Again The Beginner

Again The Beginner

Al Rose

Al Rose’s eighth album, Again the Beginner, is an urgent set of 13 good and true songs which features perhaps the loveliest melodies, catchiest hooks and nerviest set of lyrics he’s yet composed. It’s a heartening and bracing experience, one man’s attempt to come to terms with modern times and that broken feeling everybody’s got in the pit of

Al Rose’s eighth album, Again the Beginner, is an urgent set of 13 good and true songs which features perhaps the loveliest melodies, catchiest hooks and nerviest set of lyrics he’s yet composed. It’s a heartening and bracing experience, one man’s attempt to come to terms with modern times and that broken feeling everybody’s got in the pit of their stomach. The stakes couldn’t be higher: this is your life, our time is running short, and every personal crisis seems tied to an accumulating sense of public dread. After all, a lot has happened since Al dropped his last album, 2016’s Spin Spin Dizzy: years of authoritarian encroachment, COVID-19, and unstinting attacks on democracy at home and abroad.

As a craftsman, Al’s honed his songwriting to a fine edge. He’s got a real gift for melody, and each line cuts just the way he wants—whether what he wants is to make you laugh or make you cry. He’s backed up the words with catchy, well-nigh addictive tunes. It’s a kind of protest music: he’s sounding the tocsin against complacency. Singing us sweetly through the dark, reaching for the sky, scattering catchy hooks and joyful choruses behind him as he goes, Al has crafted a cathartic set for our times with Again the Beginner. It may see us through times even darker than these.

Al Rose: Vocals, acoustic and electric guitar Steve Hashimoto: Bass Steve Doyle: Electric guitar, mandolin, dobro Lance Helgeson: Drums Maury Smith: Vocals, banjo, bouzouki, electric guitar

Produced by Al Rose and Blaise Barton Engineered, mixed and mastered by Blaise Barton at JoyRide Studios, Chicago

Read more…

Spin Spin Dizzy

Spin Spin Dizzy

Al Rose Music (2016)

As you should expect, this newest album has a lot of the unexpected. Musically, this contains both some of the hardest rocking Al’s done in years- and also some of the most exquisitely-arranged pieces too. Amongst those adding to the whirlwind of creativity from The Transcendos are singer Sue Demel (Sons Of The Never Wrong), violinist Zach Brock

As you should expect, this newest album has a lot of the unexpected. Musically, this contains both some of the hardest rocking Al’s done in years- and also some of the most exquisitely-arranged pieces too. Amongst those adding to the whirlwind of creativity from The Transcendos are singer Sue Demel (Sons Of The Never Wrong), violinist Zach Brock (who also wrote the string arrangements), cellist Nicholas Photinos (eighth blackbird), and trombonist Jeb Bishop (Vandermark Five).

Read more…

Sad Go Lucky

Sad Go Lucky

Al Rose Music

Monkey Holding Peach Records (2012)

Continuing in the left-of-Americana vein of his previous disc but with the inventiveness of the arrangements more subtle almost in counterpoint to the more severe satirical edge of some of the lyrics. His continued collaboration with Grammy-winning co-producer Blaise Barton is aided by Rose’s own band and a

Monkey Holding Peach Records (2012)

Continuing in the left-of-Americana vein of his previous disc but with the inventiveness of the arrangements more subtle almost in counterpoint to the more severe satirical edge of some of the lyrics. His continued collaboration with Grammy-winning co-producer Blaise Barton is aided by Rose’s own band and a diverse group of music contributors,The musical daring is matched specifically to the message of each song.

Read more…

My First Posthumous Release

My First Posthumous Release

Al Rose Music

Monkey Holding Peach Records (2008)

The still-living and ever-clever Chicago songsmith Al Rose delivers his fifth disc, My First Posthumous Release, his most consistent and satisfying album ever. From the heartfelt to the humorous, he tells his tales against a deep sonic Americana backdrop that’s full of musical invention and lyrical wonderment.

Monkey Holding Peach Records (2008)

The still-living and ever-clever Chicago songsmith Al Rose delivers his fifth disc, My First Posthumous Release, his most consistent and satisfying album ever. From the heartfelt to the humorous, he tells his tales against a deep sonic Americana backdrop that’s full of musical invention and lyrical wonderment.

The recording was made with his band The Transcendos (guitarist Steve Doyle, bassist Steve Hashimoto, drummer Sarah Allen, harmony vocalist Laura Blye, pianist and organist Carter Luke, and guitarist Maury Smith ) along with a number of friends helping out. Contributing their genius were violinist Steve Gibons, cellist Alison Chesley (from Verbow, Jason & Alison, and Helen Money), mandoliist Don Stiernberg, pedal steel player Brian Wilke, drummer Heath Chappell, trombonist Jeb Bishop, vibist and former Coctail Mark Greenberg, tuba player Rob Pleshar, percussionist Carlos Cornier, tap dancer Mark Yonally, and on the saw, Sarah Holtschlag.

