Firstborn Live
1,630 plays
11,903 views
11,903 views
WHAT A GREAT SHOW! YOU GUYS ARE GREAT LIVE!
For the first timer to a Firstborn Live! (FBL) performance, a true understanding of the LIVE! tag on their band name comes up often. This band is a blast live. They have opened for internationally known Blind Boys of Alabama as well as Rez Bands hard blues guitarist Glenn Kaiser of Chicago.
Of the band, Joe Hawleys good natured laugh, Lee Connors intensity and passion, Rosemarys radiant beauty are all icing on a fun filled musical cake made up of a tasty concoction of original ingredients ranging from edgy guitar rock and cool driving blues topped with hard candy lyrics to a bit of jazz and R&B with the most delicious soul searching softness you can sink your teeth into.
Joe Hawley, Lee Connors, Rosemary Reuss-Connors, Wayne Clark, Rick Sloot, and new band member Ed Pears are back in force and supporting the release of their new nine song CD Flesh n Bone. The (mostly) studio recording is both dark and light and explores honest thoughts of facing God right where you stand.todaywhether good, bad or ugly. Yet, you dont get the feeling that all is lost if you dont measure up.
Flesh n Bone, the hard rocking title track, takes you on a search for The Distant One when no understanding of spiritual matters has yet been discovered. The song wails with both killer lead guitar (Scott Greene) and Joe Hawleys slide work simultaneously. Meanwhile, both Joe and Lees lead vocals bring the point home with a rock lovers fervor. A winning track. But prepare yourself for the wall of sound.
Whisper, a straight ahead, driving blues tune featuring cool Joe Hawley on blues harp, is an honest statement in the fight of acceptance of who and where we are in life. When you whispered that you lovewhen you whispered in my earI learned it was the truth.. it was so hard for me to bear.
Then theres the power ballad Great Lovewhen the band plays this one live, even the hardest heart cant help but breakor run. Ed Pears lead guitar sails on this one. Its not unusual for a tear to be secretly swept from under the eye as the realization that love is larger and stronger than most expect hits home.
Not to be outdone, Rosemarys somehow both sweet and bluesy voice sells us on the fact that its ok to turn back from bad life decisions and make the choice for the comfort of coming home in the country styled worshipful I Will Return. Throw out the click track. This song makes good, yet subtle use of pedal steel, violins, Joes harp playing and Rosemarys free form acoustic guitar style. She sings with passion and is a true vocal gem on this album.
One of the most fun songs on this CD is Ive Got Something, an excited and energized live recording featuring Lee, Joe and Rosemary all singing the chorus as if theyve got the best news to deliver to every passerby at the downtown open market. Some cool lead guitar work, a la Stevie Ray, by Evan Salmon who is one of three guest lead players on this album.
Remember the days of deep cuts? Those were the songs you didnt buy the album for but discovered later. You may not even have liked them the first few times but somehow they grew on you. Let Him In may belong in that category even though it is the opening track on the CD. A movie-like keyboard solo surrounds you for an extended opening when all at once a strong kick drum accompanied by an almost latin beat hand clap comes in then followed by Lees haunting vocals. You dont have to rock n rollyou dont have to sell your soulyou dont have jump and jiveyou dont have to stay alive Ultimately the poet narrows everything down to making only one real choice in life from which everything else stems.
Other classic Firstborn songs also make the collection, including Straight Highway. Its opening lines are not easy ones to swallowbut they are delivered extremely well by Lee and Joe as if Shakespeare were the playwright and director of this cut specially made for John the Baptist. If you have the guts to hear it out, then the reward follows. As simple as the song is, the message is clear. Whats really cool is how Rosemarys backing vocal takes on a Grace Slick quality and makes the song that much more cool.
Then theres the upbeat bluesy Crying in the Night brings its message to the forlorn without feeling forlorn And the final cut, a live recording of Live It, brings an almost punkish vigor to this last bite of dessert.
Intense Dark Chocolate Sweetness and a bit of Soft French Vanilla Ice Cream on a bright white plate. Mmmmm. Good for your Flesh n Bones.
* * *Band/artist history
Firstborn was originally started by two best friends Joe Hawley and Lee Connors more than 20 years ago. The band is the quintessential example of rock n roll energy, concert style volume and great interaction with their audience. ----------------- A few years back the boys took a hiatus from live performance but reemerged with a totally new and expanded band in 2004. The new band is not only known for high energy live rock n roll, but also a larger than life sound. ----------------- The band also added the word LIVE! to its name to state its case. Band members include: Lee Connors on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Joe Hawley on lead vocals, slide and lead guitars, harp, Rosemary Reuss-Connors (Lee's wife) on lead vocals, keys, acoustic guitar, flute, accordion, Wayne Clark on bass, Rick Sloot on drums. ----------------- FIRSTBORN LIVE!'s brand new CD "Flesh n Bone" holds examples of the large number of original songs they have in their repetoire. This six piece band's natural bent will bring you back to the great music styles of the late 60's and 70's with layered instruments and vocals. ----------------- FIRSTBORN LIVE! is a must see live...but if you can't make one of their limited number of shows...then don't miss out on the new CD.Have you performed in front of an audience?We love to play live...mostly outdoor events...some church events.
Your musical influences
Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Blues Harp, rock guitar, acoustic guitar, rock worship, live concerts, live concert video, music video, hard rock, hard rock drums, blues guitar, keyboards, vocals, praise and worship, country pedal steel and violinWhat equipment do you use?
Tama drums, Zildjen Cymbals, promark 747 sticks, shure mics, alesis 24 track, digital performer, fender amp and guitar, trimmed and burnin amp and guitar, more...KPdoubleR 88.9
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nice work guys!Hello Firstborn,
I just loaded 2 videos of our church on my pages. Im using an Eric Johnson strat on My Joy and my Jeff Beck Strat on Awesome God. Check them out and leave a comment if you like.
God Bless You and Yours:
Pastor KrisAll comments (3)
1,630 plays
11,903 views
11,903 views
I posted a new video and mp3 of an arrangment I did on Amazing Grace. ( thank God for His AMAZING GRACE) Let me know what you think, keep or delete. Blessings, Pastor Kris