"...one of our most talented, singer/songwriters that has hit the scene..."
Laney Goodman, Women In Music (syndicated radio show, Boston, MA)
"The songs I heard are tremendous ('Inside The Dream' is brilliant). There's nothing better than discovering great new music."
Jeff Weaver, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
"Once again, you amaze! Your talent should be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Great stuff you got there, lady."
Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane
"Pure music untainted by worldly concerns. Grace Slick of the year 2,000. At times with Eastern flavors of early Zep, at others Iron Butterfly, while still retaining a modern flavor. Top notch production! An album of genuine feelings, not just great songs."
Thomas Douglas, BayScene Magazine
"...every person must know Becki diGregorio."
Lino Terlati, Special Interest Magazine (Savona, Italy)
"Becki, the CD is great, you are a really excellent songwriter. I will be playing it on an upcoming show."
Jonathan, Radio Shanghai International
"Both Andy are I were much impressed, not just with your tape, but with your voice, too. The CD is really excellent, you have a great talent and I hope you continue to nurture it."
Dave Gregory, XTC
"...material of a slightly more shimmering hue is Becki diGregorio's self-released debut; the addition of (XTC's) Dave Gregory on keyboards and guitars lends it an unmistakable charisma, especially on the shamanaesque 'Godbox.'"
Phil McMullen, Ptolemaic Terrascope Magazine, UK
"I really liked your CD, and the songs were wonderful! The CD package is great, very professional. I'd like to keep it on hand for any future film/TV consideration."
Lynne Robin Green, Winston Music-Hoffman House Music Publishing
I am compelled to add to the heaping on of praise for ms. diGregorio's Seven Worthies . . . CD. Its wonderful -- even if you can't bear allusions to hippydom. I think becki would agree that the music derives from the Bay area psychedelic, but her work achieves a rightful place in nearing-turn-of-the-century popular tunesmithing with its cross-cultural ingredients, and deep blues roots. I hate sounding like a music reviewer.
I was reminded of the Jefferson Airplane. becki's vocals show the influence of Grace Slick at times, but I also heard some Lou Ann Barton, maybe Christine Collister, maybe Syd Straw -- and none of these is quite right. becki sings like becki diGregorio and that is really good, man.
The sound also reminded me of the
Golden Palominos. Sort of a penetrating sound, not tied to any
precepts of popular song, but avoiding none of the licks and
tricks and fun that make up rock music. Every arrangement seems
to me well suited to the song and the songs are very strong,
indeed. I am in wonder of what she will do with this experience
behind her.
One thing I can assure you, you won't find yourself waiting around for Dave Gregory to pop up with his groovy bits. Someone mentioned the excellent playing by becki, john and the drummer whose name escapes me. They're groovy too.
Well, I had to tell you how much I enjoyed (am enjoying) this recording.
Bob Thomas (BobT@cait.wustl.edu)
You can add my name to the list of people recommending the purchase of Becki di Gregorio's debut CD, "Seven Worthies Of The Bamboo Grove".
This is a fine debut album . The music is very personal, unblemished by record company suits trying to put art in a box for mass consumption. It cannot be placed in a category; it is what it is.
The music is very subtle, but it goes down easily on first listen, defying Andy Partridge's assertion that "swallowing is easy when it has no taste". It reminds me of some of the better Chianti's that I've enjoyed: the first glass is good, the second is better, and by the third, I'm wishing I'd bought a case of it.
Becki's guitar playing is light and airy, setting the listener immediately at ease. Her bass playing is understated and locked with the drums. Her song writing style is very melodic and devoid of cliches with lyrics that are personal and believable. But it is her beautiful voice that grabs the listener. Her singing style is unique. This word is often used to prepare the listener to bear with the singer, but I don't mean it that way at all. She sounds like no one else, but connects with the listener quickly and easily.
Dave Gregory's work is brilliant, as to be expected, but it doesn't define the album for me. This is not XTC, this is Becki di Gregorio.
Listening to "Seven Worthies-" is like meeting new friend that you feel you've known for years. Perhaps one day, people will be saying of a new artist, "She sounds like she's into Becki!". Buy this CD, and enjoy.
Stormy Monday (stormymonday@sprintmail.com)
This week I found out that I listen to too much pop music.
Two things happened: the Jimi Hendrix re-releases and Becki diGregorio's album 7 Worthies Of The Bamboo Grove.
Neither can be called pop, but both have a resonance to them that I have neglected in my musical gallery. This came as a very pleasant surprise. As much as I dig Redd Kross and all those Jellyfish spawn, this week it's been 'tapestries' for me.
I've been listening to Becki's album for a week now and I'm still at that stage where I put it on and song by song, I turn up the volume. That's a good sign. I'm not digging into it searching for something; when I have to do that I know I'm going to be finished with that disc in a hurry.
Becki has a delivery that reminds me of Grace Slick's solo material. The texture of the songs are Led Zep Kashmir-esque (I hate saying words with -esque tacked on the end! Why did I just *do* that??). In other words, these are warm, miasmic sounds that have solid song structure; occasional wisps of Cocteau Twins harmony, but none of the pretension.
If you're a popster, you're probably
wriggling in your seat right about now. I know some of the above
hippy references are nail-to-blackboard for you. But wait, let me
talk about the musicianship!
Becki mentioned one Dave Gregory makes some contributions to this. They are simple, understated gems. On "Inside The Dream", Dave's solo *is* the dream. The one problem with this song is I wish there was one more verse and another refrain so that Dave could return with a later in the evening, deeper, more primordial dream/solo! What can you say about him at this stage?
He also plays on 'Godbox' and the cover of 'Open My Eyes'.
John Wedemeyer (guitar) and Randy Hayes (drums) are all over this album. And these guys play. If you can't hear the joy and enthusiasm in their work, your ears are plugged sphincter tight by too many nights of trying to be hipper than hip. ;-) Randy is spot on tight, Pete Thomas accurate, but better yet, there is a real noticable exuberance in his style. And Becki has already mentioned how talented John W. is; this guy plugs in and becomes his guitar! You can hear clearly how tight the musical connection between Randy and John is; if you ever have the chance to see them live, you must check them out. They play a most joyful version of the blues.
Dean Martucci (martucci@surf.com)
I had no expectations of what this disc would be like, and ended up listening to it nearly ever day on the discman at work. an excellent disc, and the version of OPEN MY EYES kind of blows the original away in some respects. and the songs WITHOUT Dave Gregory are just as good as those WITH him.
If you are hesitating, don't. A happy surprise in the mailbox.
Highly recommended.
dave at studio seventeen (ambient@adnc.com)
visit: seventeen: the ambient music page