•
Hello Folks,
I've got another few mentions that I would like to make here as our year
comes to a close if you don't mind ...
There are always those behind the scenes who help a great deal who don't get
noticed the way, we, the performers do. Without these folks carrying out very
important tasks simply because of their belief in what we do, our jobs would be
a lot harder. One person who has been helping us for many years with heart felt
support and hard work is my pal Joan Collins or Nina as her friends call her.
Nina has done our website, handled our merchandising, sent out many a notice in
our behalf, driven the band truck and helped us with much of our fund raising
and charitable work. Rest assured that if the website has not been updated,
that it is because I haven't sent her the information and she has already called
me or emailed me and scolded me a few times. Nina is a giver in every sense of
the word and continues to help not only my band and but many other bands in our
area. We love you Nina and appreciate all the you do ... thank you.
Brian
Hello Folks,
I hope your holiday season has been most enjoyable so far and continues to
bring you much joy. We are all very busy with our own work, families, friends
and just plain day to day living but I would like stop for a moment to remind
you and to make sure that you know that we appreciate your generosity in
supporting our efforts this past year and for many years before ... You all know
and tell me quite often how we seem to enjoy what we do so much and that it is
obvious to you, when you see us perform, that we are enjoying ourselves very
much. Well, your constant encouragement and support contribute in a large way
to making us feel very fortunate and happy to do what we do. My folks always
taught me that being able to feel and express sincere gratitude was one of the
keys to happiness. It feels like our band and you folks just keep on giving
back and forth to each other and our relationship just keeps getting stronger
and stronger.
I often think of some of you that may not have been able to come around so
often and then suddenly there you are as I am loading in or getting involved in
some other aspect of putting on the gig with some kind word to let me know that
you are still out there ... thank you ...
You have all seen us through many transitions and continue to be an
important part of what we do and who we are ... thank you.
My recent reuniting with the rest of the members of "RTZ" has been a
tremendous aid in the healing and recovering from the loss of our dearly
departed friend Brad Delp. The fact alone that these musicians have encouraged
me to step into Brad's place in the spotlight and sing some of his vocal parts
is still surreal to me. Now, I'm realistic about what Brad was capable of, with
his immense abilities and sensitivity and a singer and I would never compare
myself to him, so I only can hope that he is happy that I am carrying the torch
for him whenever I am asked to do so. Thank you Barry, Tim, Dave, Patty, Lisa
and MaryBeth for giving me this opportunity. Thank you Brad for all that I have
learned from you ...
My joining up with the band "Ernie And The Automatics" this past year has
been a great break for me. The gigs with E.A.T.A. have all been great fun,
musically and personally. Of course playing with my Ole' mates Barry and Tim is
as right at rain but finally getting an opportunity to play with Sibby is
something that I have been hoping would happen for many years. Now I realize
why he was the original drummer for "Boston." Sibby's power, technique, music
sensibility and consistency as a drummer make me excited and proud to be sharing
the stage with him. "Tunes" on the saxophone simply steps in, starts playing
and everything sounds more expensive. When "Tunes" can't make it we bring in "Klem"
and, let me tell you, this guy demands your attention with his sax and his
amazing vocals as well. Finally, getting to know and work with Ernie Boch JR.
has been very gratifying on many levels. Ernie is a brilliant person with an
energy level that staggers the mind. He just keeps creating more and more,
better and better opportunities for our band that raise the bar for us. Ernie
is also an extremely generous person when it comes to offering his attention,
energy and resources to helping others achieve their goals. Ernie is also a
really good guitar player who continues to grow stronger and more confident
right before our eyes. Thank you Ernie for having me in your band and for all
the help that you have given me ...
For over twenty years now I have been very proud and fortunate to have had
two special friends standing beside me in my own band and following me wherever
I have decided to go with it ...
Kook Lawry and Tim Archibald ... putting aside their limitless and marvelous
musical talents, they both have always been and continue to be the most rock
solid pals that anyone could ask for.
Dickie Paris, Paul Soares and Tony DePietro have also been generous and close
friends who have offered their wondrous drumming to our band and continue to be
an important part of what we do.
Pete Distefano, Lou Spag, Rick Plourde, Mike Prialaga, Dave Matthew's, Jack
O'soro, Dave Mattacks, Leo Risotti, Russell Lane, Arthur Zervas, and many others
have been there to help out and do a great job as a part of the backbone of our
band ... thank you.
