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BREAKING THRU
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The Riflebirds of Portland (from the album April available on Regional Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
Returning with an album long-in-line for a proper release, The Riflebirds of Portland present April. Restored and reimagined via the studio production wizardry of Marvin Etzioni (solo, Lone Justice, Thee Holy Brothers), the album, previously available as a 1989 cassette release. The cult favorite recording is given a new life on Regional Records, revisiting a shimmery pre-Americana that is the soundtrack for the reissue. April drifts on fractional rhythms for the subtle seductions in “Might as Well Stay”, addressing a song for “Michael” on a gauzy melody as The Riflebirds of Portland stride down “Memory Street” on tough-to-break beat and march on staccato steps though “After Today”.
The release of their 1989 wish-list cassette-only album sparked The Riflebirds of Portland, and a new album will be available in 2027. An alternative mix of “Dreaming of a Kiss” cruises on distorted guitar notes and a determined rhythm as The Riflebirds of Portland wander on a steady beat to match the fall of “The Rain” and give The Beatles’ “And Your Bird Can Sing” a hefty backing and a whole lot of jangle. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to The Riflebirds of Portland on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on The Riflebirds of Portland website
Pressgang Mutiny (from the album Departure available as a self-release) (by Danny McCloskey)
A rumble of rhythms support the call and response voices singing the praises of “Santiana” as “Reuben Ranzo” gets a sailor’s shout-out while music drifts “Round the Bay of Mexico”. The South of the Border shantys found on Departure come courtesy of Toronto’s Pressgang Mutiny. A raucous sea-faring song opens the album with “Old Mick” as the vocals of Pressgang Mutiny set the standard for Departure. A tangle of notes flicker and flutter for “Haul Away Joe” as Pressgang Mutiny sing of “Yankee John Stormalong”; sailing the Caribbean on the sway of rising and falling waves with “Down Trinidad”. Departure sends out songs to “Sally Rackett” on an island rhythm and issues a warning for Maggie May as Pressgang Mutiny shout out for love in “Roll Boys Roll” before exiting the album on the rhythmic sway of “Rio Grande”. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to Pressgang Mutiny on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on the Pressgang Mutiny website
Rick Vito (from the album Slidemaster available on) (by Danny McCloskey)
Roots music and the Blues have been a key ingredient for Rick Vito’s playing. During his term with Fleetwood Mac, the guitarist returned the band to their Peter Green-era soundscapes, continuing his mastery of the genres when the group split and Rick joined drummer Mick Fleetwood in Mick Fleetwood Blues Band featuring Rick Vito. Throughout the years, Rick Vito has lent his unique playing to recordings by Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Albert Collins, Little Richard, Dolly Parton, Stevie Nicks, Todd Rundgren, Boz Scaggs, and many, many others.
He has released a solo instrumental recording, Slidemaster, that showcases the subtle stylings of Rick Vito. The ethereal sound of electric slide guitar wraps comfortably around Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” as he resurrects a Peter Green composition (“Albatross”), written and recorded during Green’s tenure with Fleetwood Mac. A deep rumble guides Rick Vito’s guitar across “Soul Shadows” as the rhythms bounce on an original tune from the guitarist, “Vegas Jump”. The rhythms sway and swoon when Slidemaster sends out an instrumentally created love letter addressed to “Red Hot Baby” as Rick Vito enters “The Danger Zone” on a misty late-night noir groove, rolling rhythms to conjure “The Supernatural” and floating on sparkling guitar notes as he cruises the “River of Blues”. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to Rick Vito on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on Rick Vito website
Mike Finnigan (from the album Mike Finnigan available on Forty Below Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
On the recently self-titled release, piano man Mike Finnigan taps a dose of the Blues into his version of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles “The Way You Do the Things You Do” as he claims “She’s Not Just Another Woman” on a rattling rhythm. A slow stroll follows a hearty backbeat across “20 Years of B.B King” while a mighty groove supports the realization of “My Credit Didn’t Go Through”. Mike Finnigan will be the last album from the musician who was working on the release when he passed away. A go-to Hammond B-3 player, Mike Finnigan can be heard backing top shelf artists; he is on Jimi Hendrix’ Electric Ladyland as well as albums by Stephen Stills, CSNY, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, and many more. Rock’n’Soul shakes, rattles, and rolls the finger-pointing of “Let the Liar Alone” as “Fool for You” slows the beat when Mike Finnigan bares his Soul in “Fool for You”. He is joined by Stephen Stills and Chris Stills on a version of Little Feat’s “All That You Dream” while Mike Finnigan exits the album on the simmering Soul salvation of Merle Haggard’s “Sing Me Back Home”. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to Mike Finnigan on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on the Mike Finnigan website
