Artist description Hot Rock, Rhythm and Blues with a Classic NewOrleans Flavor

Music Style Rock/Rhythm & Blues

Musical Influences Eric Clapton, Little Feat, Neville Bros.,Bonnie Raitt

Similar Artists Clapton, Little Feat, Meters, John Hiatt

Artist History Tony joined The Cyclone Rangers in 1980. Their styles range from Original Rock and Roll/R&B with a Big Band to Heart felt Acoustic Ballads. They have opened for such artists as Leon Russell, Rick Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jon Anderson, Dicky Betts, Wilson Pickett, Dr. John, Room Full of Blues, Pure Prairie League, and Asleep at the Wheel, to name a few.

Group Members Tony Barca (Lead vocals & Guitar), John Putnam ( Lead Guitar & Vocals)Lincoln Schleifer ( Bass & Vocals), Dennis McDermott ( Drums & Percussion)Larry Ketchell & Danny Louis (Keyboards)Catherine Russell & Maura McCabe (Vocals)And of course "The Uptown Horns" Crispin Cioe,Arno Hecht, Bob Funk & Larry Etkin

Instruments Guitars, Bass , Drums, Keys, Horns & The Girls

Albums MAKANA

Press Reviews Boasting a heavy-hitting roster of session players, singer/songwriter/guitarist Tony Barca puts his best thirteen feet forward with this collection. His list of influences includes Eric Clapton, Lowell George, Bonnie Raitt, John Hiatt and Jackson Browne; sure enough, one can hear traces of each within this disc. Vocally, Barca resembles none other than Slowhand; if you like Clapton's singing, you're gonna really dig this.Running the gamut from brass-filled, bluesy rockers to acoustic-based ballads, Barca displays a versatile songwriting talent along with the ability to put 'em across in a no-bullshit, in-your-face kind of way. Depending upon your own tastes, some songs are bound to strike a nerve more than others. While I enjoyed the album as a complete entity, the midway point piqued my attention the most. "Hyway Rider, " a ballad featuring some fine dobro playing from John Putnam, along with "Already Over You, with its down-home country feel courtesy of Ira Siegel's nifty guitar work, are two radio-ready tracks. While not representative of Barca's range as a writer, I feel that these songs reflect the best attributes of their author. What's more, they're also ready-and-waiting for radio air-play,already earmarked for The Island Zone!Barca proves that growing older doesn't mean your passion for living must undergo a commensurate decline. Once again, here's proof that music keeps the little kid inside of us alive and kicking.—Roy Abrams—

Additional Info One of my favorite recent shows featured Tony Barca His debut CD, MAKANA, has also been reviewed in this publication. Another seasoned veteran, Barca's on-air performance featured a lengthy interview segment as well as a starkly beautiful rendition of "Already Over You," the track I humbly pick as his first hit. As much as I personally enjoyed hearing the song live, it was perhaps more rewarding to experience the energy of an artist talking about his music with the certain knowledge that he's presenting his best foot forward, backed by more than three decades of preparation. Like so many of the Island's best original artists Barca shatters the industry assumption (and a very stupid one, I might add) that musical creativity and commercial viability ebbs after age 30. He's got the songs, the musical ability, and a team of crack players to round his music out. Add to this professional outlook and approach, and I'd put my money on the upward direction that Barca's career is headed for. ---Roy Abrams---

Location Huntington Station, NY - USA

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