Review of WALK from Ink 19:
Red Rooster's sound typically gets put into the alt-country category, but that just provides the foundation. They incorporate virtually every other genre into their third and best album, Walk.
"Bluebird" has a slower hip-hop feel complete with record scratching and synth bass lines, but lead singer Jay Erickson's voice and guitar solo add a heavy dose of blues. Then, just to spice it up, they add a jazz sax solo. The mash-up sounds completely random, but making these odd combinations flow is what Red Rooster is so good at.
"Black Point Road" is a beautiful pop song that they Rooster-fied with harmonies and banjo pickin', turning a really good song into a great one.
Background and harmonizing vocalist Susannah Hornsby takes the lead on "Borrowed Money" and her voice is like butter on a warm biscuit. It just melts you, especially on this 6/8 time gem which sprinkles electronic blips and a little sax over a melancholy rhythm and a deceptively sorrowful chorus: "Borrowed money buys her diamonds/ Borrowed money keeps her happy."
This album as a whole is fantastic for a variety of reasons. Red Rooster puts multiple genres into a big pot and stirs it around making a musical concoction that is truly unique. With each listen, there is a different instrument that comes out, or a blip that you didn't notice before. If that's not enough reason to listen to Walk repeatedly, then do it because the songs are just that friggin' great.
see review on Ink 19
News
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Review from The Freight Train Boogie!
This CD by Red Rooster showed up in the pile of CD's a month ago and I was intrigued by the image of a tractor in front of a city skyline. The music is an infectious reflection of the cover, urban pop melodies played by mostly country instruments. The New York-based band calls themselves a folk collective, centered around lead vocalist Jay Erickson and guitarist Nat Zilkha, who also share the songwriting. The other band members play fiddle, steel and banjo that blend amazingly with a small horn section and your standard keys, bass and drums.
Hints of gospel, blues and even a few samples can't keep the twang from shining through. The album closes with the only cover, Porter Wagoner's "Satisfied Mind, " sung passionately by "ringer' vocalist Susannah Hornsby. This is Americana music in the broadest sense of the word and that's a good thing. I dare you to not love what these guys in Red Rooster are doing.
see full review here
Hints of gospel, blues and even a few samples can't keep the twang from shining through. The album closes with the only cover, Porter Wagoner's "Satisfied Mind, " sung passionately by "ringer' vocalist Susannah Hornsby. This is Americana music in the broadest sense of the word and that's a good thing. I dare you to not love what these guys in Red Rooster are doing.
see full review here
Friday, November 6, 2009
Article in the Washington Examiner
Just when you think there's nothing new in folk, along comes the New York-based Red Rooster to blow you away.
Red Rooster isn't a new band but you'd never know that by the way they mix electronica with folk, alt-country and some rock to offer a fresh sound.
"I was just continuing to focus the theme, bringing the kind of urban element together with the more rural and traditional," said lead vocalist Jay Erickson, who produced the record. "We started to do some of that with the last album and this took it further and refined it."
It's been a decade since Erickson co-founded the band with Nat Zilkha, who handles lead guitar for the band. Although the music scene has changed dramatically in that time making it increasingly difficult for bands to emerge, the two have steadfastly followed their own artistic vision.
In the recently released album "Walk," that means grabbing some electronica and mixing it with folk. What's great is that the guys do this with just enough finesse to make the sound interesting without overwhelming. And for those that prefer their folk straight, "Walk" provides plenty of that as evidenced on the tracks "Bluebird" and "Leaves in Autumn."
"[We enjoy] mingling the traditional sounds with the new sounds," said Zilkha. "Jay brought a lot of that together on this new album which is what made me happy ... [but] from a production standpoint we never felt the underlying story being told was sacrificed in trying to create a new sound."
Still, the idea of a new sound was something appealing from an artistic standpoint to everyone in the band. And why not?
As arguably one of folks' most unsung jam bands -- they currently have eight members and various guests during any given concert -- they certainly have the wealth of instrumentation -- horn, trumpet, accordion, pedal steel guitar -- to create some richly textured sounds. What makes the band standout is the elements fit naturally together. Add a sifting of both male and female vocals and you have a sound that is both rare and comfortable.
"The arrangements are organic," said Zilkha. "Some of what you hear on the stage is different than what you hear on the album. The sound is almost modular in that way. ...That's one of the things I find most exciting and fun about this music."
read full article here
Red Rooster isn't a new band but you'd never know that by the way they mix electronica with folk, alt-country and some rock to offer a fresh sound.
