VICTORY REVIEW

Tom Petersen

Boy, was he ever right! Whimsical Boston troubadour Howie Newman is a scream, particularly if you are 40 something. He has a special talent for expressing those things that we often think but rarely discuss or are too polite to bring up.

Everybody’ s Talking On the Phone, he observes, but goes on to wonder what the heck all these people have to discuss. He also grumps, amusingly, about Boston traffic, and about snow.

 

The best, and funniest, songs are about the slow escape of youth. He hates to admit it, but much as he’ d like to go see his favorite bands in clubs, 10 o’ clock is “Way Past My Bedtime.”

Neighborhood pick-up ballgames leave the “Weekend Warrior” supine, moaning, and iced. The temptation is to cut up the lyric sheet (included) and mail the various songs to friends to whom the subjects apply – with the rest staying on the fridge at home.

 

Newman has been getting some spins on Dr. Demento and Mad Man Moskowitz, but you gotta get the whole record. Trust me.

 

THE SERIOUS COMEDY SITE

theseriouscomedysite.com

I really like this independent release CD: the songs here are well-written and orchestrated tunes with a definite sense of humor. There is also something very likeable about Howie Newman in these songs that makes you want to toe-tap as he sings.

 

“Trust Me You'll Like It” is a great independent release fun song CD. The production values are there right down to the booklet that includes the lyrics to the songs, something few such releases include.

  

INDIE MUSIC STOP

C.W. Ross

This release is loaded with 45 minutes of music that blends satire and comedy with rock, country and folk styles of music. All the songs are well put together with great music and cleverly written lyrics that bring them to life.

 

The lyrics deal with everything from cell phones and bad drivers to aging softball players. The CD does takes a more serious tone on several of the songs that deal with dating and love.

 

Instruments like the flute, clarinet, saxophone, banjo, mandolin and others really add a fresh finished sound to the songs.

 

Give the CD's booklet a look. It's filled with some nice clip art and pictures along with musician credits. I really recommend you get this CD and give it a listen. It works well on so many different musical levels.

 

FOLK & ACOUSTIC MUSIC EXCHANGE (FAME)

Mark S. Tucker

The thing about Howie Newman is that he's of a Martin Mull-ish bent: He’s  a slice of, and satire on, middle America. Featured on the CD is the more-than-tasty guitar work of Duke Levine, who played with Mary Chapin Carpenter and is currently gigging with Aimee Mann.

 

Recessed in the background is Paul Kochanski’ s unobtrusive but spot-on bass quitar. Jim Gambino’ s piano makes me thirsty for a Beck’ s draft straight from the tap.

 

Mostly, this is gently humorous good-timey folk-rock with a number of cool one-liners ("you don't have to shovel rain") and mellow listenability. Nice instrumental progression in the middle eight, too. My favorite? Pushin’ 30 but there are several standouts.

 

ROB CARLSON

Singer-songwriter and member of Modern Man

A funny folkie with his own personal take on life, Howie Newman is tuneful and tasty with a wry sense of humor. Not only that, but Howie’s CD is perfectly round. I particularly enjoyed the hole in the center.

 

EDDIE O'STRANGE

783 Access AM Radio, Wellington, New Zealand

Yes, I trust you! I'm still smiling long after listening through the songs.