The Songs of "Our Town"
“Our Town” is the newest addition to Hassamarra Publishing’s collection of CDs by local musicians. This one gives you five real old-style rock & roll tunes, performed by a real garage band from the 70s, and recorded with Rick Witkowski’s artful touch at Studio L in Weirton. The band is The Remainders, a group of five musicians who used to play together decades ago, who now regroup about once a year to play for dances in their home town of Toronto, Ohio.
Made-for-dancing rock & roll is what this CD is all about. The title track, Our Town, was written by lead guitarist Mike Styer specifically for this recording project, and specifically about Toronto: “Our town loves to rock and roll!” It tells about starting a band, partying down, and playing music for old friends.
Styer also wrote Getting’ Through the Blues, sung by the drummer, Dale Graham. Although the lyric laments that things are not going so well, it’s an upbeat tune that makes the case in point: music will get you through the blues, all right! Karen Shell takes a spirited piano lead on the instrumental break followed by a verse that highlights Jeff Hayes’s snazzy bass.
Guitarist Dave Baker wrote Gypsy Beauty, which he sings with a gravelly voice that perfectly complements his rocking guitar and the story about a vixen he has fallen in love with. The song stylings change between high energy rock and seductive swing for a fun and innovative song.
The fourth track lets you catch your breath with Styer’s smooth voice on his slow-dance tune Babe, I Don’t Know Your Name. Supported by vocal harmonies from the rest of the band, the lyrics take you through a teenage fantasy pursuit with a side helping of philosophy.
Baker’s rock voice returns for the final track, a Styer tune called Angel Eyes that has a bit of a Steppenwolf sound with its twisted licks, distorted guitar, tremolo organ, and a driving beat pushed forward by Jeff and Dale’s synchronized rhythms.
The photo of Youth Harbor on the CD and Susan Kulstad’s cover art showing Youth Harbor in the evening light will have special meaning for past and present Toronto residents – worthy memorabilia that downloads are unable to provide. You can buy the CDs from Hassamarra Publishing for $12.75 each plus shipping and handling. Purchase here.