Jesse And Noah: Reviews

2007-10-15T18:55:00.000-04:00

"Daddy's Got A Shotgun," But He's Not Chasing These Two

There is a song on country duo Noah and Jesse Bellamy’s current CD Nowhere Revisited, called “Drivin’ Nowhere,” and it would not be more inappropriately titled if it were being used to describe the careers of one of country music’s hottest new acts. The Bellamys (if that sounds familiar, they are the sons of David Bellamy of the internationally acclaimed The Bellamy Brothers), have been eating up the Texas music charts. The duo’s first two singles from Nowhere Revisited charted in the top twenty.

In a recent interview, Noah explains, “The groups of stations that make up the Texas charts are not all in Texas. A lot of the (reporting) stations are in Oklahoma too. Our music was also on the After Midnight With Blair Garner, Pick It Or Flick It, and we received a seventy-seven percent rating for one of our songs. The radio show is syndicated to a large group of stations (250). They play the record and people call in to say pick it (as in keep the tune) or flick it (deep six it. Our music has also been played in New Mexico, Missouri, Louisiana and the surrounding states.”

The first single to be released in 2006 was the lyrically fun and musically edgy, “Daddy’s Got A Shotgun.” In response to my poking fun at the two brothers, as I wondered aloud if the song was based in personal experience, Jesse replied, “It’s not about either of us. I am sure that it is somebody’s reality, but not ours (and both of them laugh). A co-writer friend of mine and I were on our way to a gig in Nashville, and we just started telling farmer’s daughter jokes. That is where the first verse came from.”

“Daddy’s Got A Shotgun,” was released in Texas and they loved it. It was the first significant airplay that we received. It was really cool because we didn’t know how it would go over in Texas since we are not from there (they lived most of their lives in Florida). We are real happy that everybody embraced us, and recognized that we wanted to be a part of that scene (in Texas),” says Jesse.

The second single, “Wild And Willin,” released in March of this year, has a rhythm and melody that incites memories of The Eagles’ “Lying Eyes,” and gives us a taste of the excellent two part harmonies that are becoming part of Noah and Jesse Bellamy’s signature sound.

“I’m All About You,” which Jesse refers to as one of the songs which he favors, sounds more like a country tune from a band that has been at this for a decade or two, rather than artists who are closer to the beginning of their careers. This is a good two-stepping song.

It is not just the southwest of the United States that has discovered Noah and Jesse, as they have already toured throughout Switzerland, Norway and the UK. They drew high marks from British country music magazine Maverick

Whereas their father (David) and uncle (Howard) The Bellamy Brothers, have a more easygoing and quirky approach to their music, Noah and Jesse possess an aggressive guitar driven attitude, which smells of cornbread, has the feel of a dancehall and is earthy.

Noah says,” Our vocal style is a little bit more push. You can hear some similar things about it (to The Bellamy Brothers’ music), in the harmony, but at the same time it is a little different, because it is more pushed and less laid back.” Noah says that their first group, a rock band named Elston Gunn (one of Bob Dylan’s earlier stage names), and a good dose of blues music influence their vocal style.

“One of the reasons our music tends to be a little heavier than our dad’s music is because we are more guitar oriented than his music. Noah is the lead guitarist of our group (they have a backup band), and I think the biggest part of it is we are just into heavier guitar sounds. We are guitar freaks,” says Jesse.

Noah’s abilities extend far beyond being a very good electric and acoustic guitarist. He also plays bass, mandolin, dobro, banjo, keyboards, bass and percussion. If that is not enough of a repertoire, he possesses excellent engineering skills. Jesse is the primary songwriter and his rich deep vocals are going to break a lot of women’s hearts when he serves up songs such as “You Got The Wrong Number,” and “Santa Ana Winds.”

There is a gold record hanging on their studio wall, the result of a Danish singer named Wenche covering Jesse’s tune, “You’re The World,” which also appears as the fourth track on Nowhere Revisited. When I spoke to the duo several weeks ago, there were rumors that a Swedish singer was also thinking of doing a cover version of the song.

