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REVIEWS
Who is Gar Francis and why is he in my head so much lately? Hell if I know. He was evidently some kind of rock 'n roll wunderkind awhile back, but that must have been East Coast because I had my ear to West Coast ground for years and never heard him mentioned. After hearing his new EP Shine On, though, I'm thinking that may have been a bad thing. On this EP, he is so immersed in power psych and rock 'n roll, I figure I may have missed something pretty damn good back then because I'm sure digging what he's doing now.
Rock and Reprise
Frank O. Gutch Jr
NYC garage rocker Gar Francis has released a new EP, Shine On. He is a veteran who is capable of teaching snotty kids how to get a psychedelic rock groove going. - Hans Werksman - The Netherlands
"a basic slice of the Everly Brothers' Since You Broke My Heart (Cadence 1376) that constitutes "Tragedy"" -Michael McDowell Blitz Magazine Since 1975 The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People- Michigan
" "Tragedy" - the best song on the EP, in my opinion. I hear the Beatles in this track, then that killer guitar kicks in and I think "hmmmm that guitar is just too raunchy and guttural to be Beatles - I like it."
After the bit of raunch, the melodic chorus comes back around and once again I find myself thinking of something like Norwegian Wood. I find myself listening to this track over and over. John The Grouch - Sweden 5 out of 5 Stars
5 out of 5 Stars
"Gar Francis has a new EP out that gives his fans 5 slices o' the mans brilliance". - Bob Suesh Rock N Roll Experience
"Gar Francis is a Garage rock/Americana/Blues solo artist hailing from Belvidere, New Jersey with a long list of accolades and credits to his name. Mr. Francis's guttural Iggy Pop-like delivery and genuine fire eclipses most music I've heard from artists who are probably half his age" - James Moore for Skope Magazine and Independent Music Promotions.
RADIO
Special Thank You to Bill Kelly WFMU
April 20 Premier of FAIRHAVEN the movie
"Bank Of The River" placed.
Gar Francis
"The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same" Released in Germany. Review:
(Reviewer Karsten Rube)
The Swinging Iggies
New Release " Lady Gaga"
Watch The Swinging Iggies video for their new single Lady Gaga, a tongue-in-cheek punk rock song written by Gar Francis.
With slightly hoarse vocals, a catchy guitar riff that never lets up and a drummer who is all over his cymbals this is a song that could have been recorded by David Bowie or The New York Dolls ca. 1973. Hans Werksman -
The Netherlands
"Gar Francis has done it again. He has supplied Genya Ravan with a big song for her new single. I Won't Cry Anymore is garage R&B with a hint of gospel and plenty of soul. Definitely a New York sound courtesy of Francis on guitar and keys, Danny Caruso on bass and Bobby Chen on drums. Ravan, a recording artist since 1962, whose voice o has aged really well, has no trouble delivering the goods." Hans Werksman - The Netherlands
I do!
Before I delve into the song itself I need to mention that this single, as were the others I've heard from Bongo Boy Records was produced by Gar Francis. Take a moment to look through your record collection (if anyone still has any records) and see who produced your favorite albums. I bet the names Bob Ezrin and Mutt Lang appear frequently. You can add a third name to the list of great producers - Gar Francis.
I mean as in when Rhythm and Blues was gritty and emotional, when it was played by guys with killer chops and singers who could wail. I do not mean what passes for R&B today in which everything sounds the same and is boring.
The old school back up singers put the whole thing over the top.
FROM BLITZ MAGAZINE
BITS AND PIECES - NEWS ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS By Michael McDowell
DOUGHBOYS* FRANCIS PRODUCES SINGLE FOR NYC ROCKER JANA PERI
"In the words of MoPromo*s Monique Grimm, Ballerina Of The Bowery personifies *creative lyrics*.woven through a Bo Diddley beat*. And indeed the distinctive, percussive backbeat indigenous to the late pioneering rocker*s best work provides the foundation for this ambitious and memorable outing.
But in this case, the Bo Diddley template has built upon it yet another layer of duly-inspired ambition. It began in 1965, when first generation garage rockers, the Strangeloves took that framework and developed it into what has since become a classic of the genre, I Want Candy (Bang 501).
