‘Press Play’ with Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Twice GRAMMY nominated artist offers an all-ages ‘Americana mashup’ of brave new songs, now available
This summer, Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could presents fans with a sonically rich and layered collection of 12 original songs on a new album, their eighth: Press Play. A creative collaboration from Brady, his longtime bandmates and guests, among them veterans of Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions, Odetta, Ronnie Spector and David Bromberg, Press Play arrives in time for road trips and family hootenannies on June 24th. Click Here To Win A Copy of Press Play!
A few albums back , NPR’s All Things Considered noted that Brady’s band (with Claudia Mussen, Liz Queler, Seth Farber, Larry Eagle, Jeremy Chatzky and Dan Myers) “might just be the best sounding band in children’s music.” On Press Play, the band’s distinctive sound continues to evolve as they explore new territory, creating an album that’s richly colored and alive with personality. “It’s an Americana mashup,” laughs two-time GRAMMY Award nominated Brady, a “tasty musical stew.”
Press Play borrows a little rhythm and blues from Stax Records, nods to Aretha Franklin’s gospel roots and blends in the expressive harmonies of the Everly Brothers. There’s a Springsteen-esque rock anthem, a Randy Newman style piano ballad and a lazy and playful New Orleans boogie. Along with the band’s signature accordion and piano sound, the album’s playfully creative arrangements feature a raise-the-roof horn section and down-home pedal steel guitar and fiddle.
Lyrically, Press Play is filled with stories of love, surprise, doing good and the passage of time. Every song reflects Rymer’s life-affirming exuberance. As “Don’t Knock It Till You Try It” advises, “give it a once-around/you won’t know till you know.” The voice of “Me on the Map” realizes her personal and geographical connections, “seeing the whole world stretching out” from her little town. In the redemptive “It’s a Beauty,” a group of firemen pull an old 1933 pumper truck out of the junk heap, polish it up and get it ready for the home town parade.
Rymer realizes that his audience spans ages and generations. “We encourage kids -- all people, really -- to look at the world through another’s eyes, surprise themselves with what they can achieve, try the unimaginable or hey! Maybe even change the world with a simple small action,” he says. “For adults especially, I think we need to take care of one another, and appreciate every moment we have together.”
As noted children’s music blogger Stefan Shepherd told NPR about Brady Rymer’s music a decade ago, “Fans of the Wallflowers, Counting Crows, and the Jayhawks will enjoy the musical textures here." In 2016, a new generation of families may jump in and enjoy the catchy, sing-along hooks and engaging stories of Press Play.
Rymer and the band plan a full schedule of summer shows around the East Coast, including a pre-release concert at City Winery in NYC on June 12th. Visit www.bradyrymer.com to get the latest news.
Brady Rymer press kit: http://www.bradyrymer.com/press/
Press Play press preview stream HERE.
Brady Rymer’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/bradyrymer
TRACK LISTING
PRESS PLAY
1. Press Play
2. Don’t Knock It ‘til You Try It
3. Me on the Map
4. I Surprised Myself
5. It’s a Beauty
6. The Only One
7. Hold This Home Together
8. Chain Reaction
9. Dress in Blue
10. Your Love Turns the World Around
11. Switcheroo Day
12. One Day by the Riverside
More about Brady Rymer
Brady Rymer is a two-time GRAMMY Award nominee and one of the top talents in the independent family music scene today. Originally with the RCA Records band From Good Homes, Rymer ventured into family music with the CD Good Morning, Gus in 2000. Since then, he has released seven other CDs, including the 2008 GRAMMY-Award nominated Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could. Rymer’s rootsy, accordion-laced pop and rock music regularly wins critical acclaim and national awards. His “Jump Up” was included in the album Songs for a Healthier America, a compilation of songs that is part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign. In 2012, he released Love Me for Who I Am, for kids of all abilities. Brady’s 2014 album Just Say Hi also won rave reviews and another GRAMMY nomination. Together with his Little Band that Could, Rymer creates rockin’ live music for kids and families across the country. When he’s not playing with his own band, Brady plays bass guitar along with the Laurie Berkner Band. He lives on the North Fork of Long Island. For the latest Brady Rymer news and tour schedule, visit www.bradyrymer.com.
