Michael's song NIGHT SHOW from the album CITY SCRAPES was recently featured in the new play "Up on the Roof" by Mark Harvey Levine at the American Globe Theatre in NYC. The award winning production was beautifully directed by Brad Caswell and featured excellent performances by Nikki Van Cassele and Frank Avoletta.
Download NIGHT SHOW on iTunes!
Michael to perform at...
In support of City Scrapes- Michael will be giving a special in-store performance and CD signing at the iconic Bloomingdale's flagship store during their exciting "Loyallist Event"!
Visit bloomingdales.com for more info on the Loyallist EventStop by the store for some great shopping and music!
Michael Beatty - City Scrapes (Bluewingmusic)
New York City singer-songwriter Michael Beatty is a throwback to the early ‘70s when artists like Elton John (with Bernie Taupin) and James Taylor broke through on the back of superior song craft rather than any inherent hipness. It’s a breath of fresh air to hear a songwriter so passionate about words and melody without encumbering themselves with contemporary restrictions and lowest common denominator aesthetics. Beatty’s a songwriter for grown-ups, and his words and music, in fact his whole demeanor, comes with a welcome maturity.
His instrument of choice is, of course, piano; and he’s ably supported by a band with shared experience playing with everyone from Aretha Franklin, Ashford & Simpson and Nina Simone, to Elton John, Carole King and Gavin DeGraw. These are top-notch musicians and they help give “City Scrapes” a sheen of Brill Building sophistication, happily without sacrificing Beatty’s sidewalk blues. The best songs here, “My Street”, “You and Me: Together” and “Night Show” take their places in a New York tradition that includes the work of Dion DiMucci and “Streetlife Serenade” period Billy Joel. If any of this seems vaguely appealing I can only suggest you give “City Scrapes” a spin.
Rob F.
01/23/2012
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CITY SCRAPES,
SINGER/SONGWRITER/PERFORMER MICHAEL BEATTY’S NEW ALBUM,
IS DUE OUT November 15, 2011 on bluewingmusic.
Produced by Ron Allaire and Michael Beatty
Featuring Sean Harkness, Valerie Ghent, Jonathan Mover, Boris Pelekh,
Dave Schommer, Martine Allard, and Nikki Van Cassele.
On November 15, 2011, bluewingmusic will release City Scrapes, Michael Beatty’s fourth and highly anticipated new album of piano driven pop songs with a 1970’s retro edge. The latest in the career of an artist always determined to hit his mark and tell the truth. Guitar virtuosos Sean Harkness and Boris Pelekh guest on the album which Beatty co-produced with Ron Allaire. City Scrapes also features Jonathan Mover (Aretha Franklin, Elton John) Valerie Ghent (Nina Simone, Ashford & Simpson) as well as Tony Award nominated vocalist Martine Allard and Nikki Van Cassele. Percussionist Dave Schommer (Carole King, Gavin DeGraw) lays down a solid groove throughout. Beatty plays grand and Rhodes piano on all ten tracks.
On his last two albums The Night Traveler and Shotgun, Beatty explored personal themes of travel. Now, with City Scrapes, he stays right at home in New York City, with ten fresh songs from the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. The first track “My Street” is a Laura Nyro-esque walk through his neighborhood. “We are bound together, by a force of the unknown” Beatty shares on “The Bluest Eyes,” a poignant piano/vocal reflection on the city and the spell it casts on two lovers. “We are bound but we are free...by the light of Lady Liberty.”
The title track “City Scrapes” is a lyric rich anthem to the saving graces of a lonely city, while the electric guitar and Rhodes piano flavored “First Time” recalls the love of a lifetime. The street savvy and gospel tinged “Rise,” chronicles a young girl and her yearning for a better life. The latter features Broadway’s Martine Allard on background vocals. The album’s closer “42nd St. Hymn” is a haunting ode to the ghosts of Times Square past where “magic sparks the morning on a marquee chasing gold.”
copyright 2011 bluewingmusic news
Michael Beatty reveals details about upcoming album, “City Scrapes.”
photo credit: Matt Murphy
Details have been revealed about singer/songwriter Michael Beatty’s upcoming album, City Scrapes, due out November 15th. The recording which was influenced by the 1970’s New York City songwriter scene, includes 10 original compositions about urban life and longing. Beatty, who plays grand and Rhodes pianos on all of the tracks co-produced the album with Ron Allaire for bluewingmusic.
Musicians lending a hand to Beatty’s “retro-hybrid” sounds are Sean Harkness on guitars, Jonathan Mover (Elton John, Aretha Franklin) on drums, Valerie Ghent (Ashford & Simpson) on Hammond B3 and Dave Schommer (Carole King, Gavin DeGraw) on percussion. City Scrapes includes the soul stirring “42nd Street Hymn,” the Laura Nyro inspired “My Street,” and the title track where visions of a “naked neon fantasy” take you “tripping Alphabet City.”
