Bill Noonan is a veteran of the Carolina music scene, most widely known as leader and chief songwriter of the Rank Outsiders, North Carolina-based roots-rock pioneers who were a popular fixture on the Southeastern music scene from 1990 until 2002.
Now, with the release of his second solo CD, THE MAN THAT I CAN'T BE, Noonan fully asserts himself as a solo artist and front man, with compelling vision as a songwriter, vocalist, and musician.
THE MAN THAT I CAN'T BE offers a collection of genre-hopping originals and eclectic covers that ably demonstrate his skill with a full range of essential American musical styles: from bluegrass and honky-tonk to retro-pop, rockabilly, and old-school R&B.
The new disc is the result of Noonan’s recent collaboration with producer Mark Lynch (David Childers, Lou Ford). Lynch’s inventive production touches lend alternative credibility to the artist’s more traditional approach, staying true to Noonan’s roots music reverence while giving him a firm foothold on the edgy musical terrain of the 21st century.
THE MAN THAT I CAN'T BE covers an amazing range of musical territory: rockers that draw comparison to the Rolling Stones or Drive By Truckers (Road 99, Down Again, Southern Song); a bluegrassy cover of Gene Clark’s “Tried So Hard” that highlights Noonan’s solid acoustic chops; and retro-pop anthems (Money Girl, Wasn’t Meant To Be) that evoke Del Shannon by way of Tom Petty.
Noonan shows his soulful side on two strong R&B cuts: a haunting country soul number with echoes of Dan Penn and Muscle Shoals (Dirty Ragged Blanket) and the Tony Joe White homage “Down at the Biddy Hut”, both featuring top-notch horn arrangements. On the confessional title cut (written by Mark Lynch) and on the eerie “Lonesome Blues” Noonan’s shape-shifting vocals descend into baritone range with overtones of Cash and Cohen.
The Man That I Can’t Be establishes Bill Noonan as a notable Southeastern songwriter, and takes the listener on a satisfying ride down the roots music backroads that he clearly knows so well.
Noonan is currently booking solo and band dates for Summer/Fall 2009 in support of the CD release. More information is available at http://sonicbids.com/billnoonan
Hey Bro,The new c.d. is awesome !!! I'm proud to be playin on it. Had a great time at The Purple Onion & lookin forward to " BNB rides again " this coming Saturday ! Talk to ya soon, Raymond
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