography

Reny (J. Renard Collette) on vocals, National steel resonators, bluesharp, keys, production and songs
Lil’ Bell (Maribel Landaetta) on drums, washboard and vocals

Reny and Bell (together for 14 years) blend bluesy/funky finger-style and slide on National Resonator guitar, original poignant songwriting and solid straight forward grooves. Drawing mostly from pre-war blues, roots and folk music with a little old school rap, calypso and dancehall reggae, SSR manage to forge their own sound and push musical boundaries in an era when many other musicians strive to sound the same.

The result of their efforts is a seemingly organic blend of the elements, sewing 100 plus years of American music into a rich tapestry of eclectic yet somehow familiar sounds all their own... Like everything, and nothing you’ve ever heard, all at once.

In the last 20 plus years of Reny's career, he has recorded everything from folk rock to hip hop, reggae, and of course the blues. The SSR sound is one that Reny has spent the last 12 years cultivating; producing a gumbo of originality, where Delta Blues simmers with urban and carribean accents, completing this rootsy stew with wordy lyrics that showcase his unique “side street” perspective. Always weary of the traditions he represents, SSR navigates the modern musical landscape with a deep love for all that has come before, while still staying creative and vital, and constantly striving to make proud those who created that very framework on which his music is built.

From sneaking into punk shows at the age of 12 to chasing the Grateful Dead at 14 and living on his own in Europe at 16 (as a sponsored skater/rapper), Reny has lead the kind of life that deserves to be written about... and that he does, with an honest poetic voice and passionate conviction. From songs about love and hate to art and social commentary to free-form rap lyrics ranging from boastful to political, Sidestreet Reny is truly a troubadour without confines.

Over the years Reny has traveled extensively and shared the stage with such acts as A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Xanax 25, Bass and Trouble, Culver City Dub Collective, Paula Fuga and Ice Cube (to name a few) and played at festivals and clubs throughout Scandinavia, Germany, and the U.S. Reny (aka J-sun or Jason Fine) has been featured on various international remixes and albums/singles including Brian McKnight - I Can’t Go For That, Vanessa Williams - The Comfort Zone remixes, Inner Circle - Bad Boys remix and a string of European releases. Reny has also accumulated an impressive back catalog of songs and recordings including 5 commercially unreleased cd’s (gigs and shows only).

SSR has upcoming coverage in Blues Matters Magazine, popular Myspace and Youtube pages and are already getting radio airplay in select markests (WKUD FM Philly, INDIE 104 L.A, UNG 106.9 FM Norway, Mojo Blues 94.1 FM Macedonia). SSR is currently up for placemnt in tv and film and have been added to several publishing company’s catalogs. Now touring in the United States, currently in the Northwest region with the Southwest tour planned for May/June.

***Sidestreet Reny is proudly endorsed by National Resophonic Guitars***

“from early delta blues to early Jamaican toasting and on to urban rap and hiphop is a direct line, though not a frequently traveled one, and Sidestreet Reny illustrates the links musically as well as lyrically... wow I love this!” - Woodstock Taylor UK (Garageband.com)

“the passionate nature of the music and performance variations add to the spiritual nature of the music... a special outing for those afficianados looking for something different” - Laura Phillips (Music Connection)

"one of the most interesting things I’ve heard in a long time" - Don Young (National Reso-Phonic guitars)

"Sidestreet Reny’s “Not Seen the Light of Day” is original, well written and creative and therefore timeless" - Todd Herfindal (Peer Music)

Sidestreet Reny’s "Not Seen the Light of Day" is brilliantly arranged and played, beautifully sung...there is a mind at work here that is not of this world...someone who has the music inside and is defined by it. - Susan Scott (CdBaby.com)

“Great original twist on classic blues! Distinctive, bouncy bluesy fun from the start. Nice raw blues voice. This coulda been recorded in, the 30s or 40s. Echoes of lots of blues greats, but it's no slavish homage or copycat, has it's own feel and very nice modern touches...” - James W. Harris (Georgia)

“Groove is in the heart! If you don't tap your toes or clap your hands while listening to this, you don't own a soul. Period. This has groove a mile wide, and does so with bare minimal instrumentation.Which leaves a ton of room for the sublime vocal work. The harmonies are exquisite and indeed hook the listener into the groove...” - RandomAlias (Quebec CA)

Instrumentation

SSR DUO
Sidestreet Reny and Lil'Bell acoustic duo: vocals, National resonator guitars and acoustic guitar (slide/fingerstyle), foot, bluesharp (harmonica) and brushes or washboard.

