AMG Review of DON'T YOU KNOW Review by Joe Viglione | |
The title track to John Batdorf and Michael McLean's Don't You Know album has a simple philosophy and a strum that goes along with an eloquent melody that is easy to hold on to. In the decades after the reign of Seals & Crofts and England Dan & John Ford Coley, as well as more famous pairings like Simon & Garfunkel, John Batdorf soldiers on impressively, finding a formidable collaborator in the popular Michael McLean. The 11 songs are well constructed and highly commercial, from the very catchy "It's Not Love," borrowing heavily from the Rolling Stones' final (and uncredited) Jimmy Miller-produced hit, 1981's "Waiting on a Friend," to the moving "Heartbeat Away." That the sensibilities are straight out of the '70s and '80s folk-rock era is an indication of where these craftsmen found the components to build their ark. A chorus of backing vocals emphasizes the point as the folksy "It's Not Love" rocks to its conclusion, while "Promised Land" doesn't take as long to set the stage, driving with the spirit of any uptempo Eagles number. And that's the interesting element at play here, for the material is stronger than latter-day America or Eagles music, but with no major-label push or commercial platform, superb titles like "It's Only My Heart" remain hidden performances lost in the shuffle of millions and millions of copyrights looking for recognition. This is truly one of those important discs waiting for a second look, the distinctive voice of Batdorf surrounded by great players and sublime production. It is perhaps a sign of the times that such an elegant composition as "Never Had to Ask" won't be getting major FM airplay on radios across the country without some kind of action in television or film, or perhaps a James Taylor or Don Henley type looking for outside material to push in this new musical era. That would be a positive; however, these performances and this recording are so perfectly put together that the glory should go to the work of Batdorf & McLean on this potential monster album just waiting to be heard by consumers. The themes the songwriters explore are similar from song to song, and like a good book, some of the lyrical ideas reappear in different titles. Pick any track -- "She's the Girl" with Tim Heintz's accordion and Greg Leisz's mandolin or "Never Had to Ask" with Michael Baird's drums-in-a-cavern sound -- and you'll hear masterful players working with a soulful voice on perfectly written pop songs. This 1997 undiscovered gem by the veteran pair comes with a 12-page booklet and is as beautifully produced as it is packaged. Click here to listen to song samples, buy the CD, read the review, see the CD overview and credits and link to the artists' other work© 2007 All Media Guide, LLC. All Rights Reserved. | |
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
AMG Review of Batdorf & McLean's DON'T YOU KNOW
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
"I Don't Always Win" at #13 on Acoustic Pie Radio!
from Kelley Martin's (Acoustic Pie Girl) Myspace Blog posted Saturday, December 01, 2007
 | Top 20 Songs, Acoustic Pie Radio |
Thursday, November 22, 2007
RadioIndy Review "Home Again"
"Home Again" by John Batdorf (Acoustic/Adult Rock Artist from Los Angeles, California (CA))
"Home Again" by John Batdorf, is a very impressive acoustic adult rock CD. The CD is filled with impressive acoustic guitar work, which sounds really good on this recording. John's vocals are especially beautiful on this CD, and include rich harmonies on many tracks. The recording quality is crystal clear, which is especially effective on this acoustic, unplugged CD, and allows the lyrics to cut through nicely. The songwriting combines well thought-out and thought-provoking lyrics combined with memorable choruses. "Home Again," the title track, combines memorable acoustic guitar work and a memorable chorus, with a powerful lyrical message. "Me and You" includes clever lyrics and nice 2-part harmonies. "Something Is Slipping Away" is a remarkably beautiful song. The up-tempo "One Night Stands" is one of our favorite tracks, with it's hook-filled chorus. If you enjoy acoustic adult rock artists of the 60s and early 70s, such as Crosby, Stills, & Nash, you will enjoy this CD. Pick up a copy today!
- Review by RadioIndy staff
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
reviews from around the web #4
Gooder'n Bad Vinyl
The Best Vinyl I've Got . . . Well, mostly vinyl, and mostly good ;-)Batdorf and Rodney - Off The Shelf (1971)
Originally Posted Monday, 2. October 2006 by SoundTown
Although they first met in high school in Hollywood, California, John and Mark got musically together in the mystical desert of Las Vegas, Nevada in September 1970.
John, originally from Dayton, Ohio was in a Cowsills type band called the "Loved Ones", featuring soap opera star Patty Weaver and her brothers. He was 15 at the time. They signed with Atlantic Records chairman Ahmet Ertugen and moved west, but the band went nowhere.
Mark, who grew up in Hollywood, California came from a famous musical family. As a teenager, he played in various blues bands and jammed with famous bands like the orginal Blues Image, Jimi Hendrix, and many rock stars in Hollywood clubs.
By 1970, both John and Mark had tired of the Los Angeles scene and were both interested in the new music revolution of the 70s....acoustic music! They re-connected in Las Vegas and started playing acoustic guitars together. They were both heavily into the new sound of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Neil Young, James Taylor, and Simon & Garfunkel. After three months, they had conquered Las Vegas and had enough originals to head back to Los Angeles. By a magic coincidence, Ahmet Ertegun was in Los Angeles and offered to audition them. He immediately signed them to Atlantic Records and produced them himself in legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
The group eventually recorded three albums on Atlantic, Asylum (one of their first releases), and Arista Records. The three A's! They toured for five years with groups like Bread, The Youngbloods, Loggins and Messina, Three Dog Night, Dan Fogelberg, Chicago, Seals and Crofts, and every group from that era. They had several regional hits but never broke nationally before they had enough of the business. Batdorf and Rodney were actually before groups like America, Seals and Crofts, and Dan Fogelberg. They were always considered a major influence of that sound.
reviews from around the web #3
Categories: Pop/Rock/Country, Eclectic Mix They made records and toured this country and Canada for most of the 70s. Now in a new millennium, John has recorded a new CD with James Lee Stanley "All Wood And Stones" along with his first solo EP, "Side One." His latest solo CD, "Home Again" is comprised of seven new originals and three songs for the Batdorf and Rodney days. This CD is an acoustic guitar and vocal enthusiasts dream come true. It was also the first time that he had a chance to work with Mark Rodney since 1975.
