Shasta
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Shasta

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Band Americana Singer/Songwriter

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"Danbury native Shasta has issued a re-mastered bonus edition of his 2006 release "No More Smoking!""

Singer-songwriter and Danbury native Shasta has issued a re-mastered bonus edition of his 2006 release "No More Smoking!"

Influenced as a teenager by Bob Dylan, Shasta -- who moved to California before settling in Chester -- bears a slight resemblance to the quiet artist, though where Dylan's hair generally appears slightly unkempt, Shasta's tends to be somewhat mane-like.

It's no large surprise, then, that Shasta won first place in 1990 and 1993 at a West Coast Bob Dylan imitation contest and placed second in a similar contest in New York in 1991.

Dylan's influence certainly extends to Shasta's own music, too, including an aversion to standard verse-chorus formats and a slight, unplaceable drawl.

"There's something for almost everyone here," he said. "Philosophy, politics, mystery and lonesome love ballads."

It's been the title track that's probably gotten the most attention, though. The song, inspired by Connecticut's smoking ban, was featured on a smoker's rights Web site and has received worldwide airplay.

In fact, since the '90s, Shasta has received air play in the U.S., Australia, Canada and Europe and has traveled throughout 44 states playing solo open mics and jam sessions in cafes, clubs fairs and benefits. He has also appeared on stage with Joe Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult), who declared "No More Smoking!" one of his favorite Shasta tunes.

Shasta's "No More Smoking!" re-mastered bonus edition is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/shasta3 while the original version is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/shasta.

For more information on Shasta, visit www.shasta-music.com or www.myspace.com/shastaman.

Shasta performs this Sunday at Widow Browns Cafe, 128 Federal Road in Danbury, following the 8 p.m. acoustic open mic. - The News-Times Friday, March 23, 2007 Danbury, CT


"Shasta Album"

In an Option Magazine review, writer Steve Hecox said: "Shasta is clearly a poet with an overriding sense of social
awareness." ". . .a clever lyricist. . . excellent songs," ". . . Hot, tight, inventive and totally professional." - Option Magazine


"Shasta releases "No More Smoking!""

Artist: Shasta
Title: No More Smoking!
Genre: Folk
Label: Mountain Thunder Music
CD Baby Link: HYPERLINK "http://cdbaby.com/cd/shasta3/from/muzik" http://cdbaby.com/cd/shasta3/from/muzik
Website: HYPERLINK "http://shasta-music.com" http://shasta-music.com
Shasta is poet, guitar player, songwriter, and comedian all wrapped into one remarkable package. No More Smoking! Consists of 14 tracks chock full of poetic justice, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, rollicking acoustic guitar parts, and at times some biting electric riffs provided by select guests, that make your ears perk up and take notice.

This artist will remind you of Dylan. The influence is obviously there, and he openly and proudly proclaims his allegiance to the former Robert Zimmerman. Personally, I never liked Dylan’s vocals and actually this artist has a more palatable vocal style for these ears and he is on the lighter side of those bloody tracks, which is always a welcome addition to my stereo. The best example of levity and some fun sexual innuendo is “It Won't Reach! (My Hose Won't Reach!).” The track is an absolute riot and the music is just dandy as well, in fact, Shasta does a nice job consistently offering up some decent guitar licks on the acoustic. The man seems to have an innate ability to put the lyrics right on top of the notes so it is smooth sailin’ all the way through.

