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Scott Baker & The Universal Expressions
“They were well worth the wait! A melted blend of Rock, Blues and Jazz to make up a cool fondue of soulful blues sound. These guys are very easy on the ears and you can’t help but to tap your feet and bob your head…the band’s playing cohesion was masterful. These guys were very tight. You have to check these cats out, they’re that good and they’re right in your own back yard.” –Jim from whataboutjim.net
“The music sounded good. There was a bigger blues feel to this band than the previous ones. And I'll say it again, I'd pay good money to go and see this band again. I liked the music.” –Ms. Troutfly, Myspace.com
For any music coming out of the Tri-Cities (Bay City/Saginaw/Midland) in Michigan, you have to deliver the goods and make sure you can play typical covers. For Scott Baker & the Universal Expressions, they deliver the goods successfully, even if having taken a non-typical route to getting there.
While other groups have made their name on the ‘Mustang Sally/Brown Eyed Girl’ circuit, SB&UE crafted their sound over two years creating a meld of unique covers and compelling original music. “As the crowds got bigger, we started to hear from bartenders and owners that we were listenable and able to play music everyone liked—that includes the bartenders and owners as well!,” said Scott Baker, vocalist/guitarist fronting the group. “Now they look forward to us coming back because it gives their ears a break and the crowd a taste of something a bit different from the norm.
“One of the best quotes I got was from a DJ from 98.5 UPS at a radio-promoted show we did with them in Mt. Pleasant at Rubbles. Tammy Thompson said we were the first band she has ever seen fill up the dance floor while doing original music for a local band. That was awesome to hear. She’s been in the business over 20 years!”
Releasing their debut CD, Between Seasons in November 2007, SB&UE have taken the jump to the next level of performance. The band has already performed with national acts over the years (see Fact Sheet for more info) and they continue to find themselves in the unique position of being able to market their niche across the state. “We hope to make it more of a region thing as we branch out in 2008,” said Baker. “If not wider.”
Between Seasons features a guest spot on ‘Chance Meeting’ from veteran renowned guitarist Adam Levy (current Norah Jones and former Tracy Chapman guitarist) as well as the avant garde acoustic jazz troupe The Northwoods Improvisers on the track ‘Starve My Eyes.’ “I was really lucky to pull some of my friends out for the ride,” said Baker. “Their belief in me and my music will help take us to new levels and hopefully will turn some heads.”
Having won three Review Awards (biggest Music Award show in Michigan north of Detroit) in 2007 (Band of the Year, Band Deserving Wider Recognition—both in the blues-rock category, and part-time guitarist Eric Janetsky winning guitarist of the year—blues-rock category), releasing their debut CD is timely and in step with any progressing musical act. They are taking their proper strides to the stages.
©2007
Scott Baker : DISCOGRAPHY
Nov. 2001 Continuous Rotation--CD Sampler (Muddy Gumbo)
Dec. 2001 Continuous Rotation (Muddy Gumbo)
(WMG Records)
Jan. 2003 appears on Landmark (guest of One Trick Ponies)
(Bull Frog Records)
Mar. 2003 Suite 19 (w/ Mid-MI Songwriters Guild)
Aug. 2003 “Capture The Moment”–EP (Muddy Gumbo)
July 2007 appears on Box Of Pandora (guest of Cary Ewing)
Nov. 2007 Between Seasons (Scott Baker & the Universal Expressions)
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