Bobby Pennock
10,000 Stories
© 2008 Robert H. Pennock III (649288346723)
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Sounds like what would happen if James Taylor had lunch w/ The Beach Boys, The Beatles stopped by, and they all drank w/ Pink Floyd.
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Originally from the North Coast of Ohio, singer/songwriter Bobby Pennock now makes his home in SE Michigan near Detroit. Inspired by the sounds of The Beatles, Bobby began writing songs in earnest while a student at Ohio University. He also performed in a popular band while in college. Musical ties started then continue to this day. Fellow band-mates from his days in Athens, Mike Manley and Danny Hess, provide the rhythm section for his new CD “10,000 Stories.”
Bobby has been influenced by countless songwriters over the years, yet he developed a songwriting style that, while showing hints of his musical influences, remains unique.
Here are Bobby’s thoughts on the new CD via a Q & A session:
Q: What’s with the bird at the beginning of the record?
Bobby: There was this beautiful little house finch that used to sit on the electric wires that run through the alley behind Pac 3 (the studio used for most of the recording). He would sit there and sing whenever I took a break for some fresh air. It was a beautiful song. I thought he deserved to be on the record. He was paid in sunflower seeds. My sons and I are avid birders, so I thought it would be great to include a bird somehow.
Q: Why is the song list divided into two books?
Bobby: Well, I started out with the intent of making a 40 minute record. However, when the last note was recorded, it had grown to over 70 minutes—in essence, a two record set. So I decided to give the listener a chance to listen to it as such. There’s even an intermission courtesy of an electronic whale provided by mix engineer Robert Becker. It was quite easy for me to sequence it in this way, and I think it works.
Q: I understand your sons are on the record.
Bobby: That’s not a question. They are on the record and they aren’t. Sam, the youngest, can be heard playing drums and giggling at the end of “Round Peg.” Isaac, the oldest, while not heard on the record, did help me write “How Far Can I Walk.” In fact, the song was his idea.
Q: Is it true that you use bad language in a couple of songs?
Bobby: That's true. This CD is NOT for children. Three of the 15 songs have adult language in the form of one or two naughty words. There are only two naughty words sung altogether, and one is repeated a few times. No, it's not THAT word.
Q: Did any old friends join you on this project? That’s a question!
Bobby: Yes! Three friends from my college days are all over the record. Two, Mike Manley and Danny Hess, played bass and drums, respectively, on all songs but one. And on that one song, Mike actually played the drums. Well, he programmed the drums. The three of us were in a band together at Ohio University. Mike and Danny are my brothers. Both of them are playing better now than they ever have. I am in awe of their talent.
The other old friend is Patrick Kilcoyne. Patrick and I met in college and started writing songs and playing together then. Patrick is about as genuine and talented a person as you’ll ever find. He taught me how to be a better guitar player and a better songwriter. I taught him how to be a better ballroom dancer. His guitar playing inspires me. Listen to “And I Know Why.” It gives me chills.
I have some newer friends on the CD, too. My current band-mates (from The Pennock Stephens Project) Mike Stephens and Terry Birkett are on a few tracks. Terry provides some brilliant guitar work—both acoustic and electric, and Mike provides a little spoken word (very little) and shakes a mean sleigh bell on “In Time.” Then there’s Jez Graham who added some mighty sweet and some mighty rocking keyboard parts. His kindness and generosity mean a lot to me. Plus, the cat is incredibly talented! Co-producer Mark Meisel made a couple of tasty instrumental contributions, too.
Q: Is it true there’s a bizarre synth solo in the middle of “When You’re Not Queen?”
Bobby: Yes. But I don’t think it’s bizarre. By the way, son # 1 suggested the synth voice for part of the solo.
Q: What does the title refer to?
Bobby: You’ll have to listen to the entire CD to find out.
Q: Why do you refer to it both as a record and a CD?
Bobby: Well, the CD is a record. You know?
