MR.E(SONGWRITER) AND THE TOTALLY OBSCURE BAND: the huddled

Mr.E(songwriter) and the Totally Obscure band

the huddled

© 2002 michael j ryan (634479687426)

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eclectic mix of rock,country,folk, blues

tracks

1 Far Away
2 Truck Driver Song
3 Strange World
4 Vote For Me
5 Mourn For The City
6 Rap City N Blue
7 Diner Song
8 Freight Train
9 Elohim

notes

someone told me what we do is Americana , well
thats alright with me"....Mr.E(songwriter)

"out of all of life's Mr.E's , there is only one mystery(songwriter)"

"A mystery is something which we know that it is ,
we just don't know how it is".....unknown

june 15th 2006 Northeast In-Tune magazine
With music ranging the entire musical gamut, from Country and western to Alternative, Mr. E (songwriter) and the totally obscure band have achieved what very few bands have ever attempted. With seven albums in their repertoire their success is obvious. They have preformed in numerous venues and achieved many accommodations including three ASCAP Plus Awards for the 2004/2005 period for domestic writers. Their unique Dylan-esque vocals and beautiful music make for a unique blend of composition.
In “Christmas Time” the joy of one day’s effect on people and the world as a whole is rejoiced in tender loving lyrics. “Ever been lonely” is a bluesy heartbreak song with fabulous harmonica and guitar riffs. “It’s all about me” has a country flavor with a little blues background to flavor the narcissistic lyrics. “Mourn for the City” is reminiscent of some of U2’s sad introspection about the human condition. The variety of genres that Mr. E (Songwriter) and the totally obscure band touch on makes their music unique and definitive.
Though little is know about the individual members of Mr. E (Gregg Christiansen; guitars, keyboards, vocals, Michael Ryan; rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocals, Richard Ord; bass guitar, percussion and vocals, Rolfe Newton; drums and percussion) their musical value is obvious. Aside from the ASCAP Plus awards they have also achieved a tribute on www.EBANDS.com for their moving song “Winds of War” (a tribute to the soldiers over seas), and varied invitations to perform at multinational concerts. A stunning set of musical ambassadors destined for great things.
reviewed by Kathleen Sharkey Northeast In-Tune magazine june 15th 2006


Mr.E(songwriter)'s vacation song is now available as a ringtone at the bottom of his page at nashville north productions.com

All of Mr.E (songwriter) & the totally obscure bands songs have been digitized and are now available at your favorite digital download site ie: apple itunes
april 15,2006

Mr.E(songwriter) & the totally obscure band 's song "ever been lonely" gets honorable mention in 13th annual BILLBOARD WORLD SONG CONTEST 2005...
"This letter is to express our congratulations on your songs' success by placing in the Honorable Mention catagory. This is quite an accomplishment considering the quality of this years entries. You are obviously writing at a high level...."
Mark Furnas, director BILLBOARD SONG CONTEST


december2005
Mr. E (songwriter) has been receiving good news about his work of late, including a shout-out from Unsigned Music Magazine, with a possible appearance on an upcoming compilation, as well as winning a cash prize from the ASCAPlus Awards program. Congrats!
michelle picardo/freetime magazine/words and music


december2005
Mr.E(songwriter) & the totally obscure band's hit song "winds of war" is being featured on the musical christmas tribute to our troops page at ZBANDS.com (the only place where you can see a picture of the band)


Mr.E (songwriter) & the totally obscure (they're starting to play my music all over the place ie; broadjam ,xm radio etc. etc.


flash
november 4 2005


Mr.E (songwriter) & the totally obscure band are to be featured in the new style section of an upcoming edition of UNSIGNED music magazine

Upon returning from a whirlwind trip to perform at the POP MONTREAL 2005 international music fest Mr.E (songwriter) was pleasently surprized to find that he recieved his 3rd consecutive A.S.C.A.P.lu$ award for domestic writers for the period 2005/2006

Mr.E(songwriter)& the totally obscure band's hit song "vote for me" has as of nov. 01 2004 received the following awards from garageband.com review system...
Awards!
#12 Best Male Vocals in Modern Rock, all-time
#3 Best Lyrics in Modern Rock, all-time
#12 Best Melody in Modern Rock, all-time
#15 Best Mood in Modern Rock, all-time
#3 Most Original in Modern Rock, all-time
#1 Best Lyrics in Modern Rock, all-time
Best Male Vocals in Modern Rock, week of 1Nov2004
Best Guitars in Modern Rock, week of 1Nov2004
Best Production in Modern Rock, week of 1Nov2004
Best Lyrics in Modern Rock, week of 1Nov2004
Best Melody in Modern Rock, week of 1Nov2004
Most Original in Modern Rock, week of 1Nov2004
Chill-Out Track in Modern Rock, week of 1Nov2004

