Ted Garber-American Rail

The Ripple Effect

by Pope JTE, The Ripple Effect

The thing that I’ve always liked about the singer/songwriter has always been their ability to strip the music down to its barest form and move the soul with a vibrant array of lyrics. But the lyrics alone don’t do the work. Generally, the voice comes in and conveys the emotion with well phrased lines, slight changes in intonation, subtle nuances that captivate the senses and let the imagination soar. These singer/songwriters have the power of conviction behind their voices and for many years now, I’ve listened to the various works of artists like Jim Croce and Cat Stevens, marveling at their ability to craft a song that sounds as complex as any concerto, but is stripped down to its root.

Enter Ted Garber.

All that stuff about singer/songwriters breaking a song down to its root form still applies, the difference being that he’s filled more of the open space with huge movements of sound to give the music greater life, greater dynamics. The sincerity is still there, almost as if he recorded himself playing an old acoustic on a dilapidated wood porch, and then brought in a handful of talented, and equally soulful musicians to add their own voices. Garber’s voice, though, is the key to American Rail. True, the lyrics are strong and captivating pieces of poetry, but like the great singer/songwriters of the past, it’s the deep down soul and natural conviction to his voice that makes the songs what they are.

more

Review: Ted Garber "American Rail"

BMF-Bill's Music Forum

Life isn't fair. Some people can write good lyrics, but they can't write a good song. Some people can sing, but can't play an instrument. Some can play, but can't carry a tune if their lives depended on it. But some people have a monopoly on talent - they can do everything, and do it oh so right. Ted Garber is one of those monopolizers of talent who can write smart lyrics, craft jubilant songs, sing his heart out, and play his guitar and harp like nobody's business. And on top of all that, he comes across like your average everyday nice guy.

more

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.
 

more

On Track and in Focus

by Lauren LaRocca, News-Post Staff, Frederick News Post

Ted Garber has been a full-time singer-songwriter for the past 13 years, but really his career -- and life -- became focused a lot more recently.
In 2005, he released his first solo EP, "Ted Garber," and later that year, he threw together a CD with a full band, the Working Class Heroes. Then he went on tour across the country by himself.

"It was a shot in the dark," he said. "It was idiotic. ... I was drinking a lot in those days. Everything was done in a manic pursuit of success."

He made $2,000 that year, tops, he said, as a full-time musician.

A few years later, he had a revelation during a trip to Key West.

"I quit drinking in October 2007 ... after resentments, hasty recordings and an otherwise lonely and depressing life that was getting more and more reckless. ... Ever since then, life has been just great."

more

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

more