Three performing songwriters trade writing and lead vocal duties and accompany each other on backing vocals, keyboards, guitar, cello, drums and more. Tracy Jane Comer, Dave Schindele and Nancy Rost combine radically different musical backgrounds for an amazingly satisfying result.
Likely Stories, the self-titled debut release from the Madison, Wisconsin-based acoustic trio, is a book of short stories brought to life. The songs range from reminiscences of a poor but happy rural childhood, to a romance between teenage suburban goths; from the inner lives of celebrities to the epiphanies of everyday people. Likely Stories takes the listener on an imaginative and sonic journey.
Elegant arrangements and engaging stories propel this collection of songs by performing songwriters Tracy Jane Comer, Nancy Rost and Dave Schindele. The three alternate writing and lead vocals and accompany each other on a variety of instruments, creating a multi-flavored sound that allows the individual writers' sensibilities to shine through. Comer's intricate guitar work and rich cello, Rost's lush jazz chords, and Schindele's musical theater influences combine in unlikely ways to create a unique and varied sound.
The CD includes songs that have won awards and honors in folk ("Yellow Bike" ) and jazz ("Golden Gate"). The uptempo pop of "A Matter of Time", humorous blues of "American Gothic" and playful swing of "My Own History" contrast with soulful ballads like "This Ground" and "Shamu" for a satisfyingly well-rounded collection.
Veteran producer Randy Green produced the CD with Likely Stories. Green, called a "Madison Musical Legend" by Madison Magazine (2001), is also an award-winning songwriter, and contributes lyrics to the album's tracks “Yellow Bike†and the closer, "Silent Care."The CD, released in Spring 2009, is available by mail order or as an MP3 album at http://www.cdbaby.com/likelystories. It's also available at the following Madison, Wis., retailers:
Exclusive Company
508 State Street, Madison WI 53703 608-255-2433
B-Side Records
436 State Street, Madison WI 53703 608-255-1977
A Room of One's Own Bookstore
307 W. Johnson St. Madison WI 53703 608-257-7888
For more about the group or individual members, see these links:
http://www.likelystories.us
http://www.tracyjanecomer.com
http://www.nancyrost.com
http://www.daveschindele.com
