Brooke Ramel - Reviews



Album Reviews
"LIVE"
Orange County Register 5/9/2003 Although Brooke Ramel has released several strong studio albums, the release of "LIVE" in April marks the first time the talented singer-songwriter has released a CD capturing herself in concert. Recorded by Custom Taylored Studios engineer Keith Taylor (who was behind the board to capture the Fenians' wonderful "Live at the Harp"), "LIVE" fully captures the strength of a memorable performance at the Coach House in October 2002. Highlights include heartfelt versions of originals such as "When I Saw You See Me" and "My Love Will Follow You," as well as an emotive version of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide." Ramel will perform a free show at Mama Java's Coffee House, 27762 Vista del Lago, Mission Viejo, 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday. Call (949) 855-1660 for more information. She will also open for David Gates (lead singer of Bread) at the Galaxy Concert Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, at 8 p.m. June 13. For more information on how to get "LIVE" or tickets to her upcoming show at the Galaxy Theatre, log on to www.brookeramel.com. You might like if you enjoy: Vanessa Carlton, Natalie Imbruglia, Michelle Branch. By Robert Kinsler
"BE"
Orange County Register 2/1/2002 It was bound to happen. A few local releases recorded and mastered at the end of 2001 were so good they shouldn't be overlooked just because they arrived in the O.C. Pop mailbox in early 2002. No matter what the calendar year, they sound great ... Singer-guitarist Brooke Ramel and songwriting partner Johnny Pierce are masters at blending accessible melodies with classical songcraft using a musical mix of pop, folk and rock. On Ramel's newly released "Be," she revisits themes of romance and self-determination that she successfully explored on her last full-length disc of new material, "Make Tomorrow Up," released in 2000. However, Ramel's ability to craft new sonic landscapes has continued to grow, notably on "Colors" and "Be," a pair of retro-styled gems that marvelously update the psychedelic spirit of the 1960s without falling victim to cliché. And on tracks such as "Someday" and "Only," Ramel proves - yet again - that there is still plenty of magic in writing a terrific chorus that gets stuck in your head. Ramel has several coming shows, including an appearance 8:30-10:30 tonight at Borders Books, Music & Café, 5055 S. Plaza Lane, Montclair, (909) 625-0424. She also will perform at the Borders in Mission Viejo 2-4 p.m. Feb 10; Borders at The Block at Orange 8-10 p.m. Feb. 15; and Borders in Brea, 429 S. Associated Road, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Feb. 22. For more information on any of Ramel's performances or how to get any of her commercial releases, visit her official Web site at www.brookeramel.com. You might enjoy if you like: Aimee Mann, Jill Sobule, Sally Taylor, Suzanne Vega By Robert Kinsler music-reviewer.com March 2003 Just when you thought those good old-fashioned feel good chick songs were traded in for the whole Britney Spears era, Brooke Ramel comes along to give us hope. In a time where talent is very overlooked for image and image is distorted, she stands strong and lets us all know that it's okay to just be yourself. Even now, when it seems like being yourself just isn't enough. This album has a lot of great songs full of things that us girls just need to hear sometimes. It's very rare to find an album that has such great potential. With an album like this it's hard to find anything to complain about. The songs were beautifully written and presented in such a strong and meaningful manner that it's impossible to stop listening. Tracks like "When I Saw You See Me" and "If You Love Me" are almost like angelic love songs for the soul. They're the songs that every girl says, or longs to say, at least once in her life to her loved one. Very powerful lyrics, graceful music, and s soft, silky voice make these songs some of best on the album. "Superhuman World", "Now", and "No Fear" are the faster, catchier tracks. They are artistic, self-empowering songs take just down right make a girl feel good about herself. They offer comfort and solace in being imperfect and different. You know, the usual "I am woman, hear me roar" type of stuff. Except this time its put to music. Nonetheless, they're still good songs. The only negative thing that can be said about this album would be that the songs are too short. Where another verse can easily be inserted, she chooses to repeat the chorus repeatedly. It's almost like a subliminal message being pounded into your brain. But all in all, this album is one for the record books. Brooke Ramel has created something that all women can relate to at some point in their lives and with songs like these they'll be just a little easier to cope with. Bringing hope and optimism to many when real music was almost on its way down the drain, is an extremely difficult thing to do. But Brooke doesn't seem to have a problem doing so. review by Chanita Davis
"MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS" and "BE"
Orange County Register 12/7/2001 With the Christmas just around the corner, a number of local musicians are delivering the gift of music. Several artists have even released holiday albums and are performing shows in December to promote their seasonal releases. Brooke Ramel quietly released an unplugged holiday album, "Merry, Merry Christmas," in 2000, and the artful 13-track collection sold out so quickly, she went ahead and re-released the CD with full artwork this month. In addition to featuring emotive covers of classic Christmas songs such as "Silent Night" and "White Christmas," the title track was written by Ramel specifically for the collection. She will be featuring songs off "Merry, Merry Christmas" and her newly released CD titled "Be" when she performs in Orange County this month. "Be" marks Ramel's fourth CD featuring strictly original material, with "Walk Through the Flower" and "No Fear" among the strong cuts on the release. By Robert Kinsler
"MAKE TOMORROW UP"
Orange County Register 9/1/2000 This marks the third home run in a row for local singer-songwriter Brooke Ramel, whose first two albums ("Movie Star" and "Tulips Bleed") also provided a winning mix of infectious pop hooks and authentic folk instincts. Ramel does it again on "Make Tomorrow Up," which includes the radio-friendly, melancholy-filled "I Wanted You To Know" and Beatlesque "Pleasant lane." She continues to grow as an artist, utilizing her soprano to tackle stories that explore her growing independence ("Someone Else's Story"), and the uncertainties of love ("Love is Gonna Find Me," "Knight Without the Armor"). Many of the strongest songs were co-written with Johnny Pierce, a talented multi-instrumentalist who adds guitar, bass, mandolin and backing vocals. Orange County Register 2/2000 "Los Angeles singer-songwriter Brooke Ramel opened with an acoustic set of astutely crafted pop that showed why she's one of the area's best hidden gems. Running an emotional gamut of love ("The Answer") and superficiality ("Mainstream"), as well as a clever take on the Edit Piaf standby "La Vie en Rose," Ramel was warmly received by the crowd - and rightly so. In a word, delightful." By William Nakashima

