Bear's Acoustic Honey
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Bear's Acoustic Honey

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"Bear Clan Music"

Bear Clan Music
by DWIGHT HOBBES
Matthew Laughing Bear Shipquist is a fascinating fella. I just get the heebie-jeebies hearing him refer to what he calls Bear Clan Music (something about that word, "clan," for some reason, doesn't do it for me). I can get past that long enough, though, to appreciate his being a throwback to the way old days when, for instance, The Grateful Dead would give Warner Bros. Records indigestion by making as much of The Dead's music free as they could. That included, along with sneaking bootleg albums to headshops, openly inviting fans to record Dead concerts. Yeah, there'd be an area by the stage where you could go, set up your tape recorder and have yourself one hell of a souvenir to take home at the end of the show. Bear has two discs in circulation, Bear-Essentials: Live Honey and Long Cold Winter, a slew of free mp3s you can download at the site "Bear On The Web" and, if you go to "Bear luvs ya baby" on the internet, you'll find the incarnations-Bear solo, Bear & The Eclectic Honey Band, Bear Clan Music Cooperative plus more free mp3s.

Given the above info, it won't come to you as a shock that Bear, who writes, arranges, sings and plays guitar and harp, has a freewheeling, laid-back feel to his music. And sometimes sounds more than little bit like Jerry Garcia (maybe a smidgen of Arlo Guthrie thrown in) with his vocals. I'll tell you this, though, his lyrics owe nothing to anyone. As in, "On the other side of midnight, on the morning side of love/ you don't know what's hit you, but it fits you like a glove." And, all things considered, he does have a rather original sound, owing in great part to some very inventive chord progressions, especially when he gets sentimental (the haunting instrumental "Water Is A Woman" off Long Cold Winter, for instance). And you really have to hear cuts from Bear-Essentials: Live Honey to believe what the combination of a plaintive vocal, some bluegrass styling and avant garde sax can do for you-whether you've been at the bong or not.

He's established himself pretty well through what he calls, "Bear networking with a diverse group of musicians to bring real music from the heart and straight to your soul." OK, so he waxes a bit flowery. So what? Last summer, Bear was selected from a pool of hundreds of regional artists to be one of the 25 songwriters who took part in the 2006 Highway 61 Folk Folks Festival Singer/Songwriter Contest. And he will return as the Emcee for-what else? -this year's Grateful Garcia Gathering, from Aug. 2 through 5, in Black River Falls, Wis. He'll also manage the Acoustic Stage at Feelgood Festival 2007, Aug. 10 through 12, and play his traditional Saturday and Sunday Morning wake-up sets.

So, how'd he get into it, playing, singing, writing and so forth? "I started on the violin when I was five," his bio reads. "Not that I can play the thing nowadays. I did piano lessons for some years but that really never fit either. Then [tried the] ukulele and that was closer, but I broke that over my little brother's head. In the third grade the guitar entered my life. I think I played that thing for two years before I could get anything resembling music coaxed out of it. Somehow I managed to get something happenin'. Started forming bands in junior high, spent the next ten years playing in bands I put together and writing songs. Spent most of the 90s out in Seattle and gigging in the Pacific NW."

The guy is one of these I-gig-therefore-I-am workhorses, endlessly playing all over the place. You can catch him next on June 29 doing a solo set, Acoustic Honey, at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park Bandshell, 100 6th Avenue SE, Mpls. It's free. Which, I'm sure, does not surprise you. - Pulse of the Twin Cities


"Romance Music Festival"

You're a great musician but more importantly a great person. We wish you the best for it's what you deserve. Have a beautiful night and we can't wait to work more with you in the future. CHEERS! - Lounging in the Arts


"Reviews of Spirit Cry."

Review date:
10h04, 14 January 2008
Rating:
7/10
Scout:

Review:
Nice track, great harmonica playing, excellent accousitc guitar. Singer had a nice voice and ang good lyrics. The tune had a nice beat to it and the harmonica was quite catchy. Easy to listen to


Review date:
20h44, 13 January 2008
Rating:
8/10
Scout:

Review:
i think that the acoustics are really well fitted to the vocals of the singer. the steady beat is perfectly suited to this song and the harmonica solo is and interesting feature to the song, it helps to diversify and distinguish it from other similar songs in this genre.


Review date:
19h38, 12 January 2008
Rating:
8/10
Scout:

Review:
I think the recording needs to be improved. The song is enjoyable and melodic but there are also some note errors which spoil it slightly. Even though this isn't my kind of genre I can see the song is good, especially vocalist.