"I was just continuing to focus the theme, bringing the kind of urban element together with the more rural and traditional," said lead vocalist Jay Erickson, who produced the record. "We started to do some of that with the last album and this took it further and refined it."
It's been a decade since Erickson co-founded the band with Nat Zilkha, who handles lead guitar for the band. Although the music scene has changed dramatically in that time making it increasingly difficult for bands to emerge, the two have steadfastly followed their own artistic vision.
In the recently released album "Walk," that means grabbing some electronica and mixing it with folk. What's great is that the guys do this with just enough finesse to make the sound interesting without overwhelming. And for those that prefer their folk straight, "Walk" provides plenty of that as evidenced on the tracks "Bluebird" and "Leaves in Autumn."
"[We enjoy] mingling the traditional sounds with the new sounds," said Zilkha. "Jay brought a lot of that together on this new album which is what made me happy ... [but] from a production standpoint we never felt the underlying story being told was sacrificed in trying to create a new sound."
Still, the idea of a new sound was something appealing from an artistic standpoint to everyone in the band. And why not?
As arguably one of folks' most unsung jam bands -- they currently have eight members and various guests during any given concert -- they certainly have the wealth of instrumentation -- horn, trumpet, accordion, pedal steel guitar -- to create some richly textured sounds. What makes the band standout is the elements fit naturally together. Add a sifting of both male and female vocals and you have a sound that is both rare and comfortable.
"The arrangements are organic," said Zilkha. "Some of what you hear on the stage is different than what you hear on the album. The sound is almost modular in that way. ...That's one of the things I find most exciting and fun about this music."
read full article here
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
WALK on water!
New review from Americana-UK:
New York-based Red Rooster are the basically the duo Jay Erickson (lead vocals) and Nat Zilkha (lead guitar) who have been playing together for many years. Jay & Nat formed Red Rooster in NY ten years ago and on this record they have brought together a diverse group of musicians and instruments to compliment some stellar song writing. The core group for this outing consists of Susannah Hornsby (vocals & accordion – and yes her uncle is Bruce), Andrew Green (banjo), Dave Gould (saxophone), Brandon Doyle (French horn), Lucas Ives (drums), David Engelman (bass) and Pete Nilsson (keys).
All but two tracks come from the pen of Zilkha and Erickson, Susannah Hornsby contributes one song and there is cover of ‘Satisfied Mind’ by Hayes/Rhodes. Red Rooster are firmly linked to country and probably 'alt-country' (whatever that is) as the band strives to create numerous colours and themes on this excellent record.
Exploring familiar themes there are several stand out songs ‘Leaves in Autumn’, ‘Five Tiny Fingers’, and the Calexico influenced ‘Let It All Go’ and the tour de force ‘Washington Square’. The band even manage to combine some hip hop with country on ‘The Places In Between’ – clearly a band not happy to tread on water, more like WALK on water.
As always it’s about the songs and here on display is some of the best country/folk songs written and played this year. Highly recommended.
New York-based Red Rooster are the basically the duo Jay Erickson (lead vocals) and Nat Zilkha (lead guitar) who have been playing together for many years. Jay & Nat formed Red Rooster in NY ten years ago and on this record they have brought together a diverse group of musicians and instruments to compliment some stellar song writing. The core group for this outing consists of Susannah Hornsby (vocals & accordion – and yes her uncle is Bruce), Andrew Green (banjo), Dave Gould (saxophone), Brandon Doyle (French horn), Lucas Ives (drums), David Engelman (bass) and Pete Nilsson (keys).
All but two tracks come from the pen of Zilkha and Erickson, Susannah Hornsby contributes one song and there is cover of ‘Satisfied Mind’ by Hayes/Rhodes. Red Rooster are firmly linked to country and probably 'alt-country' (whatever that is) as the band strives to create numerous colours and themes on this excellent record.
Exploring familiar themes there are several stand out songs ‘Leaves in Autumn’, ‘Five Tiny Fingers’, and the Calexico influenced ‘Let It All Go’ and the tour de force ‘Washington Square’. The band even manage to combine some hip hop with country on ‘The Places In Between’ – clearly a band not happy to tread on water, more like WALK on water.
