Ed Alkalay is a gifted songwriter who's "songs stand very well on their own without the need for over-production that so many songwriters seem to need these days. Ed's writing is very strong, his voice warm and enjoyable to listen to, and his guitar and banjo playing are fine and polished. Ed's songs truly touched me ... they deserve to be heard and circulated."
-Rick Spencer, Mystic Folk Music Festival, Mystic, CT.
Born in Mountainside, New Jersey, Ed grew up in the New York City area and studied English and Philosophy at the State University of New York at Albany.
He has been writing and performing songs along the east coast since 1991.
He has two CDs to his credit, as well as having songs and music featured on a variety of different compilation CDs.
While living in New York, Ed recorded an original song for Fast Folk, the 'musical magazine' that brought out the first recordings of Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega, Lyle Lovett and Tracy Chapman.
That recording on the "New Faces in NYC" CD is now enshrined in the Folkways division of the Smithsonian in Washington DC.
Ed's song "I Never Rode a Freight Train" (a country-bluegrassy number) received high praise and significant air play all over the country.
Additionally, Ed's song "A Two-Faced Lady and a Two-Timin' Man" was selected by American Songwriter Magazine (May/June 2001 issue) for honorable mention in its new song lyric contest.
And his new CD, "Turning Dorian Gray", has just been released and is already garnering significant critical praise.
In fact, the title track recently received second prize in the Songwriter's Drive-In Songwriting Contest.
Ed's first CD "Diamond Chain" continues to receive airplay and acclaim.
Two of the songs ("Straight Walkin' Man" and the title track) were featured on the New York City television program "Poet to Poet," which consisted of a 15-minute interview and performance.
While living in New York, Ed had the opportunity to play at such venues as the historic tavern at Richmondtown (a 19th century restoration on Staten Island), the Fast Folk Café (run by the folks who issue the Fast Folk Music Magazine), the Southsound Coffeehouse (home to up and coming folk acts in Westchester County), CB's 313 Gallery (the alternative space next to CBGB's), as well as many other concerts, festivals, bars, bookstores, and coffeehouses.
Ed has also spent time performing as a street musician in Boston, and working to help autistic individuals through musical therapy.
Currently, Ed lives in the Washington, DC area, performing both as a solo artist and in an original "roots rock" band called "Liquid Poodle."
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.edalkalay.com
Track List:
1. One Last Minute
2. A Better Version of Me
3. Turning Dorian Gray
4. Marie
5. With the Devil in My Band
6. A Hundred Years
7. A Quiet Ticking
8. Rovin' Gambler
9. A Two-Faced Lady and a Two-Timin' Man
10. The Blind Man
11. The Deal's Gone Down
12. A Dozen Roses
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
-Rick Spencer, Mystic Folk Music Festival, Mystic, CT.
Born in Mountainside, New Jersey, Ed grew up in the New York City area and studied English and Philosophy at the State University of New York at Albany.
He has been writing and performing songs along the east coast since 1991.
He has two CDs to his credit, as well as having songs and music featured on a variety of different compilation CDs.
While living in New York, Ed recorded an original song for Fast Folk, the 'musical magazine' that brought out the first recordings of Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega, Lyle Lovett and Tracy Chapman.
That recording on the "New Faces in NYC" CD is now enshrined in the Folkways division of the Smithsonian in Washington DC.
Ed's song "I Never Rode a Freight Train" (a country-bluegrassy number) received high praise and significant air play all over the country.
Additionally, Ed's song "A Two-Faced Lady and a Two-Timin' Man" was selected by American Songwriter Magazine (May/June 2001 issue) for honorable mention in its new song lyric contest.
And his new CD, "Turning Dorian Gray", has just been released and is already garnering significant critical praise.
In fact, the title track recently received second prize in the Songwriter's Drive-In Songwriting Contest.
Ed's first CD "Diamond Chain" continues to receive airplay and acclaim.
Two of the songs ("Straight Walkin' Man" and the title track) were featured on the New York City television program "Poet to Poet," which consisted of a 15-minute interview and performance.
While living in New York, Ed had the opportunity to play at such venues as the historic tavern at Richmondtown (a 19th century restoration on Staten Island), the Fast Folk Café (run by the folks who issue the Fast Folk Music Magazine), the Southsound Coffeehouse (home to up and coming folk acts in Westchester County), CB's 313 Gallery (the alternative space next to CBGB's), as well as many other concerts, festivals, bars, bookstores, and coffeehouses.
Ed has also spent time performing as a street musician in Boston, and working to help autistic individuals through musical therapy.
Currently, Ed lives in the Washington, DC area, performing both as a solo artist and in an original "roots rock" band called "Liquid Poodle."
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.edalkalay.com
Track List:
1. One Last Minute
2. A Better Version of Me
3. Turning Dorian Gray
4. Marie
5. With the Devil in My Band
6. A Hundred Years
7. A Quiet Ticking
8. Rovin' Gambler
9. A Two-Faced Lady and a Two-Timin' Man
10. The Blind Man
11. The Deal's Gone Down
12. A Dozen Roses
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- FOLK: Modern Folk
- COUNTRY: Country Folk
- TYPE: ACOUSTIC