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“Music
has the ability to reach into lives and cause reflection and
change. This album has
the potential to do that in a very positive way”
Frank Bramante's original
compositions draw you in not only by the depth of the music but by
the musical imagery portrayed. Unlike so many songwriters of
today, Frank doesn’t write for commercial fulfillment but rather
music pours out of him like a prophet with a message that has to
be delivered. His life experiences are transferred into songs that
cause the listener to reflect on their own purpose and direction.
Born in New Jersey
to a turbulent, intense Italian family, Frank’s family headed
“out west” when he was in his teens. Midst the uprooting and
the need to find solace, he spent much of his youth hidden away
with his guitar. Frank’s
love for nature and the mountains caused him to migrate to
northern
Idaho
and eventually northwest
Montana
where he resides today.
After the stereo is turned
off or the concert hall lights are dimmed, listeners are heard
saying, “Reflective, refreshing, wow, inspiring, it takes me
back to a better time, an experience…”
There is no doubt that Bramante has been influenced by the
music of the late 60’s and early 70’s.
These influences are heard in his music with flowing
harmonies, tasteful piano seasonings, intricate acoustic guitar,
moody harmonica and strong electric guitar
riffs. The sounds of the
Buffalo Springfield,
Crosby
, Stills, Nash and
Young
,
America
and the Eagles can be heard. Frank
himself has said, “There are sounds that I love in music – a
tone of a guitar or the feedback in a vintage amp that becomes so
entwined in me that they musically become a part of me.”
The influences are there but Frank more than adds his
unique style not only with instrumental precision but also with
vocal accuracy.
Frank has performed
Montana
, as well as
Washington
and
Idaho
to rave reviews for the last 10 years, but has dedicated recent
times to recording this CD, “Everything Old is New Again.”
Frank has spent countless hours working out of his own Lone
Wolf Studio, perfecting this CD that he engineered and produced.
It is a collection of music he has composed spanning 25+
years. Unlike others
who would walk into an existing studio, Frank wanted to record his
own CD. The first
challenge was to build a working studio and then learn how to
operate the various equipment in the recording process.
“I have always been the kind of guy who avoids the
classroom if possible. I
have been self taught by reading the manuals, recording
publications and recording courses at home
and just relied on my ears by experimenting to what sounds
good. Music, like most
art, is feeling. But
there are a lot of music principles and physics that have to be
understood but ultimately you want a certain sound,” states
Frank. That
unique sound has been captured on this debut CD.
Not only did Frank write
and record his own songs, in his own studio, he sings all the lead
vocals, plays acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, piano and
harmonica. He muses at
the “homegrown” reality of this CD because he also handcrafted
two of the acoustic 6 string guitars while working for luthier R.L Givens and jokingly adds “I even
helped create the bass
player and drummer.” They
are his sons, Jake and Josiah respectively.
Frank's early training
reveals vocal purity & clarity. Time spent dedicated to
exploring sounds that can be extracted from a guitar amaze the
listener to Frank's prowess instrumentally. His range moves from
soulful intensity as he pours himself into the music with just an
acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocal to complex and intricate
electric tones. In this album, Frank recorded music styles ranging
from folk rock, country rock with a hint of blues
- both acoustic and electric. “Everything Old is New Again” is
a nice mix that is easy to listen to, thought provoking and has
some mesmerizing grooves.
As noted, music has always
been a central part of Frank’s life as writing music allowed him
to capture reflections of life through its many facets.
From finding out who you are, to love, to valuable lessons
and meanings of life, Frank’s songs reach a broad audience. The
unique interaction with his sons on stage reflects the philosophy
that is entwined in his songs which seems to be lost in much of
today’s music culture. With
the young energy and gifting of his two sons, his sound becomes
enhanced and multiplied as a chord with the genetic contributions
giving a greater texture.
Frank 's intricate
artistry paints sincere philosophical images on the minds of a
culture that has drifted away from the innocence and passion of
seeking truth.
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