Brooklyn's Mitch Friedman has just released his fourth album of idiosyncratic, funny, original quirky pop - GAME SHOW TEETH.

Featuring Andy Partridge and Dave Gregory of the legendary British new wave pop band XTC, Friedman has created a playful, mature and varied album of 13 eccentrically catchy songs, full of wit and impressive wordplay. GAME SHOW TEETH is his most commercial and accessible effort to date, and shows an artist who has come to fully master his trade. Produced, performed and engineered almost entirely by Friedman, it is as accomplished and technically adept as it is musically vibrant.

Even Ray Davies, song-writing legend and lead singer of The Kinks, has become a fan of Friedman's unique skills as a wordsmith. Having attended a Davies song-writing course in England, Friedman took the advice of the sixties legend that every song must have a clear structure and composed "This Is a Song" - an amusing tribute to the simple formula that can be found in so many beautiful pieces of pop.

He sent the song to Davies - who describes Friedman as a "funny and interesting little man" - and the Londoner then played it for his students as part of his lesson on song structure. You can't get much higher praise than that! Be on the lookout for the surprising and innovative music video for "This Is a Song," which Andy Partridge praised as "a piece of minimalist perfection, and perhaps the invention of a new genre - Obviousism."

The variety on the record comes from the wide range of influences that have all had an impact on Friedman's sound. "I Have Never Lied" tips its surreal hat to fellow Brooklyn quirk-rockers They Might Be Giants (with whom Friedman also shares the acclaim of being the creator of an award winning children's record - 2005's concept album for kids, PURPLE BURT.)

It is a testament to his abilities that some of his musical heroes have become repeat collaborators. The aforementioned Andy Partridge and Dave Gregory of XTC have added their expertise for the third time to a Friedman record - with Partridge providing his jaggedly jazzy guitar licks to "Little Masterpiece," and Gregory contributing several guitars and bass to the hyperactively folky "The Man That Talked Too Much."

Other special guest stars include the 'godfather of DIY/home recording' R. Stevie Moore, Joe McGinty (former keyboardist for The Psychedelic Furs, Amy Rigby, Martha Wainwright, and now musical director of New York City's Loser's Lounge tribute series,) and indie-pop songstress extraordinaire Andrea Perry.

Add in to the mix, the hilariously irreverent artwork and photography and you have an album that should amuse, entertain and thoroughly enhance any discerning pop aficionado's life.

For more information, please visit http://www.gameshowteeth.com

http://www.mitchfriedman.com/audiofiles/game_show_teeth/01_This_Is_a_Song.mp3

By Michele Wilson-Morris, MusicDish eJournal
http://www.musicdish.com

Unjustness, the struggle for equality, the journey between two lovers searching for something real, the deceitfulness of those in power, and the unwillingness of those who are not in power to continue to be oppressed...

Every now and then, you come across a song that is completely in touch with what's going on in the world. Today, I found not just one song, but a CD full of songs addressing these issues in such a deep and profound way that it touched my very soul.

Streets and Avenues, the debut album from 12 The Band, is one of the most powerful, refreshing, inspiring, and uplifting CD's that I've heard in a very long time. The 14 songs on this album take reggae to a whole new level, incorporating jazz, blues, rock, R&B, and just about any other genre you can think of with old school reggae/calypso. About half of the cuts are love songs, while the others tell of the challenges that we as human beings face trying to make it in this world. I don't say this lightly, so hear me well -- this album is SERIOUS and DEEP. No matter what your musical preferences are, there is something on Streets and Avenues for everyone.

Although I liked all of the cuts, I couldn't possibly detail them all here. But among my favorites were Togetherness, Prosper, Wrong Chord, Smile, Streets and Avenues, Consumed, Lady of the Night, and Las Lap - Prosper.

Togetherness is a wakeup call to us, and the message in this song reminds one of Bob Marley and his revolutionary sound and message of unity with more of a calypso flavor than heartbeat reggae. It's ire, reaching higher heights.
Togetherness by 12 The Band by musicdish

"The house was surrounded by police.
They say they mobilized their force and they come to suppress the peace.
He wore a brilliant disguise and the truth was a lie to design. They say that when the people hear this voice they will open up their eyes and realize it's revolution time.
Where there is peace, there is silence. Where there is hunger, there is violence;
But where there is love, there is togetherness.
This is a new world war and the plantation is closed and it's time for the slavery to cease.
Put love in your heart and the music will give you release...
He wore a brilliant disguise and the truth was a lie to design.
They say when the people hear this voice they will open up their eyes and realize it's revolution time."

Prosper exudes universal love between two souls as they move through their journey in love together. The arrangement is big with string, and French (or English) horns that add to this intimate and intricate piece.