John Batdorf began his career in the 70's as a recording artist with Batdorf and Rodney. John and Mark Rodney were both heavily in the new sound of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Neil Young, James Taylor, and Simon & Garfunkel.
Copyright © 2007 ArtServe Michigan and MediaSpan |
reviews from around the web #2
Originally Posted Wednesday, March 7th, 2007
MUSIC REVIEW:
Batdorf and Rodney are home again
By JIM CARNES, The Sacramento Bee
More than three decades after putting an end to Batdorf and Rodney, John Batdorf and Mark Rodney are singing together again - and it's great. Just like old times. Except with a maturity of songwriting on Batdorf's part that imbues this set with warmth and depth. Batdorf refers to "Home Again" as "the Batdorf and Rodney album that was never made," which is sure to delight a bunch of old fans.
It includes three songs from the duo's days together - the title track, which is performed here in a version that's even better than the original; "Ain't It Like Home," which Batdorf performs as a solo; and "Where Are You Now," a duet that has never appeared on a studio album - plus seven new songs.
Those two "home" songs are a clue to a major theme of this set. It's about finding a place of safety and comfort. Other fine songs include "Solitude," "Me and You" and "One Night Stands," which is only about extramarital affairs in that it's about a performer's love of his music and the one-night concert stands on the road.
This is a really fine collection.
**** out of four stars.
reviews from around the web #1
Small But Loyal Fans Still Love B&R
9/24/2007 2:00:35 PM | Chuck Collins
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney reunite on the Kent Stage (note: this show is from the recent past)
Mark Rodney, the son of a beat-era jazz trumpeter, started hanging out and jamming at clubs on the Sunset Strip while he was still a teenager. In those days you could jam with anybody at a club called Thee Experience. Jimi Hendrix, Blues Image, and Albert Collins were just a few he was lucky enough to jam with. While staying with his dad in Las Vagas, Rodney saw John Batdorf playing guitar at UNLV's "The Kitchen," Vegas's only folk club, and my life changed again. CSN, and Neil Young had come out, and we both loved those groups, so they switched to acoustic guitars, started jamming together and developed their our own sound. Batdorf & Rodney was born!
John will be performing solo the first half of the show and then will be joined by his old buddy, Mark Rodney. They will be performing all their greats from the B&R days.
So what have the guys been up to?
After the breakup, John did an album with a group called Silver and toured the country promoting their album at venues with the likes of America, Doobie Brothers, Poco and Hall and Oats. Fans devoted to his sound recognized John's voice on several radio and television projects in the 80s when he worked as a top LA studio session singer.
When he wasn't touring with bands, or producing music for a variety of clients, he never stopped writing songs. In the early 90s he partnered with fellow songwriter Michael McLean and released a handful of albums that captured a personal resonance John found with his universal songs of hope and inspiration.
Its as if with each stage in his artistic journey, he developed a greater understanding of the power music to impact our daily lives. Never one to stagnate creatively, John expanded his artistic palette from acoustic driven pop/rock to story driven melodies.
From 1996 to 2002 he worked as a TV composer for the hit series Touched by an Angel and Promised Land. Now into the second half of the new millennium, John has recorded a new CD with James Lee Stanley "All Wood And Stones" (a highly original take on early Rolling Stones songs, done acoustically with tight harmonies) along with his first solo EP, "Side One."
His latest solo CD,Home Again is comprised of seven new originals and three songs for the Batdorf and Rodney days. This CD is an acoustic guitar and vocal enthusiasts dream come true! When you listen to John sing songs about things that really matter to him, and you'll understand why they mean so much to his fans that have spanned three decades.
The Kent Stage is located at 175 East Main Street in downtown Kent , Ohio There is FREE parking behind the theater and on all city streets. Advance tickets are available at Woodsy's Music and Spin-More Records in Kent or www.kentstage.org. Tickets will also be available at the door. Doors open one hour before concert
On the Net:
www.kentstage.org
http://www.johnbatdorfmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/markrodney
Source: The Kent Stage news release
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Batdorf and Rodney at XM Radio
Batdorf and Rodney at XM Radio
On another front, a brand new self described "record company for the 21st century", Novatunes, has signed on artists like Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Leon Russell and several more acts including myself. I think they have come up with a great new concept in selling music. Check out their site below.
http://www.novatunes.com/
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
"Let It Go" #6 for October '07 on Acoustic Pie Radio
Posted by Kelley Martin on her myspace this past Sunday:
Sunday, November 04, 2007
| Top 20 Songs on Acoustic Pie Radio, October 2007 As voted on by online listeners at Live365..... |
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
11/07 - John Batdorf and Mark Rodney from one coast to another and back again
John Batdorf with Mark Rodney
from one coast to another
and back again...
Friday, 2-4 November 2007
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney
Far West Folk Alliance Conference
Hilton Hotel/Vancouver, Vancouver, Wa.
http://www.far-west.org/
John will be performing solo and with Mark Rodney at the Far West Folk Alliance November 2-4.
Not open to the public.
Sunday, 4 November 2007 @ 5:30pm
Batdorf & Rodney Private House Concert
Near Seattle, WA
Tuesday, 6 November 2007 @ 7:30pm
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney
Mainstreet Songwriters Showcase @ Cafe Bellissimo
22458 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364-1523
818-225-0026
http://www.cafebellissimo.com/
Price: donations
John and Mark will do a 30 minute set of originals.
Friday, 9 November 2007 @ 3:30pm
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney
Folk Scene Radio Pre-record
http://www.myspace.com/folkscene
Mark and I are recording a radio show for the legendary Folk Scene Radio Show hosted by Roz Larman to be broadcast at a later date TBD.
Saturday, 10 November 2007 @ 7:30pm
Meet Me In the Music Presents
John Batdorf with Mark Rodney and Bill Batstone
Opening: Andrew Jackson
Verity Room Gallery
7503 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park, CA 91303
paypal: http://www.myspace.com/meetmeinthemusicp
email meetmepresents@gmail.com for more info
Price: $20. advance reservations general admission
$25. cash/general admission/door
doors open at 6:45pm
Friday, 16 November 2007 @1pm
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney with Bill Batstone
XM Radio Live Concert
Washington, D.C.
http://xmradio.com/onxm/channelpage.xmc?c
John, Mark and Bill will be recording a live concert with an audience this time at the fantastic studio of XM Radio. The show will air at a later date and will be part of a new live Batdorf and Rodney CD that will include two brand new studio recorded songs due out in the spring of 2008.