Discography

SSR RELEASES:
Medicine Show (duo), self prod., 96'
The Demos (duo), self prod., 98'
the Road Less Travelled (duo), self prod., 00'
Roots Reality (duo), self prod., 03’
Tonal Tonics and Musical Elixers (trio), self prod., 04’
Breakbeat Blues (production), self prod., 05'
the Complete SSR & LB, self prod., 08'
Not Seen the Light of Day (trio), self prod., 08' - (recieving some international radio airplay both FM and internet)


RENY MAKES GUEST APPEARANCES ON:
Brian MacKnight - I can't Go For That (rap)
Vanessa Williams - Comfort Zone Remixes (rap)
Inner Circle - Bad Boys Remixes (rap)
Alagaami - Head to the Toe (rap)
Chaos - Chaos Rap (rap)

Official Website

http://www.sidestreetreny.com

Links

• official SSR website
• Youtube page
• trio myspace page

Audio

• BK
  Listen  
• Grasping at Straws
  Listen  
• Money Blues
  Listen  
• Roots Reality
  Listen  
• Cali to Cairo
  Listen  
• Yer Mind
  Listen  
• Fade
  Listen  
• Jeannie
  Listen  
• Battles
  Listen  
• U Know
  Listen  
• Grasping at Straws (duo)
  Listen  
• Big Road Blues (duo)
  Listen  
• Shake Sugaree (duo)
  Listen  
• Hungry
  Listen  
• Twisted Kinda
  Listen  

Lyrics

• BK
• Fade
• Roots Reality
• Hungry
• Jeannie
• Battles
• U Know
• Grasping at Straws

Video

BK

Photo Gallery

Press

• Blues Matters UK [+ Show ]
  

  Every track on this CD is unique and it is all self-penned with powerful, emotive and often critical...Every track on this CD is unique and it is all self-penned with powerful, emotive and often critical lyrics. It is a total mixture of Blues infused with roots, folk, hip-hop, rap and soft rock all played with fingerstyle and slide on 1932 National Triolian, with double bass, drums, Blues-harp and washboard. It's taken a century of US musical heritage out of its boxes, redesigned into new textures and shapes. The opening track, 'Intro', is best described as the Blues meets the Buddha! 'BK' is hip-hop infused Blues, with real moralistically profound lyrics. On 'Money Blues' that National underpins Sidestreet Reny's grit blue vocal, with Lil'Bell's sweet vocal harmonies and steady drumming combining Bako Billy Fuller's upright bass to proclaim lyrics which discuss the evils of money. Then they throw a curveball - 'Jeannie', a well-crafted melodic soft rock number reminiscent of the '70s band Bread. Rap and especially hip-hop are often regarded as being highly negative forms of music, 'Hungry' readdresses that criticism - a poignant comment on the condition of certain quarters of disenfranchised youth. An album for us critics to rave about, hopefully a few music fans will take our word for it!
  
  - reviewed by Carol Borrington, Blues Matters UK

• Record review [+ Show ]
  

  Once in a great long while, you happen upon an artist whose music is so honest and true that when yo...Once in a great long while, you happen upon an artist whose music is so honest and true that when you listen to it, you feel like you've come home. Sidestreet Reny is such a group of musicians, and there is no risk of confusing them with anyone else on the music scene today. This trio almost defies category, and they have managed to forge their own sound and push musical boundaries in an era when many other musicians strive to sound the same.
  
  I first encountered Sidestreet Reny at www.youtube.com/sidestreetreny and it was love at first listen! The next step in the love affair was to buy their CD, "Not Seen the Light of Day." It is hands down one of the best CDs I've ever heard! All of the songs are originals written by Reny (J. Renard Collette) who does the lead vocals plus a variety of instruments. Other members of the band include Lil' Bell (Maribel Landaetta) on drums and vocals, Bako Billy (Billy Fuller) on upright bass, and George the pug mascot who also graces the back cover of the CD. Taken as a whole, "Not Seen the Light of Day" is a breathtaking experience! Reny's voice is raspy and pleasing, and the feel of the music is stark and stripped down, comfortable and familiar, a masterpiece of minimalism!
  
  Here's how I would describe the songs on this astounding CD: Intro (delta blues filled with anticipation and mystery), BK (Cajun spiced reggae from the Brooklyn neighborhood), Fad (Dylanesque reggae built around that powerfully empty one space), Money (blues with a raw clean sound and changes that flow like a stream), Jeannie (a cool jazzy love song with a rocky rhythm), Cali to Cairo (blues reggae with harmonica and a folk rock/world music feel), Battles (a rap reggae dancehall urban song), Yer Mind (Tom Waits like...fife and drum, except there's no fife...indescribable!), Hungry (old school rap with truly complicated rhythms), U Know (beautiful and gentle love harmonies), the Rubble (bluesy acid rock with complicated rhythm changes), and Grasping at Straws (swampy and minimalist...sitting-on-the-bayou chillin' with the old bluesmen).
  
