Sonic textures, guitar-driven rhythms, and gritty acoustic rock with fluid vocals and a dash of humor. Features a sexy, atmospheric cover of the Hollies' classic "Bus Stop." Produced by Bacon Brothers bassist & co-producer Paul Guzzone.

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, POP: Quirky



Details:
"... one of those rare albums whose sum is greater than the total of its parts.... a fine, fine album." - Jeff Wignall, WPKN (Bridgeport, CT)

Mary Ellen Bernard's third CD is gritty, percolating, moody and soulful with a sexy, atmospheric cover of the Hollies' classic "Bus Stop." It balances sonic textures and guitar-driven rhythms with gritty acoustic-rock held together by the artist's fluid vocals, humor and storytelling capabilities.

The disk was produced by husband and musical partner Paul Guzzone and features a number of collaborations by the couple, plus songs by Guzzone himself. In addition to the title cut it features a few other covers including solo efforts by each member of the duo Aztec Two-Step, Neal Shulman and Rex Fowler, and a co-write by New York songwriters Jon Albrink and Nikki Gregoroff.

While much of the instrumental work and background vocals are covered by Guzzone, the rhythm section includes Frank Vilardi on drums and David Hamburger on dobro and guitar. Some tasty contributions are also added by such noted New York musicians as Jon Herington, Ira Siegel, Howard Johnson, Steven Bernstein and Art Baron.

Bus Stop has received airplay on at least fifty radio stations and shows across the country.

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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. Coney Island Mojo was praised as "a multi-faceted, personality-infused urban carnival" (Seth Rogovoy, Berkshire Eagle). It was also listed among releases by Dar Williams, Ani DiFranco, and Jonatha Brooke as one of "the ten best albums of 1996 that you've probably never heard of - but should have" (Steve Bornstein, Mixx Magazine).