Saturday, 17 November 2007 @ 8pm
John Batdorf with special guest Mark Rodney
Paul Mannes House Concert
Arlington, Va 22205
703-868-6379
Price: $20.00
There will be limited seating at this show so to reserve a seat please email Paul Mannes at paulmannes@verizon.net
Monday, October 29, 2007
John Batdorf with Mark Rodney and Bill Batstone at the Verity Room on November 10th
email meetmepresents@gmail.com
or access the Paypal Buttons at
the Mother Hen Promotions myspace
John Batdorf Appearances at FAR-West 2007
Friday, November 2nd
315 RMJ Productions - 4-5pm - solo/B&R
Oak Room - Room With a View - 10pm - B&R
315 RMJ Productions - 11pm-12am - solo/B&R
337 Concerts at the Bodie House 12:30am - solo
341 True Wind Music/Living Room - 1am - solo
Saturday, November 3rd
351 Concerts in Your Home.com - 2pm - solo
315 RMJ Productions - 4-5pm - solo/B&R
315 RMJ Productions - 11pm-12am - solo/B&R
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Review 10/23/07: B & R in concert - Incredible
-Chris Abood, a music fan in Cleveland, OH-
October 2007 John Batdorf and Mark Rodney came to Northeast Ohio for the first time in over 30 years and those of us who had the opportunity to see them, not once but twice in one weekend, will forever have that glorious memory.
As good as the CD, "Home Again" is, the real treat was hearing the music of John Batdorf, and Batdorf and Rodney, presented acoustically. The guitars of these two musicians sang. The voices were perfect. And the joyful lyrics and music, first shared over 30 years ago, sounded as fresh and vibrant as if we were hearing for the first time.
Mark Rodney is back among the finest acoustic pickers in folk music. He skillfully played the lead notes heard on the B & R albums in the 70's without the fuzz of drums or bass to distract. "Me and My Guitar", Oh My Surprise," and so many other songs had new life as Mark's sweet, deliberate guitar playing took center stage. And John Batdorf's artful lead playing during the triumphant "Can you See Him," may have actually showcased the best licks of the night. That song is among the most powerful in any musical genre.
Yes, it was wonderful to hear the music, but we also took great pleasure in seeing the interplay between these two old friends. The stories shared about their early days, their meetings with Ahmet Ertegen, their partying lifestyle in LA and the life experiences which generated their songs were captivating and humorous. It was a totally satisfying experience.
"Music's here for us to love each day" has been a phrase I've kept in mind since the first time I heard it decades ago. And now, when I think of the line, "All my life, I've waited for this day," from "Home Again," I realize that my musical prayer has been answered. Their performance was superb!!
Review9/28/07: Dayton Daily News
Nontraditional radio helps ’70s duo break into mainstream
http://www.daytondailynews.com/e/content/oh/story/entertainment/music/2007/09/27/ddn092807gobatdorfrodney.html
Nontraditional radio helps '70s duo break into mainstream
The rigidity of commercial radio playlists has made it possible for only certain old school acts to receive airplay.
However, the rise of satellite and Internet radio stations has given new life to once popular acts that managed to slip through the cracks of mainstream consciousness. That's the case with former Daytonian John Batdorf, who owes his recent career resurgence to the lasting popularity of '70s duo Batdorf & Rodney, which is in heavy rotation on a number of nontraditional radio stations.
"For maybe 25 years you couldn't hear any of that stuff, but the reality is radio is actually playing stuff from those days again," Batdorf said recently, speaking over the telephone from his California home. "When satellite radio came out, I didn't even know what it was, but people started telling me they were hearing Batdorf & Rodney on XM radio. ... At that point the records had not even been re-released. The DJs had taken the records and burned them onto CD."
The objects of fixation for these DJs were the three major label LPs Batdorf & Rodney released in the early to mid-'70s, which were loaded with a folksy blend of mellow, West Coast harmonies and intricate dual acoustic guitar interplay.
Batdorf and Rodney hadn't seen each other since 1985 when they reunited in 2006 to record three cuts for Batdorf's solo album "Home Again." The old friends found the spark still was there and decided to get back together for a brief Midwestern reunion tour, which stops at Canal Street Tavern tonight.
