Tag Archives: Ben Arnold

Album Review: Ben Arnold – ‘Simplify’

October 31, 2010 – 9:59 pm

Ben Arnold
Simplify
(B.O.S. Music, 2010)

Track list:
1. Depend on Love
2. Simplify
3. Slow Learner
4. Baby, Let the Tears Roll Down
5. Love Don’t Lie
6. Fishin’
7. O’ Holy Ghost
8. Breakfast for Dinner
9. Woman’s Intuition
10. Upstate New York White Out
11. Watching the Wheels

Ben Arnold’s newest album, ‘Simplify’, is a solid, filling and enjoyable album from start to finish. On this album Arnold blends an eclectic mix of styles and delivers them all with respect and the utmost songwriting and musicianship possible. Oh my, listening to ‘Simplify’ by Ben Arnold makes my ears smile and my feet want to dance.

“Depend on Love” is a very welcoming, positive and motivating opening track. It’s followed by the title track with a great message – “SIMPLIFY”. A simple, sincere message intertwined with a nice full, layered sound and you’re got a perfect song. Arnold slows the tempo down on “Fishin’”, “Slow Learner”, and “O’ Holy Ghost” making these songs have a more personal feel. “Baby, Let the Tears Roll Down” is my favorite song on the album for the appeal of being effortlessly created, backed with such a beautiful melody (it will haunt you), and cathartic lyrics. “Breakfast For Dinner” – I’m a huge fan of the idea and this song makes me hungry. Wow, what better way to end an album than with a great cover of a John Lennon song, “Watching the Wheels”. MAN, nice touch!

One thing I love about Ben Arnold’s voice is it’s raspy enough to give it a unique tone, yet still remains easy on the ears. On this album Ben Arnold is accompanied by: Matt Muir, Zach Djanikian, Adam Flicker, and Jason Loughlin with additional musical help from Jim Boggia, Mia Johnson, Barrie Maguire and many more. So, if you’re shopping for some new music you can’t go wrong with picking up a copy of Ben Arnold’s new album, ‘Simplify’.

[LISTEN] Here’s the title track from ‘Simplify’ by Ben Arnold:

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Ben Arnold: website | Myspace

Tags Adam Flicker, album review, Barrie Maguire, Ben Arnold, Jason Loughlin, Jim Boggia, Matt Muir, Mia Johnson, Reviews, Simplify, Zach Djanikian | Permalink | Comments (2)

Shows

Mason Porter to Release Limited Edition ‘Story of the Rifle’ at Philadelphia Folk Festival

August 20, 2010 – 1:24 am

In celebration of Mason Porter’s scheduled performance at the Philadelphia Folk Festival they are releasing a limited edition (only 50 copies available) album, ‘Story of the Rifle’. The new album was recorded live in studio and is a mix of traditional folk and cover songs. You can catch Mason Porter’s performance Saturday August 21^st at 1:15pm on the WXPN stage. While you’re at the festival you can pick up a copy of ‘Story of the Rifle’ at the merchandise tent starting Friday (while supplies last).

I was very excited to download “Creole Belle”, and “Wayfaring Stranger” from ‘Story of the Rifle’ available on the Mason Porter website (www.masonporter.com). Listening to these tracks reminds me how much I enjoy that Mason Porter sound – it’s wonderful!

[LISTEN] Mason Porter – “Creole Belle”

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Also, be on the lookout for some of our other favorite Philly artists that will be gracing a Philadelphia Folk Festival (Aug 20, Aug 21, and Aug 22 at Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville, PA) stage this weekend: The Spinning Leaves, Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers, Johnny Miles, Ben Arnold, and Cheers Elephant.

