Tinted Blue and Subtle

     As one of New England ’s premier club acts, Tinted Blue has been entertaining fans of all ages for the past ten years.  The band’s staple of brushing with styles such as rock, jazz, funk, and blues, but maintaining an identity of a bold and powerful groove, has been a key to the group’s success.  Veteran skin basher Steven Woods cites “Over the years the band has stuck to its guns of playing music that inspires us.  From Aerosmith and Chicago to Humble Pie and Stevie Wonder; now our own material will reinforce that passion and take it to the next level.”  The ‘in your face’ of Tinted’s live shows has certainly exposed the unit’s drive and fierce energy on stage.  Before his untimely passing, legendary Max Creek percussionist Rob Fried exclaimed “Tinted Blue is a refreshing surprise of a no bullshit, straight ahead, fat-back groove.  Let the good times roll!!!”

 

    In the autumn of 2007 the band hung up their gigging shoes to concentrate on recording a disc of original music.  The process was tedious and time consuming.  The band chose to work with engineers that were musicians: Eddie Seville of Steel Rodeo and Cottage Sound Studio in Middlebury; along with Paul Lusky of Diamondback and The Rock Barn in the forests of Hartland.  Both located in Connecticut .  The group recorded in five different live sessions from March to November of 2008.  Impatient fans longed for live dates.  “We did not care how long the process took, we were adamant about doing it right and not looking back,” said Chris O’Connor (sax and vocals), “As musicians, you can spend the rest of your life playing someone else’s music and never have a chunk of real to call your own.  This body of work is our chunk of real.”

 

    At The Rock Barn, Tinted Blue friend, Dennis LaDuke offered to help with lead vocal tracks on the band’s gigging anthem “Brass Tacks”.  Dennis has 30 plus years of experience as a vocalist and drummer.  Nobody knew what was in store.  He became so impressed with the songs, the bands work ethic, and general attitude that he expressed an interest in joining as lead vocalist and percussionist.  “All the cuts just grabbed me”, said LaDuke, “Each song had its own personality, but at the same time were cohesive; the lyrics were tongue- in -cheek with honesty and integrity.  I thought I’d be a fool not to take advantage of this opportunity.”  The band welcomed Dennis in time to record 3 tracks on the CD.  Executive Producer M. Guerragiante recalls “Everyone at that session was equally impressed with Dennis’ vocal chops, attention to detail, and his blaze of confidence which the band had been seeking in a lead vocalist.”

 

    Once the mastering was addressed by renowned engineer, Paul Orofino at The House of Correction in Millbrook , New York ; Tinted Blue’s CD entitled Subtle was complete.  This much anticipated release features 12 tracks dabbling in several genres but consistently exuding rock.  “There are some very strong songs on that disc” said Seville ; while Lusky added “I cannot wait for Tinted Blue to release this disc.”  Unlike much of today’s musical offerings, Subtle is more of an inspiring concept album, than a “demo” of songs that sound the same.  “Musically, the riffs resonate with bounce and groove.  Some tracks contain elements of ‘hard’ rock, while others touch upon 70’s R&B,” explained visionary and guitarist Michael Manware, “Lyrically we wanted to record a group of songs that everyone can relate to.”  While Guerragiante offered, “Not so much a gesture of defiance, but an interpretation of society within their surroundings.  They do not consider themselves ‘rock stars’; they are real people that work extremely hard and happen to be potently talented musicians.  As individuals, they are just subtle about it.”  Hear for yourself…