As always it’s about the songs and here on display is some of the best country/folk songs written and played this year. Highly recommended.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Reggae Sauce That Caresses the Ears!
just got a new review in from the Netherlands: http://www.altcountryforum.nl/2009/09/13/red-rooster-walk/
here is what our translation team came up with (thanks Will "Ginger Beer" Fadrhonc!):
You can always wake me when a band makes a cd and they realize a sound that mixes folk, country, bluegrass, reggae, and jazz. This is not a traditional sounding band, this is Red Rooster founded in 1998 in New York. On their new CD "Walk" they do not shy away from such diversities, and for the listener it is pure enjoyment to hear the outstanding songwriting of singer Jay Erickson and the other band members: Susannah Hornsby (niece of Bruce with a similar voice to Alison Krauss), Andrew Green (banjo), Dave Gould (sax), Brandon Doyle (french horn), Lucas Ives (drums), Daniel Engelman (bass), Jeremy Randol (drums), and Pete Nilson (keyboard). Their third CD,"Walk," was recorded at Soft Landing studio in New York and produced by front-man Jay Erickson. Red Rooster knows how to produce a mighty band sound without once sounding too dominant.
From a production point of view this cd is rock solid and has guts. With the opening semi up-tempo number Bluebird we are immediately immersed. Folk/country augmented with a Reggae beat. Traditional folk/country songs combined with bluegrass like Chasing You, Leaves in Autumn, Time to Go, and Raining in Los Angeles let you listen to a band that knows what they are doing: entertaining the listener with pleasant, powerful and truly delightful songs and a perfectly blended sound between Jay and Susannah and the other band members with "ear blinding" harmonies.
The surprise of Red Rooster lies in the mix of folk/country with a reggae sauce as in Washington Square, The Place In Between, and Black Point Road. When the bluegrass/gospel Satisfied Mind, simple and intimate with a banjo, finishes with the angel of the band Susannah Hornsby, then "Walk" has totally made it. The entire CD is perfectly put together and caresses the ears.
The album is available for download here complete with reggae sauce and bluegrass spices (pay what you want!):
http://www.redroostermusic.com/walk/purchase.php
here is what our translation team came up with (thanks Will "Ginger Beer" Fadrhonc!):
You can always wake me when a band makes a cd and they realize a sound that mixes folk, country, bluegrass, reggae, and jazz. This is not a traditional sounding band, this is Red Rooster founded in 1998 in New York. On their new CD "Walk" they do not shy away from such diversities, and for the listener it is pure enjoyment to hear the outstanding songwriting of singer Jay Erickson and the other band members: Susannah Hornsby (niece of Bruce with a similar voice to Alison Krauss), Andrew Green (banjo), Dave Gould (sax), Brandon Doyle (french horn), Lucas Ives (drums), Daniel Engelman (bass), Jeremy Randol (drums), and Pete Nilson (keyboard). Their third CD,"Walk," was recorded at Soft Landing studio in New York and produced by front-man Jay Erickson. Red Rooster knows how to produce a mighty band sound without once sounding too dominant.
From a production point of view this cd is rock solid and has guts. With the opening semi up-tempo number Bluebird we are immediately immersed. Folk/country augmented with a Reggae beat. Traditional folk/country songs combined with bluegrass like Chasing You, Leaves in Autumn, Time to Go, and Raining in Los Angeles let you listen to a band that knows what they are doing: entertaining the listener with pleasant, powerful and truly delightful songs and a perfectly blended sound between Jay and Susannah and the other band members with "ear blinding" harmonies.
The surprise of Red Rooster lies in the mix of folk/country with a reggae sauce as in Washington Square, The Place In Between, and Black Point Road. When the bluegrass/gospel Satisfied Mind, simple and intimate with a banjo, finishes with the angel of the band Susannah Hornsby, then "Walk" has totally made it. The entire CD is perfectly put together and caresses the ears.
The album is available for download here complete with reggae sauce and bluegrass spices (pay what you want!):
http://www.redroostermusic.com/walk/purchase.php
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
New Review - "Don't wait for the hype; get in on the ground floor"
Red Rooster is a New York City-based Folk/Country collective that can dazzle you in many ways. Whether it's the blend of Country, Gospel, Bluegrass and Folk styles, the modern electronic elements, or good old fashioned music and lyrics, Red Rooster brings quality to all aspects of their music. Red Rooster’s third album, Walk, will be released digitally on their website on September 22, 2009. Walk promises a lot and delivers on every count.
