One
of the finest instrumental albums to roll out near the end of 2009,
One Way Ticket from The Harvey Band is an intriguing, yet completely
authentic musical cross between influences like the sound and vision
of Bela Fleck, Ry Cooder and Steve Morse. Clearly in the vein of 21st
century progressive Americana model, One Way Ticket is the
latest and best yet album yet from upstate, N.Y. guitarist Harvey
Possemato, who employs a number of classic acoustic and electric
guitars that are listed in the CD booklet. The drum sound is great
on the CD and Harveys guitars weave in and out of the sound
mix like a trip-tik of American music itself. Harvey Band had made
waves with their 2002 CD release of Green Flats Road, but clearly
Harvey is going for something slightly heavier these days, and in
fact hes recently put his neighbors on notice that he might
be cranking his electric guitars up a bit! Let's hope the neighbors
appreciate the great things Harvey is bringing to the 21st century
guitar world! If One Way Ticket is an early indication of a
future sound, instrumental guitar rock buffs should be in for quite
a wild ride from Harvey in the future. With its stirring Americana
magnetismrolling across the windswept golden prairie, Harvey
Band plays the kind of music that makes you feel good to be an American
again. www.HarveyBand.com
MUSIC
WEB EXPRESS 3000
presents HARVEY POSSEMATO
Guitars Center Stage
Guitarists making waves in the music world,
their new recordings and gear!
Musical
Background
I
started playing guitar just like a million other guys, after The Beatles
performed on The Ed Sullivan Show in the early 60s. The following
year I began playing percussion in the school band program. I played
in several different bands in high school. In 1973 I entered college
as a music education major. I wanted to study music but I was also
concerned about being able to sustain a reasonable living so I took
the path to become a teacher. While doing graduate work as a music
composition major I began collecting gear for a home studio. The studio
became a way to realize my compositions. This is really when I started
playing many of the parts. I was already a guitar player and a drummer.
All I needed was a bass to complete the band...good old Tascam multitrack
to the rescue. So for the past 30 years I have been teaching by day,
recording by night and gigging on weekends. Its no wonder that
I feel tired at times.
New
CD
My new CD is called One-Way Ticket. The concept of this album
is a bit of a departure from my other CDs which were collections of
songs. One-Way Ticket is the soundtrack to an imaginary movie
about changes in life in which we have no choice. With a one-way ticket
you are not returning home. You venture ahead with courage because
you have no choice.
Being a soundtrack, so to speak, I recorded all the tracks myself.
Many of the tracks started as improvisations as I watched video clips
and later were worked into pieces with tighter forms. One of the aspects
of soundtracks that attracts me is the idea of creating music with
a vision first as opposed to starting with a cool riff on the guitar.
Favorite
Guitars
The main steel string acoustic that I record with is a Guild GF60
that is about 25 years old. This is an upscale model that Guild made
in the 80s as they were trying to get Eric Clapton for an endorsement.
I actually have a promo poster where Clapton is playing this model
Guild. Unfortunately, at the last minute he decided to go with a Martin.
The classical guitar that you hear is a Taylor NS32 SE. Both of these
as with the other acoustic instruments were recorded in my studio
with a Shure KSM 44 large diaphragm condenser mic. As for the electric
guitars, I mainly use a Fender Strat and a Fender Telecaster. Both
have ash bodies and maple necks which is a combination that I happen
to like for the resonance. In most cases the guitars are recorded
through either old tube Fender amps from the 60s or a Vox AC
15 Reissue. I also use an old Supro tube practice amp. I mic the speakers
in a isolation box in my studio so I can turn them up and use the
natural amp distortion without my neighbors knocking at my door with
my ears ringing too much to know that they are trying to get my attention.
As for drums, Im a believer of real acoustic drums. I have Gretsch
set with mics set up in my studio. I did use orchestral samples for
the very last piece of One-Way Ticket, which is a recap of
an earlier theme, only orchestrated to sound like the end of the movie.
I also recorded some guitars direct on track #3. So other than a few
keyboard sweeteners, everything else is acoustics, amps and microphones...lots
of fun, really.
Musical
Influences
On the acoustic side Im a big Tony Rice fan. A lot of my music
has also been influenced by Darol Anger with Mike Marshall. I admire
Bela Fleck for taking contrasting styles and actually synthesizing
a new music. Ive also been impacted by Jerry Douglas dobro
playing. It has actually made me try playing dobro. One
of my favorite CDs is Jerry Douglas, Russ Barenberg and Edgar Meyer
called Hip Hop And Wobble. I also love Ry Cooders Music
by Ry Cooder, which is a collection of movie soundtrack pieces.
On the electric side I would have to name Robben Ford, Carl Verheyen
and Eric Johnson as large influences. Guitar players are always discussing
Eric Johnsons tone and I agree that he is a master of his sound
but what is often overlooked is just what (what notes) he is playing.
Eric, just like the other two people mentioned often improvise using
very wide intervals. You hear both ends of the guitar and the middle
at the same time. This has a huge effect on tone! Carl Verheyen has
published quite a bit of instructional material on intervallic playing.
This is something worth checking out.
Upcoming Plans
As for recording, Im always recording and piling up the pieces.
The next CD will be primarily electric which is something I havent
done since releasing Crossfire in the early 1990s. I released
the acoustic CDs Green Flats Road in 2002 and Tracks
in 2006. One-Way Ticket 2009 is a soundtrack, both acoustic
and electric. Im really due to release more of a rocker. If
my neighbors are reading this they should be worried. Im, as
they say retiring from teaching school this year and plan
to devote myself full time to performing and recording.
Web
Site
My web site is www.harveyband.com
and my email is harvey@harveyband.com.
There is a lot of music to listen on the site and often a free download
of a song. I would appreciate hearing from people via email or my
guest book. There is also a mailing list that people can join for
gig and download announcements. Thank you so music for talking with
me. It has been a true pleasure.