Read more…

Gravity of Crow

Gravity of Crow

Al Rose Music

Monkey Holding Peach Records (2003)

Al Rose is a striking songwriter and musician with a unique and powerful vision that continues to jell and focus on his 4th and latest release, “Gravity Of Crow.” His previous albums have received extensive airplay on AAA and Americana stations throughout the US along with a bevy of critical praise.

He is a

Monkey Holding Peach Records (2003)

Al Rose is a striking songwriter and musician with a unique and powerful vision that continues to jell and focus on his 4th and latest release, “Gravity Of Crow.” His previous albums have received extensive airplay on AAA and Americana stations throughout the US along with a bevy of critical praise.

He is a mesmerizing transformer when performing live as a solo or with any number of his band, The Transcendos, in any configuration. This drives the songs each night, but the songs have always been what drives the musicians in what The Chicago Tribune has called “one audaciously entertaining ride.”

Read more…

Pigeon's Throat

Pigeon's Throat

Al Rose Music

Waterdog Music 9906 (1999)

On his third release, Pigeon’s Throat, Al Rose was again working with his band, The Transcendos, who provided the fascinating sound that won critical raves on his second album, Naked In A Trailer. These eleven songs range from the re-written history of “Lincoln,” the breezy feel of “Lighter Than A Feather,” the

Waterdog Music 9906 (1999)

On his third release, Pigeon’s Throat, Al Rose was again working with his band, The Transcendos, who provided the fascinating sound that won critical raves on his second album, Naked In A Trailer. These eleven songs range from the re-written history of “Lincoln,” the breezy feel of “Lighter Than A Feather,” the rollicking “Ripe Unacceptable Now,” the sound-noir of “Polish My Car” and an emotional ballad that sounds timeless upon the first listen, “Patience.”

The Transcendos included drummer Heath Chappell, bassist Steve Hashimoto, guitarists Victor Sanders and Maury Smith, and vocalist Laura Blye. Al is the center of the ensemble on acoustic and electric guitars with solo turns on harmonica and flute. Additional musicians were organist Carter Luke (now a Transcendo fixture), mandolinist Stuart Rosenberg, violinist Steve Gibons and cellist Diana Parmeter.

Read more…

Naked In A trailer

Naked In A Trailer

Al Rose Music

Whitehouse Records No. 9 (1996)

Rose captured his spellbinding musical magicianship on his second album with his band, The Transcendos. The songs are as fascinating as those on Information Overload but the warmth, the interplay, the simpatico of the musicians, glows on every track. The dynamic & stylistic spectrum ranges from his dada-gospel “

Whitehouse Records No. 9 (1996)

Rose captured his spellbinding musical magicianship on his second album with his band, The Transcendos. The songs are as fascinating as those on Information Overload but the warmth, the interplay, the simpatico of the musicians, glows on every track. The dynamic & stylistic spectrum ranges from his dada-gospel “Wander Blind,” to the full force of “Mister Bigger” to the quiet simmer of “21st Of June.” These are lyrics meant to envelop you. The Transcendos contributions color the compositions under Al’s masterful direction. The band included Steve Hashimoto (bass), Laura Blye (vox), Heath Chappell (drums), Carter Luke (keyboards), Maury Smith (guitar and mandolin), and Mike Smith (guitar). He also displayed his artistry as a watercolorist with the cover painting for Naked In A Trailer.

Read more…

Information Overload

Information Overload

Al Rose Music

Whitehouse Records No. 2 (1994)

Al Rose made his long-awaited debut with Information Overload. He had been writing songs and performing solo, acoustic, and was best-known in the Midwest for leading his large band, The Transcendos. His fascinating lyrics are brought to life by his distinctive voice and quirky musical style. Al played acoustic and

Whitehouse Records No. 2 (1994)

Al Rose made his long-awaited debut with Information Overload. He had been writing songs and performing solo, acoustic, and was best-known in the Midwest for leading his large band, The Transcendos. His fascinating lyrics are brought to life by his distinctive voice and quirky musical style. Al played acoustic and electric guitar, flute, harmonica and alto sax on this recording.

The Transcendos were Steve Hashimoto (bass), Laura Blye(vox), Mike Smith (guitar), Maury Smith (guitar and mandolin), Heath Chappell (drums), and Melinda Banks (vox). The thirteen originals are complemented by a version of Stephen Stills’ “For What It’s Worth” (the 1967 Buffalo Springfield hit) and the country standard “Long Black Veil” (a 1959 charter for Lefty Frizzell).

Read more…