MICHAEL UBALDINI

Talkin End of the Word Double Paranoid schizophrenic Blues
..Rock n' Roll, rebel, poet, philosopher, hopeless romantic, storyteller, guitar slingin' outlaw in black American born rocker of roots Music are only a few of the diverse descriptions of Gritty singer & 'Prolific' songwriter Michael Ubaldini. His Latest Album "Street Singin' Troubadour " continues this tradition.This artist obviously defies categorization..and while back in the day when many bands in Southern California were entrenched in Hardcore and Punk (Black Flag Social Distortion & Agent Orange) Michael was as usual Doin' his own thing following no rules and wound up creating his own definitive sound with his Bands THE EARWIGS & MYSTERY TRAIN "and was a forerunner into was to later be known As 'Americana' or 'Alt Country'.The Los Angeles times stated he is "Better than Bruce Springsteen at probing the national soul".From the heart and soul and the blood of the American dream, Michael and his cranking band rock the way people have forgotten how with the plastic of most of today's Pop and fabricated Punk. Michael plays and sings his lyrics as if the world's gonna come to an end. He plays his own stuff with no messing' about, and when he chooses to do an ol' cover tune from one of his heros, whether it be Otis Redding, Elvis, CCR, the Stones, Chuck Berry, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan to name but a few; he puts new life into them. Michael delivers as if his life depends on it. He's been quoted as saying, "I can't betray the music. If it ain't real, it ain't worth it."Michael "The Rock N Roll Poet" has performed all over the world England Canada, Belgium, and Germany. He lived in Austin Texas for a couple of years and Criss Crossed the USA paying his Dues and living A travling Rock n roll trubadour life , writing and singing his songs filled with storytellng lyrics and poetic images that he lives and has lived. "Jack Kerouac in a Black Motercycle Jacket"" as some have described him, Michael has also opened for the Brian Setzer Orchestra on three separate occasions, and Brian jammed with the group at the Viper Room in Hollywood, CA. And The Late Joe Strummer from "THE CLASH" came out to the show to lend his support. His Show at The Legendary "Palamino Club" (Now Defunct) was attended by the Legendary "JOHN FOGERTY" leader of "Creedence Clearwater Revival"Michael also contributed a version of Gene Vincent's "Be Bop a Lu La" on a "Tribute to Gene Vincent" CD, which included top Orange County and California rock-a-billy and blues groups. Michael's version, however, received two top write-ups by Blue Suede Blues Magazine as one of the CD's finer moments. Michael did the song in a Robert Johnson/Son House delta blues style . The first to do and approach the song in that style complete with Michael playing bottleneck guitar. Michael Also a published Poet His book of his lyrics and poetry entitled "LOST AMERICAN NIGHTS" by Moontide press. He Has Won three "Orange County Music Awards" in two years for "BEST ROOTS ROCK" and "BEST LIVE MALE PERFORMER",for 2005 and 2006, And his "ACOUSTIC RUMBLE" CD from 1999 was picked by the LA TIMES as "BEST DISC OF THE YEAR and was picked as 10th BEST RELEASE OF THE ENTIRE DECADE on the top 100 list of the decades best records. For his 2006 CD release "EMPTY BOTTLES & BROKEN GUITAR STRINGS" Michael recorded some of the tracks at the legendary SUN STUDIO in Memphis TN. .The Birth Place of Rock n Roll!! It was also Named "Best CD of 2006" by the O.C. Register. He has toured the UK and The United States even performing at The CAVERN CLUB In Liverpool England. and THE RYMAN GRAND OL' OPRY in Nashville. He performed in the live stage version of "The Who's Quadrophenia" as The Head of the "Rockers" motorcycle gang, and Has played shows with such greats as "Lucinda Williams", "Jerry Lee Lewis" "John Hammond", "Southside Johnny" And Billy Zoom and John Doe of "X" His 2007 release "STORYBOOK" along with the U.K's "Raucaus records release of Michael's "The Mystery Train Sessions".. (a re-issiue of Michaels first CD from EMI in 1994) shows his unwavering Staying power.)He has written over 500 songs and continues to be a prolific writer.He is An American Rebel.PRESS Michael Ubaldini “Street Singin’ Troubadour“ (Blackwater Records, 2008)Rick Rubin? Who needs him…Although new to me, Ubaldini has been going a while. Three of his previous albums have been reviewed on this very site, including a compilation album ‘Empty Bottles and Broken Guitar Strings’.Whilst not being afraid to record some of his previous work with a band, this album is simple; “a stripped down American folk rebel record”. Just him with an acoustic guitar and harmonica.With no band backing him, Ubaldini needs to rely primarily on his voice and his lyrics. The guitar playing is fairly basic stuff that all singer songwriters can do, so he’s unlikely to win any awards for it, but he has an engaging style.After the first five listens I was ready to dismiss this album as yet another singer songwriter who has plenty to say, but wasn’t very good at actually saying it. Then things changed. Like that friend you’ve known for years and really got along with, but slowly they grow in your affections and before you know it you’re in a relationship with them and have fallen hook, line and sinker stone in love with them. And it’s all the better for knowing them as individuals first and a lover second.