"TULIPS BLEED"

Dave Hubbell
KSTE Radio
Lafayette, LA

As we make our way toward the new millennium, the popular music landscape is flooded with introspective female singer-songwriters, each operating within their own niche and specializing in a certain type of musical expression. And once they become popular, they inspire a slew of copycats. These performers share a couple of problems. First, once they make it, they often become pale imitations of themselves. And secondly, they rarely rock.

So it is with singular wide-eyed amazement that we are able to welcome to the world the second album from California transplant Brooke Ramel, "Tulips Bleed". In case you missed it, Brooke's first CD "Movie Star" was one of the best releases of 1997, and one of the finest debuts by a solo performer ever. Even though the music industry sees far too many jewels fall through the cracks, a few notables picked up on the beauty of "Movie Star". DISCMAKERS chose Brooke as one of the six best unsigned acts in Southern California. The Fox Network's "Party Of Five" used the song "Down" in a January '98 episode, and the last open-minded vestige of American modern rock radio, the Sunday night new music shows, were all over the tracks "Mainstream." In fact, the Dean of New Music Programs, Rodney Bingenheimer, host of KROQ-L.A.'s "Rodney On The ROQ", had Brooke in his Top Five. And Brooke played live, playing with Beth Orton, Chalk FarM, Vonda Shepard, Bernie Taupin & The Farmdogs, Richie Fure, Jude, The Wild Colonials and others, as well as a slew of gigs on her own supporting the first CD.

But as good as "Movie Star" was, "Tulips Bleed" is better. Like the first CD, the new one was recorded in Nashville with a stellar crop of musicians. And once again, Brooke's songwriting and production partner is Johnny Pierce, who she met on a trip to Nashville after she graduated from Stanford University. But don't be misled by stereotypes. This is not a country record. Quite the contrary. It's impossible to pigeonhole Brooke's music, but the one overriding factor in each song is the quality of the songwriting.

From the opening 1-3-4 chord progression of the opening title track, it's obvious that this record is going to rock, and when the guitar lead comes in after the second chorus, it's nearly impossible not to crank the volume control on your stereo. Then she gets funky on track 2. By the time the third song starts, you're sucked in. And when you get to the chorus of that song, "the book", it's hard not to think of Rubber Soul-era Beatles. The hooks are that strong.