Tags Ben Arnold, Cheers Elephant, Creole Belle, Johnny Miles, Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers, Mason Porter, Old Pool Farm, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Schwenksville, shows this week, Story of the Rifle, The Spinning Leaves, Wayfaring Stranger, WXPN | Permalink | Comment (0)

Uncategorized

XPoNential Music Festival 2010: July 16 – July 18 @ Wiggins Park, Camden Waterfront

July 9, 2010 – 2:06 am

This year WXPN’s annual summer music festival, 2010 XPoNential Music Festival presented by Subaru, takes place Friday, July 16^th to Sunday, July 18^th at Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront. The XPoNential festival is in its 17^th year and its 6^th year being held at Wiggins Park. The festival will feature artists: Alejandro Escovedo, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Nicole Atkins, The Felice Brothers, The Walkmen, Dawes, Dr. Dog, and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros along with Philly artists and One Fan at a Time favorites: Ben Arnold, Dutch (featuring Liz Fullerton), Birdie Busch, The Great Unknown – and many more. Plus enjoy family friendly music and exhibits available in the Kids Corner Garden.

Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 16;and noon on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18. The Kids Corner Area will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

I had so much fun last year at the 2009 XPoNential Music Festival that I will definitely return this year. Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront in the summertime is a very beautiful place and a very short commute from Philadelphia, PA. I loved going back and forth between the Camden County River Stage and the Jersey.com Marina Stage trying to see all the acts. Best of all WXPN really does a great job of selecting a diverse group of established and new artists that really represent the eclectic and unique genres/styles that you can hear on the radio station on any given day.

3 Days | 3 Stages | 40+ Acts

Tickets & Details: xpn.org/festival

Tags Alejandro Escovedo, Ben Arnold, Birdie Busch, Camden Waterfront, Dawes, Dr. Dog, Dutch, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Liz Fullerton, Nicole Atkins, The Felice Brothers, The Great Unknown, The Walkmen, Wiggins Park, WXPN, XPoNential Music Festival 2010 | Permalink | Comment (1)

Reviews

Ben Arnold: Tuesday Night Residency @ The Grape Room – June + July 2010

June 18, 2010 – 2:20 am

Ben Arnold (photo credit: Lisa Schaffer)

Tuesday nights have been fairly lackluster since The Philly Folk Parade residency at The Fire (Philadelphia, PA) wrapped up at the end of May. Well, Tuesday nights are fun again now that Ben Arnold has a residency at The Grape Room (Philadelphia, PA). I missed the first night of Arnold’s residency on June 8^th with Huffamoose (a reunion show) but I was there for the second night of the residency this past Tuesday, June 15^th. On that bill was, of course, Ben Arnold with Citizens Band Radio, and Chris Grunwald. Chris Grunwald preformed a good solo set of music and I really liked what I heard. Ben Arnold (and band: Zach Djanikian, Adam Flicker, Matt Muir, and Eric S.) played the penultimate set which I really enjoyed. Now, I don’t have much history with Arnold’s music and I would consider myself a somewhat new fan but based on that performance, a representation of the new material on Simplify (upcoming release), I’m excited to hear the new album. Wow, Ben Arnold is such a great singer/songwriter and hearing him with a band is a fantastic musical experience. Citizens Band Radio finished out the night with some powerful Americana, country rock tunes that I enjoyed a lot more than I had anticipated. Overall, it was an excellent night thanks to Ben Arnold, Blinkin Lincoln Productions, The Grape Room and all the other artists that played. Yep, there’s a good chance I’ll be there several more Tuesday nights during this residency.

Here’s how Ben Arnold’s residency at The Grape Room looks thus far:
6/08 – Ben Arnold w/ Huffamoose (reunion)
6/15 – Ben Arnold w/ Citizens Band Radio, and Chris Grunwald
6/22 – Ben Arnold w/ Late Night Drifters, and Reed Kendall
6/29 – Ben Arnold w/ Zach Djanikian Band, and Andrew Lipke
7/06 – Ben Arnold w/ Josh Komorowski Band, and Ben Carroll
7/13 – Ben Arnold w/ Julius Curcio Band, and Frank Brown
7/20 – Ben Arnold w/ Cowmuddy, and Lee Morgan