The Taproots (from the album Comedy of Fools available on Thomas Paul Walters Music) (by Danny McCloskey)
A touch of the Mediterranean is brought into the European fantasies of “Silly Dreams” as a determined strut relates a tale of Mardi Gras down “Bourbon Street” and a revolving rhythm wraps around “Shine”. The songs are part of Comedy of Fools, the recent release from The Taproots. From the California coast, The Taproots spin a brand of West Coast Americana dosed with Rock’n’Roll. At the heart of The Taproots is the musical pairing of multi-instrumentalist Tom Walters as he weaves his own voice with the vocal prowess of Nicole Cassingham. On a rhythmic bounce, The Taproots tell the tale of “Every Child”, delivering a tune about “Monterey” on a misty beat that matches the coastal fog seeping in from the sea as Solid Ground doses “I Don’t Believe” with Reggae rhythms and delivers its title track on acoustic strums and a thick backbeat. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to The Taproots on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on The Taproots website
Ben Brandt (from the album Solid Ground available on Katalex Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
Pounding Rock’n’Roll barrels into Solid Ground on the title track, the album presenting the latest release from guitarman Ben Brandt. Channeling the Blues Rock of the 1970’s, Solid Groundrecreates the hard driving sound of the era. Ben Brandt is “Burning Bridges” on a Funky groove as he hammers out a rhythm in “Fine Line” and lends a powerful beat to support his take on The Who’s “The Seeker”. A hefty backbeat grounds the story in “Under the Weight of Us” while “Little Something” stretches the Blues. Produced by J.D. Simo, Solid Ground is the debut album for Ben Brandt. The release revisits the instrumental “Matthews Tire” with a Part 1, Part, 2, and Part 3 before the chime of guitar chords as Ben Brandt exits the album with “Scramblin’ (The Well)”. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to Ben Brandt on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on Ben Brandt website
Returning with an album long-in-line for a proper release, The Riflebirds of Portland present April. Restored and reimagined via the studio production wizardry of Marvin Etzioni (solo, Lone Justice, Thee Holy Brothers), the album, previously available as a 1989 cassette release. The cult favorite recording is given a new life on Regional Records, revisiting a shimmery pre-Americana that is the soundtrack for the reissue. April drifts on fractional rhythms for the subtle seductions in “Might as Well Stay”, addressing a song for “Michael” on a gauzy melody as The Riflebirds of Portland stride down “Memory Street” on tough-to-break beat and march on staccato steps though “After Today”.
The release of their 1989 wish-list cassette-only album sparked The Riflebirds of Portland, and a new album will be available in 2027. An alternative mix of “Dreaming of a Kiss” cruises on distorted guitar notes and a determined rhythm as The Riflebirds of Portland wander on a steady beat to match the fall of “The Rain” and give The Beatles’ “And Your Bird Can Sing” a hefty backing and a whole lot of jangle. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to The Riflebirds of Portland on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on The Riflebirds of Portland website
Pressgang Mutiny (from the album Departure available as a self-release) (by Danny McCloskey)
A rumble of rhythms support the call and response voices singing the praises of “Santiana” as “Reuben Ranzo” gets a sailor’s shout-out while music drifts “Round the Bay of Mexico”. The South of the Border shantys found on Departure come courtesy of Toronto’s Pressgang Mutiny. A raucous sea-faring song opens the album with “Old Mick” as the vocals of Pressgang Mutiny set the standard for Departure. A tangle of notes flicker and flutter for “Haul Away Joe” as Pressgang Mutiny sing of “Yankee John Stormalong”; sailing the Caribbean on the sway of rising and falling waves with “Down Trinidad”. Departure sends out songs to “Sally Rackett” on an island rhythm and issues a warning for Maggie May as Pressgang Mutiny shout out for love in “Roll Boys Roll” before exiting the album on the rhythmic sway of “Rio Grande”. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to Pressgang Mutiny on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on the Pressgang Mutiny website
Rick Vito (from the album Slidemaster available on) (by Danny McCloskey)
Roots music and the Blues have been a key ingredient for Rick Vito’s playing. During his term with Fleetwood Mac, the guitarist returned the band to their Peter Green-era soundscapes, continuing his mastery of the genres when the group split and Rick joined drummer Mick Fleetwood in Mick Fleetwood Blues Band featuring Rick Vito. Throughout the years, Rick Vito has lent his unique playing to recordings by Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Albert Collins, Little Richard, Dolly Parton, Stevie Nicks, Todd Rundgren, Boz Scaggs, and many, many others.