  If these descriptions make it sound like I don't know what I'm talking about, I probably don't...but Sidestreet Reny's music defies the limits and all you can do is describe it according to how it feels. The songs on "Not Seen the Light of Day" are brilliantly arranged and played, beautifully sung...there is a mind at work here that is not of this world...someone who has the music inside and is defined by it. This music and these musicians...are true gifts!

• Garageband.com BK reviews [+ Show ]
  

  Delta Blues A floor stomper. Great vocals, words and energy. I'm not real up on this kind of music... Delta Blues
  A floor stomper. Great vocals, words and energy. I'm not real up on this kind of music, but I know you did a good job!
  - travis111 from Anderson, Missouri on 21Feb2008
  
  Groove is in the heart
  If you don't tap your toes or clap your hands while listening to this track, you don't own a soul. Period.
  
  This song has groove a mile wide, and does so with bare minimal instrumentation. Which leaves a ton of room for the sublime vocal work. The harmonies are exquisite and indeed hook the listener into the groove.
  
  The scat/rap solo is a gutsy call, but one that pays off nicely, as it adds dynamics, and adds a twist of slowly getting back to the harmonies and groove that drive the song.
  
  This one goes on the playlist. Excellent job.
  - RandomAlias from Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 20Feb2008
  
  Great original twist on classic blues!
  Distinctive, bouncy bluesy fun from the start. Nice raw blues voice. This coulda been recorded in, the 30s or 40s. Echoes of lots of blues greats in this one, but it's no slavish homage or copycat, has it's own feel and very nice modern touch to lyrics and singing. The reggae (?) accent is totally original, as are the backing vocals. Something very special and original happening in this song, and I'm impressed!
  - JamesWHarris from No Where, Georgia on 20Feb2008
  
  now that swweeeet!
  oooh mama!
  
  great great song! excellent lyrics, theme, vocals and recording!
  
  this song is one of the best i heard on gb...raw, alive and dam good!
  
  muddy would love this!
  
  excellent work!
  
  mmeyersongs
  - meyersongs from Roxbury, Connecticut on 17Feb2008
  
  What a sound
  Loved this song. From start to finish. This is great stuff. Recreates that old blues sound, but adds to it, buids on it, and that's a great place to start from. Production great,voices ...what can you say..what a blend..fabulous lyrics. Great work!Close to the best I've heard yet.
  - pmf155 from Binghamton, New York on 16Feb2008

• Soulful piece of Americana [+ Show ]
  

  Soulful piece of Americana, once in a while springs a pleasant surprise that affirms that there are ...Soulful piece of Americana, once in a while springs a pleasant surprise that affirms that there are musicians out there who are human and who have a gift for expressing all that entails. Thanks. Keep up the good work.
  

• Don at National Reso-Phonic Guitars [+ Show ]
  

  "one of the most interesting things I've heard in a long time" - Don Young (National Reso-Phonic gui..."one of the most interesting things I've heard in a long time" - Don Young (National Reso-Phonic guitars)

• Eclectic, Prolific and Contemporary [+ Show ]
  

  Eclectic, Prolific and Contemporary. This one has feeling, emotion, modern lyrics that eclectic mix ...Eclectic, Prolific and Contemporary. This one has feeling, emotion, modern lyrics that eclectic mix of blues, hip hop and regggae, (wow) with a blues guitar lead and the drums have personality, make you want to meet the drummer. The male vocals are slightly gritty, earthy and full of emotion, female back up is a plus.
  reviewed by: Sandy Hathaway, Phoenix Arizona

• Real roots [+ Show ]
  

  It's inspired. From Delta blues to the early Jamaican toasters and on to urban rap and hip hop is a ...It's inspired. From Delta blues to the early Jamaican toasters and on to urban rap and hip hop is a direct line, though not a frequently travelled one, and these guys (and girl) illustrate the links musically as well as lyrically. The rap reclaims the history of black roots music at high speed, listing key players with a whole lot of commentary and attitude plus some very skilful use of language to drive the rhythm. A danceable beat, great guitar picking, good balance, terrific character in the vocals... I love this song.
  'Roots Reality' Reviewed by: woodstocktaylor from Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

• Music Connection live review [+ Show ]
  

