Welcome to The Collective Works Media Site
"Collective Works" is a record label dedicated to the work of
independent recording artists in a wide range of musical styles. |
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“Let's face it. In most of life we really are interdependent.
We need each other. Staunch independence is an illusion,
but heavy dependence isn't healthy, either.
The only position of long-term strength is interdependence: win/win.”
~Greg Anderson
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| The Christine Spero Group .....New Release..... "My Spanish Dream" |
Rave reviews have been coming in for
Christine Spero's "My Spanish Dream".
Here are some links to visit to read some of them:eJazzNews.comSmooth JazzChronogramThis CD is a featured new release this October
on the Smooth Jazz web site
SmoothJazz.com
"My Spanish Dream" will be a featured new release
in November at Burnside Distributing who distributes
Leslie & Scott's "This Christmas Morning"
also from the Collective Works roster.
bdcdistribution.com
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| The Christine Spero Group was one of the headliners at The Greater
Hartford Festival of Jazz in July 2006 and will be returning in the
summer of 2008.
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The Christine Spero Group performs the songs
that the singer, pianist has written. Songs that tell a story or speak
of love against a backdrop of Latin and jazz rhythms. Christine's music
and singing is refreshing, soulful, moving, exciting and appealing to
all ages. Each piece is a unique vehicle for creative improvisation.
Add to that the elements of pop, R&B and world and you've got a
smooth runway for the piano. Elliot Spero's inventive saxophone riffs
and percussion are perfectly complemented by Mike Woinoski on bass and
Jody Sumber on Drums.
They have opened for such notables as:The Woody Herman Orchestra, Kim Waters, Walter Beasley, Ray Vega, Bobby
Matos, Steve Davis, Clark Terry, Mike Phillips (from Prince), pop icon
of the 60's and 70's-Melanie, Andrea Brachfield and T.K.Blue. Christine
has been
written about in USA Today, Billboard, Jazz Times, Keyboard and
Recording Magazines, ASCAP Playback.
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| An exotic and delicious musical concoction to be savored...This
original Latin jazz album is imaginative and irresistible...enlivening
and reflective...fiery yet sweet....and beautifully accessible. If you
inhale all of its multifaceted colors and textures, it will enter your
heart, transport your spirit and dance your body into the mysterious
places where only inspiring music can carry you. |
| Ef You Don't Watch Out: Anne Hills Sings the Poems of James Whitcomb Riley |
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| Anne's brand new album, "Ef You Don't Watch Out," features her own settings of ten poems by the bard of Indiana, James Whitcomb Riley. Says the Michigan Daily: "Hills has carved a distinct niche by performing contemporary folk songs in a stunning voice."
Indiana’s beloved “Hoosier Poet” of the late 19th century, James Whitcomb Riley achieved fame for his writing about the simple country life in the dialect of southern Indiana, with verse alternating between the humorous and the sentimental. Claiming that “simple sentiments that come from the heart” were the secret of his success, Riley satisfied the public with down-to-earth verse that was “heart high." He was a gifted actor, orator, musician, as well as a journalist ... and by the late 1800s Riley was in high demand as a speaker. At the time of his passing in 1916, he was so revered that he received the rare honor of lying in state at Indiana’s Capitol Rotunda as 35,000 mourners came to bid him farewell. On this recording, Anne Hills brings ten of Riley’s beloved poems back to life with poignant, fun and thoughtful folk arrangements.
Anne has given these poems folk-like settings that range from beautiful to rollicking. Her guitar and banjo playing is complemented on various tracks by combinations of violinist Sara Milanovich, percussionist Sam Zucchini, Cindy Mangsen on concertina and accordion, Peter Vitalone on melodeon and co-producer Scott Petito on various instruments. Cindy and Priscilla Herdman add their sublime harmonies to four of the selections.
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| Beauty Attends: The Heartsongs of Opal Whiteley |
The multi-media Anne Hills / Opal Whiteley ensemble performance
held this past September at The Hudson Valley Community College's
Maureen Stapleton Theatre in Troy was a wonderful event.
We will post some photos from this concert here on the site soon!
"The
Heartsongs of Opal Whiteley" weaves poetry, songs and photo collage
introducing the audience to the whimsical world of Opal's nature
writings."The Story of Opal: The Journal of an Understanding Heart" was
a best selling nature memoir in 1921. The journal was written when Opal
was only 6 to 7 years old. Her imaginative and unique writings brought
the public into the magical fairy land of her childhood.