If you are looking for polished and pretty, you will not find here on this CD. Its WYSIWYG from start to finish and that is exactly why I enjoyed this music and the way Shasta goes about presenting his act. Now when I spin this CD again I know exactly what I am going to get, there are no false pretenses or surprises, you get “Modern Fixations” sandwiched in between a “Cold New England Rain” (lord knows I can feel it as I write), which have no parallels whatsoever. This guy has something different to dish out in every song and each one has nothing to do with the last one you heard. When the party is over, this is a notable strength and what makes this album what it is in the first place…different, original, and all Shasta, even if he does sound like Dylan.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck- HYPERLINK "http://www.muzikreviews.com" http://www.muzikreviews.com

February 15, 2007

Credits:
Shasta: lead vocals, acoustic guitars, harmonica, effects
Ed Goldfarb: keyboards
Bill Hare: bass, electric & acoustic guitars
Rod Farias, John & Pat Driscoll, Jeff Tracy & Brian Masaki: electric guitars
Jeff Lewis: trumpet & harmonica
Randy Musumeci, Steve Rosebery, Frank Stewart, Charlie Sporck & Joe Rizzi: drums
Tracy Harris, Susie Slade, Monique DeMoulin & Lotte West: background vocals

Tracks:
01. No More Smoking! (live! Clean Edit) (3:41)
02. Outside My Window (3:51)
03. It Won't Reach! (My Hose Won't Reach!) (3:14)
04. Cold New England Rain (6:34)
05. Modern Fixations (3:53)
06. No! No Doctor! (3:52)
07. America's Home Town (bonus Full Length Edition) (4:38)
08. Condo-Commandos (3:26)
09. Stand Back! /Drop Down! (6:19)
10. Silicon Heartland (3:48)
11. Freudian Flowers (3:12)
12. America's Child (4:02)
13. Chasin' My Ghost (6:59)
14. No More Smoking! (live! Explicit Lyric) (3:42)
- © Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck


"“No More Smoking!” (Re-mastered Bonus Edition)"

"How can one re-release an album that on first hearing needs no additional work? Well, Shasta has surpassed himself by revitalizing his previous album and, guess what? It works! The Bard has proved that one can improve on what others feel is a masterpiece and he has done so without either ruining the essential and initial essence of the album or over-vamping it. Not many could do that, but that just shows Shasta has an intuitive view of his work. This latest release should be bought as an add-on to its predecessor as the two are complimentary." - Tony Bates of 100.6 Highlands FM in Victoria Australia


"The Lance Monthly Album Pick of the Month"

March 2007
Shasta is poet, guitar player, songwriter, and comedian all wrapped into one remarkable package. No More Smoking! Consist of 14 tracks chock full of poetic justice, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, rollicking acoustic guitar parts, and at times some biting electric riffs provided by select guests, that make your ears perk up and take notice.

This artist will remind you of Dylan. The influence is obviously there, and he openly and proudly proclaims his allegiance to the former Robert Zimmerman. Personally, I never liked Dylan’s vocals and actually this artist has a more palatable vocal style for these ears; and he is on the lighter side of those bloody tracks, which is always a welcome addition to my stereo. The best example of levity and some fun sexual innuendo is “It Won't Reach! (My Hose Won't Reach!).” The track is an absolute riot and the music is just dandy as well; in fact, Shasta does a nice job consistently offering up some decent guitar licks on the acoustic. The man seems to have an innate ability to put the lyrics right on top of the notes so it is smooth sailin’ all the way through.

If you are looking for polished and pretty, you will not find that here on this CD. It’s WYSIWYG from start to finish and that is exactly why I enjoyed this music and the way Shasta goes about presenting his act. Now when I spin this CD again I know exactly what I am going to get. There are no false pretenses or surprises; you get “Modern Fixations” sandwiched in between a “Cold New England Rain” (Lord knows I can feel it as I write), which have no parallels whatsoever. This guy has something different to dish out in every song and each one has nothing to do with the last one you heard. When the party is over, this is a notable strength and what makes this album what it is in the first place: different, original, and all Shasta, even if he does sound like Dylan. - http://www.lancerecords.com/news2.htm#h


"Jammin' on open-mic Mondays"

While most of Danbury rests on a Monday night, the drinks continue to pour and the tunes rock hard at Cousin Larry's Cafe, where its open-mic night has turned the bar into a Monday hot spot..... Longtime singer-songwriter Shasta, a crowd favorite at Cousin Larry's, also attributed the popularity of the open-mic nights to the openness of both the hosts and the crowd. "It's more diverse here than in any other places I've been," he said, "There's everything from rap to folk to jazz to rock and roll." ... Although there aren't headliners, per se, at the open-mic nights, there have been some surprises in the past. For instance, last month there was a visit from Joe Bouchard, bassist from the '70s rock group Blue Oyster Cult; he performed both classic BOC songs and originals by himself and Shasta.
The entire article is at: http://leisure.newstimes.com/story.php?id=68185 - Danbury News Times


"The Album Stands like a Mountain!!!"