CONTACT contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
Review(s) 10/6/07 from NWI.com
| Popular ’70s singer comes full circle - from NWI Times  Popular '70s singer comes full circleSaturday, October 6, 2007 12:05 AM CDTBY TOM LOUNGES Times Correspondent Like so many of those singing/songwriting troubadours of the 1970s that flooded the pop music scene, John Batdorf, was heavily influenced and inspired by those hippie-spirited, rebel souls who had come a decade earlier. One in particular, Stephen Stills, had a deep influence on Batdorf, which can be heard in his guitar playing, if not his vocalizing. When he opens his mouth to sing, Batdorf's high range recalls a slightly less soaring Jon Anderson (YES) with a touch of a less-shrill Geddy Lee (Rush). Perhaps his unique vocal style is what has made Batdorf such a popular session singer on countless radio and television commercial jingles and a guest vocalist on recording projects for other artists Batdorf's voice has been tapped over the years by a wide range of artists -- from pop act Jefferson Starship, to hard rockers Motley Crue, to Americana favorite James Lee Stanley -- the latter with whom Batdorf released a tasty 2005 acoustic album of Rolling Stones covers titled, "All Wood And Stones." His story began in 1971. That is when he partnered with Mark Rodney, signed to Atlantic Records and released their first album, "Off The Shelf." The two quickly became part of the enormous acoustic duo genre of the early-'70s that included acts like Seals & Crofts, Brewer & Shipley, Loggins & Messina, England Dan & John Ford Coley, and Hall & Oates. Batdorf & Rodney were wooed away by a young David Geffen to the fledgling Asylum Records for their self-titled second album, and later by Clive Davis, who released their third album on his Arista label. Batdorf & Rodney have been described by critics as the quintessential California acoustic folk-rock duo of the '70s. They released three albums and landed two singles on the charts -- "You Are A Song" and "Somewhere In The Night" -- before splitting up in 1975. Batdorf joined the group Silver in 1976, recorded one album, and toured with the Doobie Brothers, Poco, Hall & Oates and America. Extensive session work kept him busy during the 1980s, and in the mid-1990s, Batdorf expanded his musical resume by becoming resident composer for such hit television programs as "Promised Land" and "Touched By An Angel." After recording a pair of albums in the 1990s with fellow singer/songwriter Michael McLean, Batdorf spent most of this decade as an indie rocker and again has hit the concert trail. Earlier this year, he released his newest collection of original music, the aptly titled, "Home Again." Now performing again with Rodney, the duo will recreate the music and magic of a generation ago on stage tonight at Front Porch Music. ifyougo John Batdorf with Mark Rodney When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Front Porch Music, 505 Lincolnway, Valparaiso Cost: $12, all ages FYI: (219) 464-4700 or www.frontporchmusic.com © Copyright 2007, The Times, Munster, IN direct article link 11:24 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove |
| What’s old is new again for Batdorf & Rodney - NWI Interview |
Review 9/8/7: Santa Barbara News-Press
from the Santa Barbara News-Press re: John Batdorf and Andrew Jackson 9/8 /07
|
Review from 3/30/07 - Dayton Daily News
Dayton Daily News article/review from 3/30/07
BY DON THRASHER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
THE DAYTON DAILY NEWS (March 30, 2007)
Batdorf, who performs tonight at Canal Street Tavern, reached his commercial peak in the mid-'70s with acoustic duo Batdorf & Rodney, who released two LPs on Atlantic Records. Despite the ups and downs in his career, he never quit playing and recording. And as Batdorf proves on his new self-released LP, Home Again, at 55 he is still completely focused on creating music.
The album is packed with memorable gems such as Home Again, Solitude and Something is Slipping Away, which are sunny slices of West Coast folk with shimmering acoustic guitars, warm harmonies and Batdorf's rich, youthful tenor. "I thought it might be a really cool idea to try to recreate a retro-throwback record," Batdorf said recently. "I wanted the songs to sound like they were recorded in the late '60s or early '70s but were still modern by today's standards, kind of like a lost album. I wanted to kind of do the songs how I do them at the shows, which is a little different arrangement, a little more scaled down, kind of a house concert approach."
Home Again, recorded in Batdorf's home studio, is clearly his baby, but he received musical assistance from James Lee Stanley, Michael McLean, Greg Collier and other talented friends. The project also gave Batdorf the opportunity to work with his twin sons, Brett and Matt, who provided harmony vocals on several cuts. Mark Rodney, his old partner from the '70s, also added guitar and vocals to re-recordings of a few old songs, marking their first collaboration in 30 years.
Batdorf is promoting the CD to NPR affiliates and Internet radio stations, but his main focus is on XM satellite radio. "I was really trying to gear this project at XM because I thought they would be the immediate national airplay I could get," said Batdorf, who was pleasantly surprised at the positive response. "All of a sudden I had three songs on XM. I was thrilled. Now they're playing nine out of the 10 songs. It felt like mission accomplished, now I just have to try to keep spreading the word."
For more information: www.johnbatdorfmusic.com.
Contact contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
Review 6/11/07: The Lefsetz Letter
All Wood & Stones/Russ & Julie's House Concert Review from Bob Lefsetz
The Lefsetz Letter from Monday, 6/11/07
The House Concert took place Saturday evening, 6/9/07
Russ & Julie's House Concert
I won't go see the Stones anymore. I don't want to hang with those people, calcified, trying to relive a youth that in most cases they never had, being too scared of the English band in its prime, all the while being hawked overpriced merchandise as Jagger shouts the lyrics and the band plays and those of who were there the first time around puke.
But to hear John Batdorf and James Lee Stanley reinterpret their classics… For that I'll drive deep into the heart of suburban California, to a location I never even knew EXISTED!
A couple of years back, I got e-mail from James Lee Stanley asking me if I'd take a listen to his new album with John Batdorf, "All Wood And Stones", an acoustic reworking of Stones songs.
Remember when the Beatles hit and everybody took up the guitar? And you'd go to parties and sing the hits of the day? That's what this album sounded like, if you took the best two guys you ever heard in high school and they rearranged the tracks, making something new out of what was in your DNA, that you'd heard a zillion times before. The music was satisfying. It was old, but new. I felt it was a natural.
Alas, "All Wood And Stones" never broke through. It didn't get the exposure it deserved. Because rock radio is dead. Because the purveyors think the audience is dead, and can't listen to anything new. Mike Marrone played the album on XM's Loft, but one station on a service with a hundred odd channels that reaches far from everybody… I tried to get Sirius on the bandwagon, I felt it was a one listen record, but I never got a response to my entreaty, even though I was doing it out of passion, with no pay involved. The album languished.
But when Russ Paris e-mailed to tell me that Batdorf & Stanley were going to appear in his living room on Saturday night, I said I was IN! Actually, it was Felice who implored me, I'd put the album on her hard drive.
So we go over Malibu Canyon, drive further out than I ever do unless I'm going to Santa Barbara, and exit the 101 in Westlake Village. Who moves to Westlake Village? Why? I have no idea, but there are a ton of similar houses out there, don't drive home drunk, you'll never find your house!
And after missing the turn-off, we finally made it to Russ Paris' house.
It's hard for me to reach out and engage. But I didn't want to go to this gig and not introduce myself. And figuring the dude at the door with the shirt with the musical notes on it must be Russ, I hovered until he finished detailing the agenda to a patron, and introduced myself.
And that's when I got Russ' story.
He went to college back east, at Brandeis. But he missed California people. Funny, I've heard of missing EAST COAST people, then again maybe what he was saying was he was sick of the stuffy underpinnings of the east.
Anyway, he returned to L.A. and went to law school. He passed the Bar, but never practiced. He went into commercial real estate. But then gave that up to start a graphics business with his ninth grade sweetheart, now his wife, out of his home. This same home containing not only Russ & Julie, but their three children.
