Megan SlankardCountry of origin:U.S. Type of music generally:Acoustic new folk/pop with a hint of blues Status:Most recent release, Running on Machinery (2015) See also:Megan Slankard's site Comparisons:Take 1960s folk, add Muddy Waters, Ani DiFranco, and a touch of Jewel and you might get close to Megan, but nothing like her. (tjshadb@voyuz.net) Covers/own material:For a number of years, Megan's gigs were populated by 2-3 hours of covers. Over the past few years, as her following and personal portfolio has grown, her gigs are now primarily original tunes with one or two choice covers. General comments:A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Megan began guitar lessons at age ten, had her first paying gig at 15, and has since that day honed her skills as a song spinner and performer. Her original compositions are far more mature than her years. Her voice is well-suited to the blues style she prefers. As a performer, Megan's instrument of choice is the guitar, and her skills and voicing are impressive. In a live setting, Megan performs solo, with bass or guitar backup, or with the Megan Slankard Band depending on the venue. Recommended first album:Lady is a Pirate if you prefer solo acoustic sounds, Freaky Little Story if you prefer a full band sound. Recordings:
Lady is a PirateRelease info:2001—Megan Slankard Music—MS2966 Availability:See website for availability Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Megan Slankard—guitars, vocals Guest artists:Rich Talley—bass Produced by:Megan and Tom Slankard Comments:This collection of original songs, written between August 2000 and April 2001, is Megan's first commercial release. Very new folk in style, with a definite blues tinge, Megan is the center of this collection on her guitar. Her voice wraps around her subject matter, which is far more mature than one would expect from an eighteen-year-old. Rather than try to describe the variety of subject covered on this release, I will limit myself to two "songs, "Fly Now (I Have Decided)" and "Second Best". Freaky Little StoryRelease info:2003—Megan Slankard Music—msb2386 Availability:CDBaby or see website for availability Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Megan Slankard—acoustic guitar, vocals Guest artists:Anthony Cole—scratching & sampling on "Mocking Bird" Produced by:Megan Slankard & Chris Holmes Comments:This is the second release by Megan Slankard, and she has made gigantic leaps in her musical skills since the 2001 release of Lady is a Pirate. With the addition of a full backup band (guitar, bass and drums) Megan has expanded her musical language by taking full advantage of these instruments and the talents of the musicians. Fourteen original songs written between 2001 and 2003 are featured, of which many are radio friendly in their melodies and hooks. However, the lyrics are much more involved than anything you would expect on commercial radio. This album will remind most listeners of Sarah McLachlan's "Solace" except that is guitar-driven rather than piano-driven and there's nothing wrong with that. (tjshadb@voyuz.net) A Little Extra Sun epRelease info:2005—Megan Slankard Music Availability:CD Baby or her website Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Megan Slankard—acoustic & electric guitar, vocals Guest artists:Dan Vickrey—acoustic & electric guitar Produced by:Adam Rossi Comments:Continuing to mature musically, this EP is Megan's first truly professional release and returns to being billed solely as Megan Slankard. Megan pulls in some heavy hitters of the San Francisco music scene including studio drummer par excellent Steve Bowman (Counting Crows, John Wesley Harding, Penelope Houston, Luce), Counting Crows' guitarist Dan Vickrey and SF Producer Adam Rossi (Luce, Viv) to really bring this lush vision to life. Thanks to Troy Shadbolt for work on this entry.
|
|
DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.
Entry last updated 2016-04-23 20:51:27. Please request permission if you wish to reproduce any of the comments in the Ectophiles' Guide in any context. |
The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music is copyright © 1996-2004 by the editors. Individual comments are copyright © by their authors. Web site design and programming copyright © 1998-2004 usrbin design + programming. All rights reserved. |