And lyrically, Brooke has gotten even more focused than before. She breaks your heart with the poignancy of "ou-es tu? (where are you?)", and she's able to be righteously vengeful without being mean-spirited on "you'll get yours" ( sexy, too...listen to how she purrs the words "bedroom slave"). This is followed by the upbeat optimism of "anything" and the hopeful acoustic plea for love "the answer". In the next tune, an easy rocker called "tornado", Brooke sings the words "we're not in Kansas anymore", which she has every right to do, having grown up there, where she forged the roots of her career, playing and singing from the age of seven on. To illustrate those beginnings, she begins track nine with a snippet of a song called "Honey" recorded when she was eight years old. This segues into "cell for soul" featuring a half-time chorus that translates into another one of those killer hooks. Brooke then slows it way down for "time, space and distance", picks it up again for the pop gem "goodbye", and closes her album with the gorgeous "tulips bleed", where she translates the flower analogy into "two lips".

The length and depth of Brooke's devotion to her music is obvious here, even to the casual listener. The diversity of her influences is apparent and engaging. Her writing is articulate, her singing is both convincing and emotionally moving, and her musicianship is flawless. Two things you will be sure of after hearing "Tulips Bleed". First, she will never imitate herself. Brooke Ramel is an original, all the way to the core. And second, she knows how to rock.

Don't let this one fall through the cracks. Listen loud, and listen often.

ALBUM NETWORK
July 11, 1997

RELEASE: Movie Star
PRODUCER: Johnny Pierce
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
In the past two years, alternative radio has been courting more and more
female artists who've crossed over from Triple-A (i.e. Jewel, Abra Moore,
Shawn Colvin, Fiona Apple, Sarah McLachlan, etc.). Enter Brooke Ramel, a
very talented singer/songwriter who transcends the sometimes sappiness found in this popular genre. What makes Ramel stand out is her songwriting.
Tunes like "Movie Star" and "Mainstream" rock smooth and easy, while "If I
Belonged to You" aches beautifully from measure to measure. This song alone
is a gem that has amazing hit potential (we could hear this in a Disney
movie!) After moving to Los Angeles from the Midwest, Ramel began to teach
guitar and voice while playing for tips in restaurants and cafes in Orange
County. We recently saw Ramel play at the Troubadour and she made us
"jaded" music industry-types smile.
SUGGESTED SONGS: "Movie Star," "Mainstream," "If I Belonged to You," "Down," and "Where the Boys Are."
CONTACT: David Young 323.969.0160

VIRTUALLY ALTERNATIVE
JULY 1997

Many a comment has been made regarding the current spell of "chicks with
guitars." Well kids, yes here's another to add to that list. (Shall we
compile a "guys with guitars" list?) Brooke goes beyond the title of
singer/songwriter. Her debut with Rain Records is enchantingly filled with
great guitar and piano driven hooks, sweet, sensitive vocals and a lyrical
landscape of truth and dare. Brooke walks hand in hand with Jewel and Julie
Miller while uniquely combining sounds and styles, with tracks for both
Alternative and AAA radio.
SUGGESTIONS: "Mainstream" is one of those thought-provoking,
industry-related tunes we should all listen to for the sake of reminders,
right along with "Down." "If I Belong to You," "Merry-Go-Round," & "By the
Sea" are personal favorites (for the sentimental sap in me) and overall,
this is more than enjoyable listening.

The Graham Weekly Album Review #1090
Brooke Ramel: Movie Star -- by George Graham
(Rain Records 681114 As broadcast on WVIA-FM 12/3/97)

Recordings by singer-songwriters are certainly proliferating these days. It's not hard to fine very good CDs by practitioners of the art, even though few good singer-songwriters find their way to the commercial pop charts, when compared to records by bad alternative rock or schlocky pop bands. However, a few female singer-songwriters are selling significant numbers of records, including Jewel, Shawn Colvin, Fiona Apple and Sarah McLachlan, and that has made the atmosphere more receptive on the recording scene for contemporary
women composer-vocalists. As a result, debut CD releases by female solo artists are proliferating. And a surprising number of them are very good. The result of such a glut is that the artistic standards are being raised. This year, we have certainly had our share of outstanding female singer-songwriter CDs that we have picked for this weekly album review series, including recordings by veterans like Patty Larkin, Christine Lavin, Eddi Reader, Indigo Girls,
up-and-coming artists like Susan McKeown, and a very memorable debut by a singer-songwriter-trumpet player Kami Lyle.

This week we have another fine first release by a distinctive singer-songwriter who brings all the right ingredients -- first-class writing often with a touch of subtle wit, classy arrangements, and a wonderfully appealing voice. Her name is Brooke Ramel, and her CD is entitled Movie Star.