  "... the passionate nature of the music and performance add to the spiritual nature of the songs.. ...."... the passionate nature of the music and performance add to the spiritual nature of the songs.. ..a special outing for the afficianados looking for something different" - Laura Phillips

• Woodstock Taylor UK [+ Show ]
  

  “from early delta blues to early Jamaican toasting and on urban rap and hiphop is a direct line, tho...“from early delta blues to early Jamaican toasting and on urban rap and hiphop is a direct line, though not a frequently traveled one, and Sidestreet Reny illustrates the links musically as well as lyrically... wow I love this!” - Woodstock Taylor UK (Garageband.com)

• Urban roots [+ Show ]
  

  "The result of their efforts is a seemingly organic blend of the elements, sewing 100 plus years of ..."The result of their efforts is a seemingly organic blend of the elements, sewing 100 plus years of American music into a rich tapestry of eclectic yet somehow familiar sounds all their own........Like everything, and nothing you've ever heard, all at once." - Example Magazine

Setlist

Our sets range from 45 min. to all night long (if need be). Set lists typically consist of mostly SSR originals, with a few of the good ole pre-war classics.... ala SSR. Solo and duo sets are typically about 50/50 but it all depends on the venue and the crowd. Regardless, our sets include good story tellin', some off the cuff ad libs (freestyle) and of course a foot stompin', dancing, good time for all.

ORIGINALS:
Ain't Gonna Be Discouraged (J. R. Collette)
Cali to Cairo (J. R. Collette)
Hungry (J.R. Collette)
U Know (J. R. Collette)
Brooklyn Blues (J. R. Collette)
Money Blues (J. R. Collette)
Grasping at Straws (J. R. Collette)
Roots Reality (J. R. Collette)
Roots Reality pt2 (J. R. Collette)
Up in the Pot (J. R. Collette)
Twisted Kinda (J. R. Collette)
California Rag (J. R. Collette)
Jeannie (J. R. Collette)
Earthly Affairs (J. R. Collette)
Love (J. R. Collette)
Mom and Dad (J. R. Collette)
Atlanta (J. R. Collette)
Yer Mind (J. R. Collette)
Representative (J. R. Collette)
Ain't Seen the Light of Day (J. R. Collette)
Hurry up Sunrise (J. R. Collette)
Up in the Pot (J. R. Collette)
Early in the Morning (J. R. Collette)
Toothpain Blues (J. R. Collette)
Shuffle 'em on Down (J. R. Collette)
Battles (J. R. Collette)
Mary (J. R. Collette)
Need to Get Mellow (J. R. Collette)
Fade (J. R. Collette)
BK (J. R. Collette)
the Rubble (J. R. Collette)
Mean ass man (J. R. Collette)
My old Chevy (J. R. Collette)
Hey ben tryin' to find (J. R. Collette)
If I Had but one Wish (J. R. Collette)
Lil' Black Cat Blues (J. R. Collette)
Williamsburg (J. R. Collette)

CLASSICS (covers):
Big Road Blues (T. Johnson/S. Chatmon)
Shake Sugaree (E. Cotton)
Hollerin' Mercy (Trad./J. R. Collette/Hart)
Bukkas Jitterbug Swing (B. White)
Pony Blues (C. Patton)
All Around Man (B. Carter Chatmon)
Twist It Babe (B. Carter Chatmon)
Sittin' on Top 'o the World (Chatmon)
32-20 Blues (R. Johnson)
Dyin' Crapshooters Blues (W. McTell)
Careless Love (Fuller)
Canned Heat Blues (T. Johnson)
France Blues (J. McCoy)
Po' Boy (Trad.)
Honest I Do (J. Reed)
Death Letter (House)
Lamp Trimmed and Burnin' (W. Johnson)
I Shall Not Be Moved (Trad.)
Parchman Farm (B. W. White)
Rather Be the Devil (S. James)
Step It Up and Go (J. R. Collette/Trad.)
Dust My Broom (J. R. Collette, R. Johnson, Wolf,
Jivin' Woman Blues (Fuller)
Aberdeen Mississippi (B. W. White)
Take Me Back (Jefferson)
Terraplane Blues (R. Johnson)
Come on in My Kitchen (R. Johnson)
Po Me (RL Burnside)
Broken Dallas Rag (J. R. Collette/??)
Up Jumped the Devil (R. Johnson)
Hellhound on my Trail (R. Johnson)
Joliet Bound (J. McCoy)
Yo Yo Blues (R. Hicks)
Sweet Lil' Angel (trad.)
Kind Hearted Woman (R. Johnson)

Basic Requirements

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