Issue No. 109 / Released: 12/12 2024 Don Mularz / Florida Street Album Review
PeacockSunrise Records
If you’re a fan of singer-songwriters, then you are in the right place. Don Mularz is a musician who started to play the drums at the tender age of eight. However, events in the swinging 60s made him change his thought process. Basically, whilst he was able to emulate the chops of Ginger Baker and Ron Bushy, he felt their frantic drumming style was way too athletic for him to sustain… And who is to argue that is not a solid point of view? Then along came The Beatles, and he knew instantly that playing a guitar and, more importantly, being a singer-songwriter was the path for him.
Mularz’s journey has evolved through Breeze, Split Decision and, more recently, Dark Horse Flyer, a band featured in previous editions of Fireworks. For Florida Street, Mularz has brought out ten of his instruments: acoustic, electric, dobro, pedal steel and bass guitars, fiddle, mandolin, drums, and banjo. Not to mention providing a smattering of harmonica and the main vocals. He is joined on this album by Beth Cohen of Boston (vocals), Bob Taylor (piano and organ), and Richard Taylor (fretless bass, on Write On Water).
The Ten tracks are simply as smooth as the finest whiskey; think a blend of Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Neil Young – you may think hey that is quite a healthy stable, well… do not worry as the songwriting is of the highest quality and the playing simply sublime. I do implore you to listen carefully to the lyrics.
Throughout the opus, Cohen provides beautiful harmonies accompanying Mularz. The upbeat ‘Mean Old World’ kicks us o` with a bolt, quickly followed by a lifetime journey of lost love in ‘Twenty One’. The guitar- picking on the sad Native American story ‘Major Dade’ is simply beautiful.
‘Write On Water’ features the full-on classic Mularz vibe; he spends most of his life out on the Atlantic Ocean when not performing, close your eyes and he will take you there. The title track closes us out, quite a profound tune that does feel autobiographical. You will feel that Neil Young is the one playing the harmonica… I know I did.
When you want some feel-good Americana music to listen to, go grab yourself a fine bourbon and a cigar, sit back relax, and enjoy. You will find your toes tapping away and your fingers gently strumming along. By Ken Roberts
Free Dark Horse Flyer CD or Digital Download with pre-orders of Don Mularz’s new solo album, Florida Street!
The long-awaited debut solo album from Don Mularz, Florida Street, will officially be released in early 2025 via PeacockSunrise Records. It will be available in CD, LP, digital download, and streaming formats, ensuring accessibility on most platforms.
Pre-orders open December 20, 2024, and will run through January 24, 2025!
Florida Street marks the first release from Dark Horse Flyer’s founder, composer, vocalist, and guitarist since the band’s critically acclaimed Hotel Paradise in 2018. Don’t miss your chance to secure your copy early and claim your exclusive bonus!
Listen to the album title track Florida Street here
Florida Street Sessions Don Mularz – vocals, guitars, bass, dobro, pedal steel, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica and drums Bob Taylor – piano and organ Beth Cohen – harmony vocals Richard Taylor – fretless bass on Write On Water
All music and lyrics by Don Mularz except She Lives Out In The Country – by James Shalvoy
Produced and Mixed by Don Mularz and Bob Taylor Recorded by Bob Taylor at Taylor Made Studio Mastered by Maor Appelbaum
Design and Graphics – Steven Shepard Photos – Brad Perkins, Don Mularz and Steven Shepard
giGo just released Christmas Bells, the band’s first holiday song.
Released November 22, 2024
Music and Lyrics by GIGO and Kim Duke
Anthony Duke- Vocals Andy Kinch- Keyboards & Pre-Production Doug Scarratt- Guitars Don Schiff- NS/Stick Bass Jamie-Ray Scarratt- Drums
Produced by the band at Raygun Studios. Brighton. UK Engineered by Jamie-Ray Scarratt
The song was inspired by a friend of mine of many years ago who had broken up with his girlfriend she had gone for a vacation to Greece during the Christmas holidays, and he was left putting up all the Christmas decorations in a bleak cold house, whilst she was calling him telling him she was sunning herself on a beach, he wasn’t very complimentary about her at the time, but I knew he was in love with this girl…I can remember him telling me in the pub he’d tried to get some paper Christmas Bells to adorn his tree but ended up ripping them to shreds in frustration, needless to say, he was very drunk!
The chant I came across many years later, the first part is Sanskrit: Sa or Sha is birth, Na or Nah is death and the transformation of consciousness, Ma is rebirth and the resurrection for the rest of time. The last part of the chant is Native American, in fact, Lakota/Sioux it means Where are you going?