Yes, Julie showed me the room of Macs, but that graphics business was secondary to Russ' love for music. He'd been surfing the Web and had made contact with Severin Browne, Jackson's brother, and after convincing Severin that he truly DID have his two Motown albums, Severin invited him to a friend's backyard, for an album release party, eleven years ago. And experiencing this magical evening, Russ asked Severin, would he like to do a show at HIS house?
And thus began Russ & Julie's House Concerts.
Better yet, go to the MySpace page. Wherein you can see the news video. Better yet, scroll down and watch Andrew Gold's live performance. THAT'S a house concert. The folksiness. The intimacy.
And then, as Donna Summer once sang, it was time to dim all the lights.
We sat down in folding chairs, Russ fired up the JBL sound system he'd purchased, and John Batdorf and James Lee Stanley started to PLAY!
I think "Ruby Tuesday" was the opening number.
I'm listening to it on my computer right now.
She would never say where she came from
Where did YOU come from? I came from the suburbs, half a century ago. My parents had hopes and dreams. They tried to give us a better life. And it wasn't about possessions, but experiences. Oftentimes MUSICAL experiences. My mother bought us our first records. She took us to the symphony, to the musicals, she got us HOOKED!
How many times have I heard "Ruby Tuesday"? Not enough to burn out on it! And Batdorf and Stanley's take has stripped the patina and left only the essence, the wistfulness, the story.
I was right back in the sixties.
They played "The Last Time".
I bought every Beatle album, but not each Stones one. It wasn't like today, music wasn't free. But when their first greatest hits album, "Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)", was released, I immediately purchased it, the record was such a good VALUE! And my absolute favorite track, the one I played over and over again, was " Last Time".
Well I told you once and I told you twice
But you never listen to my advice
The ATTITUDE! They were conveying it ACOUSTICALLY!
The MUSIC, the ERA, it was coming alive.
I was elbowing Felice, she had a smile on her face, I only regretted that the music wasn't LOUDER, so I could sing along in anonymity!
That's what we do at the show, sing along with songs we know so well.
Not that I knew Batdorf and Stanley's original material so well.
All I knew was that John Batdorf was in a band with Mark Rodney that I never ever heard on the radio. But I was aware of them, I saw their albums in the store.
Batdorf played this one number, "Let Me Go", with James helping him out… John waxed rhapsodic about Stephen Stills' guitar-playing abilities, he was influenced by him. It was AMAZING to see John work out. And his VOICE! He hit every note, it was so sweet, I was TRANSPORTED! And I was only TEN FEET AWAY!
There's a power in music. And we baby boomers know it. It's part of our history, it's deep inside us. We don't understand the hip-hop and pop sold by the big time media, but we're open to new stuff, we're open to being entertained if you hit our soft spot, which has got to do with a certain mellifluousness.
You can't buy the original Batdorf & Rodney "Let Me Go" on iTunes, but I fired up my P2P app and THERE IT WAS! The band LIVES ON! So funny YEARS later to still have a presence in people's minds!
And James Lee Stanley's music was almost overshadowed by his stories, he's a naturally born comedian. He told us about escaping his father's house to go swimming and then building a fire to dry his bathing suit, having it burn up and then riding his bike home naked, FOR MILES!
That's the honesty lacking in so much of today's mainstream art/media. It rolls off our backs because it isn't made for us. It's made for non-thinking robots with no soul.
But the people at Russ & Julie's house had soul. They'd seen ups and downs. That's what life is about. Even losers get lucky sometimes. And the winners are not always on a high. But what gets us through is the music, it allows us to leave our bodies, leave our troubles behind, enter a sphere where we can't be touched.
Batdorf & Stanley finished the evening off with four more Stones songs. God, I could have listened to them play all night.
And when it was done, I spoke with John about having his first album produced by Ahmet Ertegun. And then switching over to David Geffen's Asylum. James Lee Stanley told me he'd gotten "All Wood And Stones" back from the distributor, he still had hope…
I said he was RIGHT! That they just needed the right exposure. Not once in some TV show, but as a theme on ESPN, something continuous. Because if people HEARD this music, they'd WANT IT!
But it's hard to get the message out these days. Amidst all the clutter. When it's thought anybody born in the fifties just wants to rest on his laurels, wants no new peak experiences. So Batdorf & Stanley fly under the radar, working in their own cottage industry. Makes me feel sorry for them. They record all this great music, but most people don't hear it. Still, they soldier on, because they have to!
I can tell you about the great shows I saw at the Fillmore East. I've seen my share of stadium shows, and enjoyed them. But it's those club shows that touched me most. Like seeing Bruce Springsteen at the Bottom Line, back in '74, the year BEFORE "Born To Run".
There were seats in clubs back in those days. But now music is something you've got to stand to listen to. It's about the shared experience more than what you hear in your head.
But the old experience lives on. Along with the old performers. In houses across this great country of ours. The gigs might not be reported to Pollstar, the CDs sold for fifteen bucks might never show up in SoundScan, but what's going down in these suburban neighborhoods is every bit as valid as what happens at those massive gigs with ducats sold by TicketMaster.
Deep in the show, Batdorf and Stanley played "Backstreet Girl".
For Chanukah one year, I got the Stones album "Flowers". It was not one of their best, it contained "Ruby Tuesday", but it was a slapdash collection. But it had this one song sans attitude that sank in. Hearing "Backstreet Girl" Saturday night, I was reminded of walking around the Bromley base lodge on a cold December day, singing the song in my head. That's what a great gig does, bring you back. Saturday night, I was brought back.
The Lefsetz Letter is powered by WordPress, Jeffry Weicher ProductionsCopyright © 2007 The Lefsetz Letter. All rights reserved
Review from 2/07: Comma Concerts moves to Valley
Comma Concerts moves to Valley
Staff Reports
February 9, 2007 
Promoter and Minden resident Doug Reynolds started the series in 2004 with the goal of presenting world-class performing artists to small crowds. Reynolds said the decision to move the series came after two Valley locations opened recently.
