Bruce Kurnow - Here & Now

Bruce Kurnow, currently residing in the San Francisco Bay area, is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who plays keyboards, stringed harp and harmonica. He is an active recording artist, musician, composer and producer and has compiled an impressive list of credits. Bruce toured the United States and Canada and recorded three albums with the country-rock group Mason Proffit from 1971-1973. In 2003, the band Mason Proffit reunited! Look for the band on tour in 2004. As a solo artist, Bruce has twenty-seven recordings to his credit and has appeared on over 150 recordings of other artists. Review of 'Here and Now': With the release of his new CD, Kurnow shows he is more than an instrumental musician. 'Here and Now' showcases his considerable vocal talent as he performs 15 original songs - an eclectic mix of pop, blues, R&B and country. The CD opens with 'Cut Me Loose,' which has the sound of a classic R&B song about love gone sour. The mood changes dramatically on the next cut, 'I Found Love,' a romantic ballad about finding love at first sight. Kurnow accompanies himself on piano and harmonica. 'Slow Emotion' and 'Late at Night' are delicate love songs, with Tom Rigney's mournful violin accompanying Kurnow on the latter tune. 'Song of Joy' is another gentle, hopeful love song. The title track, with it's inspiring and positive philosophical lyrics, has a pop feel, with Kurnow accompanied by a full band and harmonizing with himself on overdubbed vocals. Kurnow's soulful singing is in fine form with 'Don't You Hear Me Call,' 'The Best That You Can Do' and 'Wicked.' On the first two, Kurnow cuts loose with his harmonica, while Jim Rothermel's clarinet complements Kurnow's piano on the bluesy New Orleans-style 'Wicked.' There are two instrumental cuts on the CD: 'Creeper's Revenge,' a harmonica-piano piece, and 'Bubbling,' which features Kurnow's harmonica accompanied by Michel Ravaz on guitar, mandolin and upright bass. The recording also features guitarist Keith Allen, bassist Tim Haggerty and drummer Aaron Haggerty. The 49-minute CD concludes with 'Under the Stars,' a quiet, romantic ballad with just Kurnow singing and accompanying himself on keyboard. -- Chris Samson, Petaluma Argus-Courier.

1) Cut Me Loose
2) I Found Love
3) Everything
4) Slow Emotion
5) Here and Now
6) Don't You Hear Me Call?
7) Late at Night
8) Bubbling
9) Canyon Town
10) The Best That You Can Do
11) Your Sweet Soul
12) Creeper's Revenge
13) Song of Joy
14) Wicked
15) Under the Stars