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Kiyoshi Foster - "Songs From the Sidewalk Saloon" By Chip Withrow - http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00001268.html
Kiyoshi Foster’s eccentrically played and sung songs from the sidewalk saloon is a giddy delight to listen to. Maybe it's just because of all the peculiar ways music has affected me over the years, but this is like what I hear in a dreamy yet hyper-aware trance - good ole groove music with nifty flourishes of weirdness.
Foster plays most of the music himself, and his strength seems to be as a player of guitar and other stringed things. But he also adds organ, unusual percussion, and some instruments I've never heard of.
The first cut, "Everything I Am" bounds right at you like a mad scientist entering the lab. It’s ska-ish with increasingly wild vocals and a shredded guitar solo. Then comes the beautifully soulful, Van Morrison-esque “Angel on the Farm.” Later on, “Moon, Stars and River” has that Morrison country/soul feel, with some aching slide guitar.
“All the Time” has that off-kilter ska vibe again, and some clever lyrics; Foster's background vocals are wild and fun, too. “Finally Feel Free” has a Steve Miller “Joker” lope to it, and some loopy sitar. (There’s also a smoky piano-only version of “All the Time” at the end of the album.)
“The Big Ballroom” is a heck of a party tune. Plucked banjo, trippy ‘60s organ, sonic peals of guitar, sing-along potential – but it ends way, way too soon. Then comes the haunting, sensually funky “Elephant in Clouds,” which features Foster’s best vocal on the CD and a piercing acoustic guitar solo (great stripped down version as a bonus track, too).
“Jasmine” soars – swirling guitar, jubilant vocals, another sing-along chorus. It’s straightforward and poppy compared to what follows: the percussive, Eastern drone of “Life Is Breathing.”
My wife and I had a few beers one afternoon, cleaned the house, and listened to this album; she called it “sexy.” It’s also pretty groovy late at night, with a few glasses of wine and some headphones to catch all the weird and wonderful noises swirling around. - The Muses Muse
"Kiyoshi is great first of all because he can actually play. In an age of manufactured pop, it's nice to actually listen to someone who is trained in music and has skills to back it up. On the specifics of the music, he's coming from a place that is classic. He pays homage to acts like Van Morrison, but without being a copycat. He takes what was great about music from the 60's & 70's and brings a modern interpretation to it. He gives his fans a chance to both relate to the old stuff, and get on board with someone who is bringing something new at the same time."
David Zieses, Owner North Beach Records, President, Zieses Music - Zieses Music
Discography
"Songs From The Sidewalk Saloon" (2006), "Medium" (2007), "Kiyoshi Foster" (2008), "Kiyoshi Foster Band Live In San Francisco" (2008)
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Bio
In 2008 Kiyoshi has been featured on San Francisco's KFOG 104.5 FM as one of the areas outstanding new musicians. He and his band have been drawning and impressing crowds in all of San Francisco's best music clubs, including Cafe Du Nord, Red Devil Lounge, Bottom Of The Hill, and 12 Galaxies.
Over the last year, as a solo performer, Kiyoshi has enjoyed performing at The Fillmore Lounge, where he supported many great national artists, including Brett Dennen, Matt Nathanson, Spoon, ALO, Martin Sexton, Mike Doughty, Billy Bragg & Tea Leaf Green.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, guitarist, singer, & songwriter Kiyoshi Foster finds balance in opposites, writing music influenced by many different traditions. Growing up listening to great music icons such as Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Miles Davis, Van Morrison & Bob Marley; Kiyoshi has understood the power of music from an early age. Starting from those early influences he reached backwards to Robert Johnson & Woody Guthrie and forwards to U2 & Dave Matthews.
After graduating from Berklee College of Music with a degree in jazz, and spending 18 months studying Indian Classical Music, in 2004 Kiyoshi Foster found himself "Down & Out In San Francisco" playing music on the historic corners of North Beach.
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