"I always wanted to bring the concerts to town but there wasn't any place suitable to hold them. I helped book Minden's concerts in the park for a few years and I really enjoy that big picnic atmosphere with all the families and activities going on, but it isn't the best place acoustically for those who are there to really listen to the music.
"When Minden Village was built, I noticed that the 88 Cups coffee house had a perfect, amphitheater shaped patio area and Lee, the owner, was all for presenting live music there. That gave me an outdoor venue to try. Shady Grove Coffee Co. in Gardnerville opened and even though it was smaller than Comma Coffee, it does comfortably seat 65, which gives me just enough in potential ticket sales to pay some of the artists on my roster. We held our first show there last fall and nearly sold out. I also produced two free outdoor shows at 88 Cups last summer, gambling that I could pay the artists through donations from those in attendance. The first show drew 180, the second 285, and those in attendance were very generous. It took a full year to get as much support in Carson City that we received in the first three shows in Douglas County, so I made the decision to bring the whole series here for 2007."
The first show at Shady Grove will feature John Batdorf, an influence in the smooth, acoustic rock sound that was made popular by artists such as Seals and Croft, Bread, and Poco. His duo, Batdorf and Rodney, was a critically acclaimed act in the late 1970s. They were signed and produced by the head of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun, who also produced both the Rolling Stones and Ray Charles. Although they never achieved superstar status, the group was a regular opening act for the biggest concerts of the era, and Batdorf's smooth, acoustic style was credited as influencing many of the artists of the 1970s.
Tickets for John Batdorf are $15 and are available at Shady Grove Coffee Co., 1411 Highway 395, or online at CommaConcerts. com. The full schedule of concerts slated for 2007 can also be viewed on the Web site.
Professional Reviews for HOME AGAIN (last updated August '07)
Professional Reviews for HOME AGAIN
Category: Music
(Note - this post will be updated/re-dated with new reviews and quotes for HOME AGAIN as and when they are given to us.)
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Added 8/3/07
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Added 7/31/07
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Added 7/31/07
from the July '07 issue of The Sounding Board, the official newsletter of the Martin Guitar Company.
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Added 7/16/07
Celebrating classic folk-rock
Reviewed May 2007
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Half of the under-appreciated '70s folk-rock duo Batdorf and Rodney, singer-songwriter John Batdorf has a new album out that recalls the heyday of the acoustic guitar-backing-vocal-harmonies age. Eight new songs and re-recorded versions of a couple old Batdorf and Rodney staples, "Home Again" is as fun an album as Batdorf has ever been involved with.
Fans of the old duo will be delighted to see Mark Rodney on harmony vocals both on a revamped version of "Home Again," as well as on "Where Are You Now?", which has only been available on the "Live at McCabes" album. Both tracks stand among the very best the two have done together, and hearing them together again after 30 years is truly a treat.
Fans of Batdorf's more recent recordings will be glad to know that he's joined here by collaborators James Lee Stanley and Bill Batstone. Stanley, in particular, provides a ready foil to Batdorf's own guitar work. And Batdorf's two sons, Brett and Matt, provide some harmony vocals as well, adding a familial touch.
Batdorf's singing is better than ever, his songwriting as strong as always, the supporting cast outstanding.
Anyone who digs the acoustic singer-songwriter school or '70s folk rock is likely to enjoy the groove Batdorf and Co. have laid down here.
Review by Jim Trageser. Jim is a writer and editor living in Escondido, Calif., and was a contributor to the "Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD" (1993) and "The Routledge Encyclopedia of the Blues" (2005).
Added 7-16-07:
from 
Artist: John Batdorf
CD Name: Home Again
Artist Site: John Batdorf
-Review by Kimmi Rudolph for Bitchin' Entertainment
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Added 7/14/07
Posted By Corey Koehler | July 14, 2007 on Musicgoat
John Batdorf too.
Check out Musicgoat on Myspace ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Added 7/2/07
Independent and Major Label Artist Music Promotion
New music information, independent music promotion, and music resources. A valuable network for music artists and fans.July 1st, 2007
It's the perfect time to experience the music of John Batdorf. John truly knows he is Home Again, and there is no better place to be. Anyone who appreciates good music must appreciate John Batdorf. His energy driven vocals singing heartfelt lyrics, accompanied by perfect harmonic melodies are not to be forgotten. John leaves a long lasting impression the very second his acoustic guitar is in his hands. Longtime fans will know that John Batdorf's journey began in 1970 with Mark Rodney, and they were known as "Batdorf and Rodney". They released a couple albums and gained a nice fan-base during the early 70s, John also being part of the group Silver. Over the past 30 years he has been busy singing as well as songwriting for artists such as America and Kim Carnes. You will even hear John singing background vocals for a variety of artists like The Jefferson Starship, Motley Crue, David Lee Roth, and James Lee Stanley.
He has released a CD with James Lee Stanley titled "All Wood And Stones" which is an acoustic focused album featuring Rolling Stones songs. The most recent release is "Home Again" which is John's latest solo work. The songs are absolutely fantastic, and I highly recommend giving the album a good listen.
You can read a lot more about John at his website. The website is very informative, so be sure to check it out. You can listen to and buy albums and dvds at the site.
The Official Website of John Batdorf
Visit John Batdorf at Myspace
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Added 6/30/07
Yup, listen to the Stones samples at Acoustic Guitars and Rolling Stones Songs and tracks from John's new album at John Batdorf.
Last time I saw Batdorf perform, a month ago, he told us how he was inspired by Stephen Stills' great guitar playing. Then, John proceeded to work out on his Martin and bring me right back there, into that pocket, when acoustic music ruled. If you were a fan of that Stephen Stills debut, check out "Can't Be Trusted".
But, the most meaningful song is "I Don't Always Win".
Remember those late night teenager and early twentysomething years, when you had more questions than answers, and you stayed up long after dark, with only your records to console you, keep you company? "I Don't Always Win" sounds EXACTLY LIKE THOSE MOMENTS!
There's a feeling that oldsters, aged baby boomers, can't recapture the greatness of their youth. I think Batdorf is now BETTER! Sure, he got some airplay with Mark Rodney thirty years ago, and toured, but he never broke through to big time fame, he can't survive on his royalties. He's lived inside his head, he hasn't been worried about dealing with groupies at Kitson, but rather feeding his family. So, the passion, the desire, IS STILL THERE!