He has released a solo instrumental recording, Slidemaster, that showcases the subtle stylings of Rick Vito. The ethereal sound of electric slide guitar wraps comfortably around Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” as he resurrects a Peter Green composition (“Albatross”), written and recorded during Green’s tenure with Fleetwood Mac. A deep rumble guides Rick Vito’s guitar across “Soul Shadows” as the rhythms bounce on an original tune from the guitarist, “Vegas Jump”. The rhythms sway and swoon when Slidemaster sends out an instrumentally created love letter addressed to “Red Hot Baby” as Rick Vito enters “The Danger Zone” on a misty late-night noir groove, rolling rhythms to conjure “The Supernatural” and floating on sparkling guitar notes as he cruises the “River of Blues”. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to Rick Vito on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on Rick Vito website
Mike Finnigan (from the album Mike Finnigan available on Forty Below Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
On the recently self-titled release, piano man Mike Finnigan taps a dose of the Blues into his version of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles “The Way You Do the Things You Do” as he claims “She’s Not Just Another Woman” on a rattling rhythm. A slow stroll follows a hearty backbeat across “20 Years of B.B King” while a mighty groove supports the realization of “My Credit Didn’t Go Through”. Mike Finnigan will be the last album from the musician who was working on the release when he passed away. A go-to Hammond B-3 player, Mike Finnigan can be heard backing top shelf artists; he is on Jimi Hendrix’ Electric Ladyland as well as albums by Stephen Stills, CSNY, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, and many more. Rock’n’Soul shakes, rattles, and rolls the finger-pointing of “Let the Liar Alone” as “Fool for You” slows the beat when Mike Finnigan bares his Soul in “Fool for You”. He is joined by Stephen Stills and Chris Stills on a version of Little Feat’s “All That You Dream” while Mike Finnigan exits the album on the simmering Soul salvation of Merle Haggard’s “Sing Me Back Home”. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to Mike Finnigan on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on the Mike Finnigan website
The Taproots (from the album Comedy of Fools available on Thomas Paul Walters Music) (by Danny McCloskey)
A touch of the Mediterranean is brought into the European fantasies of “Silly Dreams” as a determined strut relates a tale of Mardi Gras down “Bourbon Street” and a revolving rhythm wraps around “Shine”. The songs are part of Comedy of Fools, the recent release from The Taproots. From the California coast, The Taproots spin a brand of West Coast Americana dosed with Rock’n’Roll. At the heart of The Taproots is the musical pairing of multi-instrumentalist Tom Walters as he weaves his own voice with the vocal prowess of Nicole Cassingham. On a rhythmic bounce, The Taproots tell the tale of “Every Child”, delivering a tune about “Monterey” on a misty beat that matches the coastal fog seeping in from the sea as Solid Ground doses “I Don’t Believe” with Reggae rhythms and delivers its title track on acoustic strums and a thick backbeat. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to The Taproots on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on The Taproots website
Ben Brandt (from the album Solid Ground available on Katalex Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
Pounding Rock’n’Roll barrels into Solid Ground on the title track, the album presenting the latest release from guitarman Ben Brandt. Channeling the Blues Rock of the 1970’s, Solid Groundrecreates the hard driving sound of the era. Ben Brandt is “Burning Bridges” on a Funky groove as he hammers out a rhythm in “Fine Line” and lends a powerful beat to support his take on The Who’s “The Seeker”. A hefty backbeat grounds the story in “Under the Weight of Us” while “Little Something” stretches the Blues. Produced by J.D. Simo, Solid Ground is the debut album for Ben Brandt. The release revisits the instrumental “Matthews Tire” with a Part 1, Part, 2, and Part 3 before the chime of guitar chords as Ben Brandt exits the album with “Scramblin’ (The Well)”. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen to Ben Brandt on the Breaking Thru Spotify playlist
Find more information and purchase options on Ben Brandt website