It is easy for me to think of MaryBeth Maes as a band mate since she is so
solid in every aspect of her musical contributions to our band and it is so easy
for me to loose myself in her performance when I am on stage with her as I
witness what she can do to an audience but it is much easier for me to feel
lucky to have MaryBeth as my wife and devoted mother to our daughter Madeline.
The hard thing for me lately is finishing up her amazing new CD so that you can
all hear this great piece of MaryBeth's work ...I promise that I am working just
as fast and as hard as I can ... thank you MaryBeth for everything.
Very recently I became a part of the band that my brother Jamie plays bass
in. "Stone Groove" is made up of very talented folks who are also my good
friends (Artie, Terri, Brian and John). I am proud to be singing for this band
and very happy to be playing in a band with my brother Jamie. Thanks to "Stone
Groove" for having me and a special thanks to everyone who came out to make our
first gig such a huge success at Tequila's this past weekend.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best ... Brian
I have recently been invited to join up with a new band which you made have
heard. "Ernie and the Automatics" is a rockin'
new blues project which features Barry Goudreau on
guitar and Sib Hashian on drums of the band "
In 2007
you will be presented with a very exciting body of work that we have all been
involved in. "Just Like Me" is the upcoming new CD by MaryBeth Maes from Briola Records which will feature the
outstanding talents of "Fortune" band members Pete DiStefano, Dickie Paris, Bill Plourde, Bob Vose, Lou Spagnola, performances by Barry Goudreau,
Brad Delp, Rick O'neal, Rick Plourde,
Tim Archibald, Kook Lawry, Tony DePietro, Paul Soares, Jack and Terri O'soro,
Lenny Doyle, Jamie Maes, Madeline Maes and myself... and the list keeps
growing...
The outstanding
drumming of David Matthews (otherwise known as Matty)
will be heard on a cut called "Dream Of
August." You can check Matty out at most of our
Thursday night, once a month,
The
lovely and talented
That's
all for now folks and I will continue to keep you updated from Briola Records
headquarters.
All the
best Brian
For
those of you who remember the "RTZ" #26 National Billboard Chart hit
song, "Until Your Love Comes Back Around," you can also find it on
the CD that my band and I recorded in 1998 called "The Great
Symphony." My amazing bass player, Tim Archibald, is on this CD and was
also the bass player for "RTZ." Kook Lawry rips it up on guitar and
there are great performances by a host of other pals. You will find more detail
on the CD BABY site. Your Link at CD BABY for "The Great Symphony"
is: http://cdbaby.com/cd/brianmaes2
****************************************************************************
More
recently, Brad Delp and Barry Goudreau "
We're
all filled up for the”Monday Night Garage Band"
for kids. We are looking to having some pictures and keeping you updated on our
schedule....
MaryBeth
is accepting vocal students of all ages.
Classic rockers (Salem Evening news Dec 2005)
From the big time to the Witch City, the Brian Maes Band rocks the North Shore
SALEM -- From performing every week to teaching music to producing records for new artists, singer, songwriter, musician and producer Brian Maes has had a very busy year.
And it's not the first one. Maes has been performing for more than 20 years, starting out playing weekly gigs in Salem after graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has gone from playing in arenas across the country, opening for the likes of U2 and Aerosmith, to singing on the North Shore, both solo and with his Brian Maes Band. He's performed alongside some big names in music, and even wrote a hit song. But Maes says he and his band are happy to be where they are today: playing locally to the strong fan base they've developed here.
This holiday season means lots of functions, parties, and club appearances for the band, and as they prepare to close out 2005, they have plans to continue bringing their 1970s-style classic rock to the area for years to come. Saturday night, they're at Rockafellas in Salem.
Who are they? Brian Maes, piano; Kook Lawry, guitar; Tim Archibald, bass; Paul Soares, drums
Sounds like: The band plays a lot of classic rock tunes, which is what the members grew up listening to. See them perform and you'll hear tunes by Peter Gabriel, Genesis, Joe Cocker and U2. They also play original material. "It's very influenced from the classic '70s era with a little bit of an R&B feel," Maes says.
"It's a classic rock sound with a bit of an edge, but it also has a softer side, as far as melodically and lyrically," adds Lawry.
Brief background: Before playing the Salem scene, Maes played keyboards and sang backup for Peter Wolf, former lead singer of the J. Geils Band, from the late 1980s through 1998. During this time, he toured the country, opening for such artists as Little Richard and KC and the Sunshine Band. Maes played with the band RTZ (Return to Zero), which included Brad Delp and Barry Goudreau of the band Boston. With RTZ, Maes wrote the song "Until Your Love Comes Back Around," which reached No. 26 on the Billboard charts in 1992.
