|
Los Angeles, California |
|
From Colorado’s front range, to Belgium, to Massachusetts, to Washington, D.C., to Santa Fe, and eventually on to California, Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Chris Laterzo has never quite settled down. Chris’ songs evoke this same restless spirit- the wanderer, the nomadic soul, and the traveler. He is an artist whose music evokes the open road, and whose style is often described as folk-rock, alt-country- even American cowboy rock. Chris was drawn at an early age to music by the likes of Elton John, Cat Stevens and Neil Young. By his late teens, Chris had picked up the guitar and soon after began to develop a passion for songwriting.
In 1997, Chris released his debut album American River. Co-produced by Laterzo and Denny Weston, Jr., the L.A. Music Connection called it “an engaging collection of American folk rock, and the essence of a rustic album.” After two years of playing the local scene and touring throughout California and the Southwest, Chris garnered solid album reviews, as well as airplay on both NPR and small market stations. For his 2nd album WaterKing, Laterzo teamed up again with producer Denny Weston along with producer Ty Stevens. The core band for this album included notable talents such as Tad Wadhams (Sheryl Crow) on bass, Hank Linderman (America, Timothy B. Schmitt) on electric guitar, and Buck Johnson (Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins) on organ. Released in late 2000, WaterKing’s eleven original songs weave among the boundaries of rock, folk, and alternative country. WaterKing is a natural follow-up to American River, and its songs continued to reveal an artist devoted to melodic arrangements and placing the song center stage. The Performing Songwriter Magazine states: “Laterzo is first and foremost a gifted melodist with an ear for hooks that sink in more deeply with each listen.” Touring over the last few years through the Southwest- and most notably his tours in Europe- has brought Laterzo many new fans. Chris has been a featured artist on ASCAP’s ‘Quiet on the Set’ and the musical guest on the number one national television talk show in The Netherlands ‘Barend en van Dorp’. Laterzo has had songs placed in rotation on several airlines such as Lufthansa and Continental, and recently had his song ‘Welcome to California’ included in the film ‘50 Yard Line’. The fall of 2004 brought the release of Driftwood, Chris’ 3rd album. In realizing Driftwood, Laterzo opted to take on full production and engineering responsibilities. Chris admits that in recording Driftwood, “the end result is that I achieved exactly what I had envisioned- an album that has a homegrown and live-in-the studio band vibe. I specifically kept the instrumentation simple (drums, bass, guitars, piano, pedal steel) and strictly ruled out layering guitar tracks and the use of all the bells and whistles.” January 2009 brings the latest album by Chris Laterzo- Juniper and Pinon. Basic tracks for the album were recorded at Sonora Studio in Glendale, California with overdubs being recorded in a variety of locations. “Many of the vocal tracks, including two solo acoustic numbers, were recorded over two days in a suite at The Joshua Tree Inn. For bass and drums on ‘Hacienda’ and ‘Senorita Sunshine’ we returned to Joshua Tree, California where we rented a house and set up all the recording gear. The high desert offered an ideal setting for making this record, and we were able to capture some great moments.” Laterzo said. Co-produced by Laterzo and Jeff LeGore, Juniper and Pinon consists of nine Laterzo compositions and an alt-country version of Elton John’s ‘Holiday Inn’. The album features Laterzo with his band Buffalo Robe, and includes several solo acoustic numbers as well. Some highlights include the electric guitar driven ‘Misfit Child’, the breezy pedal steel laced title track ‘Juniper and Pinon’, and the ballad ‘Woman’. Expect to see Laterzo continue to tour through the Southwest and California, with a return to Europe. ~
|
|
> On the surface, Chris Laterzo’s music would seem to slot snugly into the ever-widening alternative-country genre. Listen closely, however, and his songs yield subtle pop flavors more indigenous to southern California than to Nashville. On WaterKing, his second CD, Laterzo demonstrates why many have hailed this LA-based singer-songwriter as a worthy figure in the lineage that includes Neil Young and Gram Parsons. Sometimes offering up churning guitar anthems, other times crafting ballads that sound like campfire classics, Laterzo is first and foremost a gifted melodist with an ear for hooks that sink in more deeply with each listen. High points on the CD include the slide-guitar infested “Welcome to California” and the Harvest-like ballad, “Mojave”, but in truth WaterKing is a winner from start to finish. Perhaps best of all, in an era of rampant cynicism, Laterzo’s songs unfold with a yearning spirit and life-affirming optimism.
- Performing Songwriter > When I think of Chris Laterzo, I immediately think of the legendary cover on David Munyon's CD CodeName Jumper. The mural in the foreground you could very well come across if you were in Venice Beach. Singer-songwriter Chris Laterzo resides in this American cultural seaside resort and delivers his third impressive CD Driftwood. I gladly place the lyrical poetic gift of Laterzo next to my idols Munyon and Neal Casal. Musically, I don't hesitate to name Laterzo in the same breath as Neil Young. Though clearly Laterzo- by way of Elliot Hilton on bass, Andre Troxx on guitar- is a growing, headstrong star in the making. Where the lyrics of the predecessors American River and WaterKing were based more on personal background, Driftwood leans more on the typical characters in his immediate surroundings. Well known by Laterzo, he has closely observed them. Just listen to “Ghost on the Road” and “Pandemonia”- how poetically woven. Above all, the last song named blows out ten minutes of heavy stuff which, as a Neil Young fan, you only dare to dream of. Laterzo loves the Netherlands and above all Spacecakes . This little offering really kicks some ass in the country sweeper "Navigate Me Home". Chris Laterzo has really let his ears listen well. Neil Young fans may react skeptically to Driftwood, but music pioneers will eat this spacecake up. - Real Roots Cafe, The Netherlands > This singer-songwriter knows his roots, and has put together an engaging collection of American folk-rock. American River is the essence of a rustic album, and Triple A fans may find a new hero. - Los Angeles Music Connection > Three years ago, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Chris Laterzo released a stunning debut titled American River, played a show at the old Gold Coast Coffee House and then virtually disappeared from the minds of everyone but those who were smart enough to buy a copy of the album. It’s not often that one gets a second chance to discover a hidden treasure, but Laterzo’s offering one this week. Touring in support of his sophomore effort, WaterKing, Laterzo has maintained the passion for his work that made his debut both instantly listenable and likeable over the past three years, but the complexity of his arrangements and vocal range have increased almost exponentially during that period as well. Laterzo’s latest release has an undeniable alt-country flavor that wasn’t overtly present on his earlier disc, and it adds an element of warmth to his expansive songs that’s more than welcome. Trying to make it as a musician in a dog-eat-dog city like Los Angeles where any semblance of soul is hard to come by is no easy task. But somehow, Laterzo has kept his eyes forward, his head up and his remarkable songwriting skill honed to a diamond-sharp edge. And he’s got enough of his own soul to light L.A. for at least three days. - Albuquerque Alibi ~
|
|
