Curtis Wayne tells provocative stories, set to catchy melodies, in a 4-minute funky-pop format. "Rock with brains," one reviewer called it.
Curtis Wayne has drawn lyrcial comparisons with fellow Texan Don Henley and Billy Joel, and musical compari [+]Curtis Wayne tells provocative stories, set to catchy melodies, in a 4-minute funky-pop format. "Rock with brains," one reviewer called it.
Curtis Wayne has drawn lyrcial comparisons with fellow Texan Don Henley and Billy Joel, and musical comparisons to Sting, Ben Harper, and Grant Lee Phillips. "I wouldn't say I'm in their league yet, but I'm getting closer to finding my own 'sound'. This album is definitely a step in that direction.
This is my most stylistically focused album to date. I was fortunate to work with some 'A-list' talent, guys who had played with everyone from George Strait and Reba McEntire, to Ozzy Osbourne and the Monsters of Rock tour. I tapped a few songs off prior albums, to see what these guys would do with them, and the results are impressive. Different arrangements, but the songs are tighter, more commercial, and generally have a lot more energy. It's amazing what a good arranger can do. If you have a song that is really good at it's core, then there's all different kinds of ways to record it, and have fun with it.
My Dad was in radio for 20 years," says Wayne, "so I grew up listening to all his old pop and rock albums from the late 50s, 60s, and 70s. That burned into my head the pop structure I write with: strong melody, solid beat, hooky chorus, tight lyrics, and imaginative arrangements. Most songs on this album are basically 'new country' with a slightly funky element going on. Except 'What U Want' and 'Cop Funk', which are just pure-d funk.
The first pressing even included two country songs that I recorded in Nashville with a studio vocalist. I usually don't sing those live, but in Texas, you can get away with playing George Jones and AC/DC in the same set, so sometimes I'll pull them out. There's a limited number of those CDs, though. The next album will probably feature those tunes."
Curtis Wayne's live show is even more impressive: not only are the songs just as strong, but Wayne's energy onstage is something that's hard to convey on a studio album.
Curtis now calls Austin, Texas home, where he's creating a growing buzz about his live shows. A new album is due out in 2004.
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