Ms. Ramel grew up in Leawood, Kansas, and migrated to the Los Angeles area to pursue her music. She held down the usual odd jobs usually taken by those attempting to make a career of music in Los Angeles, including teaching guitar and voice, and according to one report, playing for tips in restaurants and cafes in Orange County, California. She has started to develop a following, regularly performing in such venues as the Troubadour. She raised enough money to record her CD on her own, apparently last year, and is now beginning to go national with it on a Tennessee-based label called Rain Records.

She recorded Movie Star in Tennessee near Nashville and has come up with a genuinely charming record. Her music ranges from classic sensitive singer-songwriter fare to clever and often amusing compositions, delivered in a vocal style that is a mix of the slyness of Rickie Lee Jones with the innocent charm of early Joni Mitchell. The arrangements run from intimate piano to
folky guitar, to hints of the Sgt. Peppers-era Beatles with vintage instruments and small-scale string arrangements, to a sprinkle of the edginess of the alternative rock scene. Her collaborator throughout the CD is one Johnny Pierce who served as producer, guitarist, bassist and co-composer with Ms. Ramel of the music to several of the album's tracks. Otherwise, this is a record with no big names on it, which makes it all the more refreshing, hearing such first-class playing by bunch of up-and-coming musicians such as drummer Dennis Holt, and keyboard players Howard Laravea and Dave Hoffner.

The album gets under way with its title track Movie Star, a rather clever consideration of star worship, and trying to get closer to a icon once met. The tune combines a folky undercurrent, including mandolin, with a kind of nervous rock edge.

One of the best sets of lyrics comes on the track Mainstream which considers the age-old question of what is supposed to be normal behavior compared to everybody else. The arrangement, and Ms. Ramel's vocal style takes a turn toward more, if you'll excuse the expression, mainstream rock -- or at least old fashioned folk rock.

Also with a bit of a retro sound is Down, a musical treatment of the axiom that what goes up must comes down, and all that implies.

Amusement park merry go rounds have drawn the attention of several songwriters, being an excellent metaphor for many facets of life. Brooke Ramel does a song called Merry Go Round, which takes a more introspective sound, with the arrangement dominated by Ms. Ramel's piano and the pair of string players. It's another highlight of the CD.

The termination of an affair forms basis of As for Me, which also is reminiscent of 60s folk rock in form and instrumentation. A bluesy harmonica adds a nice touch to this song that sounds as if it could have been written around 1965. Ms. Ramel overdubs her vocals on the chorus of the song and ends up sounding reminiscent of Indigo Girls.

Ms. Ramel does not look old enough to be getting nostalgic, but she comes up with a wonderful song of reminiscence called Sixteen Forever, no doubt inspired by a reunion with a high-school chum, and the inevitable memories that pop up.

An affair with a disreputable but oddly charming character forms the premise of the song Shotgun, with its chorus reminding me of the music to the old Blind Faith song Can't Find My Way Home. Ms. Ramel's arrangement is a great blend of the folky, rocky and that Beatlesque string duo.

The album ends with one its sadder songs, By the Sea, a composition contemplating a long-dissolved affair, and how that former significant-other is still missed.

Brooke Ramel's CD Movie Star is an impressive debut by a Midwest-bred Los Angeles resident who went to the Nashville area to record, and ends up sounding like no one but herself. This rather short, 37-minute CD, gives us ten great songs that show how clever a lyricist and songwriter, and what a charming singer she is. She touches on subjects that have been mined by songwriters before, in styles that have been around for a while including some splashes of 60s retro, but she does it with such a fresh musical personality that I would put Movie Star among the year's most outstanding singer-songwriter debut CDs, of which there have been many.

I also give this CD also a high sonic grade. The production by Johnny Pierce and the arrangements are first rate. The mix by Pierce and Jim Emrich is also very clean and free from both excessive studio effects and that annoying trendy alternative-rock grunge and use of percussion samples that has spoiled recent releases by Sheryl Crow and Suzanne Vega. The sonic clarity, including the intimate, mostly un-reverbed vocals are greatly appreciated, and the CD is also relatively free from audio compression.

With so many very worthy singer-songwriters out there, I hope that Brooke Ramel's Movie Star does not get lost in the shuffle. Her avoidance of commercial clichés that gives this CD its great charm and fresh sound is likely to work against it in the marketplace. But you can never tell. Regardless of what the music business has in store for this CD, Ms. Ramel has certainly
made her mark as an outstanding talent deserving wider recognition.

This is George Graham.
© Copyright 1997 George D. Graham. All rights reserved