CRUMBS Cafe

30 May 2011: Stacks of books and recording equipment are not far from an open guitar case. These are the objects M.R. Poulopoulos spends time with these days. His focus is on his music and the materials that influence his playing. On warm days, the windows are open. Sweetly melodic and often melancholy, as well as intelligent and soulful, Poulopouloss songs, like him, are honest and eloquent. His guitar playing makes you want to tap your feet, or cry a little. Sometimes both. His lyrics, complemented by the steady strum or picked out tones of the guitar, always tell a story -some are sad, some are happy, and some, like his song 'On and On,' achieve both with a humorous spin -and theyre always poignant. His musical influences vary, but their common foundation is American blues and roots music. The artists hes most influenced by these days include Jeffrey Foucault, Danny Schmidt, John Prine, Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt, John Hiatt, Bob Dylan, Brandi Carlile, Patty Griffin, Matt Durfee, John Rice, Courtney Blackwell and the Blackwell Sinners, Red Haired Strangers, Jill Andrews, the everybodyfields. His many influences lend him to the acoustic singer/songwriter style, but without sounding like anyone in particular-his music is very much his own. Poulopouloss past released work include Lazaretto, an EP he released with Matt Durfee as the acoustic duo, Palatypus. He is currently recording a solo album of songs (Greenhorn) to be released in early 2011.

21 Apr 2011: James Frederick is a fairly harmless singer/songwriter from the Capital District area of New York State. Having played at various open mics, cafes, and random street corners in the area, James quietly crept on to the local music scene with nothing more than a guitar and a humble collection of unobtrusive, likable songs. His Soft-Spoken Rock/Folk Style is derived from a love of contemporary songwriters like Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) and Glen Hansard (The Swell Season), as well as, traditional greats Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. James is one of five rotating hosts at the famed Caffe Lenas open mic and has a mostly healthy obsession with plaid shirts.

08 Mar 2011: Sly Fox and the Hustlers are a blues-based, roots rock and roll band from Albany, New York, USA. The 6-piece band is made up of the classic soul/funk/blues rock combination of ingredients including the powerful lead vocals and blues-soaked guitar of Sly Fox, the in-the pocket drumming of Mark Tritico, the throbbing muscular bass playing of Dylan Storm, the raspy tenor saxophone of Tommy Decelle, the swirling keys (Piano, Hammond B--3, Wurlitzer, Clavi) of Andy OBrien ( who also perform with Mirk and the New Familiars), and the soulful female backing vocals and percussion of the lovely Donna Tritico (who recently performed on stage with Sting). The music has been described as andquot;Heavy Voodoo Blues over Sweaty Funky Groovesandquot; guaranteed to get you on your feet - perfect to dance, drink or funk to. The band is celebrating the release of their debut CD andquot;The Low-lifeandquot; which is made up of 7 all original songs with auto-biographical lyrics sung from the heart of their originator. The band puts on a show not to be missed - take the trip with them and you wonandapos;t soon forget.

22 Mar 2011: Big Creek is a three piece Americana band that started in 2009 and is based out of Nassau, NY. Big Creeks musical and writing influences stem from the great American melting pot combining elements of country, country swing, bluegrass, rockabilly, blues, and pop into a satisfying musical stew. Jerry Yaro is the most eclectic musician in the band singing and playing guitar, mandolin, fiddle, with bass and cello sprinkled in for good measure. His song writing is heart felt and drawn from real life combining catchy N.R.B.Q. like pop arrangements with elements of some of the great country music interpreters such as Graham Parsons. He can also rock with the best of them when its time to get feet tapping. Long a part of the local music scene Jerry was looking for a new rootsy acoustic direction and in possession of an old banjo that needed restoration when he met Brian Daniels. While that particular banjo was beyond redemption except as wall art a musical association was begun. Brian is Big Creeks other song writer drawing influence from the likes of The Mississippi Sheiks, Earnest Tubb, and numerous country blues artists. Brian contributes vocals, banjo, and guitar. After several months as a duo Jerry convinced his long time musical partner and good friend Bob Assini to come to a practice session. A lifetime drummer and percussionist who teaches drums in the Albany area Bob has experience with a wide variety of musical styles even traveling to Ireland where he is a welcome participant in authentic seisiuns. After hearing the music Jerry and Brian were creating, Bob readily agreed to join the group providing the percussive glue that ties everything together. Big Creek has performed at Lyons Lake, The Four Corners, Emack and Bolios, Quigleys, The Taste of Troy Restaurant Tour, and the Schodack Country Fair.