Review date:
12h34, 11 January 2008
Rating:
6/10
Scout:

Review:
Nice chill acoustic track loved the harmonic at the start really set the mood of the track nicely. The singer has a unique voice which should set him in good steed to be noticed for his singing ability


Review date:
12h07, 11 January 2008
Rating:
5/10
Scout:

Review:
A nice view on seperate instruments, nicely building fun. Wit good melodies and a steady chord structure the song paces along nicely, with nice contrasting dynamics. The vocals are sang well and in the mood of the song, good melodies and space accordingly. - www.slicethepie.com


"Reviews of Suck The Bottle"

Review date: 22h07, 16 January 2008 Rating: 7/10 Scout: Review: great jazz instumental, somewhat too experiemental a song to be popular in mainstream, I suspect, but a great example of the genre nonetheless. I bet this band is great live.

Review date: 20h07, 15 January 2008 Rating: 10/10 Scout: Review: Sounds like a medley demo, but it's very good. A jazz-like feel to it in the middle too, should get a chance at commercial release.

Review date: 13h44, 10 January 2008 Rating: 7/10 Scout: Review: The saxophone is a nice touch to this song. Very creative experience. The vocalist should endeavor to sing in a way that matches the track, is my only suggestion. Good luck

Review date: 20h13, 09 January 2008 Rating: 8/10 Scout: Review: Absolutely great! Definate sounds of bonifide musicianship Excellent guitar and lyrics are fantastic. Very original and leaves you wanting more. Definately one to keep your eye on! - www.slicethepie.com


"Review of Fire Fingers"

Review date: 09h27, 19 January 2008 Rating: 7/10 Scout: Review: excelent. would love to hear more from this artist

Review date: 18h35, 18 January 2008 Rating: 8/10 Scout: Review: Thought the intro guitar was kinda trippy slightly. Sounds like this guy has listened to some Leadbelly and adapted it the a more modern style without the blues feel. Vocally sound.

Review date: 20h55, 17 January 2008 Rating: 6/10 Scout: Review: I like this track. The vocals are good and love the acoustics that accompany it. The vocals are sang with passion and the lyrics seem to mean something to the singer. Good track

Review date: 08h45, 16 January 2008 Rating: 9/10 Scout: Review: I found this tune catchy found my self tapping my hand, good structure and vocally very good as well.

Review date: 18h37, 15 January 2008 Rating: 6/10 Scout: Review: Nice little rift going on there, quite a toe tapper. Vocalist excellent, and fits over the backing track very well. Good stuff

Review date: 15h32, 14 January 2008 Rating: 6/10 Scout: Review: The introduction to this song is really cool, but it does go on for slightly too long, and takes a while to get going. The guitar work is pretty decent, and there is a nice mixture of styles throughout the track. However the vocals do take way too long to get going, but once they do it's onwards and upwards. They're delivered well, in a style that befits the track, very easy listening but also with emotion. not bad at all.

Review date: 13h38, 13 January 2008 Rating: 8/10 Scout: Review: Finally someone with interesting backing guitar parts! The lyrics are quite nice as well. The vocal ornamentation is quite sucessfully pulled off and the whole piece really takes you somewhere else. - www.slicethepie.com


Discography

Essential Honey 2006
Long Cold Winter 2007

Photos

Bio

BEAR Is known for networking with a diverse group of artists / musicians to help bring authentic and originally crafted music straight from the heart steeped in the traditional roots of all styles of American music. bear writes, arranges, sings, and plays a unique and original hybrid style of acoustic lead guitar, he also plays the harmonica. Using a boss loop station and some effect pedals he creates a full, rich, versatile and always enjoyable musical experience.

Being able to perfrom to a wide spectrum of audiences ranging from intimate solo shows in a small coffee house to "Gettin' it on" at the loud rowdy rock clubs and summer music festivals attended by thousands of listeners.

Sometimes a one man band using layering and looping to create a full, dynamic and original sound - sometimes joined by other musicians on Cello, Fiddle, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Saxaphone, Mandolin and banjo - it is an eclectic mix of folk, bluegrass, jazz, blues, funk, old school R&B, reggae and rock and what is now commonly refered as "jam band" - god only knows a definitive distinction of what that genre encompasses ;-)

BEAR says "I have always had music in my life and it has been my passion for as long as I can remember. Now, here I am, a seasoned by over 400 shows over the last several years - drawing on a lifetime of experience that I am ready to share in my music. I want to bring my life to you in song and let you do with it, what you will. My music comes from my heart and soul. Music is magic...and it can heal and fill your spirit...and that is why I play".