The theme of this new cd evolves around the subject of homelessness , the wailing saxaphone of Vince Lenzi underlines the mournfulness of the poor on the song "vote for me" , the direction of searing guitar work by Tony Martino on the song "far away" makes one feel that being homeless is never that far away from any of us. The anguished voice of singer Don Lichter , on "mourn for the city" expresses the pain and saddness which society puts in a box so it dosen't have to deal with it.
the song "Elohim" which is a hymn of entreaty was inspired by the book "the Bible"/psalms and was written for the NATIONAL PRAYER DAY

having made their debut performance in rochester at the highly acclaimed Park Avenue Festival 2003 Mr. E. has performed original songs for audiences all over the Finger Lakes and Greater Rochester. With over a 200 songs to his credit, Mr. E.'s music has been described as an eclectic blend of styles diverse as Rock, Country, Folk, Blues , Gregorian Chant, and even entering the world of Rap/Hip Hop on this cd with the seemingly strange theme of the song "rap city and blue" which was co written by Gregg Christiansen about the plight of the homeless, and works off of the novel Massacre at Wounded Knee "the trail of tears" which is about the american indians of the late 1800's , proving that the homeless are with us always , but however one labels his style, all agree that this is honest music.

When Mr. E. sings about the plight of the homeless in "Mourn For the City", we are convinced that this is personal...that he himself has lived the life of the homeless person. The song "mourn for the city" is inspired from the book "the Bible"/rev.18.

When he satorizes political speech in "Vote for Me," we smile because he gives voice to our own thoughts about the duplicitous speech of some politicians.

But social commentary is not all Mr. E. writes about. His lyrical subjects are as varied as the music. Therefore the listener is pleasantly surprised to hear heartfelt but intelligent love songs as well as songs about the ups and downs hauling an eighteen-wheeler across country, as in Mr. E.'s "Truck Driver's Song."

"Mr.E(songwriter)& he totally obscure band will make their debut performance on saturday june 22 at the ontario county arts council in canandaigua in a benefit concert for the open door mission of rochester ny. This is big news as this talented songwriter ,Mr.E has always kept a pretty low profile, making this show extra special as he also celebrates the release of his new self titled record. the
album is an inspired blend of country, rock and acoustic sounds that meld into some catchy tunes"...Michelle Picardo/freetime magazine/words and music

reviews

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  • cool song
    author: vote for me...

    Not Bad I LIKE THIS ALOT. Love Love Love the Saxophone and Lyrics and Arangement. It's like...You want to Vote, right? Grade: B- Extra Credit: Male Vocals, Melody, Mood. - Telephone_Poles Montville, New Jersey November 3rd, 2004

  • political speech
    author: vote for me...

    Cool stuff I dug the style and effort on this song. Sounds a lot like old Neil Young. If that style is your thing than it worked. I think the delay on teh vocals was kind of annoying, i think if it was just cleaned up and had better production it would be a lot better. Neat stuff though. - shelflyfe Springwater, New York November 2nd, 2004

  • great song
    author: vote for me...

    ok nice deep bass. distant guitar. drums sound nearly synthetic. maybe they are and not. this is like the shamen, filter, jane's addiction (80's) with a touch of nico & eno. it is okay, if not a little slow. it is a great groove. i am sure this would be wonderful "live." i think the guitar could use more feedback and less "room." the bass vs breakbeats part is pretty sloppy. some compression could fix that. these are really wonderful ideas, and i do hope you get the change to have these songs recording with a large budget. - theshells Ottawa, Ontario, Canada November 4th, 2004

  • more classics
    author: vote for me...

    more classics this song does have that beachy type sound but it also reminds me of like creedence clearwater revival and bob dylan. cool to hear a saxophone in their its sound was good and uplifting. the sax solo was awesome, even though im a metalhead primarily i enjoy all types of music and this song was a good change of pace. lyrics were good and portrayed the artists message nicely. overall arrangement was good everything flowed nicely. the only thing id say is production could be better and song could be a little more energetic other than that a pretty good song. Extra Credit: Originality. - anythingwrongx Valrico, Florida November 4th, 2004

  • awesome music
    author: vote for me...

    sweet saxxxxxxxxxx......... alittle of talking heads maybe, quirky & cool, i dig it alot, nice & short toooo... awesome job Extra Credit: Originality. - ericlives Spokane, Washington November 3rd, 2004

  • awesome music
    author: vote for me...

