Mann Wolf
Cleveland, Ohio, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Michael Laskow, reviewer
_______________
We have a winner, ladies and gentlemen. ‘Touch and Go’ is a country/pop tune that has all the right elements. The structure is classic form A, the verses build nicely, and the chorus is very catchy. I like his voice, his attitude, and his sense of melody...
I’m listening to this tape at 35,000 feet on my way back to L.A., and funny enough, the song has caught the attention of the gentleman sitting next to me. Headphone bleed, and it still caught his attention... - RECORDING MAGAZINE
Stacey Board, reviewer for
Muses Muse online
________________
Right off the bat I appreciated the LP crackle effect on the beginning of the first track. As I kept listening I realized I really liked Mann Wolf’s songwriting. He displays a playful sense of humor and intelligence in his use of rhythm. But he also includes a very genuine emotional element.
He started the CD off with a bouncy pop tune reminiscent of Randy Newman. The next track was more earthy and reminded me of something that might have been done by The Band. With each song he began to show different facets that remained engaging throughout the CD.
The musicianship is excellent throughout every song on the CD...
Mann Wolf is a versatile and talented songwriter with a very solid collection of work on “Greener’. This CD shows off his musicianship and the range of his strong songwriting.
- Mann Wolf /
CD REVIEW: Mann Wolf - Knock First
By Don Sechelski - 04/25/2009 - 10:24 PM EDT
Artist: Mann Wolf
Album: Knock First
Genre: Country/Rock
Technical Grade: 10/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10/10
Commercial Value: 8/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: Fly, Lullabye, Ev'rything
CD Review:
Mann Wolf’s new release, Knock First, is a delightful collection of well written, well produced songs that sparkle like new diamonds. Wolf is a Cleveland area song writer with past success as part of the duo, Windwords, and as a songwriter for the Nashville country market. On Knock First, Wolf plays most of the instruments, a collection that includes guitars, keyboards, synths, and drums. He’s joined by Bill Fox on sax on one cut and the “In The Pocket” gospel choir provides background vocals on another number.
It’s Wolf’s songwriting that takes center stage here. Hole In My Pocket, the first cut is a great example. Wolf’s driving acoustic guitar rings clear providing great support for his soulful vocal. Recorded live, Wolf’s performance is emotional and powerful. Back in the studio, Let It Go gives Wolf a chance to show off his considerable arranging and production skills. Let It Go continues the vibe as Mann backs up strong songwriting with excellent arrangement and production. His guitar work is sterling on every song. Fly is one of my favorite cuts. Wolf’s slow blues is perfect and his soaring guitar solo is the perfect punctuation to an excellently crafted song. This is great rock and roll.
There are some great songs on Knock First and Mann Wolf delivers them with passion and wit. Lullabye is anything but a lullaby as Wolf shuffles through a witty tune that includes my favorite line,
"Reduce my carbon footprint, increase my credit line. Sell my stock on the auction block, try and buy some time."
Too Long Gone has a definite Beatles feel and features some excellent vocals from Wolf coupled with a cleverly constructed song. Ev’rything features a gospel choir supporting Wolf’s passionate vocal on the anthem that closes the album. Mann Wolf is a consummate songwriter and excellent producer. Knock First is a very good album.
- Muse's Muse
Mann Wolf's song "Underground" has been awarded Honourable Mention in the "We Are Listening 2007 Singer-Songwriter" contest, round 1. - Honourable Mention awarded
Mann Wolf has been selected for airplay on Joey Stuckey's Audio Style internet radio show.
A song from the new album, entitled "GOTTA GET THROUGH IT", will premiere on Tuesday, June 5, at 7pm EST at www.audio-style.com. Please check out
their website for more info... - Joey Stuckey's Audio Style internet radio show
See "www.lysergia.com/Lama
Workshop/lamaWorkshop.htm"
for the complete interview and some rare photos!
Also, See my bio page for more info on Windwords. - Mann Wolf/Windwords interview
Discography
? "Shootin' The Breeze" (Windwords) 1979;
? "Windwords Alive" (Windwords) 1981;
? "Love Revolution/Can You Find"
(Windwords single) 1982;
? "Unlatched" (Mann Wolf) 2000;
? "Greener" (Mann Wolf) 2004;
? "Fossil Record" (Mann Wolf) 2007.
? "Knock First" (Mann Wolf) RELEASED 2/2009!!
Photos
Bio
Dave Mann Wolf has been involved with music as a multi-instrumentalist musician, singer-songwriter, performer, audio engineer and producer for 30 years.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he has been heavily involved with the local and regional music scene there since the early 70s.
As founder of the acoustic hybrid rock duo WINDWORDS, Mann took the act from infancy to regional prominence in the late 70s and early 80s. Combining acoustic guitars with modified electronics and percussive effects, Windwords created an unusual sound and an interesting visual experience for their audience.
Supported by a regionally successful grassroots album entitled “Shootin’ The Breeze,” performances at colleges and prominent clubs throughout the Great Lakes region and East Coast, regional radio and TV appearances, and performances with Suzanne Vega and Donovan Leitch, Windwords established themselves as one of the region’s premiere acts. The rare "Shootin’ The Breeze" album is now a cult classic internationally, and has sold at auction for as much as $240 U.S.
After Windwords disbanded in 1984, Mann Wolf began attempts at writing for the country music market, which garnered several single song contracts with publishers in Nashville, New York and L.A.
In addition, Mann began doing radio jingle work, audio consulting, mixing and mastering for several area bands, including consultation for the internationally recognized Goth instrumentalists Midnight Syndicate.
Mann Wolf has also worn several hats on quite a few regional recordings as producer, guest artist, mastering engineer and collaborator.
After living in Denver, Colorado for several years, Mann Wolf has returned to the Cleveland area, and has just (2-09) released his latest studio album, "KNOCK FIRST".
Links