As hard hitting as some of their songs can be, Noah and Jesse have the ability to slow things down to a nice waltz, as evidenced by the beautiful and gentle ballad, “The Best Thing That I’ve Ever Known,” a song that Jesse also counts among his favorites. Noah lays down some of the prettiest guitar chording that you will hear in country music.

The brothers made a concentrated effort to keep their self-produced album Nowhere Revisited from sounding too slick, too studio engineered. “We wanted it to sound like a performance,” says Noah.

Jesse adds, “We wanted to keep the sound that we have when we play out live.”

This was not Noah and Jesse’s first foray into the production side of the music business. They had worked closely with Ron Taylor (Gloria Stefan, 2 Live Crew, Frank Sinatra, Jaci Velasquez, Aaron Carter, Jon Secada, Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias) to co-produce Elston Gunn’s critically acclaimed 2001 release Key To The Highway. The connection being that Taylor had for a while played keyboards for The Bellamy Brothers. Noah and Jesse also self-produced their own demos.

Some artists scramble for songs to complete the tracks for their albums. Others, who are not as gifted in songwriting, are continually on the look out for good songs for future CDs. Those are not issues that Noah and Jesse Bellamy have to contend with.

“A lot of our record came about because we had twenty-four hour access to a recording studio. We would work on things, and eventually we had an album, without really even sitting down to make an album. We had all of these songs stockpiled. We are always working on songs and recording. In between doing shows and writing songs, we would record at home, and that is how we came up with the album,” says Jesse.

Jesse continues, “I think that we ended up getting what we wanted out of all of these songs. We just do what the individual songs need, and then we keep doing it until we get it right.”

Growing up rubbing shoulders with people such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Oakridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, David Allan Coe, George Jones, Ray Stevens and Loretta Lynn, likely planted the first seeds, which have now become finely honed music sensibilities.

Noah and Jesse Bellamy are planning to release another single this fall, and there are numerous good tunes to choose from the tracks of Nowhere Revisited.

They now split their time between living on their Father’s cattle ranch in Florida, Nashville where they have an apartment and studio, and Fort Worth Texas. Most of their songwriting and recording is done in Nashville, while the musicians who comprise their backup band live in the Fort Worth area. Their record label Smith Entertainment is also located in Fort Worth.

Their song may be titled “Drivin’ Nowhere,” but this is a country duo that is going somewhere fast. They are booked well into the spring of 2008, and we can only expect to hear more great music from Noah and Jesse Bellamy down the road.

Interviewed by Joe Montague

2007-07-15T16:46:00.000-04:00

UK's Maverick Magazine gives J&N's Nowhere Revisited FOUR STARS!

2006-09-26T17:27:00.000-04:00

Jesse and Noah Nowhere Revisited:
Give me a glass of beer, this music from the speakers and I'm happy - countrystartpage.com

2006-09-26T17:25:00.000-04:00

Artist: Jesse and Noah

Album: Nowhere Revisted

Label: Smith Entertainment Records

Release Date: 2006

writer: James R. Nichols

In the summer of 2005, Jesse and Noah embarked on their first tour of Europe. They performed festivals in Switzerland, Norway, and The United Kingdom: treating audiences to their unique country-rock sound while receiving rave reviews and a significant amount of airplay on the tour.

Jesse and Noah were raised on a Florida cattle ranch. They are the sons of music icon, David Bellamy (The Bellamy Brothers). Cattle ranching not in their foreseeable future, they proceeded to convert an old hay
barn into a studio, this is where they rehearsed and eventually began recording demos.

The brother's first gained notoriety as the primary members of the band Elston Gunn, a staple of the central
Florida rock scene. In 2001, Elston Gunn released the critically acclaimed album, "The Key to the Highway,"
on their own; Bellerophon Records.