In Peri*s case, the inspiration did not stop there. I Want Candy was successfully and sublimely covered in 1982 by Bow Wow Wow (RCA Victor PB-13204). It is that rendition that appears to provide the aesthetic impetus for Peri*s like minded workout.
That Peri was able to contribute to the proceedings without the seemingly inevitable generational loss is due in no small part to the fact that Ballerina Of The Bowery was written and produced by a first generation garage rocker. Guitarist Gar Francis. *Without it, you don*t know Diddley*, added Grimm. Or the Strangeloves, Bow Wow Wow and the Doughboys, for that matter. Suffice to say that this Peri/Francis collaborative is a rare and refreshing exception to Dobie Gray*s maxim." - Blitz Magazine
"This is pure simple rock and roll. I love this stuff. This New Jersey band has something going on and that something is FUN. Basically, I dig his voice * a lot and the guitar player can wail. Add in a drummer who is spot on and a solid bass and you have a rock and roll classic.
The organ around the edges reminds me of 1950's rock or perhaps a 1980's parody of 50's rock in the style of the Dick the Bruiser Band. (Anyone out of Detroit will remember those guys.) When you add simple lyrics to the mix Come On Come On cut me loose baby Come On Come On you make a monkey crazy you have gold.
All I can say is thank God. I'm so sick and tired of that young sensitive deep thinking poet crap. ( Nic Stevens I'm talking to you.)
Bottom line:
4 scowls out of 5 on the Grouch scale.
Would I go see these guys live? Yes I would!"
-BY GROUCHYGAIJIN.COM
DEBUT SINGLE BY AMERICAN IDOL KELLY CARUSO
February 27,2012
Kelly Caruso, who grew up in Pittstown, New Jersey has just released her first single on the Bongo Boy Record label. Kelly who has been singing since a very young age, has made it twice to Hollywood as an American Idol, first on season 7 in 2008 and again on season 9 in 2010. She also won the MTV Say What ?! Karaoke Contest and Jersey Idol on New Jersey 101.5FM.
The first single “Born Dainty” was written and produced by veteran musician Gar Francis and recorded and co-produced by Kurt Reil at the House of Vibes in Highland Park, NJ. Many may know of Gar as the guitarist/songwriter from the 60’s garage rock band The Doughboys of which Kelly’s father Mike is the bass player. Kelly has been fronting the band Garden State Radio and has been touring all over the country at various night clubs and casinos to packed houses everywhere.
“Born Dainty” a modern country rocker shows off an incredibly powerful voice that would give Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood or Miranda Lambert a run for their money. To download your copy of “Born Dainty” go to iTunes, CD Baby, Rhapsody, Amazon, or any other major source for downloading music.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kellycaruso
"SHINE ON"
February 14, 2012
"Shine On" the new solo EP from Doughboys guitarist Gar Francis continues with that 60's Garage Rock sound that we have come to know and love so well. The first track "Shine On" starts with that 60's psychedelic groove. Next comes "Back In 1985" with a 60's type ballad feel reminiscent of a Phil Spector production. "Blue Cadillac" is a bluesy groove with production from the same inspiration as the Black Keys. "Tragedy" is a pure 12 string guitar based song about the equal opportunity everyone has in finding themselves homeless. And "I'm Still Alive" is an old Who type song declaring that the child inside still remains many years after.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/garfrancis
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/swingingiggies
June 21, 2011
Bongo Boy Records announces today the long anticipated release of a 12-track album from multi talented recording artist Gar Francis. We know Gar Francis as the award winning lyricist and guitarist that helped propel the legendary 60's garage rock band, the Doughboys, to their current national fame. Discover Gar’s solo work as an Americana songwriter. The album titled "The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same" is well said. It was first released in Europe, where it received great reviews in print music magazines. FOLK WORLD (Germany) wrote: “Immediately with the first song "Midnight in Rome", it succeeds to animate and draw the listener to his voice”. That track was also placed in Red Bull's Rampage 2010, a complete sport DVD/Blue-Ray that captured the world's best pushing the limits of what is possible on a bike in Utah.
The album continued to receive radio play and interest from the public when it arrived in the USA as a promo for selected radio stations. One of the many cleverly arranged tracks and an all-purpose geniality showpiece “Palaces” was nominated for “Best Song” in Bucks County Pennsylvania.
