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PRESS:
"Cuomo plays bass guitar, harmonica, tenor banjo, Irish flute and mandolin. Pretty impressive, to say the least.” STONY BROOK STATESMAN
“Early U2 pre-world consciousness overload, in the fresh styling of the melodies and light vocals.” MUSIC FORUM
“Today, Cuomo’s musical style has flourished into one that has fused modern folk rock with an innovative Irish twist. If a comparison is necessary, imagine David Gray singing a Bob Dylan tune.” STONY BROOK STATESMAN
“Johnny’s exact expressive voice, strong lyrics and an amazing rootsy/folky sound, are in the best tradition of, let’s say, the early Steve Forbet.”
Ray Pieters, Radio MILO, Belgium
Local Musician Releases
Debut CD
By Ryan Sobel,
Statesman Editor
On Sunday, September 23, the quaint Espresso
Café in the Stony Brook Borders Books and Music was
magically transformed and jam-packed for a rock and roll celebration.
The celebration was in honor of 27-year-old singer/songwriter
Johnny Cuomo, a local musical phenom who was promoting the
release of his debut effort, There and Back Again. What, you
have never heard of him? Oh, believe me, you will. In fact,
Cuomo already has a substantial backing of family and friends
that are determined to get him his deserved recognition. The
new CD serves not only as a professional step forward for
his career, but also a testament to the all the hard work
Cuomo feeds into his music. After realizing his true passion
for music in his late teens, Cuomo he began to hone his skills
as a lead singer and guitarist for the rock band Voice of
the Turtle.
During his college years in Maynooth College
in Ireland, however, Cuomo was highly influenced by a more
traditional Irish sound. He formed the band Gallowglass, which
focused mainly on his desire to explore traditional Irish
music. Today, Cuomos musical style has flourished into
one that has fused modern folk rock with an innovative Irish
twist. If a comparison is necessary, imagine David Gray singing
a Bob Dylan tune. Being the consummate musician that he is,
Cuomo is not the type of entertainer that will stand in front
of a microphone strumming out aimless chords on an acoustic
guitar. He constantly aims to dazzle by showing off his other
musical exploits. For instance, Cuomo plays bass guitar, harmonica,
tenor banjo, Irish flute, and mandolin. Pretty impressive,
to say the least. With percussionist Jerry Arias keeping the
beat, There and Back Again artfully showcases Cuomos
diverse influences and talents, providing listeners with a
ground-breakingly unique musical experience.
The disc opens with he enchanting track Half
Time. The initial parade of drums eases the listener
into a moody guitar that establishes an aquatic, sea-faring
feel. The melody is addictive in its impressive blending of
high and low tones, foreshadowing an artist who plays beyond
his years. The title track, There and Back Again,
is the only one of its kind on the album, offering a more
hardcore taste of traditional cheery Irish beats. It truly
makes one wish Michael Flatley would jump out and do an Irish
step dance to it. Fear the Nightshift, on the
other hand, takes a more folksy twist allowing Cuomos
inimitable vocals to shine alone. The acoustic guitar and
snare drum combination has a glaring effect creating the insatiable
urge to bob ones head along with the beat. Cuomos
short but sweet harmonica solo modestly adds another textured
layer to the song. The discs featured track seems to be the
fascinating Modern Waste, which has more of a
Brit rock sound reminiscent of Oasis or even the Beatles.
The song marks a level of musical and lyrical maturity that
signifies Cuomos worthiness of being a household name.
The pulsating choral arrangement exposes the catchiness of
the tune and the reality of the lyrics.
If you are tired of hearing songs on the radio
that all seem to sound the same, your cure may lie in Long
Islands own multitalented singer/songwriter, Johnny
Cuomo. Now, fresh off the release of his debut CD There and
Back Again, Cuomos popularity is rising faster than
the stepping in Lord of the Dance.
Liffey Champion
Saturday, February 9, 2002
Johnny Cuomo's Irish influences continue to grow
Johnny Cuomo, the former student at NUI Maynooth,
is planning a trip back to Dublin in April to "probably"
do a show at The Cobblestone.
Meanwhile, fans of the 27-year-old American's
original acoustic folk/rock music can key in free sample of
three tracks from his CD "There & Back Again"
on the internet at mp3.com.
Cuomo,as one half of an American duo, once
took part in the annual Glenroyal Talent Contest in Maynooth.
Cuomo, a singer/songwriter from Long Island,
was in Dublin in December and recalls the visit on his website
(www.johnnycuomo.com) as a "complete success".