I was part of a Lakota singing and drum group here in the U.K. for a while and a song we used to sing in Lakota was ‘Kola tokyahle’ it was a song associated with the Lakota warrior chief Tȟašúŋke Witkó(Crazy Horse). -Anthony Duke
Christmas Bells is also featured on Spirit of December EiGht release by Melodic Revolution records
Spirit of December EiGht features all new original compositions brimming with creativity, each track is thoughtfully curated to capture the magic of the holidays. Most importantly, the album is filled with songs that resonate deeply, touching our hearts and spreading the warmth, joy, and spirit of the season.
Participating Musicians A Multitude of ONE giGO, Orchestre Celesti, Don Schiff, Maurizio Vercon, Juan R Leõn, Refestramus, The Round Robins, and Stanislav And The Lion
Spirit of December EiGht will be available for streaming through mid-January 2025
There’s a way to end the isolation and separation between neighbors and our fellow man, and it starts with a conversation. We’re excited to share with you the official release of the video of our song Talking Through Fences.
Video produced by BlissBliss Filmed by: Jerry Fee Filmed by: Kurt Wayne Edited by: Lang Bliss, Renee Garcia
Studio recording: Producer: Lang Bliss Recorded at: S-s-studio Nashville, TN engineered by Mark Lee Townsend Diff’rent Wirld Studio, Spring Hill, TN engineered by Lang Bliss
Performed by: Guitars-Mark Lee Townsend, Kurt Stowe Keys-Eric Bikales Bass-Zane Bliss Drums-Lang Bliss Background Vocalists- Irene Kelly, Renee Bliss, Lang Bliss
Watch ‘Talking Through Fences’ Here
Horizons is available worldwide on PeacockSunrise Records
L-R Andy Kinch, Anthony Duke, Don Schiff, Jamie-Ray Scarratt, Doug Scarratt
July 26th, 2024.
PeacockSunrise Records (PSR) is thrilled beyond measure to release the long-awaited debut, “The Divine Proportion,” by the sensational new UK rock band giGO with a global flair. Set to make waves in the music scene, giGO’s highly anticipated album, “The Divine Proportion,” is released today.
The music of giGO is 100% distinctive and original, featuring members from Flip, Kracked Earth, Saxon, and Terry Newman Project. However, don’t let these associations create preconceived notions of the band’s sound. It’s often said that great bands boast diverse lineups that bring fresh ideas while working together seamlessly, like a well-oiled machine.
We truly believe that giGO will appeal to fans of legendary artists such as Mike & The Mechanics, Tears for Fears, Don Henley, Terry Reid, Phil Collins, Steely Dan, Johnny Hates Jazz, Hall & Oates, ELO, and Simply Red, to name just a few.
Track listing
1. Fly In The Ointment 05:21 2. Hold Me In Your Heart 04:27 3. Game Of Life 05:08 4. Down In Durango 05:21 5. That’s What They Say About Love 04:31 6. You’re The Kind Of Drug 05:37 7. Another Rainstorm 04:20 8. Highway To Your Soul 04:55 9. The Proof 09:41
Anthony Duke- Vocals & Acoustic Guitars Andy Kinch- Keyboards & Pre-Production Doug Scarratt- Guitars Don Schiff- NS/Stick Bass & live strings on “The Proof” Jamie-Ray Scarratt- Drums and Percussion
Special Guests: *Robin Boult- Additional Guitars **Georgia Blankson- Backing Vocals. Produced by the band at Raygun Studios. Brighton. UK Engineered by Jamie-Ray Scarratt Mastered By Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. London. UK
giGO have just released The Proof the first video from the new album The Divine Proportion due out tomorrow on PeacockSunrise Records on July 26th 2024 the track features a blistering guitar solo from Doug Scarratt.
Collectively, giGo embodies the perfect blend of experience, talent, and fresh ideas. This seasoned ensemble delivers exceptional music that crosses and blends genres with ease.
The song draws inspiration from tales of UFO sightings and extra-terrestrial encounters, challenging the listener amidst a sea of speculation. giGO’s new album ‘The Divine Proportion* journeys through diverse subject and a soundscape, crafted to resonate with both old-school rock enthusiasts and new listeners alike.”
Video created by Sven Rothe (Camera/Editing) James Fogarty (Camera/Direction) The Divine Proportion will be available on CD, for download and on all major streaming platforms.
giGo are…
Doug Scarratt – Guitar Anthony Duke – Vocals Andy Kinch – Keyboards Don Schiff – NS/Stick and Live Strings Jamie-Ray Scarratt – Drums and Drum Programming
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