Hey, sports fan! Maes has sung the National Anthem at two Boston Celtics games, as well as at a North Shore Spirit baseball game in Lynn. He also sang lead on the jingle for the New England Revolution Major League Soccer team.
Slowing down: While Maes says he enjoyed playing sold-out arenas, all he wanted to do was make sure he could earn a solid living playing music and not take advantage of his ability and his brush with fame.
"You have a record out, and it does what it does," Maes said. "Basically at that point, I was so excited about the opportunity I had, I decided I was going to play music for a living." Back on solid ground, Maes rounded up his current band members, musicians he had played with in various bands in the past, and formed the Brian Maes Band in the late '90s.
Why the Witch City? While Maes has lived on the Lynn/Saugus line all his life, he chose to go to Salem 20 years ago when he first wanted to start performing. "I think Salem was really the place I established a fan base," said Maes. "Salem has always been a hotspot for the arts."
On the side: The guys have several side projects going on when they're not on stage or writing music. Maes and Lawry both teach music: Maes teaches piano and is a vocal coach privately as well as being the accompanist for the Choral director in Saugus schools, while Lawry teaches private guitar lessons in his Lynnfield home.
"I never wanted to be a teacher," said Lawry. "It turns out, I really enjoy doing it. The kids are wanting to come back." Lawry is also doing some and double-duty, playing in another band, Evolution. In addition, Maes has sang lead on several popular radio jingles. You may have heard his "Good Food Cheap" tune for the Halfway Cafe or the "What's Your Favorite Flavor?" bit for Polar Soda.
That's not all: Maes runs a record company, Briola Records, and signed his first four singers this year. Artists John Warren, Tim Berry, and even Maes' former group RTZ have released albums with Briola. (RTZ released two archive albums last month.) Maes' wife MaryBeth is also among the artists on the label.
Up next: In the near future, Maes has plans to complete the construction of his new recording studio, expand his Web site (www.brianmaes.com) and finish producing his wife's CD. Then, he and the band hope to start work on a new album of their own. A little further down the road: "I want to continue doing what I'm doing. I'd love to get some major label interest. And I guess my biggest goal would be to (compose) a movie soundtrack," said Maes.
They're happy and they know it: In the meantime, being able to play music for a living is plenty of fulfillment for this band. "I just think as far as bands go, it's a perfect kind of band for me. My friends like the music we play, and I grew up with the kind of music we play," says Lawry. "I don't think it's trying to make it in the Boston rock scene. We leave that to the kids. We've already been through that, and it got us to where we are, which is making a comfortable living playing music."
RTZ - Brad Delp, Barry Goudreau, Brian Maes, Tim Archibald, David Stefanelli
First a little history - Delp and Goudreau are, of course, from the 70s band BOSTON, David Stefanelli and Brian Maes performing and recording in the 80s with Robert Ellis Orrall, Maes later playing onstage with the band Boston's spinoff group, Orion The Hunter, opening for Aerosmith prior to the formation of RTZ.
Bassist Tim Archibald performed with New Man on their Epic debut in the mid-1980s and, with Maes and Stefanelli, an integral part of The Brian Maes Group. As RTZ they hit the Top 30 in February of 1992 with "Until Your Love Comes Back Around". In 1999/2000 a Japanese label, Avalon, released "Lost In America", which Brian Maes has re-released in 2005 on his own Briola Records. They've also issued 11 more tracks on a second CD entitled "Found In America". The stuff is brilliant!
Though demos produced and engineered by Barry Goudreau in his home studio, they have more than charm - there's more power and excitement in the demos that sought - and found - the deal than the work released on Irving Azoff's Giant Records in 1991,which led to the hit. The millions of fans of the band Boston need to own these discs - and at the risk of sounding redundant - boy, if only RTZ like The Boom Boom Band, The Stompers, Fox Pass, Jon Butcher Axis and Mach Bell's Thundertrain had only had the opportunity to release a dozen or so albums - there would have been hits galore. All the tracks are first rate, "Someday" a potential pop classic. By the way, 4/5ths of RTZ - everyone but Barry Goudreau - appeared on Peter Wolf's 1996 Reprise disc "Long Line".
check this out ... http://www.polarbev.com/15SecRadioSpot.mp3
DISC REVIEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boston Herald
http://theedge.bostonherald.com/discReviews/edgeMusic.bg?articleid=219
Brian Maes
Songs for Madeline
( Briola )
Maes' `Songs' a gift to fans
Review by Kevin R. Convey
Friday, January 9, 2004
With ``Songs for Madeline,'' singer-songwriter-producer-band-leader
and all-around North Shore rock utility man Brian Maes strips it back
to just his songs, his voice and a grand piano on a little valentine
of an album dedicated to his newborn daughter.
