Bob McKillop: Reviews and Press

"Mckillop's rooted in the American folk songbook, and collects a number of friends to fill out a pleasantly ramshackle roots sound developed with Acadia Recording's Marc Bartholomew.... Like the disc's best overall track, "Hittin' Trees", which is silly enough on the face of it, but is delivered with a relaxed cadence that lends it weight...especially nice here is the harmonica, played with a Dylan ramble... McKillop mines Dylan again on "Kettle Cove", with a tune that could have come straight out of Nashville Skyline."

"Through it's six songs, the CD captures remorse, nostalgia, whimsy, sorrow, and hard times. My favorite track is "Kettle Cove", which features backing vocals from local chanteuses Vanessa Torres and Heather Caston"

"McKillop's style is generated mostly out of the John Denver folk stye. His high sympathetic voice dances gingerly over the chord progressions throughout the album. While reserving space for introspective material, McKillop also explores comedic subjects too"

"Your CD is great for chilling out a cranky 2-year old in the car. Every time I put it on, he quiets right down (except he does do a bit of howling when "Nightmares of a Dog" comes on!)"

"I've been enjoying your cd. It is totally different from what I expected.

When I listened to it, it took me back in time. Back to a time when music was 'real'.

I kept thinking of Peter, Paul, and Mary... I don't know why.

I thought it was fun and uplifting and filled with a lot of great things to think about."

Bob's hook-driven and homey folk songs talk about simple things like love, tidepools, squirrels, and dogs having nightmares. One of the Maine Songwriters Association's most active members, Bob McKillop's genuine personality comes across in his genuine, earnest songs.

March 24, 2008
For immediate release
Contact: Ceci Gilson, 207.837.8849 ccgilson@gwi.net

Portland Singer/Songwriter Bob McKillop Releases New CD
Innovative Partnership Helps the Red Cross

Portland singer/songwriter Bob McKillop is a well-known face on the local music scene. He’s the founder and editor of MaineFolkMusic.com, he has leadership positions with both the Portland Music Foundation and the Maine Songwriters’ Association, he’s a regular host on the city’s Open Mic circuit, and he’s a tireless writer and promoter for the local acoustic music community.

But on April 19, Bob McKillop will take center stage himself with the release of his new CD, Portland Afternoon. The music community will gather to celebrate at the CD Release Party at The North Star Music Café, 225 Congress Street, in Portland. Showtime is 8 pm. The Mutineers, a Maine string band, will open. Admission is free and open to all ages. Copies of Portland Afternoon will be available for sale.

In a creative twist of synergy, McKillop will partner with the Red Cross to attract blood donors on the morning of the CD release. McKillop has been a regular blood donor and Red Cross supporter for many years. On April 19, he will offer a free CD to all blood donors at the Portland Donor Center. In addition, McKillop will provide some live entertainment for those who stop in to donate a pint. The Red Cross Center is located at 524 Forest Avenue in Portland. For more information on donating blood, call (207) 775-2367.

Portland Afternoon features six original songs. McKillop calls the title track his “love song to Portland.” He describes the bulk of his work as songs of redemption. “They’re about making mistakes - then forgiving yourself and moving on,” he says. “Really, they’re about being human.”

The material encompasses both serious and comic subjects. At his most bittersweet, McKillop’s characters call to mind the down and out mill workers and truck drivers that populate the literary songs of fellow New England singer/songwriter Bill Morrissey. The people in McKillop’s songs struggle to cast off the demons of regret (“Portland Afternoon”), endlessly repeat the same mistakes (“Hittin’ Trees”) and face the mixed blessings of shedding a time-worn disguise (“Back When I Used to Say Those Things”).

On the comic side, the very lively “Nightmares of a Dog,” evokes the zany but sharp-edged humor of folk mavens Christine Lavin and Cheryl Wheeler. McKillop ponders a dog’s worst nightmare (“Cadillacs that chase me back….Hambone kleptomaniacs!”) with a wry sense of humor guaranteed to send every dog owner on a bender of a guilt trip.

Several local luminaries play on the disc including Alan Dickson (mandolin, bass) who is half of McKillop’s duo, McKillop and Dickson; singer/songwriters Vanessa Torres and Heather Caston (backing vocals); Jeff Trippe of the Mutineers (fiddle); Eric Bettencourt of Giraffe Attack (electric guitar); Jason Ingalls of Seekonk (drums); and Lindsey Montana of Smoldering Bones (piano). The disc was recorded at Acadia Recording Company in Portland.

Portland Afternoon will be available at the CD Release Party, at all of Bob’s gigs and online at www.bobmckillop.com. Digital downloads will also be available from iTunes, Rhapsody (www.rhapsody.com), eMusic (www.emusic.com) and others.

Music clips and lyrics are available at: www.bobmckillop.com/music.html

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More info:
www.bobmckillop.com
www.mainefolkmusic.com
www.northstarmusiccafe.com

Bob McKillop is available for interviews and in-studio performances:

Contact: Ceci Gilson, Omnivore Media // 207.837.8849 // ccgilson@gwi.net
or Bob McKillop // 207.272.2748 // mckillop@maine.rr.com