The whole album is an enveloping mix of melody, mood and texture that speaks from Gar's triple-threat virtues as songwriter, vocalist and guitarist. As Francis once said: “the melody of song, like a beautiful woman is what initially draws you in, but it's her soul, like the lyrics of a song that grabs you by the heart." This album has no weak moments and actually ends too soon. Produced and arranged by Gar with multi-instrumentalist Dan Caruso, who also recorded, mixed and mastered the album. If you are a Doughboys fan or Plainfield Slim fan be prepared for another side of Gar Francis.
As a side bar, Gar was asked by Bruce Ferguson of the Easy Outs to produce a song for the upcoming Runaway's Tribute Album, "Take It or Leave it". The result is a smashing version of the Runaways "Is It Day Or Night" to be included on the double disc release on Main Man Records June 28, 2011. Sounds like Gar went back to his Ritchie Blackmore/Deep Purple roots for this one.
Look for both albums at selected retail stores, iTunes, Amazon and other online outlets.
The album continued to receive radio play and interest from the public when it arrived in the USA as a promo for selected radio stations. One of the many cleverly arranged tracks and an all-purpose geniality showpiece “Palaces” was nominated for “Best Song” in Bucks County Pennsylvania.
The whole album is an enveloping mix of melody, mood and texture that speaks from Gar's triple-threat virtues as songwriter, vocalist and guitarist. As Francis once said: “the melody of song, like a beautiful woman is what initially draws you in, but it's her soul, like the lyrics of a song that grabs you by the heart." This album has no weak moments and actually ends too soon. Produced and arranged by Gar with multi-instrumentalist Dan Caruso, who also recorded, mixed and mastered the album. If you are a Doughboys fan or Plainfield Slim fan be prepared for another side of Gar Francis.
As a side bar, Gar was asked by Bruce Ferguson of the Easy Outs to produce a song for the upcoming Runaway's Tribute Album, "Take It or Leave it". The result is a smashing version of the Runaways "Is It Day Or Night" to be included on the double disc release on Main Man Records June 28, 2011. Sounds like Gar went back to his Ritchie Blackmore/Deep Purple roots for this one.
Look for both albums at selected retail stores, iTunes, Amazon and other online outlets.
Bongo Boy Records continues to disarm listeners with their new single
"Lady Gaga" by the Swinging Iggies.
Written & Produced by Gar Francis and mastered at the House of Vibes,
the song rocks in a classic punk/pop way.
February 2011
The Swinging Iggies honed in on a remarkably well-defined sound with distinctive vocals. You will find this to be three minutes of outrageousness. It inhales today’s music sensations. With quietly persistent emotional conviction The Swinging Iggies do deliver the goods. It is complete with a serrated howl & general carrying on. This single doesn't miss a beat and neither should you.
“Lady Gaga” by The Swinging Iggies is available NOW for downloads at cdbaby.com, iTunes, Amazon and most digital download sites.
February 2, 2010
Bongo Boy Records release's Genya Ravan
“I Won’t Cry Anymore” the new single on Bongo Boy Records, written and produced by Gar Francis, unleashes a powerhouse with the vocal dominance of New York City icon Genya Ravan.
This new release by writer/producer Gar Francis is a sonically polished, deceptively effortless and relentless tune that is everything we've come to expect from his pen. Indeed, this is as close as we may get today to a true emotional blending by a talented songwriter and a legendary singer.
“I Won’t Cry Anymore” celebrates liberation on all fronts with lead and background vocals from the pipes known as Genya, instantly recognizable guitar chunks & keyboards by Gar, smooth as dark chocolate bass by Danny Caruso, and precision drumming by rhythm king Bobby Chen.
This third Bongo Boy release is again mixed by the Gar Francis/Kurt Reil team at the House of Vibes in Highland Park NJ and mastered by our favorite drumming Grip Weed.
“I Won’t Cry Anymore” is available as a digital download at CD Baby, iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, etc. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/genyaravan
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/plainfieldslim3 http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/plainfieldslim
Dutch Street Organ, a fanciful instrument
making festive music on mechanically-played reed,
string and percussion instruments.
teaming up with Songwriter & Blues musician
Gar Francis aka Plainfield Slim.