Hard to leave
With the release of their second full length album Hard to Leave, The Necessary Gentlemen are branching out from their familiar roots to create a new Americana sound that represents the band’s progression the last few years. “Hard to Leave was a fitting name for this album,” remarked Jon Skvarka, who fronts the band with vocalist Fefe Byram. “We were going through different transitions personally and professionally when we wrote and recorded these songs so the name fits as the overall theme really well. It was also hard to leave our acoustic sound that we had developed, but Jeff pushed us to a new level.” Jeff Widenhofer of madjac music produced the album and crafted a sound that appeals to those who love country, folk, Americana and even pop at times. With the band’s sound tightening from years of live shows, Skvarka’s intriguing lyrics and Widenhofer’s guidance and musicianship, (he lent his multi-instrumental talents to most songs) Hard to Leave is an album you won’t mind having on repeat and emphatically announces The Necessary Gentlemen’s arrival to the New Orleans music scene.
Songs like “Creole Gypsy” and “Banks of Beaver Creek” combine the rural melodies where Skvarka and Byram grew up with lyrics about their love/hate relationship with city life in New Orleans. Byram’s vocal shines with a sultry swagger in songs like the swampy “Hold on to the Light” and the rock-inspired “Feel the Need.” The listener can hear the lingering memories of past loves and the hard fought tenderness of marriage on “Passing Through Tuesday” and “This Last Dance.” Their new sound is in full gear during “Live Til Your Love Shows”, “Pleasant Grove” and “Homecoming” and their infectious melodies will stay with you long after the songs are done. Hard to Leave is an album that keeps the listener’s attention from start to finish and shows The Necessary Gentlemen are headed in the right direction.
Purchase on iTunes, Amazon, or in person at a show.
The Necessary Gentlemen: Jon Skvarka (guitar/vocals), Fefe Byram (mandolin/vocals), Ted Cothran (bass), Eric Ledet (percussion), Miles Barrett (banjo and harmonica) and Tom Wooten (fiddle)
Songs like “Creole Gypsy” and “Banks of Beaver Creek” combine the rural melodies where Skvarka and Byram grew up with lyrics about their love/hate relationship with city life in New Orleans. Byram’s vocal shines with a sultry swagger in songs like the swampy “Hold on to the Light” and the rock-inspired “Feel the Need.” The listener can hear the lingering memories of past loves and the hard fought tenderness of marriage on “Passing Through Tuesday” and “This Last Dance.” Their new sound is in full gear during “Live Til Your Love Shows”, “Pleasant Grove” and “Homecoming” and their infectious melodies will stay with you long after the songs are done. Hard to Leave is an album that keeps the listener’s attention from start to finish and shows The Necessary Gentlemen are headed in the right direction.
Purchase on iTunes, Amazon, or in person at a show.
The Necessary Gentlemen: Jon Skvarka (guitar/vocals), Fefe Byram (mandolin/vocals), Ted Cothran (bass), Eric Ledet (percussion), Miles Barrett (banjo and harmonica) and Tom Wooten (fiddle)
fools to stay
The Necessary Gentlemen recently released our full-length album, Fools to Stay. Since the recording of their debut EP, the band has expanded their personnel by adding three new members to the band and expanded their sound as well. This increased variety and breadth prove significant and have resulted in a broader, full sound than on their previous EP. Fans will find the re-recording of their previous favorites such as "Love, Anyway" and "Mary" to represent a band that has matured its sound over the last year. Many of the new songs like "Homecoming" and "Come Take Me Home" will have you tapping your foot and singing along and a live version of "Broken Hearts Bluegrass Club" captures the energy of their live performances in New Orleans. The sorrowful waltz, "Blue Collar Moon" showcases the vocals of Fefe Byram and explores themes familiar to the songwriting by Jon Skvarka. Pick up your copy or hear a sample on iTunes, Amazon, or find a rare physical copy from the band at their live shows.
Debut EP: broken hearts bluegrass club
Based in New Orleans, this up and coming band takes old-fashioned influences and
makes them their own. The Necessary Gentlemen weave stories of heartache, love,
longing and new beginnings with memorable melodies. From the witty, "If You
Ain't Using My Heart," to the hopeful "Love, Anyway," this EP provides an
uptempo introduction to the talented musicians that make up The Necessary
Gentlemen. You'll be humming these tunes and singing the choruses after just a
few listens.
BUY IT NOW on iTunes or at cdbaby.com
makes them their own. The Necessary Gentlemen weave stories of heartache, love,
longing and new beginnings with memorable melodies. From the witty, "If You
Ain't Using My Heart," to the hopeful "Love, Anyway," this EP provides an
uptempo introduction to the talented musicians that make up The Necessary
Gentlemen. You'll be humming these tunes and singing the choruses after just a
few listens.
BUY IT NOW on iTunes or at cdbaby.com
take A listen
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