Album's 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.
"Movie Star"
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
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