DL Free
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DL Free

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Band Americana Blues

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"FIRST DEBUT REVIEW"

REVIEW FROM: The Run-Off Groove #149: I Want To Take You Higher By da bookman on April 2, 2007

DL Free has been getting quite a bit of attention with a song called "On Half Mast", which he wrote after hearing about a woman whose son was going to Iraq. It has helped turn their way towards the music of Free, and his debut CD shows a lot of character and promise.

He calls himself a blues musician, but Free plays a lot more than just the blues. The lyrics, however, was definitely written by someone who went through a lot of heartache and failure, but at times it's the music that pulls him through, which is what makes this album stand-out. In songs such as "Faithful", "68 South 17", and "Children's Children" it sounds like he's having a hell of a time playing the guitar and recording something that's quite outstanding. There are moments where it feels as if he is trying to put too much in a small amount of time, but hopefully he'll be able to play with the formula before he records album number two.

Again, he calls himself a blues musician and yet it sounds like a lot of fun, which in many ways is what the blues is all about, looking forward towards better. Free is the kind of artist Rick Rubin would be really into, and it would be a trip if they were ever able to collaborate together. I like this a lot.
- The Run-Off Groove


"FAN MAIL"

“I listened to your tunes and they were great. I so love the bluesy sound that comes from the talented fingers of a guitar man. The song about Iraq was well done...I work at the base so I'm exposed to the propaganda on a daily basis. I agree that the flag should fly Half-Mast every day in remembrance of those that have just passed on.
Peace and out,”
Tamara (2007-02-03)

"SMOKIN' BLUES! Blues is easy to do, WICKED HARD TO DO WELL. Man, you are great! I am forwarding this link to several friends, I want them to hear it too! I just love your gutiar work!"
Tim Ratcliff and Ken Bailey (2007-02-14)

"Got that hot blues that sizzles the soul!! i hear ya cookin!"
CAVANAH (2007-02-01)

"Faithful Man, Right on! What kind of guitar you got? Like the style ... Keep on Keeping on Man."
Brian Rousseau (2007-02-14) - Showcase Your Music


"RADIO RESPONDS"

Indeed - please send your CD. You can direct it to the address below and I will see it gets into the proper hands. WNMC: Small Town Station, World Class Radio

YES please send your new cd to KZSU - Stanford University Att: Blues Director,,,,thanx

Dear Friend, By all means send us your CD. You should send it to the attention of a Blues host in our schedule. We have seven. Take care - Development Director, WPFW 89.3 fm

Hello – If you would like to send KHSU a CD – please do so. I am all for ANTI-war songs. KHSU Music Director

Thanks for contacting me. Liked the song, as well as your point of view. War "against evil" is nonsense, because war IS evil. There are 3 ways to get your music to me: PB, www.ms-blues.com - Various


"TOP FIVE"

Date: 3/3/2007 11:54:00 AM
Status: Selected
Response: Your song has made the Top Five Songs this month in the SongwriterUniverse "Best Song Of The Month" Contest.
Please check your email for an important message. Thank you.
Best,
Dale Kawashima
SongwriterUniverse
- SongwriterUniverse


Discography

On Half Mast (March 2007)
http://www.cdbaby.com/DLFree
Drug Free Zone (Re-release March 2007)
http://www.blastmymusic.com/DLFree

Photos

Bio

INTRODUCTION
DL FREE is not a young artist seeking celebrity but a seasoned musician and songwriter. Learn more at the artist's website www.DLFree.us and hear the latest music by DL Free at Soundclick.com.
CURRENT WORK
The inspired blues of On Half Mast (On Half Mast © 2007 BMI) is at the forefront of DL’s current music promotion. Also working on new songs for next CD release. Seeking recording contract.

