Press/MP3s
Fred OdellCool Beans10/16/2004 The Blind
Luck Review reviews@blindluckreview.
com
Fred Odell . . . (performed) material from
his recently released “Nebraska Skyline”
album, including “Ball and Chain” and a
slightly faster tempo version of the title
track “Nebraska Skyline”, the lyrics for
which are so finely crafted, and which he
executed perfectly. He also performed a
wonderful cover for “Silo”, a Joe Pernice
song from his days with the “Scud Mountain
Boys” and released on their 1997 album
“Pine Box” that offered further proof of
Fred’s ability to range among moods; this
may sound morbid, but I enjoy listening to
some of Fred’s slightly more depressing
odes – they are just so rich and heartfelt.
Those that attended Fred’s performance
were treated to an unexpected gem; Fred
gave away free copies of a demo CD he
produced late last year while recording in
North California. When you come across a
young and talented performer of Fred’s
caliber, demo CD’s are a real treat –they
provide a window onto the artist not
otherwise available via live performance.
Fred’s demo did not disappoint; his cover
of Tom Waits 1974 "The Heart of Saturday
Night" was just gorgeous – respecting the
master’s original material in every way,
yet adding subtle lyrical refinements and
acoustic textures distinctly his own
(Those interested in looking into this
further can read the lyrics and listen to
the music for this song on the www.
blindluckreview.com website). Another
beauty was Fred’s cover of Austin rock
legend Alejandro Escovedo’s "Broken
Bottle" from his 1998 Album - "More Miles
Than Money - Live 1994-1996". The all-
acoustic “Siouan” is another treat,
leaving to the imagination dignified
lyrics unsung, as well as tying together
nicely with a CD cover featuring an Indian
Chieftain in full headdress.
"Fred Odell crafts songs that
come from the varied terrain
of rural Southern living and
the stark desert nights of
California. They’re as home
around the campfire as they
are in a smoky honky-tonk. He
writes with a soulful spirit
and a lonely heart that brings
to mind the influences of
Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons
and The Allman Brothers.
From the pedal steel tone of
classic country and the
driving soul of Southern rock,
this band knows how to create
a sound that stands and
delivers."
-Tom Wegner,
Epic Arts- Berkeley, CA
The Blind Luck Review Volume 1, Issue 2
Music from
the Heart:
Angelica Star
and Fred Odell
9/26/2004
by Tony Marelich
t0317@pacbell.net
The singer/songwriter is very alive and very
well, thank you.
On Sunday evening September 26 at the Cool
Beans Coffee Shop in San Francisco, Angelica
Star opened for
Fred Odell in an evening filled with music
straight from the heart.
The stunningly beautiful singer/songwriter
Angelica Star opened for Fred by performing 3
songs from her
untitled CD, and exhibited a delicate yet
strong voice with lyrics that were at once
smooth and soulful. Her
honesty is evident when she sings “The best
thing I ever lost” from her song “Probably
Have”.
In his 90-minute set starting at 8:00pm, Fred
performed the title track from his CD “Nebraska
Skyline”. He
played with guitar and harmonica, with one song
delivered via mandolin. He also performed some
new songs
from his upcoming untitled CD, such as the
wonderful “Hello Blackbird”.
One of the true gifts of the evening was Fred’s
stunning and heartbreaking “Emma Jane”, a
breathtakingly
beautiful and timeless ode to lost love
delivered with a deep emotional honesty. This
is Fred’s music at its best
– economical style, flawless delivery, rich
lyrics, and a soulful honesty.
If you want a real treat, listen to his CD and
close your eyes when he plays “Underneath
Falling Stars”. I think
you will see what this writer does - he is a
wonderful singer and an honest lyricist who
reminds you with each
song that music from the heart is intended for
the heart.
Fred’s music is available through Last Stop
Records at http://www.laststoprecords.
com/FredOdell/. He can be contacted
at Montecristo_28557@yahoo.com. Angelica Star
can be contacted at Angelsrise2stars@hotmail.
com.