Lenny Solomon
Not Life Threatening
© 2002 L. Solomon (783707510323)
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All original folk/country/jazz/rock/blues/pop in the tradition of Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, and Guy Clark.
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The Solomon band has been performing in the Greater Boston area since 1998. Combining elements of folk, jazz, blues, country, pop and rock, Solomon is a vocal-oriented, primarily acoustic trio that combines intelligent lyrics, melodies one can hum, a variety of rhythmic styles, and instrumental improvisation. Although the band previously recorded two demo CDs, "Solomon, An Original Band" (1998) and "Four Shortened" (2000), the just released "Not Life Threatening" (2002) is their first full-length, commercially available album. Though just a demo, "Four Shortened" received radio play in such diverse places as Texas, Utah, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Toronto Canada, and Portugal. In May 2000, a review of the disk in Impact Magazine stated, "Surrounded by quirky, guitar-based music and filled in with creative, poetic, intelligent lyrics, Solomon proves that folk isn't dead." It also compared its sound to Cat Stevens meets Barenaked Ladies meets Bob Dylan..."
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Lenny Solomon began his career in the late 1960s. A fixture in the old Idler Coffeehouse in Harvard Square, he regularly performed there on Friday nights for over eight years. The Idler was a training ground for such luminaries as Geoff Bartley, Paul Rishell, Spider John Koerner, and Ric Ocasek. During his years as a solo performer he shared bills with such performers as Chris Smither, Carolyn Hester, Bonnie Raitt, and Spider John.
Drummer/percussionist Dennis Gurgul has been playing since the late 1970s. He's been in several rock bands including The Seals, Urban Eyes, Craw-Not-Craw, Hogs On Ice, and the LCDs. An extremely versatile musician, he's performed with swing bands, jazz and rock bands, as well as with a jazz flute playing poet. Bill Gibbs, who plays lead guitar, lap steel, banjo, and mandolin for the group (as well as singing harmony vocals), has had various musical experiences including playing bass in a metal band, playing guitar in jazz combos, and performing for several years with the popular Massachusetts South Shore cover band "The Accelerators." Bill's musical influences range from Holst's "The Planets," to Billie Holliday, to ZZTop.
Not Life Threatening has been played on radio stations around the country from Maine to Texas, as well as stations in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit the band's Web site at http://www.solomonband.com
reviews
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The music combines interesting elements in sometimes quirky ways and the lyrics
author: Bob MacKenzie (Roots Music Canada)I'm taken back to another time and place. The music of Bill Gibbs, Dennis Gurgul, and Lenny Solomon harks back to a time so long ago that country music was still called folk, or western, or perhaps hillbilly. It's old-time music that manages somehow to not be old-timey, generating instead a timeless quality. Lenny Solomon's vocals remind me most of John Prine, as does his writing, but there are also elements of the old country and western singers like Merle Travis, Stonewall Jackson, Roy Acuff or Doc Watson. Some of the songs on this release lean toward rock and roll but never really lose their old time country flavour. One song especially breaks the mold. "Firefly" rolls along slow, with soulful electric guitar underscoring Solomon's equally soulful vocal. While the country flavour is still present, the overall feel is more like Southern Rock. As I hear this song, I'm reminded ever so much of The Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't You See." For the most part, the songs on Not Life Threatening range from the gentleness of a Motel 6 commercial through what I tend to call "cowboy music" to a sort of light country rock. Over all, on a quick listen, the set is quiet and enjoyable. Paid closer attention, the music and the lyrics show the qulity that a lifetime of craft can add. The music combines interesting elements in sometimes quirky ways and the lyrics are tight and well formed to most effectively tell their stories.
Lenny writes beautiful lyrics, composes beautiful melodies
author: Holly Moors, Moors Magazine (in the Netherlands)Lenny Solomon was totally surprised when I showed an interest in his band "Solomon". I had just heard "Fishin'" and it stuck in my head in a pleasant way, a little bit like Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay." …..Lenny was somewhat shocked that somebody in Europe knew his music because, according to him, most people on his street don't even know him. The CD reveals that "Fishin'" is not just a lucky shot but that Solomon specializes in this kind of lazy songs, something JJ Cale is also very good at. Lenny himself calls it back porch music and that is pretty much the picture that develops when you listen - a couple of older guys sitting on a small deck behind a house, playing music in a relaxed way. ….They play in an inspired, relaxed way, but certainly not nonchalant or uninterested. They merely take great pleasure in letting you listen to some songs written by Lenny. …..And then there are more beautiful songs on this disc. Lenny writes beautiful lyrics, composes beautiful melodies, and sings them relaxed for you, on your back porch.(Translated from the Dutch)
Great Musicianship
author: Folk & Acoustic Music ExchangeIn listening to the Solomon band and their ability to cover all genres in a distinctly country-rock/folk-rock style, a number of groups come to mind, but the Grateful Dead most of all. Like the Dead there is great musicianship here and great fun. But most of all these guys know how to have fun with the music and approach it with a little tongue in their cheek, and a twinkle in their eye.
Solomon is a group to watch.
author: Rambles.netSolomon is a Boston-based band whose output ranges from new country through jazz and pop to folk. Not Life Threatening seems to try to cover all of those genres, and for the most part it succeeds.
What a perfect disc for the start of summer!
author: Soundcheck MagazineThroughout these 11 songs, sounds of banjos and steel guitars creep in and out, riding off the smooth, perfect vocals of Lenny Solomon, who at times sounds like a huskier version of Roger McGuinn. If you're into mellow country and tasteful playing, then this is the disc for you.
I recommend you buy this album.
author: Green Man ReviewTo be fair it is hard to put the Solomon Band into a category, they are a little bit Country and little bit Folk and a little bit Blues...The album has eleven songs and each has to be enjoyed for their words and music content....As a songwriter, Lenny must take full marks for writing brilliant lyrics for themes that are out of the ordinary....The Solomon band has a talent that is deserving of more notoriety. I recommend you buy this album, you won't be disappointed.
- author: Metronome Magazine (June 2002)
Fusing country, folk, and hillbilly music, Solomon creates flowing masterpieces filled with colorful imagery and pristine musicality. Accompanied by bandmates Bill Gibbs on a host of stringed instruments and Dennis Gurgul on drums, this capable trio spins wistful tales of life aimed straight for the heart. Solomon's voice is aged and dusty and gives his tunes a genuineness not heard in most local projects. His songwriting is also first-rate... If you're looking for something a little different and off the beaten path, you'll thoroughly enjoy Solomon's Not Life Threatening.
Loved the music and lyrics
author: Tervia MetznerThe thing that impressed me about this CD is that, having also heard the previous two CDs, I am continually impressed not only with the music, but with the lyrics, which are alternately poetic, profound, humorous and ironic. The more I listen to the "songs of Solomon", the more it grows on me. I think Solomon is brilliant.
Easy listening and lyrically creative!!
author: Roe AlbrechtIt's unique in that the lyrics are very clever, stimulating, genuine and thought-provoking. The Harmonica adds a zesty/bluesy complimentary flavor and the voice harmony is superb. My favorite, Your Flight Has Just Been Cancelled, denotes a typical Airport situation, which we have all experienced at one point in time.