Listed among releases by Dar Williams, Ani DiFranco and Jonathan Brooke as one of "the ten best albums of 1996 that you've probably never heard of - but should have!" - Steve Bornstein, Mixx Magazine
In a blend of musical styles that defies classification this recording offers slinky blues vocals, roadhouse rock, New Orleans rhythms and shimmering ballads. Seth Rogovoy, writing for the Berkshire Weekly, called it "a multi-faceted, personality-infused, urban carnival."
The artist's humor and attitude are reflected in both her lyrics and her interpretations. Also evident here is her passion for finding choice material by other writers including Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, actor Jonathan Hogan, Michael and Kevin Bacon (aka: The Bacon Brothers) and such terrific New York songwriters as Jane Barnett, Margaret Dorn and Martee LeBow. From the haunting title track, written and arranged by Bernard's husband and producer Paul Guzzone, to the hilarious "The Diaper Rag" (the couple's answer to the propagation of the Baby Boomers), Coney Island Mojo has been winning the hearts of fans, reviewers and radio personalities.
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Mary Ellen Bernard is a performing songwriter with a background in theater and comedy. A dynamic performer who has been described as "Tom Waits meets Tracey Ullman," she moves effortlessly from slinky blues to shimmering ballads to raucous roadhouse. Either as a duo with her husband and producer Paul Guzzone on guitar, or with a band, she is an on-stage powerhouse of energy, humor, and heart. Mary Ellen Bernard has performed in a variety of venues and circumstances - from a seaside dock in the Caribbean to a corporate conference. She's also appeared in more conventional venues of all sizes - clubs, coffeehouses, theaters, and outdoor stages. She has shared the stage with a diverse array of artists including John Prine, Loudon Wainwright III, Rockapella, Richie Havens, Tom Paxton, John Sebastian, Cheryl Wheeler, and The Bacon Brothers (actor Kevin and brother Michael).
She collaborates as a songwriter with her husband and she has released three albums: Point of Departure, a synthesis of quirky pop, jazz, blues and lounge; Coney Island Mojo, which puts a New York spin on some Southern sounds and Bus Stop, which balances sonic textures with guitar-driven rhythms and gritty acoustic rock.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.maryellenbernard.com
Track List:
1. The Big Idea
2. This 'n' That
3. Coney Island Mojo
4. Like Stardust
5. Only a Good Woman
6. The Duke of Dutchess County
7. Blue Caribbean Waltz
8. Traded Dreams
9. The Diaper Rag
10. Who Do the Voodoo?
11. Lace Against the Moonlight
12. I Want You To Be My Baby
Other Genres:
In a blend of musical styles that defies classification this recording offers slinky blues vocals, roadhouse rock, New Orleans rhythms and shimmering ballads. Seth Rogovoy, writing for the Berkshire Weekly, called it "a multi-faceted, personality-infused, urban carnival."
The artist's humor and attitude are reflected in both her lyrics and her interpretations. Also evident here is her passion for finding choice material by other writers including Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, actor Jonathan Hogan, Michael and Kevin Bacon (aka: The Bacon Brothers) and such terrific New York songwriters as Jane Barnett, Margaret Dorn and Martee LeBow. From the haunting title track, written and arranged by Bernard's husband and producer Paul Guzzone, to the hilarious "The Diaper Rag" (the couple's answer to the propagation of the Baby Boomers), Coney Island Mojo has been winning the hearts of fans, reviewers and radio personalities.
***********************
Mary Ellen Bernard is a performing songwriter with a background in theater and comedy. A dynamic performer who has been described as "Tom Waits meets Tracey Ullman," she moves effortlessly from slinky blues to shimmering ballads to raucous roadhouse. Either as a duo with her husband and producer Paul Guzzone on guitar, or with a band, she is an on-stage powerhouse of energy, humor, and heart. Mary Ellen Bernard has performed in a variety of venues and circumstances - from a seaside dock in the Caribbean to a corporate conference. She's also appeared in more conventional venues of all sizes - clubs, coffeehouses, theaters, and outdoor stages. She has shared the stage with a diverse array of artists including John Prine, Loudon Wainwright III, Rockapella, Richie Havens, Tom Paxton, John Sebastian, Cheryl Wheeler, and The Bacon Brothers (actor Kevin and brother Michael).
She collaborates as a songwriter with her husband and she has released three albums: Point of Departure, a synthesis of quirky pop, jazz, blues and lounge; Coney Island Mojo, which puts a New York spin on some Southern sounds and Bus Stop, which balances sonic textures with guitar-driven rhythms and gritty acoustic rock.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.maryellenbernard.com
Track List:
1. The Big Idea
2. This 'n' That
3. Coney Island Mojo
4. Like Stardust
5. Only a Good Woman
6. The Duke of Dutchess County
7. Blue Caribbean Waltz
8. Traded Dreams
9. The Diaper Rag
10. Who Do the Voodoo?
11. Lace Against the Moonlight
12. I Want You To Be My Baby
Other Genres:
- ROCK: Roots Rock
- BLUES: Blues Vocals
- MOOD: FUNNY