R. Scott - keyboardist, composer, songwriter, producer. Friends, family and very talented musicians and artists.
Influences
Buddha. Jefferson's smile. Karen's eyes. Humor. Directness. Every moment awake. Dreams. Old musical forms twisted and made new. A cresent moon through the clouds. The smell of wet pavement right after a rain. The Beatles, Ray Charles, Ray Manzarek, Stax, Monk, Eno, Dr. John, Tom Waits, Jimmy Smith, The Beat Generation, Mod culture, red wine, Motown, the Hammond B-3, single malt scotch, Randy Newman, the fervent energy of gospel revival music, Mose Allison, Allen Toussaint, Professor Longhair, Leon Russell, Elvis Costello, Jimmy McGriff, Blue Note, Dylan, Art Tatum...
The music of R. SCOTT is a unique mix of deep soul, New Orleans-style r&b, jazz, blues, cabaret and pop styles forging a sound of its own - keyboard based and horn heavy(!). Staying prolific with an eclectic string of releases to his credit, his current release - SNAKE OIL ELIXIR - is his first as a solo artist. SCOTT regularly performs his songs solo, as well as with his group THE CARNEVEL KINGS, and is a member of Mod/Powerpop sensation THE NEW FIDELITY. VENT PROD. is his banner for all things creative. His DO YOUR WORST! RECORDS music catalog is available for TV/Flim licensing via THE DB COLLECTIVE.
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SNAKE OIL ELIXIR REVIEWS:
This dank, musky piano blues album is calloused but persistent, resonant and ripe with imagery. Calling upon the bourbon soaked juke joints of yesteryear for its foundations, you can almost smell the tobacco smoke that floats from these beautifully crafted sullen melodies. Straddling a piano but also emphasizing horns that lend a tender element to offset the surly vocals and baroque percussion, the songs are ripe with feeling, sifting through a cloudy room and desperately seeking for a kind ear. Short but sweet, the compositions make a point and then fade to black, maintaining an even keel that provides smooth transition from one lyrically whip-smart offering to the next. The feel of these songs can't be understated; while it's hard enough to write an honest melody, it's all the more impressive when a track can evoke a different time or place. For those who fancy Tom Waits but don't mind a little Randy Newman on the side, this is an album that won't disappoint. - CD BABY
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**** - 4 STARS. Former Helmut Stein Experience keyboardist R. Scott presumably sent in the 10-song disc for a review, but unfortunately, what he's getting instead is some free advice. Dear Scott, as much as it pains me to say this, pack your bags and move to New Orleans already. Your music is far too good for any town that won't recognize it to it's fullest potential. I've been to the Crescent City (as I assume you have), and we both know it's where you belong. I thought your former band, the Helmut Stein Experience, was amazing and never quite got the props it's deserved. When I heard you went solo, I doubted your ability to top your previous group, but somehow you have. The opening title track is a killer romp through cabaret-influenced jazz, while your raspy vocals on "Calico Grey" and "Midnight Crawler" are begging to be sung in a dark club with moss growing through the cracks somewhere off Royal St. The swinging "Nawlins Bound" proves you know what I say is true, so make a break for it. Long Beach is surely going to miss you, but you owe it to yourself. Please send me a postcard when you get settled and let me crash on your couch next time I'm there. - Ryan Ritchie/THE PRESS TELEGRAM
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Anyone wondering whatever happened to the Helmut Stein Experience (winner of best Blues Band at the 2005 Orange County Music Awards) or Latin funk-mining OO Soul need not fear; singer-keyboardist Scott is back with his first solo project and it's a joy.
"Snake Oil Elixir" is a self-described "10-song cycle using music to reflect the American landscape." Influences ranging from New Orleans R&B and Randy Newman-styled pop are used to complete Scott's opus. Highlights include the Charlie Musselwhite-styled Mississippi blues of "Devil May Care" and infectious "Midnight Crawler." Robert Kinsler/THE OC REGISTER
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This cycle of songs is the creative forte by an original talent.
I don't have the vocabulary to write music reviews, so please bear with me as I do my first ever. The more I listen to Snake Oil Elixir the more I am taken in by its audacity and sustained burst of talent. There is a wonderful theatricality in the way the album opens and shifts themes, with the piano - or Scott's voice - always the lead actor. Dialoguing with sax and harmonica rifts, that voice and piano delve into raunchy blues, delta swing, ragtime jazz, mini-ballads that may remind you of Newman or Waits, funky beats a la Dr John. Yes there are more than a few traditions in this album, but Scott braids them together, makes them his own, and propels them several steps ahead. I get the impression that the many solid musicians on this album - often made to shine in Scott's previous work - rallied around this effort to return the favor, cause he sure does shine. My favorite albums are always the ones that get better each time I play them. Thanks, Scott. - Machi via CD BABY page
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A BOURBON STRETT HEADLINER
author: Chip Hiebler (via CD Baby)
Well maybe not yet, but R. Scott sure should be. Since breaking away from the Helmut Stein Experience, Scott has had the chance to develop and improve his musical style. He is reminiscent of the blues greats that have proceeded him in the Crescent City. Scott, if you're listening, cut a new CD and pack your bags for New Orleans and get famous!
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You should create your own MySpace Layouts like me by using nUCLEArcENTURy.COM's MySpace Profile Editor!
Thanks for accepting Psychic Lovers' cyber friendship! (You were the 3rd invitee to say "yes!" What a thrill. Why do I feel like a cheap whore? Um, just so the world knows, four people have access to the PL profile ... so, which one of us is using the words, 'cheap whore?" This is awful! See you Saturday at diPiazza's. )
Thanks for the add at MySpace! I'm one of the founders of Musync a San Francisco based online music licensing company. We've licensed tracks to Microsoft (XBOX), Google, Esurance, Honda, Adidas and more. Our goal is to become the largest site of this type; so if you know any good artists who would like to expose their music to our clients and hopefully earn some "found money", we can get them involved with a non-exclusive contract and help them, our clients, and Musync.
Hey, Me and my bassist (Kevin) are hosting and open Mike night at Venice Bistro on Wednesdays 5:30-10pm. It's right on the Venice boardwalk and our 1st one is this Wed April 16th. Why don't you and anyone else come on down and play a few songs (originals or covers)? We have PA, electric piano, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, and mikes. This is going to be a forum for musicians to network with other local musicians and give/sell cd's. Should be lots of fun. Contact me if you have any questions.
Damn, man, you're working every night. What an inspiration! Your myspace page is finicky as hell though...took forever to get it to stop long enough to comment! Hope we rock together again VERY soon.
hola my friendddddd;)how r u ??i hope u fine and enjoy all time;) long time no see, and long time didn't update my art to show u;) anyway just stopin by my new design.u can see more at my page and my blog don't miss picture of my art show i hope my art will not distrub u page and hope u don't be mind to see it thanx alot for support my art and thanx alot of for connection;) keep in touch and have anice dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yeah! ur friend from another side of world;)))))) keep in touch. spanky ps.u can see my exhition pic at my blog on my page.