“I’ve been a troubadour and songwriter for most of my life and in many ways this album reflects the kind of music that I remember hearing as a kid. Of course it’s not so much a re-creation of that sound but my own interpretation of it. It has a universal appeal which at the core level draws upon the rich history of the city and of real musicians making real music,” he said in a statement about City Scrapes, “my music has been called both catchy and deep...that’s what people seem to appreciate about it. It’s an honest approach that endures.”
copyright 2011 bluewingmusic NEWS
New Release Spotlight
by Jaime Ingle
MICHAEL BEATTY:
City Scrapes and The Haunted American Jukebox
If the streets of Manhattan are still a melting pot, then Michael Beatty has created yet another harmonious, ear-delicious blend of songs that speaks to the soul with his soon to be released album, City Scrapes.
Several years in the making, the album features the singer/songwriter vibe of the 1960s and 1970s, while “remaining organic without being overproduced,” explains Michael, who has made the Big Apple his home for the past decade. The streets of Hell’s Kitchen, Times Square and Alphabet City, among others, provided the inspiration for songs such as “When You’re Gone” and the title track “City Scrapes.
“It doesn’t have any pretension, it is what it is...a guy with some stories to tell, his piano, and the musicians that surround him. We wanted to keep it as in the moment as possible,” said Michael, who accompanies himself on grand piano. What results is a very open hearted and spirited album about making your way in the city of cities. Produced by Michael and Ron Allaire for bluewingmusic, Michael created some songs in minutes, others took several years. Most were recorded in the wee hours of the morning with a tight-knit group of artists including Sean Harkness, Jonathan Mover (Aretha Franklin, Elton John) Dave Schommer (Carole King, Gavin DeGraw) Valerie Ghent (Nina Simone, Ashford & Simpson) Nikki Van Cassele and Martine Allard.
The stories come from Michael’s own experience and people he’s met, while forging a career as a recording artist and performer in New York City. “You could talk to 50 different people on the subway, and they would all have 50 different stories and be going to 50 different places. That’s what makes (New York) such a unique place.” Why the name City Scrapes? The name is a play on the word cityscape, the iconic image of Manhattan and the bumps and bruises creative artists, business people and others alike sustain while living and working in America’s largest city. Despite a few creative bumps and bruises of his own, Michael says the city always inspires him “The city has always picked me up, given me the energy to carry on.” And City Scrapes is sure to do the same for all who listen.
City Scrapes to be released Fall 2011
Michael's "When You're Gone" live performance video -captured by filmmaker Hadleigh Arnst- is now up on Youtube for the world to enjoy. Be sure to check it out, rate it, and send it to friends. The "When You're Gone" video was shot during a midnight rehearsal in Michael's Times Square rehearsal space. The studio version of the song will be featured on his new album "City Scrapes" to be released Fall 2011.
Check it out:
Hooray! The newly remastered version of the long out print EP
The Night Traveler is now available for digital download!
A lot of people have asked about the availability of one of my earliest recordings The Night Traveler -I’m happy to announce that it will be rereleased by bluewingmusic as a digital download in the Fall of ‘09 and subsequently as a repackaged CD. It has been remastered by Ron Allaire and sounds great! It makes me feel good to know that it will be out there again.
Recorded in 1994-95 at Boston’s Q-Division Studios, The Night Traveler EP was produced by Jon Lupfer and featured some great Boston based musicians and creative types...
Mikey B: Piano, chamberlain, Hammond organ, percussion, etc.
Gary Backstrom: Guitars
Mike Rivard: Bass
Scott Mitchell: Drums, percussion
Martine Allard: Background vocals
Leslie Hosmer: Background vocals
And also featuring...
Todd Perlmutter: Drums, percussion, inspiration
Alex Smoller: Bass
I have many good memories surrounding the creation of The Night Traveler. Here’s a favorable review from Performing Songwriter magazine...
“A self confessed “anti folk” folk pop singer” -yup- that’s what the bio says. Wonderful melodies, flowing piano and acoustic guitar, couple drums, two tree bass lines. Masterful songwriting: not just catchy -deep. He writes ‘em the way he hears ‘em and throws all caution to the wind.
Michael looks great and the composite CD insert is pro (gee...do I sound like a fan?). Ya and his voice is smooth and dead on pitch. The creative dissonance of “The Second Trip” tweaked my auditory nerves into an unexpected zone but my faves are the opener ”The Night Traveler” and cut number two “Postcards Blue” (I especially loved the melody on that second one).
At the bottom of the liner notes (?) it says “Paint what you like... and fuck ‘em” - it’s a quote from Joni Mitchell. Yes.
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Jon Lupfer. Recorded at Q Division. Mastered by Henk Kooistra at Sound Mirror, JP, MA.