"I had the pleasure of playing to a crowd
of 350, extremely receptive listeners at the Vicar Street
venue in Dublin", states the singer.
"During the week I did a double bill
with an unbelievable musician from down under, (OZ) by the
name of Tommy Emmanuel.
"We performed to a full house that night
at an amazing venue known as The Cobblestones. Guest appearances
by members of Whirlygig made for a wonderful night of music
and drink!
"I spent my nights in Dublin playing
everywhere I could find musicians!...A wonderful mix of Irish,
European, and American styles were combined within original
and traditional compositions...more gigs on the way for Ireland
in the future."
Cuomo, once the lead singer and guitarist
with a rock band entitled "Voice of the Turtle",
was greatly influenced by the traditional Irish sound while
studying at Maynooth.
Indeed he formed a band called "Gallowglass"
and according to one reviewer, his musical style has "flourished
into one that has fused modern folk rock with an innovative
Irish twist.
He is a consummate musician who plays bass
guitar, harmonica, tenor banjo, Irish flute, and mandolin.
Liffey Champion
Saturday, April 27, 2002
Cuomo returns to Maynooth - this time just to play
music
by Nicola Donnelly
NUI Maynooth's adopted son, American siger
and songwrite, Johny Cuomo, paid a welcome return visit to
the University on Tuesday last week(16th).
There, the 27-year-old New Yorker entertained
a lerge nuber of third level students with his original acoustic
folk/rock music.
Johnny and his band for the night, compromising
of his sister, Lisa and Paddy Lawless of Dublin band, Whirlygig,
played many of Johnny's own songs and added in a traditional
Irish session as well.
Having played numerous gigs in the college
bar while he studied for six months in NUI Maynooth back in
1998, many fresh faces and planty of old friends turned out
for his special return gig.
Johnny, who is from Long Island, is now cracking
into the Irish music scene, having already played many gigs
in Dublin city including nights in The Cobblestone in Smithfield,
Vicar Street and Whelan's own Wexford Street.
And with his regular weekly gigs in New York
City in a small, intimate venue called The Living Room and
an Irish Pub called O'Neil's, he has now established himseld
as a full-time musician.
"I also travel to colleges around the
States playing gigs but I do love coming back to Ireland,"
said Cuomo, who arrived the previous Wednesday(10th) and stayed
until last Friday (19th).
"Since I got here last week, I've spent
time in catching up with old college friends in Lough Corrib.
"I also love going to Glendalough in
Wicklow where the scenery is absolutely stunning!
"So far, since 1998, I have been back
here in Ireland eight times!"
His love for Irish music extends back over
eight years ago when he discovered the music style while living
in the US.
But to become more intimate with Irish music,
he said he just had to come over to Ireland.
"I just had to come over to Ireland to
get a proper taste of Irish music," he said.
"And then getting the chance to study
the 'Irish Studies' programme in NUI Maynooth made it even
better as I managed to stay here for six months."
Contest
Cuomo was also one half of a duo who took part in the Glenroyal
Talent Contest several years ago and made it into the final
before having to forfeit.
"What had happened was that I had booked
a holiday to Italy before we e ven took part in the talent
contest," he said.
"Then, when we found out that we had
made it into the final I had to make a decision to forfeit
as I really did want to do some travelling.
"But we didn't mind not taking part and,
without sounding big-headed, we could've won the contest too!"
Cuomo released his first CD entitled 'There
& Back Again' in New York last October and sales are going
'slowly but surely'.
"The CD is going well since it was released
last October and now, with the website up and running, people
can keep up to date with what is happening."
Cuomo's influences for his music not only
come from the trad Irish scene but also from the 60's.
He said: "60's music really influences
me and 90% of the stuff I play in gigs is my own lyrics and
music.
"I do play the odd cover of trad Irish
songs and people have described some of my music as 'Bob Dylan-David
Grey-style' - a great compliment for any musician to be given."
Cuomo not only sings and writes his own music,
he also plays the guitar, harmonica, Irish flute, banjo, and
mandolin.
But, he admits, he cannot read music.
"I play all my musci by ear because I
can't, I admit, read music!"
And will we be hearing and seeing more of
New Yorker Cuomo in Ireland?
"Definitely!" The only way I can
get accepted on the Irish music scene is to keep coming over
here and trying to arrange gigs in Dublin city venues such
as The Cobblestone, Vicar Street and Whelan's and wherever
else I can get gigs."
And it will not be long before Cuomo is back
on the music scene in Ireland as there will be many more gigs
lined up for future nights.
A talented musician to watch out for!
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