WORKINGCLASS BAND

Working Class wowed the crowd Friday night at The Piper's Pub with the live release of its new CD Movin', which is more than fitting title for the track compilation.
The local band creates a tremendous combination of high energy dance music sprinkled in with some soft and tender ballads. They take some classic tunes and deftly make them their own with a special touch.
Of course, the quality of most CD's is only as good as the music, which is certainly not a concern for Movin'. It's refreshing to hear musicians making their craft on a variety of instruments, rather than the oft-used music machines of many of todays bands.
The cherry on the top of this music sundae, if you have the opportunity, is taking the opportunity to hear the local band in a live performance. It would be worth the price of admission.
If people would like to get a first-hand taste of what Movin' has to offer, they can pick up a release at CD Plus in the Antigonish Mall, the Campus Clipper on the St. F. X. campus, on-line at http://cdbaby.com/cd/workingclass, and from band members.
For more about the band go to www.workingclassband.com.

By Corey Le Blanc














- THE CASKET, NOV,22,2006

This Friday night at the Piper's Pub, Antigonish-based Working Class Band will launch its second CD, Movin'.
A band with a loyal local following, WorkingClass Band deserves to pull admiration from further afield, judging from a listen to the new CD.
It six members merge R&B and raggae, focusing on classics like Caladonia, How Sweet It Is, No Woman No Cry, and a mellow, moving Rainy Night in Georgia to name a few of the lushly rendered covers.
Original members Phil Clark (saxphone) Hugh Clarke (lead vocals and rythum guitar) and Brian Steeves (drums) began working together years ago - almost, they say, too far back to want to remember.
But the band has gone through a series of re-inventions with terrific musicians coming and going over the last 20 odd years.
The present incarnation adds lead guitarist Hilton Reddick, trombonist Michael Robinson and ECMA winner and oft-time nominee Jamie Sparks on vocals and base.
These six musicians exemplify what people say about Nova Scotian artist, "that one job is never enough."
Clark says the name Working Class Band comes "not from a class distinction, but from the fact that we all had other jobs, sometimes several. We were a working bunch."
Though they'd love to be able to persue music on a full-time basis, they're all able to see what their day jobs offer their music.
Steeves, the drummer and producer of the band, is a doctor in Antigonish, and is very sensitive to the relationship between the listening he does in the band, and the listening he does in his practice.
"It's about good communication." say Steeves, "Watching for and developing an understanding of body language - what's said and what isn't. I can't seperate it from what I do every day. And it makes me more aware of it in the band."
Sparks agrees and thinks it explains why the members all have such a good time in performance.
"The best thing in this band, and maybe it's because the core has been solid so long, is the communication. If we're playing a song and if the song is near the end but the crowd is feeling it, we easily connect each other. We'll go into a bridge or add another a verse, and everyone just knows where to go.
Although the pieces of this new album are covers, the arrangements are theirs and the brass sound stands out.

By Shelley Thompson













- The Chronical Hearld

great listening and dance album and Atlantic Seabreeze gives this album very high ratings.
Listeners will love this album. – www.AtlanticSeabreeze.com -

This is exactly the kind of band I would love to discover on a Friday night out. They have
a strong arsenal of instruments and a versatile style. Influences of Reggae, Swing, Soul,
and R&B come through strong. The songs are full of great hooks and slick licks, and their
small horn section really brings a different element.
- Sean Craib-Petkau (www.yorktonthisweek.com) - Sean Craib-Petkau