    Very Conscious Lyrics The sax is great, in that it accompanies and does not overwhelm, nice solo... very entrancing. The arrangement is fine just as it is. The lyrics are very modernly conscious, yet there should maybe be one more verse?... Too short, but everyone needs one short and sweet song on their album, now don't they? Overall good song. Extra Credit: Lyrics, Originality. - homebody Boca Grande, Florida October 28th, 2004

  • great tune
    author: vote for me...

    I hear where this is going I like the idea that you have here, and the music is good, the lyrics are decent,sax line is good and carries the tune.The arrangement is typical of this genre....but fits well.The only slightly negitive thing I hear is that the lead vocals go flat in a few spots...but that may be intensional...this is rock and roll after all...all in all good effort...good luck! - Rodgersdrummer Sonoma, California November 1st, 2004

  • good songs
    author: freight train

    Different! This song is very original a little different. The hook is solid like a Freight Train Outro was good! Reviewed by: Swagg from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

  • nice
    author: freight train

    what can i say .... man i love a train song, original vocals, guitar and drums lean to a cash influence Reviewed by: concreteyoda1 from Lawndale, North Carolina

  • greatest band i ever heard
    author: truck driver song

    Truck drivers life... love the hook! This is a really great sounding song, with a great mood, and melody to go with it. The beat during the intro is carred all throughout the song! The guitars.. the musicians that perform on them are very talented and they really compliment the song. The vocals are very well performed and the vocalist has lots of range, and emotion, and tons of expression... very well done. super arrangement, and I would not tweak a thing! Great solid and rocks all the way thru!!! Reviewed by: PCL from Stillwater, Oklahoma

  • nice
    author: truck driver song

    That Sweet Talkin' Honey at the Truck Stop . . . Nice B part. The vocal melody when you sing "thinkin' about that time at the end of the line. . ." is really nice. Good harmonies. Simple, straightforward stuff and well done. The arpeggiated electric guitar is really good. I also like the tone of the guitar leads. Nothing is overplayed. There is something kind of muffled in the bass frequencies and every once in awhile the whole mix sounds jumbled. The low frequencies "woof" every once in awhile. It may be the kick rather than the bass. I'm listening through really good speakers (although I realize it is a real audio file), so it isn't a problem with lousy computer speakers on my end. I like the song quite a lot. It really sticks tight to the old truck drivin', honky-tonk formula, which is good. That B-part melody is enough for me to give you a good score! Good job. Reviewed by: Leroy from Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • cool song
    author: vote for me...

    Ah, the sad yet painfully evident truths of American Life Cool little ditty, I couldn't agree more with your lyrical statement. It's a sad correlation, but he with the most green usually wields the most power. I dug the sax, very tasteful usage. The melody stuck in my head and got the words well engrained, so I suppose it's done it's job. Reviewed by: ARMSOFTHESUN from Phoenix/Tempe, Arizona

  • cool tunes
    author: vote for me...

    Very soulful Dylanesque treatment. The saxophone sounds great. The lyrics were different. I like the melody. I've actually had to play this again. This is reminiscent of some of Dylan's work. I love this.I'm gonna have to play it a third time. Man, I'm feeling like I should be in a coffee house in Greenwich Village. This is good stuff!! Reviewed by: mgroves from Reseda, California

  • check it out

    haha this is different thats for sure..right there your better than every other rapper who sounds exactly the same. I like the beat and bass lines. i cant really understand a word you are saying something about being homeless. well my brother i hear your plight and i am begining to feel for you bro. theres been times for us all when we've been at the bottom of the barrel, eating out of dumpsters, not bathing for weeks at a time, begging for change just so we can drunk that nite, well my bro it is nice to hear a rapper not sing about diamond rings and 100 grand cars. Reviewed by: donmiguel from Kings Park, New York

  • cool tune
    author: rap city and blue

    The whole objectice is to be diffeerent and this band covers that by a long shot.Its fun,Its original,It makes you smile and I like that in my music.I mean be for real who wants to be bored while being amused.Well this band gives you more.Good lyrics,excellent vocals,and fun production brings this joint to the forfront.Overall I like it, its amusing and I think this band is truly going to make a lot of listeners happy.Keep being different guys its what you are. Reviewed by: coldflow from Chicago, Illinois

  • "singer/songwriter genius,Mr.E(songwriter) sent a very promising demo, to help us anticipate his full length release in january. He and the totally obscure band have some catchy tracks here with touches of Clapton and Dylan peaking thru,We'll give you the word on the whole cd as soon as we can"....Michelle Picardo /freetime /magazine words and music

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