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Chip Robertson - Looking Ahead - Before I got a chance to listen to the CD, I visited Chip's web site to find out a little about him. One thing I thought was interesting was Chip's Desert Island Discs which included Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel and The Clash, what great influences!
The other thing that I found interesting was this was Chip's first outing as a songwriter! This could be good if Chip has something to say but it could also be very bad. The songwriting bug usually bites you early and a later outing could be a very painful experience for the listener!
When I first popped this CD in, it didn't take but about a minute into the first song to calm my fears about Chip's late in life songwriting debut. These are well crafted honest songs that mostly carry the theme about dealing with ghosts from the pasts while mustering enough strength to learn from these mistakes and carry on in a more positive and productive manner.
The production and musicianship of this CD is superb and accents the songs without taking away from the focus. Chip is a wonderful guitar player and singer and chose the right support people in order to fulfill his vision.
This CD is a great blend of honest thoughtful lyrics, great production and catchy songs. If you are looking for a project that deals honestly with adult themes of meaning, regret and love then give a listen to Chip's CD - Looking Ahead. www.chiprobertson.com.
- www.bienvillemusic.com
"LOOKING AHEAD"
CHIP ROBERTSON
This very enjoyable CD opens with its title song, a very catchy tune. But looking beyond the music we find that Chip’s words are truly those of a poet, before songwriter. They stand truly alone, as you will find with the better songwriters out there. Yet this number is a joyful listen. With backing vocals throughout by Tina Vero, Denise O’Brien and Dorothy Ivey, you can feel everything moving in a very good direction. Stand Alone features nice guitar work and vocals, and tells the story of a broken relationship. Book of My Life is a reflective view of where the author has been and where he is going. It includes some fine violin licks by Wendy Fuhr. No Apologies and The Wall are songs that could have been written by one of the great folk artists of the sixties, someone like Tim Hardin or Tom Rush. Chip either is older than he looks or has been doing some serious listening to great records of the past! Nancy’s Song and Lifetime are obvious tributes to his lady, his friend, or both. These are the types of songs I’ve been trying to write for years! Passion Or Obsession, The One You Run To and Hour At A Time seem to be a look at the writer’s darker side, his longing for acceptance from an outer source. But the poet does not falter, even when the mood turns dark. He continues to spin a web of feelings to bring you along on his trip to the down side. Back Again completes the CD with a promise that Chip Robertson, in some form, will always be around (although, according to him, for better or worse!). We have the feeling here that Chip, with this fine effort, will be here for a long time to come. For more information on Chip Robertson, visit his website at www.chiprobertson.com
- www.nighthawksounds.com
Discography
"Looking Ahead" - debut full length CD 2004
Chip Robertson self titled EP 2002
Various songs from these CD's are receiving steady airplay at Blowupradio.com (www.blowupradio.com) , Whole Wheat Radio (www.wholewheatradio.com) and Radio Crystal Blue (www.radiocrystalblue.com), as well as WVBR-FM in Ithaca, NY.
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Bio
From the clean streets of Bergen County, New Jersey, via the mean streets of Keansburg, NJ, comes performing songwriter Chip Robertson. Although Chip is a relative newcomer to the singer-songwriter genre, he has deep roots in the New Jersey music scene. From 1974-1979, he was the leader of the seminal Jersey Shore garage band “The Crash Street Kids”. Often imitated, but never duplicated, “The Kids” performed throughout the shore area to the delight of SRO crowds who marveled at both the musicianship and the somewhat crude pyrotechnics displays that were staples of CSK shows.
After disbanding the Crash Street Kids, Chip tried his hand as an acoustic performer, playing covers in the various pubs and clubs throughout the state. In 1983, Chip moved to California and put his musical career into storage for awhile. However, old habits die hard. As the 80's turned to 90's, the bug that had burrowed deep inside Chip was starting to make its way back to the surface. Thanks to major prodding from his wife, Nancy, Chip started to realize just how much he missed playing music. The Crash Street Kids reformed for a one-time only charity show in December 1998. The wildly successful show told Chip all he needed to know. It was time.
Fast forward to January 2000. Chip has the incredible good fortune to meet up with a kindred spirit by the name of Tina Vero. An amazing performing songwriter herself, Tina sees the potential in Chip and encourages him to try his hand at writing his own songs. In November of 2001, Chip started his new performing songwriter career by tearing down the house at the legendary “Grandma’s Gourmet Cheesecake” in Ridgewood, NJ. Since then, it’s been full steam ahead, picking up new fans at each new venue he plays. His touring schedule has included numerous folk festivals and opening slots for the amazing Nashville based singer-songwriter Rod Picott.
In April 2002, Chip released a 3-song EP CD while he continued work on his full-length CD. Produced by the incredible team of Andy Fox and Denise O’Brien (Andy and Denise), Chip was able to give the world a taste of what to expect. Tina Vero and Denise O’Brien also lend their spectacular vocal talents to the CD. The reviews have been very positive. Joe Rapolla, Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing at Warner Music Group was moved to write “Sincere, honest and very listenable. Chip crafts and delivers songs that are a refreshing alternative.” Lou Brutus of XM Satellite Radio advises “Before you start bitchin’ about where all the good music has gone, you’d better listen to Chip Robertson.”
November 2004 marked the release of Chip’s debut full length CD. For this project, entitled “Looking Ahead”, he once again enlisted the services of Andy Fox and Denise O’Brien for production duties. A stellar cast of musicians, including Tina Vero, Tim Whalen, Cheryl Prashker and Wendy Fuhr were assembled. Check him out for yourself and see what the buzz is all about!
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