I didn't listen to Batdorf's album the first time he sent it to me. I mean in today's Net world, how much can you experience, how much can you check out? But, after seeing him live, I INSISTED he send me another. I WANTED to hear it, the way you bought the album of the opening act you experienced in the triple header at Fillmore East.
And for those who were fans the first time, be sure to listen to "Home Again" on MySpace, a remake of a tune from Batdorf & Rodney's second album.
This is the song that won me over. I went to see Batdorf and Stanley for the Stones tunes. I wasn't eager to hear unfamiliar new stuff. But when John started strumming that Martin, when he got lost in the music, when the audience no longer mattered, when it was about the power of music to transform both the player AS WELL as the listener, that's when I got hooked.
... "Solitude" (is) ... my other favorite on his album. It sounds like one of those Stills songs off a Crosby, Stills & Nash album, like "4+20", or "Helplessly Hoping".If you were ever lonely, if you ever thought the world was unjust, if you ever listened to a record to get you through the night, you'll get this.
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Added 6/28/07
from Trots Allt, Sweden
John Batdorf
Home Again
(BatMac/Hemifrån)
John Batdorf from seventies duo Batdorf & Rodney and soft/rock band Silver (does anybody remember them?) is back with a CD in the genre he handles so well: Acoustic American pop (yankie americana). He has even invited old collegue Mark Rodney and it turns out to be a happy reunion. Fresh and beautiful. Where the guitar lines wrap around your knees and stretch for the ground as the vocal harmonies rise to the sky.
http://www.trotsallt.se/musik/sundell/natrecensioner_07.htm
eartaste - flavorful bits of ear candy worth seeking out
Thursday, June 14, 2007
John Batdorf - Home Again
The guitars whirl my head into a fine, wonderful, wine-like frenzy for close to a minute before the voice comes in and welcomes the morning with a happiness usual reserved for very rare moments with a friend. "Opened up – the daylight found me sitting underneath an oak tree, clearing up what once was cloudy." Each time I hear this tune I smile inside while dancing outside. Batdorf has an uncanny vocal method of simply sounding lovingly optomistic while acoustic guitars play in a technique one usually reserves for rock and roll. "All my life I've been waiting for this day! I am home again!" Shoutout for several compositions deliciously served up with different spices, Can't Be Trusted and Something Is Slipping Away. John Batdorf
Added 6/24/07
from Otakt in Sweden
Artist: John Batdorf
Title: Home Again
Label: BatMac music 2006 (Hemifrån)
Rating: 8
Now, John Batdorf is back, this time trying to revive the early seventies' singer/ songwriter tradition as carried out by names such as Seals & Crofts, Loggins & Messina, America, Crosby, Stills & Nash and, not to mention his own genre explorations with legendary Batdorf & Rodney. And sure enough, against all odds, he's succeding. At least, this nostalgia trick is working on me.
Pickingly groovy guitars and beautiful harmony vocals and a voice that is kind without being sappy and lyrics about love, loneliness and "home, sweet home". Quite conservative, both lyrically and musically. But it's so darn well-arranged and well-played and as well, this music keeps ouching my constantly underlying hippie nerve.
An emotional string that simply can't resist the sound and absolutely not the tenth and final track on the album, "Where Are You Now", which give shivers, vibrating with summerwinds in a cab, speeding down Ventura Highway, passing Hotel California somewhere in the night!
- Peter Linde / Otakt - http://www.otakt.se/2007/john_batdorf_ho
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Added 21 June 2007
From All Music Guide
| Review | by Joe Viglione |
Though an essential songwriter/singer behind the scenes in the music and film industry, John Batdorf deserves equal time on the radio and Home Again provides solid evidence for that argument. A reunion of sorts with 70's partner Mark Rodney, the title track is a re-make of a Batdorf tune from their second release as a duo, 1972's eponymous Batdorf & Rodney release. As with Ian Hunter, Buzzy Linhart, the group Epitaph and a notable list of other veteran artists, the music they are generating in the new millennium is in many ways superior to their previous efforts, and better than what radio and what's left of the industry is attempting to force on the masses. Mark Rodney writes the liner notes here inside this elegant package with over a dozen photo images of the players and he mentions the sound of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Yes, the title track could fit nicely into that trio's repertoire, though John Batdorf takes this disc through his own personal journey. "Me and You" is one of seven co-writes with Michael McLean and it would be a nugget on any Paul McCartney album. Vocally sounding like a cross between John Anderson from Yes and Seals & Croft (both of them; and yes, Batdorf & Rodney have been compared to that duo in the past), John Batdorf generates a striking album with help from his colleagues, a master craftsman delivering the goods without resting on past laurels or going through the motions. Though there is nothing ground-breaking here, that isn't the objective; it is refreshing to hear an artist do what he does best and do it without concern for Top 40 airplay or commercial success, though this album is oh so very radio friendly. Drifting through folk/pop and the blues of "Solitude" Batdorf communicates his ideas superbly, backing vocals cascading in a spacious production that is minimal yet still big. "I Don't Always Win" evokes that minstrel in the gallery feel Ian Anderson spoke of, the voices matching the guitar sounds with amazing effect. The ten titles clock in at under forty-five minutes but it is great playing and well considered production that makes this a very special project. The final track, "Where Are You Now?, is an old Batdorf & Rodney number which previously only showed up on their Live At McCabes release. Perhaps collaborations with Jonathan Richman and other quirky originals could take this music to an even different path and audience in the future but for right now the sounds on Home Again is warm, eloquent and very enjoyable. | |
Added 29 April 2007
Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:29 AM PDT
Editions of the North County Times Serving San Diego and Riverside Counties
---- Jim Trageser, Staff Writer
A "Home Again"
John Batdorf
Self-released
Fans of the old duo will be delighted to see Mark Rodney on harmony vocals both on a revamped version of "Home Again," as well as on "Where Are You Now?," which has been available only on the "Live at McCabes" album. Both tracks stand among the very best the two have done together, and hearing them together again after 30 years is truly a treat.
