“Rock-a-Folk-a-billy-Reggae-Pop” singer/songwriter Gary Knox has the edge of the street and the warmth of the heart with great players that are hard-rocking & gently rollin’! The newly released CD from Gary Knox and the Streethearts called “Big Dreams, Empty Pockets, Broken Heart,” features songs that are impressions of the many colors of Knox’s lifetime palette.
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Singer/songwriter from NYC a...nd Woodstock, Gary Knox has been keeping the dream alive in cabarets, cafés, and rock clubs for many years. He has had two recording contracts on subsidiaries of major labels Atlantic and RCA Records. He is also distributed on Revenge Records in Europe and Get Hip Records in America.As owner, engineer/producer of Batcave Recording, Gary Knox has recorded and played on the CDs of some of the most famous and infamous musical characters of the music scene. He co-authored and performed on the recently published “The Everything Harmonica Book and CD” from Adams Media. He also recorded and performed for the “Songwriting Success” book and CD.
Along with Gary Knox on vocals, acoustic guitar, and harmonica, The Streethearts include, Nick Balaban on piano, organ, synth, and background vocals, Mike Guba on drums and some great guest musicians. This album was performed, produced, arranged, recorded and mixed by Gary, Nick, Mike along with Lou Holtzman of Eastside Sound and Peter Robbins.
In the course of their individual careers, the band members have played or recorded with artists such as Ray Charles, John Cale, Macy Gray, Patti LaBelle, The Persuasions, Culture, David Murray, Phoebe Snow, Percy Sledge, David Peel, Randy Travis, Toni Braxton, and others. (For this album, guest musicians are noted in each of the song’s notes.)
The album’s “You’re Not The First” is featured in the soundtrack of the new Bruce Beresford-directed film, “Peace, Love & Misunderstanding” starring Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener and premièring on the opening night at the 12th Annual Woodstock Film Festival in September, 2011.
ALBUM NOTES
“Big Dreams, Empty Pockets, Broken Heart” (title track)
This New Orleans-style modern American anthem is a reaction to Jiminy Cricket who told us that all we had to do was wish upon a star to make our dreams come true. In the great cosmic Chinese restaurant, I cracked open my fortune cookie and it read, “Big Dreams, Empty Pockets, Broken Heart.” It features electric guitar by Dan Hovey and standout piano from Streetheart Nick Balaban.
“You’re Not The First” (in the “Peace, Love & Misunderstanding” film soundtrack)
The dream reaction that every guy has to a romantic breakup: “They'll all come back once they realize what they've lost.” Streetheart Nick Balaban arranged the horn section, which includes Walter Hawkes on trombone, Dan Levinson on clarinet and Jon-Eric Kellso on trumpet. Walter Hawkes also plays ukelele, and John Wachter is on electric lead. This song has been included in the soundtrack of the movie “Peace, Love & Misunderstanding” starring Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener and directed by Bruce Beresford.
“Face To Face (With the Human Race)”
Every time we turn on the news we find ourselves constantly amazed at man's inhumanity to man. And yet, through all that alienation, in the end we come to see that we’re all connected and must make the best of it. All this, a rockabilly beat, and the killer guitar of Dan Hovey.
“Rockin’ On The Razor's Edge”
A little bit of anger and a little bit of hope... Harmony through the primal scream. Quite a balancing act, singing and playing on that razor blade.
“Fantasy Street”
Song of the mighty dreamers... Features the mandolin of Barry Mitterhoff.
“Ghost Train”
Come for a ride on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Railroad where you forever keep groovin’ along into the great beyond. Features the ghostly bass of Jay Spero, the phantasmic harmonica of Blake Brocksmith, and Jon Diamond’s electrifying guitar.
“Scufflin’”
Tells the story of the romantic love-hate relationship the artist has with choosing the musician’s life. We're cursed with the blessing and blessed with the curse—nothing could be better and nothing could be worse. I always open with it when I play live. It features Barry Mitterhoff on mandolin and John Putnam playing John Amato’s pedal-steel arrangement. Peter Robbins is on bass.
“Whoever Are You?”
I was all alone on a Wednesday in an abandoned loft on West Broadway when the shadows first showed themselves to me. This song was my question to them. They are still answering. All that and a reggae beat with Jay Spero’s bass and John Wachter’s electric guitar.
“Open Heart, Open Road, Open Hand”
This song is really about a state of mind that allowed my friends and I to hit the highway and learn the great lessons of the road. Every line tells of a true experience. And to think, I might have never left the Bronx! Featuring the pedal steel of John Putnam, and Mike Rubin on those baritone guitar fills.
“Night Vision”
Where our hero learns how to see in the dark and make friends with all its famous monsters. Jon Diamond plays monstrous guitar.
“Every Heart Needs A Home”
Obviously, the homeless problem grows in direct proportion to man’s lack of compassion for his common man and must be addressed now more than ever. I got the title from a potholder that read: “Home is Where The Heart Is.” In true John Lennon wordplay, I switched the words around and created something new. Dan Hovey plays swampy slide guitar.
“Night Café”
I wrote this one while having a magical connection with Vincent Van Gogh’s painting of the same name. My guitar and I sat down at one of the tables in the painting and didn't come out until I had this song. Its lyrics are also inspired by the years I spent playing as an opening act at “The Improvisation” with my pal Matthew Auerbach. Once again John Putnam is playing a John Amato pedal steel arrangement with Peter Robbins on bass.
“Let me call you Streetheart, I'm in love with you.”
