New CD out by The Moonlighters!!

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 27 Apr 2006 2:54 pm

Well the Pony Express finally got here today and dropped off my CD. All I can is WOW!!

I played it on my Dolby Surround unit, and Andrew's bass really kicks a$$ on my powered sub-woofer. But the best way to listen to it is with headphones, which is what I'm doing now as I type this...it brings out all of the nuances of the music. These guys are destined for BIG things...they just have to be heard by the right person.

Mike your playing is just super! All of you are just fabulous.

Thanks

Harry

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 27 Apr 2006 3:32 pm

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Ask for a little and you get a lot of love! I'm glad you approve--now I can face the world with pride.

Even my father (who never liked anything I played) said he loved my playing--I can quit now and get a real job, Dad.

The record is not perfect, but I'll leave to the listeners to determine which moments are and aren't. Already I see views contrary to my own.

Harry--Big things? Well, if I don't watch what I eat....

Jeff S--You're hired!

Les--I think I have a jazzer's heart and a rocker's mind. Every time I try to say something eloquently, it comes out "Uggh".

If I can be serious for a moment, I really hope this music inspires folks to not only want to pick up an instrument such as ukulele or steel guitar, but also makes folks want to listen to some of the great old music of the 20s-40s (the lesser-known American songbook) which is in danger of being forgotten. I think some of the songs we've written are a throwback to the craft of songwriting, and I'm really happy to be a part of it. The steel guitar solos are all secondary to the music, and will always be for me.

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www.mikeneer.com

Mike Neer on MySpace

[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 27 April 2006 at 04:34 PM.]

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 27 Apr 2006 4:18 pm

I've always felt I was born in the wrong era when it comes to music. The 20's through the 60's is what I listen to, with a special love for the 30's and 40's.

One thing I love about the music of "yesteryear", is the way the melody and lyrics flow...this is music that you can hum, and find yourself humming throughout the day (case in point, "Take A Picture of the Moon"). It's music that puts a smile on your face..

Today's music just doesn't have that, IHMO. As Stimpy's buddy Ren would say, "It just sounds like noise to me."

Keeping the Golden Age of Popular Music alive is a necessity. I bow to The Moonlighters for keeping the torch lit. And honestly, you guys do it even better than it was done back then!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 30 Apr 2006 11:30 am

CD available here:
Surrender

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www.mikeneer.com

Mike Neer on MySpace

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 1 May 2006 4:27 am

OK ... after digesting this CD ...Watch it Harry

No doubt in my mind ... that if you had to hear just one song ...

It must be ... Boxcar with a View

A flat-out "Tour De Force" of steel guitar playin' by Mike.

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Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 1 May 2006 4:45 am

Mike, I haven't heard the newest CD (I'm backed up with lots of stuff I don't have time to listen to right now) but your playing is outstanding. I can definitely get a sense of how wide your listening library is from your solos. The things that I think put the Moonlighters above many other retro-inspired groups are the quality of the songwriting and the spot-on harmony vocals. This is a sound that has been missing from pop music for many years but is so refreshing to hear. How can you not smile when you hear it done so perfectly? Add in the sound of the Tricone played so sublimely by Mike and you have a potent musical cocktail. The one aspect I think doesn't do the group justice are the CD cover graphics. My own aesthtic bias here. You guys deserve a national stage, Mike, and I hope it happens for you.

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 1 May 2006 5:11 am

OK ... after digesting this CD ...Watch it Harry

Rick...I hope the shards don't cut you on the way out!

I think my favorite is "Ziegfeld Doll"...but they are all super.

Harry

[This message was edited by Harry Dietrich on 01 May 2006 at 09:54 AM.]

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » 1 May 2006 4:13 pm

I saw the Moonlighters for the first time last Friday at the NYC Uke Fest. Their set was very late and I needed to get up very early the next day, but I'm glad I stuck it out. They exude class, elegance, great taste, and superb musicianship. They make the old songs sound new and their originals sound like timeless classics. I bought their new album at the festival and haven't stopped listening to it yet. I just wish I lived closer to NYC so I could see them on a regular basis.

Tim in Boston

John Soper · Post by **John Soper** » 2 May 2006 4:08 am

Got mine last week & it continues to hog space in the auto's CD player...

Great tunes, great vocal arrangements, wonderful/tasty instrumental arrangements - Mike, you really play for the tune.

Thanks- my fave Moonlighter's to date.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 2 May 2006 6:07 am

They make the old songs sound new and their originals sound like timeless classics.

That, right there should be framed.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 6 May 2006 11:30 am

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 6 May 2006 2:27 pm

makin' wiki waki down in Waikiki...

Dan Eason · Post by **Dan Eason** » 6 May 2006 2:31 pm

I love every track on this CD. There is no way that I can pick a favorite song..... But if I had to, I think it would be Mission to Moscow/Me Minus You/Kakaaka Rag. Who would have ever thought to arrange a medley of Bob Wills, The Boswell Sisters and Andy Iona? You've got hot swing guitar/bass/uke, killer harmonies that rival ANY duo, and a classic Hawaiian solo.....yep, this has to be the best - But then there's any of the other 13 cuts that I can make the argument for.....

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 7 May 2006 3:24 pm

Got some radio airplay today on "America's Back 40", KPFA Berkeley 94.1FM, KPFA.org, host Mary Tilson. It's a good start.

Roman Sonnleitner · Post by **Roman Sonnleitner** » 12 May 2006 12:19 pm

Got mine today - it's great.

BTW, maybe it's my European backgound - but doesn't anyone else hear a definite gypsy jazz influence in some of the tunes?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 12 May 2006 12:24 pm

Thanks, you made my day.

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www.mikeneer.com

Mike Neer on MySpace