Michael Bonanno
War And Other Love Songs
© 2006 Michael Bonanno (634479447075)
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Political Rock, Sixties Rock, Folk Rock
tracks
- 1 What's Happening
- 2 I'm Sorry
- 3 Dig Your Grave Kid
- 4 Visions Of New England (Fill My Head)
- 5 Disdain
- 6 Fantastic Mouse
- 7 Last Night (Was A Very Good Night For Love)
- 8 Strong People
- 9 Disguise
- 10 What The President Say
- 11 To A Dream
- 12 If It Was Blue
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albums you will love
- MICHAEL BONANNO: Lights Over The Bar
- MICHAEL BONANNO: LIFE; THE MUSICAL
- MICHAEL BONANNO: Flameland
- MICHAEL BONANNO: Left Where I Write On
- MICHAEL BONANNO & FRIENDS: From The Heart
genres you will love
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notes
Michael’s produced another album in which he provides all of the voices and most of the instrumentation.
The only song on War And Other Love Songs in which there is another artist is the last song, “If It Was Blue”. Clay January plays flawlessly on “If It Was Blue”, a song that features Michael’s voice, his acoustic guitar and, of course, Clay’s flute. If you like songs with obscure rhythms and if you like acoustic jazz, you’ll like “If It Was Blue”.
As the title implies, War And Other Love Songs mixes Michael’s passion for social justice with his, well, his passion. Songs on War And Other Love Songs either speak to social justice (or social injustice), love between two people or other, slightly more cryptic subject matter. “If It Was Blue” is the only song on the CD which Michael lets the listener decide where it belongs (if anywhere).
WAR:
“What’s Happening” really has nothing to do with the famous sixties lingo. Instead, it truly asks “what’s happening?” What are the leaders of America thinking? Are they even thinking? Can they “get a hold of their minds”, to quote a line from the song.
Contrasting musical intensity in “What’s Happening” covers the sadness as well as the frustration of what The Former United States of America is going through today.
Utah Philips “The Violence Within” inspired “Dig Your Grave Kid”. We often hear the phrase “Support the troops”. However, if there were no troops, if people refused to put themselves in death’s way and refused to kill others on the word of people in high places, could there ever be any war? Think about it.
Also, like Philips, Michael keeps “Dig Your Grave Kid” simple, using acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, tambourine and three part harmony. The harmony in “Dig Your Grave Kid” is more evidence of Michael’s ownership of music. Don’t forget, it’s all Michael.
“Strong People” was written in 1969 in protest to the Vietnam War. “Strong People” contains some dark humor, using Dubya’s own unique speaking style. The falsetto lead vocal adds a bit to the humor and is reminiscent of some of Mick Jagger’s falsetto efforts. You can take that anyway you’d like.
The music? It’s sixties rock.
“What The President Say” is Michael’s third, but probably his best venture into the world of Reggae.
Lyrically, more humor at the expense of Dubya. Again, though, when we think of what the lyrics, although funny at face value, really say, it’s sad that we could have allowed such a man to make a mockery of American leadership. For Michael, the last verse is the scariest of all.
“What The President Say” is abounding with steel drums, marimba and that one measure rhythm guitar unique to Reggae.
The harmony will bring you to the Islands, mahn, even if the attempted Jamaican accent doesn’t.
Other:
There are songs on “War And Other Love Songs” which talk about some of the trials and tribulations of life that are neither based upon war or romantic affairs.
For example, while “Disdain” talks about the need for discrimination and exclusivity that makes some people feel superior to others, “Fantastic Mouse”, based upon a woman Michael met in college, talks about the fear of relationships and loneliness. In any case, the two songs talk about the unwillingness to give others a chance.
“Disdain’s” minor key emphasizes the hate shown by the offenders. The addition of a banjo merely serves to push that envelope even further.
On the other hand, “Fantastic Mouse” is much more musically simple, yet a minor chord brings appropriate sadness to the song.
People have said that they play “Fantastic Mouse” for their kids. Those that feel that this is appropriate should understand that “Fantastic Mouse” is not only about loneliness, but the result of the loneliness, suicide.
“Disguise” and “To A Dream” also share a similar message. They are both about people hiding behind false fronts so that they don’t have to face reality. The only difference is the kind of hiding that’s done in each song.
Michael is proud of his production of the title song on his CD “Flameland”.
However, he may equal that production quality in “Disguise” and “To A Dream”.
At the end of “Disguise”, there is literally ten part harmony, albeit “in the round”, so to speak. That’s Michael’s voice ten times over. No small accomplishment.
Michael uses effects in “To A Dream” to give it that, well, that dreamy feel.
Love Songs:
Finally, there are three love songs on War And Other Love Songs.
While the productions of “Flameland”, “Disguise” and “To A Dream” are excellent, “I’m Sorry” is not far behind. The inclusion of tympanis, crash cymbals, brass, strings and a choir sweeten “I’m Sorry” and bring out its intrinsic poignancy.
“Visions Of New England (Fill My Head)” should in no way be confused with the song with a similar title by Barry Manilow. Michael Bonanno was raised and born in Connecticut (not necessarily in that order) and lived in New England for most of his life. Michael knows New England
“Visions Of New England (Fill My Head)” crescendos through its four verses using the addition of various rhythmic changes, instruments and levels of harmony. Always willing to experiment, the addition of a glockenspiel in the last verse adds a lot to the crescendo effect.
“Last Night” (Was A Very Good Night For Love)” is the first song on War And Other Love Songs to utilize the flute. Inspired by Donovan Leitch’s “Colours”, “Last Night” (Was A Very Good Night For Love)” is a happy, hopeful song made fuller by four part harmony in the last verse. The acoustic guitar is utilized perfectly.
The electivity of War And Other Love Songs ensures that it contains something good for everyone. Michael’s fourth album is well worth the price of purchase.
War And Other Love Songs, along with Flameland, LIFE; THE MUSIC and Left Where I Write On will no doubt drive Michael Bonanno and his music onto the national scene. It’s music that appeals to people who like variety and who just plain likes music.