"In sickness and health 'til death bring us together;
I shudder to think that it would ever sever.
The truth be the bond that adheres and links us together.
Cause a lie is a dagger set to put us asunder, forever asunder.
Prosper our way as move along our way."

Wrong Chord is a beautiful blend with excellent guitar and percussion. It's a nice groove with small dance hall breaks, but the message is not for the faint of heart.

"You Mr. Big shot, you have and we have not.
But we see through your disguise and we see through all your lies.
And we know mankind has but one destination
Which is to soar high above the trees and be a king of all he surveys and he sees.
You, Mr. Big Score, you have and you want more, never thinking about the poor.
Every day you say we will have a brighter tomorrow, but we need to live today."

Smile is a song for lovers. It is a fantastic and intimate blend of reggae with R&B. The quiet jazz trumpet in the background enhances the up close and personal mood of the piece. "Woman you capture me, you rapture me." And it gets better and better throughout the ride it takes you on.

The rock, reggae, jazz fusion Streets and Avenues has some of the strongest lyrics on the album. It starts off like a rock anthem and indeed would be at home in any rock group's repertoire. The song searches for an answer to an interesting question that we all ask ourselves - what is it all about, why are we here?

"Want to feel a real connection on a stronger foundation, not a brain washed salvation...
So I'm looking to the streets trying to find the avenues in the scriptures from a street prophet point of view."

12 The Band slows it down a bit on Consumed, which showcases jazz and blues sounds on a beautiful and romantic Ballad. It has a blues feel with a hard edge guitar solo.

"I see across a smoke filled room lady, and I'm consumed.
I have one question to ask of you lady. What you want to do?
I look in your eyes and I see the reflections, the mirror of your soul.
And lady, I long to make that long connection and put things on a roll."

Lady of the Night is almost entirely guitar with an occasional trumpet accent.

"Lady of the night, I smell your perfume. You're a flower in bloom.
It could never be right for you to make your money the way that you do.
And she said I know 'bout that, the mind of man I know. I know what men just do.
You see, my mommy, she turned a blind eye and daddy, he do... what he never should have do."

Las Lap - Prosper is a richly orchestrated, upscale version of Prosper, and is a great way to end the album. You can really feel the strings, the horns are clean, and there's a lot of guitar, but it works and works well.

Look, what more can I say? This is one CD that you need to run (not walk) and buy - quick, fast, and in a hurry. It has religion, revolution, and love, all combined in a basket of musical treats to satisfy the delight of any music lover with a zest for something foreign, and yet not. Streets and Avenues gets 5 out of 5 stars from this critic!

http://www.12theband.com
http://www.myspace.com/12theband

It's part festival, part music conference, part business networking opportunity and part gathering of old friends held in Nashville, TN every third weekend of June. The live performances, education and Open House are concurrently running events. Here's a day by day account from Friday morning and continuing on till Sunday midnight.

Day 1, Friday, June 19th, 2009
It's Friday 9 AM we start with some pro instruction. Richard Adler, Grammy, Platinum/Gold recording engineer & producer talks about the nitty gritty of being in the music biz. Then Dave Gibson shares some insights and plays a few songs that have worked for him. (Texas Tattoo, Big Heart, Red White and Blue Collar, Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys, Queen Of Memphis, Daddy Never was the Cadillac Kind, Ships That Don't Come In, Jukebox In My Mind, Lonely & Gone). Following Dave is Stan Webb, SESAC Legacy Award. "I'm From the Country"(and I like it that way.), and other commercial successes. Stan talks about the realities of becoming a long term professional songwriter.

After Lunch, Steven Sharp's inside knowledge from successes of running a major label talks about, "The Politics of Getting a Song Heard and Cut". Next, entertainment law expert Bill Whitacre will take your questions on copyrights, rules on co-writing and collaboration, publishing, artist deals, digital rights and more. Finally, wrapping up the afternoon session is Radio Host Karen Reynolds, who will speak on "The business and skills of the performing songwriter".

Friday afternoon @ 5:30 PM we begin firing off the stages. Starting at the Curb Music parking, lot, it's time to begin the non stop original tunes till Sunday midnight! There are scheduled featured writer segments intermingled with regular writers. About 6:30 the writers start finding their place in the mix at the various Video, Web Cast and other outdoor theme venues. Unscheduled Create-A-Rounds pop up throughout the evening. Some writers browse a Booth or drop off their CDs to display at the Writer's Table. The stages hum till about 2 AM. As the evening winds down the hard core gather and play unplugged at the after hours Open Sing Ring. Thus begins a life changing weekend, so pace yourself.

