Buy Refugee Blues at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/volpe--
You can also listen to/purchase songs on iTunes
Influences
Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, Patti Smith, Jeff Tweedy, Radiohead, Henry Chinaski, Willie Nelson, Sonny Rollins, Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins, Robert Johnson, Woody Guthrie, Townes Van Zandt, Pete Seeger, Guy Dubord, the Beatles, Daniel Lanois, George Martin, Led Zeppelin, Tolstoy, NYC, SF Bay Area, Nashville, Ohio, the 2004 Presidential election, part-time jobs...
Sounds Like
All of these influences thrown into a blender with a little paprika, which actually tastes pretty good too ;)
After some months in Nashville, I went into the studio with Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Mu'tet, Dave Matthews) on sax and clarinet, Bryn Davies (Patti Griffin, Tony Rice) on upright bass and cello, Donnie Herron (Bob Dylan, BR549) on pedal steel and fiddle, Kenny Malone (Tom Waits, Cat Stevens, Johnny Cash) on drums and percussion, and a handful of songs, taking a musical leap of (good) faith in the direction that felt best. I played guitar, banjo, harmonica, sang, and Tyler Grant (Emmitt Nershi Band) played electric guitar on a tune.
The sessions were recorded by Grammy Award-winning engineer Phil Harris (Doc Watson, Bryan Sutton, Bawn in the Mash), who expertly captured the magical live band performances and loose improvisation that transpired over 4 days in early Spring 2008. The 12-song record is scheduled for release in the fall.===
Information about my 2006 release "Refugee Blues":
Chris Volpe captivates audiences with his master guitar playing and soulful voice.
Through his songs, Volpe tells haunting tales of American experiences--from giving up everything and everyone you know to move to New York City in "Jersey Sun," to feeling lost in this vast country in "Refugee Blues," the title track of Volpe's most recent CD. He won the studio time to record "Refugee Blues" when he was awarded "best song" at the West Coast Songwriting Association's (WCSA) contest.
All 15 songs on the CD were recorded live in one take, with no overdubs, editing, or effects--a stellar recording feat--which only adds credence to Volpe's innate music abilities.
What's more, Volpe won an Independent Music Award--Folk/Singer-Songwriter Album of the Year-- for "Refugee Blues" in 2006. Past winners of this worldwide competition include the likes of Chris Whitley and Dan Bern. The judges, to name a few, were Norah Jones, Melissa Etheridge, and Bill Wyman. Volpe and "Refugee Blues" were also highlighted on NPR's open mic feature, and 6 songs from "Refugee Blues" were featured on PBS's nationally broadcast mini-series, Roadtrip Nation, in the fall of 2007. The documentary follows modern-day American youths as they travel from coast to coast in search of an appropriate life direction.
===The San Francisco Bay Guardian wrote in 2006, "One listen to Refugee Blues and you'll realize Chris Volpe is not your mother's Leo Kottke. While the fingerpicking of this self-taught virtuoso often draws comparison to the legendary guitarist, it is his lyricism that sets Volpe apart. Accolades from the West Coast Songwriting Association attest to the fact that Volpe and Refugee Blues perfectly invoke the feelings of alienation and desperation arguably intrinsic to living in modern-day America."===
He is also the winner of the Singer/Songwriter Awards, an international competition based in London (We Are Listening), which flew Volpe out to London for a week to record with producer Steve Williams (Sting, Eric Clapton. Volpe has taught himself to play piano, bass, banjo and drums, among other instruments.
Volpe's top-quality songwriting and performing has also garnered him finalist awards and honorable mentions in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest, the USA Songwriters Competition, the International Songwriting Contest, and much more.
After touring in California and playing festivals out West, Volpe moved to Nashville to begin work on a new record. Regular tours through out the Midwest and Northeast, and West Coast, are happening periodically.
You sounded great on worldwidebluegass. com last night, I especially liked the part where you killed the server and the host with your wicked G-Run. Tell Steve Earle to vote for McCain. ;-)
Hi Chris, what's cooking? My respects to you and your very accomplished music. Good luck with all current and future musdical endeavours. Have a great weekend. Best wishes, Duncan.
Hey! just wanted to let you know! your music is amazing!!! now I really wish you had a guitar with you when you were here! Haope you're having fun on the road :)
Your performance from Bluegrass Underground will air on WSM-650 as the 2nd show in the series. It will be broadcast on the last friday in September, and be available online and in syndication the week before.
