Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
It may have taken a while, but this debut CD from Long Islander’s own Barry Waller has finally made it to home shores after a few years of circulating ‘round the indie European circuit. It’s fitting, too, that this four track CD comes on the heels of his soon-to-be-released second album, which he has been relentlessly promoting at the now-world famous Downtown. If this CD is any indication for what’s to come – check out the title track and “Attention” for the funkiest bland of acoustic rock set against a punk backdrop, which, in theory, shouldn’t work but does – then expect to hear lots of good things about this Long Island music scene veteran in the not-too-distant future. It’s been a long time coming. - Smilin' Ears
The early crowed at the Downtown was a bit more subdued than usual. Couples sipped wine at ringside tables, and there was even a guy wearing a tie. The reason was that singer songwriter Barry Waller was scheduled to play a set of his thought provoking, foot-tapping tunes of tongue in cheek satire and cautious optimism. Waller who sings with a ‘you gotta like this guy’ style and plays interesting lines on one of those long, boxy Paul McCartney type basses, was solidly backed by Tommy Williams on acoustic guitar and Ricky Martinez on congas and percussion. The first song of the set was “Don’t Touch Anything”, a very Dave Matthews sounding, upbeat tune with intricate lyrics that was well received by the building audience. Next was the country “Maybe Someday” which, following some amusing banter about cheap wine, segued into “Tree House”, with Waller stretching his vocal range into a Michael Stipe kind of warble. “Dysfunctional Family Gathering” with its Calypso flavor allowed Williams to show off his fingering skills, and gave Martinez the opportunity to mix up the beat. The sweet and soulful “Darkness” came next with its creepy inconclusive ending. “Heavy Breathing” showcased Williams on harp as he blew out a very “Maggie’s Farm” like interlude, and drew the best applause of the night. “Not Alone” followed by the fast paced “Attention” ended the set with a mini-jam that seemed to win Barry Waller quite a few new fans to his ever growing following. - The Downtown Farmingdale
Discography
EP: Perfect Fool
LP: Not Alone (scheduled to be released late-spring early-summer 2004)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Barry Waller has always had a penchant for combining opposites. While Punk gained momentum and its detractors clung to Old School, Barry started his career in music alternately playing bass in Mazarin, a Lynyrd Skynyrd/Grateful Dead cover band while playing drums and collaborating on Punk originals with Creem Magazine's Lester Bangs and Velvet Underground veteran John Cale.
During Barry's tenure, Mazarin earned and kept the title "Best Band" in local entertainment papers that often cited the originality of his songwriting. Outgrowing his support role, every conceivable type of musical work followed, eventually reuniting him with the acoustic guitar. Barry's songwriting abilities accelerated, leading to Artist Of The Month status in Holland's Smilin' Ears Magazine, which distributed his music to its 4,000 subscribers.
Barry occasionally opens for national acts and does college radio and coffeehouse appearances. Set against befittingly sparse accompaniment and unusual chord changes, Barry's life-seasoned vocals deliver insightful, melancholy lyrics. The occasional cover by artists as disparate as The Who and Glen Campbell (!) all work together in a Barry Waller set. A recent write-up of Barry's debut EP depicts "the funkiest blend of acoustic rock set against a punk backdrop, which in theory, shouldn't work but does."
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