Last summer bear was selected from a pool of hundreds of regional artists to be one of the Twenty-five songwriters who took part in the 2006 Highway 61 Singer/Songwriter Contest. Each finalist was allowed to perform up to two original songs before a live audience and a panel of judges. The judges based their scores on the following categories: Creativity, Performance, Lyrical Content, Instrumental Ability, Listenability, and Northern Minnesota/Rural Appeal. Bear's song Wheels of Summer was selected to be included on the limited edition CD.

This summer bear returned again as the Emcee and "unoffical stage director" for the 2007 Grateful Garcia Gathering. He was stage manager and sound technician at this year's Feelgood Festival.

bear has performed at both as a solo act and with such notable musicians as Emiliy Mimier - Cello, Paul Daugherty - Saxaphone, Alex White- Bass, Erika Oberpriller rythym guitar / vocals / songwriter, Sean Sheil - Guitar / Songwriter, Claire and Kevin - Fiddle and and has shared the stage with many many others. including. The JGB, Sw3nS (Mike Swenson), Members of Gypsy Foot, Bettina, The Back Woods Critters, Brendan Flynn, Grateful Beth and the Volunteers, "Jersey" Joey Flynn, Mike Brumm, The Space Quakers, The Cedar Town Boys, Ultimate Frisbee and Luke Graner to just name a few.

He has performed as an opening / supporting or anchoring act with bands such as Baghdad Scuba Review, Barbershop Quartet, Boris Garcia, Cedar Town Boys, Chinese Fingertrap, Colin O'Brien, Delta Jets, Down-LO, .357 String Band, 3 Amigos, 56 Hope Rd, Analyrical, Ben Suchy, Big D, Bill Mike Band with Carnage, The Brian Bethke Band, Broken Billy, Boris Garcia, Chemistry, Clinton Miller, Covert Operations, The Crest, Defined Perception, Derek (formerly of Hooch), Desperate Otto's, Donnna Jean & The Tricksters, Downer's Grove, Down Lo, Down With Gravity, Dr. Didg, Dr. Kickbutt's Orchestra of Death, Dred I Dread, Duce Duce Entertainment, Eff'd Up, Elf Lettuce, Enchanted Ape, Enditol Rx, Fatdad, Fat Maw Rooney, Fancy Bastard, Frozen Tundra, Galynne Goodwill, God Johnson, Golden, Green Tea, Gyspyfoot, Heavy Water Radio, Hecatomb with Project 13, Heiruspecs, The Hill Climbers, The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Hyentyte, Ian Alexy, Ill Carnage & Desdamona, in the Attic, Irie Sol, I Self Devine , Jana Holland, Javier Trejo with members of New Primitives, Jimmy2times & Plain Ole Bill, Jive Bandits, Joe Craven, John Krueger Quartet, Leanne Perius, The LeveeMarques Bovre, , Kanser, The Lights Band, Lil' Rev, Loose Strings, King Tuesday, Magumbo, Mark Grundhoefer, Magic Mama, Mary Bue, meandyoucrew, Mike McAbee, Moon Alice, Moon Boot Posse, MoonDawg, The Moss Piglets, MWC, The Northern Drift, The Northwoods Band, One-Eyed Jack, Otis & the Alligators, OWI, Patchouli, Patrick Ryan Dub Trio, Pert Near Sandstone, The Quartet, Rachel Sedaka, Reptile Palace Orchestra, The Reverend Eddie Danger, Rootstand, Run Side Down, Sean Sheil and Claire Bear, Sloppy Joe, Smokey Bogart, Smokin' Bandits, Shawn Wolfe, Snopek, SpaceQuakers, Space Rangers, Sol Spectre, Stealin' Strings, Stephen Lee Rich, Supa Ranks, Teague Alexy, Teague Alexy and The Feelin' Band, Tech N9ne with Big Krizz Kaliko & Kutt Calhoun, TheLastHope, T.U.G.G., Twisted Linguistics, Unity the Band, Vinny Weible and the Hellhounds, (The CedarTown Boys),Waterband, Waters Bros & Casey Jones, WBPN, Weavils, Wicked Da