Bob Musial

After years of performing with Planet Strange, Bob Musial sets out on his own with his self titled debut. Armed with an acoustic guitar and his voice, Musial plays easy going folk. There's a sharp, crisp snap to to his strumming and his clean melodies have a hint of melancholy. "Clouds around your waist" and "ride" are exemplary tracks that show the intimacy of Musial's songwriting.

by Patrick Conlan - Illinois Entertainer

The solo endeavor from Planet Strange's guitarist can best be described as folky, acoustic mellow rock.
Artists and bands such as Edwin McCain, Train and even a bit of John Meyer come to mind when listening to Musial's laid back melodies.

The entire album is pretty low-key, but that shouldn't turn you away. Musial has outstanding vocals, which really carry the album from front to back. And while the album won't have you rockin' out in your car during the rush-hour drive home, you'll find it's the perfect fit for a Sunday afternoon wind down.


by Corine Jurgeson - Midwest Beat Magazine

Bob Musial is not sure on the status of his band, Planet Strange.

The band, for which the Villa Park resident serves as singer, songwriter and lead guitarist, has maintained a busy schedule for the past five years-playing shows and festivals throughout the Chicagoland area and earning a significant following. But early last year, the group decided to take a hiatus.

Musial, however, has stayed busy-to say the least. This month marks the release of his first solo CD, a self-titled collection of 10 deeply-personal acoustic songs, nine of which were written by Musial. Most of these songs were written during breaks from Planet Strange's rigorous rehearsal/performance schedule. Musial honed the tunes at the nearly 100 solo gigs he performed last year mainly at venues in the western suburbs.

"It's just stuff I compiled that wasn't suited to the band," said Musial. "When I started playing solo gigs, people wanted to hear the music as it was played, without the band."

Musial will host a CD release party on Friday, Feb. 25, at Villa Park's Funky Java Coffee House (located in the Villa Park Plaza at St. Charles Road and Villa Avenue). From 7 to 10 p.m., Musial will play tracks from the album and sell copies of the CD for $5.

The CD will soon be available for sale in the local music section at the Schaumburg Tower Records (and possibly, at Tower's Bloomingdale location). Musial also sells the CD at his shows and through his Web site, www.bobmusial.com, which also lists his upcoming gigs and other information about his musical endeavors.

Musial spent two-and-a-half years making the CD, which also features good friends John Ling on violin and Dan Cramer on back-up vocals on several of the tracks. (The two sometimes accompany Musial at shows.)

But for the most part, the album-and the shows-live and breathe on Musial's voice and guitar. This stripped-down, minimalist quality perfectly suits the intimate nature of the songs.

It's difficult, however, to pull off alone on stage. "I don't have that comfort zone of the band," explained Musial. "If I get fatigued, I can't just have the band play while I take a break. You have to be 100 percent on the money all the time."

It has taken time. "The more I've done it, the more confidence I've gained," said Musial. "I've gotten a good response."

Musial performs mostly at coffee shops, or places like the cafe at Borders Books and Music and Potbelly Sandwich Works in Lombard. He's a regular at numerous Borders locations and Potbelly.

"That's pretty much where you play as a solo artist; not many bars will have you," said Musial, adding that bars mostly prefer full bands.

Musial's music has been able to break out of the above-mentioned circuit, appearing sometimes at bars as well as on the "Carmen and Silvy Show" on ESPN sports radio AM 1000.

It's always a struggle-getting top-notch gigs and getting his music heard. But to Musial, that's the point.

"You only get what you work for."

by Larry Rogowin
- Villa Park Review