MUSIC INTRODUCTION
DL began his first guitar lessons at age eight on a Sears Silvertone acoustic guitar. His instructor was a Pakistani who played in a Top 40 band at the Intercontinental Hotel in Islamabad. He taught DL the song I’m A Believer by The Monkees. DL briefly studied alto saxophone but remained an acoustic guitar player with such natural ability that his guitar instructor in the 9th grade conceded that their time was best spent jamming and he introduced DL to playing solo guitar.

MUSICAL INFLUENCES
The 60's record collection in DL's childhood home included James Brown, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and the Supremes along with those of artists like Lou Rawls, Dinah Washington, Billy Eckstein and Sarah Vaughn. These were favorites. But it was the blues records of BB King and Muddy Waters with prominent guitar work that DL found captivating. In 1971, DL bought the Band of Gypsies Live at Filmore East. That band's sound changed every notion DL had about music's place in life.
Upon returning to the U.S., DL found other young guitarists were forming Top 40 bands and covering songs by The Doobie Brothers, Bachman Turner Overdrive, and Chicago. DL became an avid Hard Rock fan. His first rock concert in the U.S. was Steppenwolf. DL was heavily influenced by Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin. He was also an avid listener to soul artists; particular favorites were Isaac Hayes, The Temptations and Al Green.
DL’s father purchased him a Fender Telecaster and DL got nicknamed Hendrix by his peers.
DL entered Syracuse University but quickly found close friends with a guitar duo calling themselves TimberWolf. The duo introduced DL to Jackson Browne, Pure Prairie League, CSNY and the Grateful Dead.
DL moved to California in 1978. On Thanksgiving Day 1978, DL first heard Bob Marley's Exodus. It was the 2nd album to broaden his insight into music's place in life: its ability to uplift and transform.

EARLY LIVE PERFORMANCES
The Bay Area was a melting post of countercultures and multicultures when DL arrived. In it he found new freedom and forms of expression and within months DL was playing as a street musician on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz and on the piers of San Francisco.
Soon DL was living in Santa Cruz. The coastal town was home for the reggae band The Rastafarians featuring Ras Binghi on keyboards. The relationship DL formed with these musicians proved significant as he would later join Ras Binghi’s band. DL was attracted to the Rastafari culture and reggae music. His guitar style grew to include reggae and ska rhythms. He co-founded Oasis. The band consisted of musicians from Panama, Belize and the Dominican Republic and their set included songs in Hebrew because the lead singer was a self proclaimed Black Hebrew. Due to the recent overthrow of Eithiopia’s Haile Selassie, there were Ethiopian refugees also in Santa Cruz and DL formed a musical trio consisting of two guitars and singing songs in Amharic. Because of his international upbringing, DL felt at home in this diversity of musical culture.
In Oakland he formed instrumental art rock band The Art Beat with Kevin Porter on drums, a bassist and a sax player. DL was a guitarist known in circles of Oakland and Santa Cruz.

SONGWRITING
It was not until DL collaborated with fellow guitarist/songwriter Perry Leslie did his songwriting really take shape. Perry and DL formed the rock band Evil Dog to showcase their songs. The band featured DL on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. The Evil Dog set featured the original Touch Me To My Soul written by DL, but given a country flavor by Perry’s solo guitar work. The group was rounded out by bass, drums and congas. It was with this group that DL began seriously writing lyrics and music and recording. This creative period lasted nearly a year.
DL eventually moved from the Santa Cruz scene to Austin, Texas in October 1985.
The following February DL ran into Ras Binghi (former keyboardist for The Rastafarians) at a Bob Marley Day celebration in Houston. Binghi was looking for a guitarist. DL immediately joined the new group. They began rehearsing in Houston and along with bass and drums and saxophone began playing gigs in Houston, Dallas, Austin and the small country roadhouses between cities also welcomed their ‘rebel’ reggae music.
Binghi began work on a solo album at the recording studio owned by Clay James in Houston. DL followed suit with his own solo work at the same studio resulting in tape master for Spirit Dance, Cuz Anyday and The Mission which featured a beautiful melo