|
Click here to view a slideshow of the band's tour of Russia!
Vinny St. Marten sees what many of us are blind to on heartfelt EP
Reviewed by Brooke Curtis, Twangtown
At a time when America just might elect its first black president this year, “Think About It (Roy’s Song)” couldn’t have been released at a better time. Racism is unfortunately a disease that still lingers in the bloodstream of America albeit, given the rising number of minorities in this country, not as openly placed as before, especially during the period that Vinny St. Marten is singing about here.
As I write this, I see TV commentators discussing the photo of Barack Obama in African garb, which just so happens to resemble Muslim wardrobe. In other words, people are connecting being a Muslim to terrorism. Will it ever end? I’ve heard many stories about racial prejudice but hardly any that knocks me on the head as much as “Think About It (Roy’s Song).” I found myself in tears, actually, because as a young girl I had a close friend who was black in an all-white school. I can only imagine what she went through, but her strength inspired me to seek greatness and, with that, I am forever in her debt. Marten’s lesson is that, when you physically cannot see a fellow human being’s skin color, you will realize that we are all the same inside.
At a time when music has become so detached and artificial comes along this blind gentleman with a big, beating heart, sharing his love for the good things in life, especially loyal friendships. The easy-listening ballad “Please Let Me Be Your Eyes” and the homesick “16 Grove Street” have the softness and warmth of a home-cooked meal.
Vinny St. Marten is New York’s best-kept secret
Reviewed by Vivian Fields, Midnight Jazz
In a better world, Vinny St. Marten is performing before a crowd of adoring millions, seduced and mesmerized by his blue-eyed crooning. Then again, it’s never too late, isn’t it? Label him as New York’s best-kept secret, and it’s been that way too long if you read his history on the web. Actually, on this EP Marten will beat you to that as he, with the heartfelt warmth of a grandpa and the dramatic tone of a professional storyteller, shares some of those stories with you. The first one, “Think About It (Roy’s Song),” dates back to decades past but sadly is still relevant in these times. As a young blind man, racism absolutely made no sense to Marten as he had no sense of color to begin with. But his friendship with a black boy named Roy attracted bigoted dismissal from his peers. The track, part spoken-word diary, part classic soul, cuts deep; the emotionally reflective piano gives it a cinematic backdrop, and this is probably the best use of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech ever.
Marten leaves behind social commentary on “Please Let Me Be Your Eyes,” a love song with longtime partner Elysa Sunshine. Hearing Marten’s husky voice swimming alongside Sunshine’s silky smoothness makes for a gentle, sun-soaked message. Although there are only three cuts on this EP, they are all memorable and lovable, written with a profound degree of nostalgia and wisdom.
CD Review: Whisperin' and Hollerin'
Vinny St. Marten is not so much a songwriter as a storyteller. And the tales that Marten weaves on this three-track EP, "Blindness Is a State of Mind," are taken from his own life, each with a personal yet universal message that touches the heart. The simplicity of Marten's narratives is its greatest tool; ironically enough, the vivid images on display here are painted by a blind man. Marten doesn't need eyes to see; he already sees with his soul and is able to convey those pictures to us with rich details that people who do have sight often overlook.
The tender duet "Please Let Me Be Your Eyes" is about achieving higher love, when two hearts can find their mutual affection reflected into each other. It's an Adult Contemporary classic brimming with the longing of the blues. The call-and-response singing between Marten and Elysa Sunshine is so moving that I nearly found myself in tears. Their voices are simply angelic together.
"Think About It (Roy's Song)," on the other hand, is something completely different, a stinging story of racism from a unique perspective, that of a young boy without vision, whose inability to see color (or anything at all) makes the idea of racial prejudice seem utterly alien. "Think About It" is mostly spoken word until Marten lets his deep voice loose, an exhilarating moment that'll create chills down your spine.
On the closing number, "16 Grove Street," Marten introduces us to his family in a bittersweet slice-of-life piece that again features Sunshine in extraordinary vocal back-up. Every cut is given a prologue by Marten, giving the CD the feel of a novel. I look forward to the rest of the chapters.
CD Review: Carson James, Chillout island
You see the cover — a bald, white man in shades enveloped in darkness, and you become intrigued. Immediately you get the impression that this isn’t pop music, at least what passes for such on commercial radio stations. In fact, although I can hear the late ’60s-early ’70s AM influences that color the music of New York singer/songwriter Vinny St. Marten, that doesn’t mean you’ve heard any of this before. Rather, this is one of those records that is so personal, so close to the artist who created it, it doesn’t feel like it belongs to any genre at all.
While there are only three tunes on the EP (not including Marten’s heartfelt, informative introductions to each of them), we don’t feel short-changed although it does leave us yearning for more. “Think About It (Roy’s Song)” deals with the subject of racism in a powerful, non-preachy manner. Using audio samples from Martin Luther King, Jr. as an anchor, Marten relates the true story of his friendship with a black boy named Roy. Since Marten is blind, the color of Roy’s skin was at first completely unknown and then irrelevant to him. It’s a beautifully moving tale with poignant, dramatic narrative punched by Marten’s bluesy singing. On “Please Let Me Be Your Eyes,” Marten duets with Elysa Sunshine for a soulful declaration of love that has deeper meaning the more you analyze the lyrics. Their singing is gorgeous and hauntingly pretty. The sentimental “16 Grove Street” ends the EP with Marten’s homage to his family. It’s almost as if he’s opened the front door of his house for you and let you in. But really it’s his heart that has allowed you entry, and every cut on this CD beats with the pulse of life. Unforgettable.
Savage Nation Features Vinny St. Marten
Michael Savage Receives Unique Phone Call
Michael Savage, host of the nationally syndicated radio talk show "Savage Nation," is a no- nonsense political commentator who is widely known for dismissing his callers abruptly. However, on February 8, 2007, Savage started reminiscing about his upbringing and long-lost family values. Vinny decided to call into the show and speak about his own early life. Savage was so moved by Vinny's story that he kept him on the air for over an hour. This unprecedented event meant that the rest of the show, which included an interview with a congressman, had to be rescheduled. The radio station was flooded with e-mails and phone calls from all over the country, and an article was immediately posted on "Vegas Buzz News." In addition, a condensed version of Vinny's interview on the "Savage Nation" has been rebroadcast numerous times.
Click here to listen to Vinny's compelling and powerful story that almost brought Michael Savage to tears. (Please allow time for file to fully load.)
|
|