Red Rooster is an interesting mix of Country, Folk, Bluegrass and even some pop sensibility at times. The debate could be endless about whether Jay Erickson or Susannah Hornsby is the better vocalist, but there's no doubt that as a duo they're incredible. Red Rooster is incredibly tight as a band, and Walk is a playground where they show off their best work. Don't be surprised if Walk shows up on a host of end-of-year "Best" lists. Don't wait for the hype; get in on the ground floor.
read the full review...
Red Rooster is an interesting mix of Country, Folk, Bluegrass and even some pop sensibility at times. The debate could be endless about whether Jay Erickson or Susannah Hornsby is the better vocalist, but there's no doubt that as a duo they're incredible. Red Rooster is incredibly tight as a band, and Walk is a playground where they show off their best work. Don't be surprised if Walk shows up on a host of end-of-year "Best" lists. Don't wait for the hype; get in on the ground floor.
read the full review...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Review of WALK from the Texas Star Tribune
One of the things I hate about my job is also one of the things I love about my job. Please don’t misunderstand. Everyone who sends me something they have recorded has earned, if nothing else, my respect. They have worked hard to achieve what they have done. If I don’t give it a good review, it shouldn’t be taken personally. I try to make my reviews constructive so that good or bad, we all get something out of it.
However, every now and then I receive something magical. It’s that magic which makes all the listening to the music I don’t really care for, worth every minute. I good analogy would be a miner, digging through those cold dark mines, day in and day out only to find nothing but more and more rock. Then one day after all the digging, all the sweating, and all the bleeding, he finally hits the mother lode!
That is what Red Rooster, and most recently their new record Walk (Wondermore Record) is. They were mining for coal and found diamonds instead. Walk is a gem and is some of the most original material I have had the privilege to review so far this year, and I’ve heard some masters. Kris Kristofferson, most recently.
A lot of the time when I listen to someone I try to think of who they remind me of. Red Rooster reminds me of no one. But it was music of this caliber that got me into the Americana scene in the first place. Every song is completely different from one another, but are all very much Red Rooster. They certainly have their own distinct sound. ...read full review...
However, every now and then I receive something magical. It’s that magic which makes all the listening to the music I don’t really care for, worth every minute. I good analogy would be a miner, digging through those cold dark mines, day in and day out only to find nothing but more and more rock. Then one day after all the digging, all the sweating, and all the bleeding, he finally hits the mother lode!
That is what Red Rooster, and most recently their new record Walk (Wondermore Record) is. They were mining for coal and found diamonds instead. Walk is a gem and is some of the most original material I have had the privilege to review so far this year, and I’ve heard some masters. Kris Kristofferson, most recently.
A lot of the time when I listen to someone I try to think of who they remind me of. Red Rooster reminds me of no one. But it was music of this caliber that got me into the Americana scene in the first place. Every song is completely different from one another, but are all very much Red Rooster. They certainly have their own distinct sound. ...read full review...
Friday, August 7, 2009
Some kind words from friends regarding WALK
some of Nat's buddies (trusted music aficionados) got preview copies of WALK and had some real nice stuff to say and we wanted to share (they may be wholly biased and compromised of course. and they are both named Peter. which is a little weird.)
The album is terrific: complex, adventurous, and very listenable. (I'm listening for a second time as I drive to the Catskills). Your mixer did an amazing job of teasing out individual voices from the 'wall of sound,' particularly on the first few tracks. Lyrics are excellent.
Peter B
Listened to half of your new album yesterday and I'm impressed! Vocals are tough to nail and your buddy has a deep, sounds 15 years older than he is, Greg Allman without the rasp type of voice - and the women's voice is just beautiful, all energy and soul. Love how you weave modern ideas (funk, hip-hop) into the alt country theme. It sounds like what we (I) crave living in the city, but feeling like we want to be back in the country.
On my way to see gov't mule, look forward to watching you guys bring down the house tomorrow.
Peter V
The album is terrific: complex, adventurous, and very listenable. (I'm listening for a second time as I drive to the Catskills). Your mixer did an amazing job of teasing out individual voices from the 'wall of sound,' particularly on the first few tracks. Lyrics are excellent.
Peter B
Listened to half of your new album yesterday and I'm impressed! Vocals are tough to nail and your buddy has a deep, sounds 15 years older than he is, Greg Allman without the rasp type of voice - and the women's voice is just beautiful, all energy and soul. Love how you weave modern ideas (funk, hip-hop) into the alt country theme. It sounds like what we (I) crave living in the city, but feeling like we want to be back in the country.