Q: I know you took many years off from performing, is that still the case?
Bobby: No. About two years ago, a singer/songwriter from the Detroit area named Chris White contacted me via my Myspace page and invited me to perform at an Open Mic he was hosting. For some reason I accepted. I’ve been playing out ever since—first solo and then as part of The Pennock Stephens Project. The PSP consists of me, brilliant (truly) singer/songwriter Mike Stephens, and the incredible Terry Birkett on stringed things. It’s a pleasure playing with them. I am able to sneak in a solo gig upon occasion.
Q: Getting back to the new CD/record, did you do the artwork?
Bobby: No. The art and layout were both done by my good and patient friend David Kay of Decadent Design. He must have produced 10 or more different concepts for the album. While I am not a difficult person to work with, I am picky. The final product looks much better than I envisioned and that’s because of David. Please call him for your CD art and layout needs. We spent a day in blustery, cold downtown Cleveland last November on a photo shoot and none of the pics were used. Well, maybe one. Did I say David was patient? Well, it’s true. And he’s talented beyond the visual arts. He’s a great songwriter and performer, as well.
Q: Who were you influenced by, musically speaking?
Bobby: Mainly, The Beatles. They are still the bees’s knees for me. Their friendly rivals from the ‘60s, The Beach Boys, became an influence after I heard “Heroes and Villains” for the first time. I remember that day like people remember where they were when JFK was killed. Brian Wilson is a an amazing talent. But then I also love Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn, Richard Thompson, Cliff Edwards, Stan Kenton, Patty Larkin, Suzanne Vega, Crosby, Still, & Nash, and many, many more.
Q: Anything else you want to say about the new release?
Bobby: Buy it. In fact, buy two. Or three. Or four.
Q: Final thoughts?
Bobby: Yes, I think you look lovely in red sequin.
reviews
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Awesome!
author: JaneI absolutely LOVE this CD! Bobby Pennock's CD reminds me of Matthew Sweet's "In Reverse" which I can never hear enough of. It's mellow, it's rock, it's everything on one CD - he really gave us the entire package. And who is this Danny Hess? What a phenomenal drummer! Gifted guy ... he'll go far!
coincidence ? I think not.
author: westcoast playerCoincidence? Last weekend I was over at R. Starkey's house having lunch with James Taylor and Al Jardine. Later that afternoon Pink Floyd stopped by with Gordon Lightfoot and a bottle of wine. They asked if we had any David Crosby music. We put on the Pennock CD instead and everyone enjoyed it.
Song Birds, Whale Songs, and Ukuleles...
author: Mark...are not heard on many albums, but you'll find them all here. You also hear sleigh bells, a kalimba, a dobro, a tuba, a harpischord, and of course the usual suspects; guitar, bass, drums, piano. This record is RICH in sounds and substance, and gets more interesting with subsequent listens. Bobby Pennock has done something very refreshing here - a 15 song album and all the songs are like snowflakes: unique. Nowadays most albums are basically the same song repeated 13 times, but not this record. Each song has a different vibe completely, but the album manages to be cohesive and consistently interesting. All the performances from the army of musicians are strong, vocals are spot on and loaded with great harmonies, but it's the songs themselves that really stand out with their clever turns of phrase and a certain amount of wry wit. This is no light weight undertaking and Mr. Pennock should be very proud of his accomplishment. He'll be more proud if you buy it, and I'll be proud if you buy it based on this clumsy review.
10,000 Stories
author: Anne from OhioI just love this CD. I have heard Bobby live and was very pleased to hear this CD - he was able to bring more depth to his music. My favorite songs are IN TIME, followed by SIREN'S SONG, AND DEAR I. And I especially like that cute little drummer boy at the end of track 12 ROUND PEG IN A SQUARE WORLD. I have listened to this CD pretty much continously for the last 4 days and hear something new every time. Very original and great sound. Fun and sometimes soothing. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in something new and different. Keep the music coming.