Reviews of the CD: "The Beauty of It All" 2023
Paul McGee Lonesome Highway Jan 2024
Brian Kalinec The Beauty Of It All Berkalin
This album represents a third solo outing for Brian Kalinec, a Texan singer-songwriter who is the co-owner of Berkalin records, a label which is home to a number of Folk and Americana artists. In addition to his own releases Kalinec recorded an album with his friend and fellow artist Kj Reimensnyder-Wagner whom he has also toured with across Europe in recent years.
This album has fourteen songs that play out over fifty minutes and the challenge in putting so much music on a single release is not repeating yourself and over-cooking the whole project. In this case Kalinec steers clear of any such pot holes and delivers a very brightly produced album that is engaging on all levels. Producer Merel Bregante delivers a fine open sound that allows all the musicians free expression across the range of instruments that colour the song arrangements.
Bregante also plays drums and percussion on the album in addition to backing vocals and he is joined by a fine group of talented players, including Pete Wasner (grand piano, synths, fender Rhodes, accordion, Wurlitzer, Hammond b3), Rankin Peters and Mark Epstein (bass), Patterson Barrett and Dave Pearlman (pedal steel), Cody Braun (mandolin, harmonica), Michael Dorrian (acoustic and electric guitar), Madelaine Herdeman and Dirje Childs (cello), James Rieder (chamber strings and double bass), and a number of different backing vocalists, with Sarah Pierce most featured.
The songs are very much in the arena of contemporary Folk and the title track starts things off with a reflection of living each day to the full and enjoying the moment ‘I want to feel the sunlight’s kiss as I raft upon the river, I don’t want to miss the beauty of it all.’ The album continues with Big Hearted and a wish that we could all try to live with generosity and openness in showing each other more love ‘What if we showed up for each other, Took that chance? Showed a little love for each other, Just because we can.’
Another song titled Two Roads ponders on the different paths that people walk down on their separate life journeys. Sometimes these connect, cross over and influences each other ‘Two sides of a coin, One road leading somewhere, Another heading quickly to an end.’ Redwood Fence examines the issue of racial inequality and bigotry and the words resonate in the message ‘Just how long does it take a man to learn, That fear is just a hollow alibi.’ The theme of growing old and losing loved ones is at the centre of Fix-it Man and the need for acceptance in what life gives us along the way.
Other songs such as Next Door Stranger, Overcommitted and The Wind look internally at issues such as self-doubt, fears, the things we do for living and the little lies we tell ourselves. The final song River Of Kindness brings a strong message of optimism in these times of global warming and civil unrest, with the words ‘It’s a river of comfort, Washing over the pain, One heart to another, a hand for a brother, Ray of sun through the rain.’ Rather than think it could all be just some hippie dream there is real conviction in the positive message and a prayer for universal awakening. This is a very accomplished album, beautifully performed by the musicians and a real achievement for Brian Kalinec to be proud of.
Review by Paul McGee
Trevor Christian, Country Pocket
Brian Kalinec Explores Appreciation and Aspiration on The Beauty of It All
Brian Kalinec is perhaps as close to the definition of a traditional folk singer as you can get. His songs are earnest and lyrical with sparse accompaniment aside from guitar and a piano. In an increasingly hostile and cynical climate, his reflections on racial progress and his friendship with his neighbor Henry seems downright quaint. But sometimes, especially in these times, it’s nice to hear a thoughtful piece about moving in the right direction.
“I was born into the change, but there was a lot of resistance to that change,” Kalinec said of watching the Civil Rights Act become law. “We’ve come a long way, but there are people who would like to see us go back to what they consider to be the good old days.”
Kalenic doesn’t exactly have his blinders on. He’s well aware of some of the regressive trends in education and muses on another track as to whether it’s possible for this country to become less polarized. He doesn’t answer the question except to say making improvements is worth a try. Speaking with me, a younger millennial, Kalenic indicated that he holds out hope for my generation.
“My daughter went to school with kids of many different backgrounds and cultures and colors and she doesn’t see herself as special,” Kalinec said. “But when I was a kid, that demarkation was there.”
Much like finding hope in this news cycle, many tracks on The Beauty of it All are about extracting the joy from life, even if it is at times “aspirational.” The title track, in particular, shines with optimism despite recognizing that the singer has lived more of his life than not.
“As I get a little older, I recognize that I need to be a little more aware of everything, especially be more present,” Kalinec said. “I always want to be more present for family and friends, but also appreciate the beauty of the world.”
In addition to the title track, Fix-It Man provides a particularly endearing look at an older man appreciating life despite some of the hardships that come with age. Big Hearted continues the trend of aspirational thinking and learning from younger, kinder viewpoints. Breakfast at Midnight is, if not the healthiest idea, then certainly a joyful one.
If most songs deliver those messages in a simple, positive way, Two Roads provides the gut punch. A young woman with big dreams dies young after guiding an alcoholic neighbor to sobriety. Part of making the most of life is understanding it could end at any moment. Kalinec provides narration that he, like most people, aren’t trying to save the world or numb the pain. We’re just managing money and time.
“We all think when we’re younger that we’re [going to save the world] and I guess some people are a little more successful at that than others,” Kalinec said. “The important thing is that we save our own worlds. That’s probably the most that we can do.”