The album stands like a mountain!!! Somewhere your lyrics remind me of Dylan: rough and clear. Just keep on doing what you're doing Waiting for more! Yours Paul van Kuik The Country Express Radio 0 16 2 - Dongen The Netherlands - Country Express Radio 0 16 2


"One of the most interesting cd's I received lately."

Jaap Hoek
Alphen Stad FM 
Netherlands:
The songs on the album are very good, also, so is the music. In my show I gave airplay to a few of them already, but more to follow. It's one of the most interesting cd's I received lately. Love your voice. - Alphen Stad FM-Netherlands


Discography

1 New Album CD - "No More Smoking!" (Re-mastered Bonus Edition) Now @ http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/shasta3 & ITunes!

Airplay: U.S., Australia (ILR), Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, UK & more.

"America's Home Town" now on http://www.MoozikooRadio.com/ out of Nashville.

1 45 rpm single on vinyl - “Little Fugitive”
1 song (Stronger Than The Storm) on Rodell Record's, "Sounds From The Undergound",
(A Various Artists compilation CD)
1 Album CD -"Stronger than the Storm"
1 Album, "Modern Fixations"- LP Now on CD @
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/shasta2
(BMI)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

http://www.shasta-music.com
http://myspace.com/shastaman

Shasta is a prolific songwriter and singer. Originally, from Connecticut, he began writing poetry when he was growing up in New England. By his teens, hearing Bob Dylan influenced him to turn his poetic efforts into songwriting. On a move to California to hone his musical skills he chronicled his journey in song with, “Chasin My Ghost”. There, he also became known as, “Shasta”, to those who knew him after a soul-searching quest upon that mystical mountain. On his return east during what he refers to as emotional weather, he penned the epic, “Cold New England Rain.” (these are included on this latest CD, "No More Smoking!" ) The title cut is a hilarious rant on smoking bans.

Shasta dives deep into a tapestry of Americana, with tongue in cheek lyrics accompanied by acoustic guitar rhythms and stinging electric guitar parts (provided by all the right people) to make his lyrics more meaningful and attention getting. One foot planted firmly in the roots of rock and the other in folk, he can be heard strumming his acoustic guitar and occasionally blasting his harmonica on his CD, but his main strength is in his lyrics. The songs are blends of philosophy, mystery and lonesome love ballads. The CD is self-produced and with an uncanny capacity, he brings together musicians that fit his style adding the final touches that keep you listening.

Shasta combines his musical influences with an unnerving need to tell the world how he feels about certain issues. Since the 90's, Shasta has been going strong, offering his musical prose to the burgeoning indie music scene. He is consistently receiving airplay in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. He’s traveled through 44 states playing open mikes and jam sessions in cafes, clubs, San Francisco Bay Area benefits, fairs & has appeared on stage with Joe Bouchard (of Blue Oyster Cult fame) who played and sang, “No More Smoking!” with him - one of Joe’s favorite Shasta tunes! Shasta received, "Golden and Silver Poets Awards", from the World of Poetry for his lyrics. At West Coast Bob Dylan Imitation Contests Shasta won First Place in 1990 and 1993. He is a member of BMI. Others who have inspired him include: Dire Straits, Warren Zevon, Jewel, Arlo Guthrie, The Clash, and even Snake River Conspiracy!

In the words of this passionate Bard Rock Poet: "As the vidiot screens - control our dreams - marines die on foreign shores - And I swear I saw phantoms dressed in black at America's back door - Oh, say why can't you see?"