The White Hat
Waiting to Play for You
© 2003 B. Frank Cocchiaro (634479275135)
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ATTN FOLKIES AND BLUESHEADS: Ben Cocchiaro (alias: The White Hat) is a pertinent anachronism, a mélange of traditional blues and contemporary folk that delivers catchiness without pop, tradition without monotony.
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ATTN FOLKIES AND BLUESHEADS:
The White Hat is a pertinent anachronism, a mélange of traditional blues and contemporary folk that toes the line between both genres while dancing in countless others. Through strong melodies and intelligent yet conversational lyrics, TWH delivers catchiness without pop, tradition without monotony. Semi-permanent and changeable, TWH is the solo project of guitarist and songwriter Ben Cocchiaro and has been evolving through numerous forms and combinations for the last two years.
Ben grew up just northwest of Philadelphia, twenty minutes from the site of the Philadelphia Folk Festival. For a few days every year, this place was his home and its musicians his tutors. There, he was introduced to the fingerstyle playing of Tommy Emmanuel, David Jacobs-Strain, and Kelly Joe Phelps.
An avid collector of 78rpm records, Ben developed an early appreciation for the rapid-fire lyrics of Cole Porter, the tradition of The Weavers, and the raw soul of Blind Willie Johnson.
Drawing on these musical traditions for form, the subjects of Ben’s work are chiefly contemporary and vary from the personal to the political and everything in-between. As a self-proclaimed outsider and social observer, his songs bemoan impersonal society and attack civic apathy, searching for meaning and significance in a material culture.
His first album, "Waiting to Play for You" represents the cumulative influence of every book he's read, song he's heard, person he's met, and event he's witnessed. The title and a good amount of the artwork are drawn from an ad campaign from 1924 advertising the RCA's new Orthophonic Victrola Cabinets.
It was recorded in the bedroom in which he grew up, and bears the acoustic fingerprint of every book on his shelves, every poster on his walls, and several shards of glass in his ceiling (a homebrewing attempt gone horribly wrong).
Also featured on "Waiting to Play for You" is the percussive genius of Colin Keller, jazz drummer extraordinaire. Currently studying at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Colin gigs regularly and plays the pennywhistle.
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folk music in the voice of savage cool
author: Jason MeadModern nostalgia is waiting on a mythical return, a rebirth of a time of victrola, 78's, and an edenic view of time and history. Ben Cocchiaro is a diamond tipped record needle in a sea of digital white noise, combining blues riff and contemporary ideas with visions of enchantment, heros and an undeniable nostalgic longing. Even when looking back at the past The White Hat is as contemporary as ever.
A real treat, and a good first CD
author: Margaret Chiodo-KellerBen Cocchiaro and Colin Keller are a good team. They know how to work together and independently to create a well made CD. The music is good, and the musicians are impressive. Be on the look out for Colin Keller. He is presently a student at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He is a diamond in the ruff!