“Rock’n’roll rebel, poet, philosopher, hopeless romantic, storyteller, guitar slingin’ outlaw in black” have been used in the past to describe Ubaldini. And they’re all right. The Los Angeles Times described him as being “better than Springsteen at probing the national soul”, which is pushing it somewhat. C’mon!"I've been doing lots of acoustic gigs. This is different from 'Acoustic Rumble'. I wanted to have lyrics that were not about finger pointing. I don't care about blue/red divisions," said Ubaldini. "I write from the point of being an outsider from all these trendy groups. It's straight," he said. "Like early records from Bob Dylan and the late (Rick Rubin-produced) ones from Johnny Cash. It's my answer to all the overproduced, over-compressed records."And it is. Neil Diamond has tapped into Rubin for his last two albums after he wanted to go back to basics and he’s a better man for it. Ubaldini doesn’t need Rubin. With tracks like ‘Black Emerald Eyes’, ‘A New Set of Problems’, ‘Ballad of Father Patrick’, ‘Sad Empty Streets of Sunday’, ‘The Sound of the Age’ and ‘Mr Terrorist Man’ he’s more than capable of doing it for himself.Date review added: Thursday, June 05, 2008 Reviewer: Phil Edwards Reviewers Rating: Related web link: Michael Ubaldini website
Michael Ubaldini, "Empty Bottles& Broken Guitar Strings" (Blackwater Records)Awarded Best CD of 2006 & along with"Avenue of Ten Cent Hearts" (Blackwater Records) - Ubaldini has increasingly been able to bring a growing number of authentic influences into his American roots sound, with his latest album blending rock, folk, country, blues, jazz and gospel around remarkable songs (orange county register)
Even more than the great music, Michael Ubaldini conjures up some wonderful images on Avenue Of The Ten Cent Hearts. Described as a rock n roll rebel, poet, philosopher, hopeless romantic, storyteller, guitar slinging outlaw in black, he manages to match all those descriptions and quite a few more. I'm A Sucker 4 You summons up the vision of a slightly down on his luck musician, keeping body and soul together by playing in the kind of seedy joint inhabited by what are euphemistically called 'colourful characters', sustained only by his talent and belief that his luck will change. I'm A Sucker 4 You is the opening credit to Once Upon A Time In Americana. The phrase 'five years later on' could provide the bridge between that opening song and what follows. In place of the cynic there is a musician who has rediscovered his muse. The excitement grows from the title track through to Hard Luck Town and it is here that first complimentary comparison comes in. Both tracks have the gritty realism of the young Springsteen. Ubaldini's rock n roll is uncompromising and direct and fired straight from the barrel of his guitar. There's a tangible buzz surrounding Avenue Of The Ten Cent Hearts, not only is there Smoke n Fire there's the white heat rock n roll of a young man making his way in a hurry. Having established his credentials he then throws in a country curve ball, however Waitin' On A Day isn't the stylised version, it's slightly twisted and mangled. Ubaldini celebrates and makes a virtue of the rough edges. River Of Time brings the second comparison, recreating the defiant free spirit that was Van Morrison at his very, very best. The energy that Ubaldini injects into (Lifetime Of) Bar Band Dues would be enough to mark him out as a special talent but on Stone Cold Heart he takes a slice of bluegrass and puts a sneer on its face that would do Shane McGowan proud. After listening to Avenue Of the Ten Cent Hearts it's little wonder Michael Ubaldini requires so many adjectives, in fact the list looks a little inadequate (americana-uk.com) The Seventh Trumpet
..Although there is a thriving regional and national Americana and roots scene now, it's easy to forget that Ubaldini has been at the forefront of the movement since his Lee Rocker-produced "Mystery Train" was released in 1994. The Fallen Stars, Mike Ness, Limbeck and Dusty Rhodes and the River Band are among the crop of locals whose current work ultimately celebrates the territory Ubaldini has been exploring since the early 1990s- ROBERT KINSLER OC REGISTER MUSIC WRITER 2008