2006's "Nowhere Revisted," is the brothers first effort as Jesse and Noah. Their mix of country, folk, and rock has a harder, gritter edge. The CD has 14 tracks, with the majority of them written by the brothers and/or various co-writers. The first song on the CD, "Daddy's Got A Shotgun," was shipped to radio in early May. Diehard fans may recognize the voices of native Texan and Reba's duet partner, ("Does He Love You,"),
Linda Davis, and Deborah Allen(" Baby I Lied") who stepped into the studio to sing background vocals on this song. This is a sure hit that rocks and highlights the brothers harmonizing vocals.

The 2nd song on the CD is "Wild and Willin," and I predict this to be a super hit. It rocks in a style that would make The Eagles proud. It took me back to a time that was reminiscent of The Eagles. This one song could be as big as "Lyin Eyes." The twang that characterizes could easily have come out of an easier Nashville era, as well. The music on the following tracks really remind me of the graceful style of classic country /country rock.

This track is followed by," I'm All About You," and "You're My World (with The Bellamy Brothers)." The later song was co-written with their father, David Bellamy, of The Bellamy Brothers who has cranked out 30 years of hits. These both have superb vocals and show excellent musicianship. You do not want to miss hearing these tracks.

This album has a lot of brillant solos, catchy lyrics and harmonious riffs. Just listen to "Drivin Nowhere," "Santa Ana Winds," and "Faster Horses (The Cowboy and the Poet)," a Tom T. Hall classic. I really enjoyed "Santa Ana Winds," but Jesse and Noah had a much better time in LA than I. Everytime the Santa Ana winds blew through LA, all I got was a sinus infection that would run for 3 weeks.

The 2nd half of the CD, treats us to "Spirit Road," "Soul Food," and several other songs that are Top 10 material," "Everyday's A Revolution," (written by Warren Sellars) and "Tumblin Down," both have brillant guitar leads and over the top vocals. "Tumblin Down," was another of my favorites and it gives reference to Hank Jr. in the song. Both of these songs are sure to be chart topping hits.

This album will let any new fans see why Jesse and Noah are headed straight to the top of the charts.The last few tracks contain more songs that will hit the airways and are definitely airplay worthy. "You Can Always Count On Me,"(To let you down)" showcases Noah's sharp guitar chops with Jesse's vocals adding to the brillance of this song

For anyone wanting to get in that slow dance, don't forget to try out, "The Best Thing That I'll Ever know." Beautiful song that brings the album to an excellent close. I can see line dancers rejoicing once they listen to this complete album.

Jesse and Noah have signed for marketing representation with Smith Entertainment Records in support of "Nowhere Revisted." You can read more on these 2 new up and coming country rock stars at www.jesseandnoah.com. You can treat yourself to sample tracks, tour schedule and all the news on Jesse and Noah.

This album is a must have and will thrill old and new fans alike.

2006-09-26T17:24:00.000-04:00

Jesse & Noah - Nowhere Revisited
By: George Peden, CSO Staff Journalist

I’ve got to admit it. When I first heard Nowhere Revisited, the debut release from Jesse and Noah, I thought, “Not bad; not bad all.” The Florida-raised brothers delivered a crankin’ rock ‘n’ country sound that won me over. The more I listened, the more I liked. There was “something” I was hearing that appealed, clicked, and came with a touch of the familiar. But what was it? Maybe it had it do with the brothers’ undisclosed surname on my advance album …Bellamy.

Jesse and Noah’s father is David Bellamy. Howard Bellamy is their uncle, the other half of those respected Bellamy Brothers. You suspect though rather than trade on the famous linkage –David and Howard come identified as among the most successful duos in country music, with a 30-year career starting with “Let Your Love Flow” – this new generation of Bellamys trade on their own terms and not on the celebrity culture they were born into.