On my way to see gov't mule, look forward to watching you guys bring down the house tomorrow.
Peter V
Monday, August 3, 2009
Red Rooster Adopts Red Rooster
Back in February, Andrew Green (banjo) came across a posting on Gowanus Lounge that had also been picked up by NY Mag about a Rooster from Red Hook needing a home and forwarded it onto the band. Part of it read: "Alicia Jr. is 7mo. old and prefers relocation to a sunny farm or some sort of mascot position." A very nice chicken-keeper had ordered some chicks and one of them had (clearly) not been sexed right and was starting to make some noise the neighbors didn't care for. It felt like destiny and without much hesitation (and after a few pictures were exchanged via email to confirm how handsome this young rooster is) we took him under our wing. We are consulting with experts and working on a training regimen to find out if it would be healthy for him (and the audience) if he joins us at live shows. He is currently enjoying the wilds of Pawling, NY and has a harem of 9 chicks.
(p)review of WALK from Vintage Guitar Magazine
Red Rooster's new album, WALK, is off the burner and in the chute! Recorded in Brooklyn and upstate New York, its production is warm thanks to the mixing skills of Grammy winner Peter Moshay. The songs feature Jay Erickson's Gordon Lightfoot-like style vocals coupled on a few numbers with Susannah Hornsby's crystal clear songbird voice. Susannah comes from the musically gifted clan of Hornsbys that includes Uncle Bruce and brother R.S. Hornsby, to whom the album is dedicated. The album also features trumpeteer Simon Wettenhall who spends most of his time with Woody Allen's New Orleans Jazz Band.
New York-based Red Rooster is the folk collective led by Jay Erickson (lead vocals) and Nat Zilkha (lead guitar) - lifelong friends who fashion plainly honest and self-reflective songs from fragments of their diverse musical influences and sensibilities. On their third release, WALK, Jay and Nat pull together a seamless album fashioned from country, bluegrass, folk, gospel, blues and hip-hop.
A lot has happened in the years since their critically acclaimed second album, DOSE, was released and it shows in their new tunes. After a successful tour in 2008 (including a breakout appearance at the Newport Folk Festival), the band went to work on WALK. Musically and lyrically their most mature work yet, the album is infused with Red Rooster's signature musical tension between the traditional and the modern. On WALK, Nat and Jay expose deeply personal meditations on a few of life's big defining and transitional events like the birth of a child (Five Tiny Fingers), following and losing the one great love (Time to Go) and failed relationships (Raining in Los Angeles).
Jay and Nat pulled Red Rooster together in New York city 10 years ago and have brought a wide array of musicians in to help create their urban country orchestra including electric guitars, drums, horns, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and DJs. article on Vintage Guitar Website
New York-based Red Rooster is the folk collective led by Jay Erickson (lead vocals) and Nat Zilkha (lead guitar) - lifelong friends who fashion plainly honest and self-reflective songs from fragments of their diverse musical influences and sensibilities. On their third release, WALK, Jay and Nat pull together a seamless album fashioned from country, bluegrass, folk, gospel, blues and hip-hop.
A lot has happened in the years since their critically acclaimed second album, DOSE, was released and it shows in their new tunes. After a successful tour in 2008 (including a breakout appearance at the Newport Folk Festival), the band went to work on WALK. Musically and lyrically their most mature work yet, the album is infused with Red Rooster's signature musical tension between the traditional and the modern. On WALK, Nat and Jay expose deeply personal meditations on a few of life's big defining and transitional events like the birth of a child (Five Tiny Fingers), following and losing the one great love (Time to Go) and failed relationships (Raining in Los Angeles).
Jay and Nat pulled Red Rooster together in New York city 10 years ago and have brought a wide array of musicians in to help create their urban country orchestra including electric guitars, drums, horns, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and DJs. article on Vintage Guitar Website
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Album at the factory!
Our new 12-track album, "Walk," is currently being printed and is slated for a September release. It has been many months in the making and contains the hard work of a number of amazing engineers and 18 musicians! We have gotten lyrical help from fans on Facebook and put our hearts into the project. We will be selling a special digital package from our website under the emergent "pay what you want" model that will include 3 bonus tracks. You will also be able to order good ol' fashioned CD's and enjoy the great package design by Eric Skillman.
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