Music Reviews

Local Artists That Should be on your Radar, Calendar and iPod

On Tap Magazine

It’s hard to blend blues, jazz and roots rock together to create anything that really and truly works, but somehow Ted Garber has mixed these diverse sounds together to form his latest album, “American Rail,” a 10-track masterpiece. Catchy and mellow, smooth yet upbeat, Garber creates a one-of-a-kind album with his harmonica riffs and blues-y sound. “Strike It Up,” a distinctively upbeat ballad, further proves what a chameleon Garber is with backing horns and lyrics that make you want to bust a move. Funk, blues, roots rock, jazz and rock n’roll all make appearances in this latest album from the DC native, along with a refreshingly talented backing section full of horns, organs, a piano, drums and bass. “Giving Tree,” is where you really hear and feel the blues meets New Orleans sound. If you mixed Jason Mraz-style vocals and blues, you get this four-minute track, both musically and lyrically impressive. “American Rail” is a complete mix of sounds and musical styles, but you know what? It works. The entire album flows together into one captivating project. —Ashley Estill

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BluesAmericanaRock with an emphasis on America(na)

FrederickNewsPost.com

by Lauren LaRocca

Ted Garber has been to some 30 countries, and counting. He speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish and a little Italian and Romanian. He moved a lot throughout his childhood and into adulthood, and traveling has always been his passion.
Though he lives in Montgomery County with his family now, Frederick is where the musician got his driver's license and first steady girlfriend, where he went to his first football game, the place he calls home. Tonight, he'll play several songs from his latest album, "American Rail," at Danielle's on East Street in Frederick .

The album explores the idea of what it means to be an American, and the American ideal, combining the influences of New Orleans street funk, alt-country, Latin, blues, rock and, of course, Americana.
 

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