While they may have cut their teeth and honed their appreciation of country music around their musical home with the family icons, Jesse and Noah realized early music would be their calling. Rather than tending stock on the family’s cattle station, the guys found refuge and passion in converting a hay barn into a recording studio. The history that followed saw the guys hook up with Florida roots rockers, Elston Gunnn; moving on, the brothers then cut their own demos with eventual songwriting trips to Nashville, all resulting in a tour of Europe for Jesse and Noah in 2005.

Now, with 14 mostly self-written tunes, the duo – Noah offers distinctive guitar while Jesse is the vocalist and songwriter – come prepared and ready for wider acceptance with their Bellerophon Records release.

Right from the first track, this album fires with both barrels. “Daddy’s Got a Shotgun” is the out and about radio single, and sets up the tempo and direction of the album. It’s a knockout first cut. With its layered harmony vocals, its chunky guitar riffs and humor, the tune is winning listener appeal – a point proven with an under bubbling 31 on this week’s Texas Music Chart.

A minor frustration with my advance copy was the lack of detail. I would have liked to have known who wrote what and who played on the various cuts. But, and that aside, bravos all around – this is a kicker and a killer of a CD. Like my earlier in the year prediction of Randy Archer for my top 10 list of best albums (to my ears for 2006) – please add Jesse & Noah to the list.

In this day of over inflated prices for music, for me to part with the dollars, I need to hear more than one radio friendly hit; I need a strong and consistent album that’ll have me playing it without harboring purchase regrets. Happy days! This album is scores a bull's-eye.

With a cross-section of rocky favs, to more melodic and ponderous prods, the album is new country at its cutting best. “You’re The World”, a team effort of J&N with Dad David and Uncle Howard, the track is a toe-tapper asking us to remember: to the world you’re just one person; but to one person, you’re the world. More thoughtful lyrics come courtesy of the Tom T. Hall-penned “Faster Horses”. With its instructional message of “faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money," the tune stands tall with “You’ve Got The Wrong Number”

(a comedic piece that tells the female dialer she’s got the wrong party…but come on over anyhow) as standout favorites.

“Every Day’s A Revolution” is catchy, while “Wild And Willin’ and the guitar-driven and drum-pounded “You Can Always Count On Me To Let you Down” is an agony lament that offers cold substance with recognizable truths. They’re great tunes that build a better album.

More could be said about the style and substance of the tunes, the clear harmonies, the keen playing, and the stellar song choices; yes, much more could be said. But, why bother?

Two thumbs and four stars -- that says it all.

2006-09-26T17:22:00.000-04:00

The next Generation of the Bellamy Brothers have arrived in Music Business. The Sons of the Bellamy Brothers, Jesse and Noah, follow the Footsteps of their Fathers. And they do a pretty good job. You can’t deny the Fammily-Roots, even when the name Bellamy wasn’t put on the record for a reason. They wan’t to make it on their own, and not because they are the "Bellamy Sons", that is what they told me once. They are a little more Rock then their Fathers. You can see that for yourself on their Website. The Album of the Boys can be purchased at iTunes.

Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )

Translation by Charlotte Bailey

2006-06-02T03:00:00.000-04:00

Don Chance/Country Music Writer June 2, 2006 "NOWHERE REVISITED" BY  JESSE AND NOAH.

If "Nowhere Revisited" is any indication, the next generation of Bellamy Brothers is proving to be  every bit as special as their legendary father and uncle. Calling themselves  Jesse and Noah, the brothers do not use their famous last name as a part of their budding musical careers. They want to be  taken on their own merits, and not compared to the other Bellamy Brothers, and  I certainly respect that. Also, even though they sound nothing like David  and Howard, and began their careers as Florida rockers, they're every bit  as country as anyone on the charts today. "Shotgun Wedding," "Spirit Road,"  "You Can Always Count on Me," their remake of Tom T. Hall's rollicking "Faster Horses" and "You're the  World," their duet with the OTHER Bellamy Brothers, make for an impressive  first outing. Best of luck, guys! (NEXT rating: B) 