In eight short and sweet cuts, Maes shows that his melodic gifts,
sweet lyrics and formidable keyboard chops need no further adornment
than the grand acoustics of Memorial Hall in Melrose.
January 6,2002 Music Review by KEVIN R. CONVEY, Boston Sunday Herald
BRIAN MAES
``Friends With the King'' (Briola)
Veteran North Shore singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Maes' latest album may be his most accomplished yet, a memorable hybrid of hook-smart songwriting, roots rock and classic '70s pop.
Maes came to something approaching fame in the '90s with Boston's Brad Delp and ex-Bostonian Barry Goudreau in RTZ, a band that also featured several members of Maes' current aggregation. But he has been a key man in the Boston rock scene for years, midwifing and producing numerous bands as well as leading his own.
Unlike the near-arena-rock for which RTZ became known, there's a quiet intimacy and grace to ``Friends With the King,'' which finds a winning combination in Maes' gritty tenor, world-wise lyrics and sweet melodicism. K.R.C.
The February issue of Boston Sound check
Magazine has reviewed t flight Davis' cd.
(page 50)
T-Flight Davis
Produced by Brian Maes and T-Flight Davis;
Recorded at Zigmo Studios; Engineered by Dan Tarlow; Mastered at
9West by Henk Kooistra
So I pop the CD into my Discman and begin my excursion into
Boston. My first thoughts were "Oh I guess this CD is
O.K.......". However, I pulled it back out a few days later
and I was shocked at all the things I had missed the first time
around... the production is superior, it’s more of a late ‘70s/early
‘80s flavor than I had noticed, the heavy Led Zeppelin
influence begins to show, as does the vocalists cute little
drawl. Harmonica? Oooh. Nice touch! The guitarist is incredible!
Track three, "Easy Morning" belongs on the FNX play
list without a doubt. After listening to the CD a few more times
I was officially hooked.... proving that the first impression is
not always the right one. Give these guys a listen... they are
quite pleasing to the ears!
*Samantha*
NEWS RELEASE
ALL OF THE ABOVE: A SURE SUCCESS STORY FOR
BRIAN MAES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNIQUE COLLECTION OF MUSIC SURE TO BRING A SMILE
LYNN, MA - When asked to review Brian Maes's latest CD, 'All of
the Above,' I knew this would be an easy task. Immediately, words
and adjectives started jumping into by brain, almost too fast to
capture on paper.
Brian Maes is an artist - a singer and songwriter - who is truly
beyond compare. His songwriting is to be admired - genuinely
meritorious. Lyrically and instrumentally, Brian knows how to
capture his audience. The songs are intelligent, upbeat, pensive,
poetic, personal, thoughtful, inspiring.
Brian's latest album entitled 'All of the Above,' is perhaps his
greatest accomplishment yet. It is the sixth CD he has released.
'All of the Above' includes ten songs, each with a different
agenda. My personal favorite (today, anyway), "Baby
Now" has a yearning kind of warmth and sweetness to it. It
is easy and light and I never tire of hearing it. This is how
most people feel about all of Brian's songs - they never tire of
hearing them.
Let's not forget to mention Brian's voice. He has been compared
to the sounds of Joe Cocker, for example, with that smooth kind
of down-and-dirty raspiness, and just the perfect amount of
feeling, tenderness, depth, and heart. His musicianship, also, is
as good as it gets.
The mixing and production on 'All of the Above' should not go
unnoticed. Today, however, I am more excited about how the songs,
themselves, make me feel. Each song comes with it a message for
everyone. Brian's music has long been my own personal therapist -
very effective and a lot less expensive!
This album ties in nicely with Brian's previous five CDs. But
this one is a horse of a different color. The first five CDs each
had its own kind of feeling to it. 'All of the Above' is a more
diverse range of musical styles - from rock to reggae to disco to
bluegrass to country to acoustic to easy listening. It is ALL
there. Brian Maes and Briola Records© hope you will join him in
his growing success
Thursday, March 06, 2008 09:00:52 PM