The fascinating
pages of Opal's diary are set to music by legendary songwriter Michael
Smith (The Dutchman) and arranged for small ensemble by award winning
producer Scott Petito and features cello virtuoso Eugene Friesen (Paul
Winter Consort). The ensemble also includes Helen Avakian on acoustic guitar, Ann Churukian on oboe & english horn, Peter Davis on clarinet, Dave Payette on piano, Scott Petito on bass & mandolin and Barbara Rizek on flute.
If you are interested in Booking this event please email info@collectiveworksmedia.com
For more information about Anne please visit her website at: AnneHills.com |
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| “Anne Hills has given voice to Opal Whiteley’s century old writings. Anne beautifully captures the spirit of Opal’s Heartsongs. I am so impressed with the quality of the music and the 16 page booklet. She has done a wonderful service for the memory of Opal (and created some darn good music too!)”
- Stephen Williamson, founder, Opal Whiteley Memorial
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“Anne Hills is one of the finest interpreters of
song performing today. I can't think of anyone else who would have done
justice to this work. The arrangements are beautifully done, allowing
the listener to absorb the message and be drawn back to a special time
and place. This is a work of art!!”
- Ron Olesko, WFDU
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"What a wonderful album! It's truly magical. "
- Gene Shay, WXPN, Philadelphia
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| "TWO" The New CD by Kat Mills |
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| Kat Mills is a radiant, class-act songwriter
showcasing the raw energy of a single voice and acoustic guitar. A
powerful range, vintage instrument, and inspiring soulful material
combine to produce a clean honest sound that leaves audiences wanting
more. Reminiscent of another time, commenting on today, Kat is
currently based out of Blacksburg, VA and tours throughout the east and
beyond.
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Kat Mills stands out in the world of acoustic
women as soon as she starts singing. This rich alto voice is the
foundation of her show. Fans mention echoes of Joan Armatrading. The
original tunes walk a tightrope between laughter and tears: sometimes
hard-driving commentaries, sometimes mellow reflections or funny
stories. A bit of twang here, a taste of smoky soul there—always from
the heart. Her music elevates the mood and invites thought without
beating listeners over the head.
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"Pure. That's the voice that appeals...
that's Kat Mills."
-Ulster Publishing, NY
"Music that really feels more like an intuition than an actual product,
Kat Mills has found a way to go beyond what we think we hear or feel.
Intangible." -Independent Songwriter
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| This Christmas Morning • Leslie Ritter & Scott Petito |
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"This Christmas Morning" by Leslie Ritter & Scott Petito JPF Multiple Award Winner!
" This is clearly one of my picks for the year's best new acoustic holiday offering." • Richard Banks - ChristmasReviews.com
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Leslie & Scott’s first
Holiday Music CD “This Christmas Morning” was nationally released this
holiday season and recently won multiple awards from the Just Plain Folks
Music Organization. Their Christmas CD is a spirit filled collection of
original music as well as containing beautiful arrangements of
traditional songs.
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Leslie Ritter & Scott Petito are a marvelous
double threat, and this duo's This Christmas Morning will impress
anyone who enjoys great songwriting and superb musicianship in a gentle
folk/pop context. Bravo!
--Carol Swanson
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“This Christmas Morning is a treasure trove of new
contemporary Christmas tunes. Leslie Ritter has the kind of voice you
just want to hug. Scott Petito is a guitar player whose riffs are
informed by a number of contemporary elements, including east coast
folk, new age, and Celtic. This is clearly one of my picks for the
year's best new acoustic holiday offering.”
• Richard Banks - ChristmasReviews.com
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"This Christmas Morning" is available at CD Baby.com, Amazon.com
and Distributed to Stores nationally by Burnside Distribution.
This record is also available for download at i - Tunes
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| The Collective Works Catalog |
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| CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS CD! Anne Hills • Ef You Don't Watch Out |
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| CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS CD! Christine Spero Group My Spanish Dream |
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| CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS CD! Leslie Ritter & Scott Petito • This Christmas Morning |
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| CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS CD! Kat Mills - Two |
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| CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS CD! Anne Hills Beauty Attends: The Heartsongs of Opal Whiteley |
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Collective Works
518.943.0085
info@collectiveworksmedia.com
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