Hail Mary is: Jim Camacho - lead vocals & bass
John Camacho - lead vocals & piano Jodi Marr - lead vocals & guitar Dylan Schiavone - lead guitar & bg vocals
Jordan Welch - drums & bg vocals
Influenze
Boasting reputations that have ranked them among South Florida’s most acclaimed writers and recording artists, Jim and John Camacho have reunited and reemerged with their most promising project yet, an instantly engaging new band fervently dubbed Hail Mary…
Maintaining the melodic trajectory initially established with the Goods, the band that first brought them a national profile in the ‘90s, as well as the array of individual efforts that brought them success in their subsequent solo careers, Hail Mary reflects the songwriting skills that have made each of their outings so eagerly anticipated.
In addition to the Camacho brothers, Hail Mary features several other renowned artists. The association was initiated when Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Jodi Marr approached Jim, John and highly-regarded guitarist Dylan Schiavone to form a band that would provide a common bond for writing and recording original material that freely expresses their melodic ideas. As their kinship evolved, it became obvious that Hail Mary would provide the ideal mesh of their musical interests while also complementing the Camacho Brothers’ personal pursuits – John as a published poet in some world’s leading literary publications and the erstwhile lynchpin of the band Mongo, and Jim as an award-winning and highly acclaimed solo artist, theatrical composer and soundtrack contributor who’s toured nationally with such stars as John Legend and Alicia Keys.
After a period of fruitful collaboration that saw the birth of several songs, John, Jim, Jodi and Dylan opted to share the results with Carlos Alvarez, a producer/engineer who had worked with artists as diverse as Marc Anthony, Jose Feliciano, Carries Underwood and Juan Luis Guerra, among the many. Having garnered a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album for his work with Alejandro Sanz, Alvarez formed his own label, Green Vinyl Records, last year, which recently became the home for Hail Mary’s self-titled debut. The partnership reached its fruition when the quartet recruited renowned session drummer Jordan Welch, rekindling a connection that began with his contributions to Jim’s solo albums.
The first evidence of Hail Mary’s prolific prowess is impressive indeed, an eponymous album that lives up to the high expectations that naturally accompany such a talented aggregate of musicians. Echoes of classic pop pundits are ample throughout, from the smooth boy-girl harmonies of prime Fleetwood Mac on “Big Black Cadillac” to the wistful piano-based balladry of Elton John on “Love is a Ghost.” The songs are imbued with rich, riveting vocals and lush textures, resulting in a sound that’s timeless and radio-ready. That’s especially evident in the yearning desire of “Making You Cry,” the riveting refrain of “Over & Out,” the instantly affecting sentiment of “Swan Song” and the upturned optimism of the title track and “What Good is Goodbye.” It’s music that reflects a craft and creativity that goes well beyond any passing trends or need to acquiesce to the lowest common denominator. With its wealth of memorable melodies and intriguing, insightful lyrics, it already affirms the fact they’re capable of spawning instant classics.
Ultimately, Hail Mary earns the special reverence implied by their moniker. On the other hand, it’s likely prayers won’t be required. Based on the talent involved, this a is band sure to be blessed with success.
Release date: Summer 2009
