| Formed in San Jose and Palo Alto Cosmic Buffalo has mainly worked in the studio to create their new release "Shake hands with the Moon". A project that has taken the better part of 6 years. With the help of many many good and talented people it is now available for the general public to enjoy.
Though the principle architects of this CD grew up on opposite coasts in America. They both gravitated to very similar styles and roots of music, which is why they found collaborating somewhat of a familiar experience. Paul grew up near Washington D.C. in a town called Wheaton. Began singing at the age of 16 on the street corners of Georgetown.
First major collaboration came when called up to sing with the Persuasions at the Childe Harolde. Chain Gang was the song and it was Jimmy Hayes that lit the fire that still burns. Thank you Jimmy and all the Persuasions for that gift.
Now 34 years later Paul has been blessed to perform with many great artists. A short list includes Danny Gatton, John Hartford, KoKo Taylor, Rick Danko, Emmy Lou Harris, B.B. King.
Chris though born in Chicago spent most of his life in the Bay area in a town called Portola Valley. The first major band he was part of was Full House a dynamic band that opened for The Tubes, Robin Trower at the Keystone Nightclub in Palo Alto. Since then he has played with many other artists domestically and abroad. Auditioned for Ozzy Ozbourne and Steppenwolf.
Jimi Hendrix heavily influenced both Paul and Chris and this is the greatest bond for them. Introduced in 2000 at the Crossroads in Woodside Ca by Larry “Gypsy” Sales a local blues legend they talked at length and ultimately decided to collaborate on this original collection of songs we call “Shake hands with the Moon”.
In 2005 “Shake hands with the Moon” was awarded an honorable mention for lyrical content in the VH1 Song of the Year contest. It is a song about the joyous relationships with friends and about how the best times and people in our lives are sometimes overlooked from being to pre-occupied with temporary routine worries like bills or work. It is also dedicated to Paul’s recently departed Uncle Joe Anastasi.
Without the help, advice and support of many, many, terrific artisans and friends we could never have completed this CD. We are blessed to have so many talented musicians work with us on this and great friends to support and console us during difficulties. Blood, Sweat and Tears are a good analogy for the 6 years completing this effort. Thanks also to Brian Vaughan who recorded / sound engineered / mastered this collection.
This CD is a concept album and like the title track indicates there are references in each of the songs to the moon. Also, because of the overwhelming impact that Pink Floyd had on both Paul La Bonte (lyricist) and Chris Corso (guitarist) this is meant to also be a tribute in the form of a thank you to Pink Floyd for their inspiration by example.
Though there were many Pink Floyd albums that had impact. It was "Dark Side of the Moon" that created the far reaching influence and preference in musical style that can be heard on the track " Mobile Maroon Living Room" with it's heavy psychedelic and swirling sounds driven by Moog and synthesizer and a strong driving Bass line.
If you are a fan of classic 60's and 70's styles and genres of music than this is the one for you. A major goal in creating this CD was to include all the musical styles that shaped our developments in music in the first place. Therefore, we planned to make each track a different style or genre of what we considered the golden age of rock. And even though every song is done in a different style they lead into and out of each other with relevance and continuity.
|