Day 2, Saturday, June 20th, 2009
It's Saturday morning @ 10 AM, the Writers who got some rest are up-and-about getting first hand experience of the Row. The second day of the Pro Instructors ****s starts with a Guitar workshop with Dave Isaacs "Driving The Groove." Next Debi Champion gives pointers on "How to Host a Successful Writers Night". Lisa Aschmann explains her concepts behind the book, "1000 Songwriting Ideas." Pete & Pat Luboff will tell ya why "Collaboration is the Key to getting songs cut." and Tirk Wilder rounds things off doing Song Critiques for students.

Also at 10 AM on Saturday the Open House begins. Fest Heads will be able to drop by participating recording studios, producers, publishers, publicists, consultants, managers, duplicators, and other trade related music businesses on or near the Row. These businesses will have an "Open Door Policy" from 10 AM-6 PM June 20th and 21st. These established Music Row businesses will offer tours of their facilities and answer questions about "What part they play in the biz?" Writers are encouraged to drop off and pick up samples of each others works.

Around noon, live music begins filling the Row again and the booths are open for traffic. Little clusters of writers develop, each sharing stories and talking shop. Everyone is laid back and having a meaningful experience thanks to the no contest, no talent search emphasis of the fest, making for a more relaxing atmosphere. At some point we present the Life Time Achievement award to the festival Grand Master. Last year Tom T. Hall took the honors and was presented the keys to Music Row. The stages close down again at 2 AM and the really late niters head for the after hours Open Sing Ring to watch the sun rise. By the end of the second day, Fest Heads have been effectively scattered from one end of the Row to the other.

Day 3, Sunday, June 21st, 2009
It's Sunday Morning 8 AM and thus begins a special Christian Music Segment at the Curb Music Parking Lot. A special emphasis on Contemporary Christian related music is pursued till noon.

10 AM, Survivors from Friday and Saturday hit the Row again! The Sunday session of the Open House begins. Fest Heads loaded down with business cards, CD's and goodie bags take advantage of the "Open Door Policy" till 6 PM.

10:30 AM, The 3rd day of Pro Instruction kicks off again and runs till about 6 PM. Starting things out is a guitar workshop by master Denny Sarokin. Then find out how to be "Ready for the Row" with Barbara Cloyd. After Barb, Bob Dellaposta will speak on "How to start and maintain a publishing company." Also critically acclaimed author and songwriter C J Watson will talk on "Everything Songwriting". Finally 15 year Music Row veteran Jo Crowe will help ya get your stuff ready to plug from publisher to label & also do song critiques for the gang.

At Noon all the stages begin firing back up, booths are open and everything hums along as usual. Some of the late-niter's begin straggling in and the party continues. Go with the flow, 12 more hours to go.

At 6 PM. If anyone wants to get married at the Fest then this is the time we do it, free of charge. Festival provides a Hall of Famer to minister the ceremony. The bride and groom read a poem or play a special tune to each other on stage, kiss and then head off to a reception nearby. Don't worry. I think there will be plenty of live entertainment.

In the evening about 8 PM we start winding down the video, web cast and other stages and Southern Fried Fest Heads start gravitating to the Curb Music Parking Lot as we get ready to Jam till midnight. Having gotten our musical fill, we yearn no more. Little elves clear the row of gear, stages, and by the next day it's like we never existed.

The week following the Fest some writers are still hanging around the Row, following up on leads and cementing plans for the future. For better or worse, at least you know your way around now.

The Nashville SongWriters Festival is many happenings in one. ASCAP, SESAC and BMI writers of all genres come together. Publishers, recording studios, producers, song pluggers, managers, and others are in attendance as a broad spectrum of the industry, past, present and future will be there getting the feel. Take in all or parts of the Fest and "Play it by ear".

Writers are encouraged to come as they are and find their place in the mix. Everyone who comes to the fest will have an opportunity to share their original lyrics, song or music. There are no set pre qualifications to play and no set registration fee to attend the Fest. Each individual determines how they can contribute to help be a part of this music magic. Many special guests and surprises await but the real featured writer is you.

So step outside the cliques and come hang with the gang. If you have a talent to contribute, the call goes out. Invite yourself to be a part of Music City history. The fest is now accepting sign ups for the June 2009 season. Throw down at this years congregation to celebrate the spirit of the songwriter.

The 3 day music peoples gathering is hosted by SongWritersFestival.com. Music Fans and the general public are also invited to attend. Plenty of free parking. For more information visit www.SongWritersFestival.com, call 615-424-1491 / 931-296-4067 or email Popcorn@SongWritersFestival.com. A Page available with links to all the instructors and venues listed above are at http://www.songwritersfestival.com/big_weekend_fest.htm
Some scheduling aspects may vary due to VIP and Pro Instructor considerations at the live event.

http://www.songwritersfestival.com
http://www.songwritersfestival.com/musicdownloads/stick-your-job.mp3