Fans of Batdorf's more recent recordings will be glad to know that he's joined here by collaborators James Lee Stanley and Bill Batstone. Stanley, in particular, provides a ready foil to Batdorf's own guitar work. And Batdorf's two sons, Brett and Matt, provide some harmony vocals as well, adding a familial touch.
Batdorf's singing is better than ever, his songwriting as strong as always, the supporting cast outstanding.
Anyone who digs the acoustic singer-songwriter school of '70s folk rock is likely to enjoy the groove Batdorf and Co. have laid down here.
John Batdorf plays April 27 at Normal Heights United Methodist Church in San Diego.
---- JT
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Added 23 April 2007
| POSTED BY: radioindy | POSTED ON: 23 Apr 2007 01:11 AM |
| "Home Again" by John Batdorf, is a very impressive acoustic adult rock CD. The CD is filled with impressive acoustic guitar work, which sounds really good on this recording. John's vocals are especially beautiful on this CD, and include rich harmonies on many tracks. The recording quality is crystal clear, which is especially effective on this acoustic, unplugged CD, and allows the lyrics to cut through nicely. The songwriting combines well thought-out and thought-provoking lyrics combined with memorable choruses. "Home Again," the title track, combines memorable acoustic guitar work and a memorable chorus, with a powerful lyrical message. "Me and You" includes clever lyrics and nice 2-part harmonies. "Something Is Slipping Away" is a remarkably beautiful song. The up-tempo "One Night Stands" is one of our favorite tracks, with it's hook-filled chorus. If you enjoy acoustic adult rock artists of the 60s and early 70s, such as Crosby, Stills, & Nash, you will enjoy this CD. Pick up a copy today! - Review by RadioIndy staff | |
Added 3 April 2007
BY DON THRASHER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
THE DAYTON DAILY NEWS (March 30, 2007)
Batdorf, who performs tonight at Canal Street Tavern, reached his commercial peak in the mid-'70s with acoustic duo Batdorf & Rodney, who released two LPs on Atlantic Records. Despite the ups and downs in his career, he never quit playing and recording. And as Batdorf proves on his new self-released LP, Home Again, at 55 he is still completely focused on creating music.
The album is packed with memorable gems such as Home Again, Solitude and Something is Slipping Away, which are sunny slices of West Coast folk with shimmering acoustic guitars, warm harmonies and Batdorf's rich, youthful tenor. "I thought it might be a really cool idea to try to recreate a retro-throwback record," Batdorf said recently. "I wanted the songs to sound like they were recorded in the late '60s or early '70s but were still modern by today's standards, kind of like a lost album. I wanted to kind of do the songs how I do them at the shows, which is a little different arrangement, a little more scaled down, kind of a house concert approach."
Home Again, recorded in Batdorf's home studio, is clearly his baby, but he received musical assistance from James Lee Stanley, Michael McLean, Greg Collier and other talented friends. The project also gave Batdorf the opportunity to work with his twin sons, Brett and Matt, who provided harmony vocals on several cuts. Mark Rodney, his old partner from the '70s, also added guitar and vocals to re-recordings of a few old songs, marking their first collaboration in 30 years.
Batdorf is promoting the CD to NPR affiliates and Internet radio stations, but his main focus is on XM satellite radio. "I was really trying to gear this project at XM because I thought they would be the immediate national airplay I could get," said Batdorf, who was pleasantly surprised at the positive response. "All of a sudden I had three songs on XM. I was thrilled. Now they're playing nine out of the 10 songs. It felt like mission accomplished, now I just have to try to keep spreading the word."
For more information: www.johnbatdorfmusic.com.
Contact contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
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added 3/4/07
http://sacbee.com/122/story/131222.html
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| Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, March 4, 2007 | |||||
| CD review: John Batdorf, Home Again Batmac Music, 4 stars | |||||
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| More than three decades after putting an end to Batdorf and Rodney, John Batdorf and Mark Rodney are singing together again -- and it's great. Just like old times. Except with a maturity of songwriting on Batdorf's part that imbues this set with warmth and depth. Batdorf refers to "Home Again" as "the Batdorf and Rodney album that was never made," which is sure to delight a bunch of old fans. It includes three songs from the duo's days together -- the title track, which is performed here in a version that's even better than the original; "Ain't It Like Home," which Batdorf performs as a solo; and "Where Are You Now," a duet that has never appeared on a studio album -- plus seven new songs. Those two "home" songs are a clue to a major theme of this set. It's about finding a place of safety and comfort. Other fine songs include "Solitude," "Me and You" and "One Night Stands," which is only about extramarital affairs in that it's about a performer's love of his music and the one-night concert stands on the road. This is a really fine collection. -------------------------------- |
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee
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added 26 January 2007
Recent uploads by John Batdorf - reminders of the great music of ...
By RockAndRollDream
A few uploads worth hearing - Folk Rock artist John Batdorf, "Home Again" and even better is his song "I Don't Always Win "- haunting and profound lyrics worth sending to others to check out if you like the genre.
RockAndRollDream.com Blog - http://rockandrolldream.blogspot.com
John sings with great emotion and passion. The song I Don't Always Win rings with such caring intensity that I was completely taken away. John is a true artist in every sense of the word. Only thing better than the CD is seeing John live. -Phil St.Germain, Guitar Merchant
Midwest Record Recap
www.midwestrecord.com
www.myspace.com/midwestrecord
Article ran on Wednesday, 17 January 2007
BATMAC
JOHN BATDORF/Home Again: Funny thing about the music biz that never changes, you can have all the auspicious beginnings you want but the next step is to get hot or go home. 35 years after putting Batdorf & Rodney to rest after some of the most auspicious beginnings, Batdorf catches up with his roots and re-examines the cult band that faded away but didn't die. After moving on and successfully wearing other hats, a spate of reissues caused Batdorf and Rodney to come to light again and was the genesis of this set that brings old and new together. Even 35 years on, Batdorf is running with the heart of a kid and adds wisdom to the old songs while adding wonder to the new. A singer/songwriter with more on the ball than a lot of today's crop, this set is a welcome return home again. Whether an old or new fan, it's well worth checking out.
"John has just released a new CD called Home Again and he is one of those guys who is not just 'nostalgia good', he's still really good and currently creative. That takes some doing."