Mike Davies, FATEA Magazine FATEA-RECORDS.CO.UK
Brian Kalinec Artist:Brian Kalinec
Album: The Beauty Of It All
Tracks: 14
Based out of Houston, having released his debut in 2007 this is Kalinec's third solo album, one which, with is warm, laid-back style and unhurried pace tags him in similar folksy strummed territory to Tom Paxton and James Taylor or, in a country context, even Don Williams. The gently ambling opening title track with its piano, guitar, cello and chamber strings arrangement pretty much sets the template, the pace reflecting the song's theme about not missing life by hurrying though it.
Given the setting of a man having breakfast in a cafe with his son who invites a homeless man to join then, the slightly more uptempo 'Big Hearted', a new song by Grammy winner Steve Seskin and Kate Schutt, is about not judging by appearances, reaching out to others and trying to find the middle ground, the slow waltzing country, pedal steel and mandolin-trilling 'Breakfast At Midnight' bringing a touch of early Willie Nelson mingled with Kristofferson and again about rolling easy, reflecting on who you were and who you are, being grateful to be ab able to make music and sporting the great opening line "I made a mark on my hand to remind me/To wipe off the marks on my hand".
A gentle piano ballad 'Two Roads' which, as you might surmise, is about the different directions life can take and helping others find the right one (though a woman's act of kindness to a former alcoholic lover is offset by her as a victim of 9/11), gives way to 'Redwood Fence', looking back to boyhood 1965 with the fence between the house next door serving as a metaphor for segregation and the need to dismantle the walls that divide. A comparable theme also underpins 'Next Door Stranger', except, after describing his neighbour as quick to fly off the handle and overly fond of a whiskey, the song delivers a last verse face in the mirror twist.
A touch of classic soulful R&B is introduced in 'I'd Never Expect It', a gently swaying musing on what we do with the information we receive, with knee jerk reaction or considered cool, because, after all "a fool with an answer is just a wiser fool". He's a strong narrative songsmith and one of the album highlights is 'Pizza And God', a pedal steel stained number with a simple but effective lyric about being thankful for what you've got rather than complaining about what you haven't.
Tracing a similar path and giving off show tune hints of Don McLean, acoustic guitar accompanied by grad piano, 'Overcommitted' talks about how it's "difficult to swallow/More than you can chew", of pulling back, putting priorities in perspective and not "tripping over what I've strewn in my path", about accepting responsibility and not blaming others when things don't work out and 'cleaning up the clutter' we accrue around us. The McLean influence is more notable on 'Fix-it Man', a quietly sad number about a widowed odd job man who finds the years catching up on him, but not regretting what might have been, while you might hear musical echoes of Tom Waits' 'Ol' '55' on 'If You'd Only Asked Me'.
It shuffles into the final stretch with the reflective 'Full Moon Window', essentially about taking a midnight stroll through Houston and meeting fellow souls seeking hope and healing, while, a co-write with Mando Saenz, 'The Wind' is a slow-walking organ and percussion based bluesily soulful number about resilience and getting back up again when life knocks you down, each bruise you carry a reminder that you're still alive, or, as he puts it, "those cuts may never heal/But now That I have come this far/I just feel the need to feel".
Its reference to rivers carries over into the closing number, the fingerpicked, piano, organ and cello accompanied five and a half minute lilting 'River Of Kindness', a song which, with its massed voices background vocals, balances the "cruel waters" that rise and sweep away "yesterday's normal" against the coming together of community in rivers of hope and comfort "one heart to another, a hand for a brother/Ray of sun through the rain".
Middle of the road rather than edgy and dynamic perhaps, but the warmth of his voice, the soothing feel of the music and the glow of hope that shines through, are indeed all part of the beauty of it all.
Remo Ricaldone, Lonestartime.com
Brian Kalinec is one of the most appreciated songwriters in Texan land whose roots are well planted in the eastern part of the Lone Star State, a fertile area rich in literary and musical ideas. References that appear clear in his records, works that have met with good success at festivals (above all Kerrville but also Mountain Stage) and in the main American clubs. With his wife Pam he is the owner of one of
the most active record companies in this area, Berkalin Records for which important names of songwriting between folk and country are recorded such as Matt Harlan, Libby Koch, Jeff Talmadge, Jordi Baizan and the excellent Ordinary elephant. "The Beauty Of It All" is his most recent album and contains through fourteen songs, all the poetic vein, sensitivity, passion and sweetness of a character capable of evoking the magic of places and characters imbued with crystalline beauty , arranging everything with great attention under the production of Merel Bregante, one of the most prominent names on the Texan scene. Extremely modulated voice, a search for melody that is both simple and effective, telling authentic stories that warm the heart, Brian Kalinec continues his journey coherently moving confidently between country music and folk nuances. There are many moments to underline for melodic pleasantness and for a balance of sounds guaranteed by a series of sidemen of great value, from Pete Wasner on keyboards to the producer Merel Bregante himself on percussion, from the vocal harmonies of the good Sarah Pierce to the touches of pedal steel by Dave Pearlman, with the welcome guest of Cody Braun of Reckless Kelly on mandolin and harmonica on "Fix-it Man". “The Wind” is written by Brian Kalinec with another excellent Texan musician, Mando Saenz, and is among the most interesting moments, with the title track “The Beauty Of It All”, the flowing “Breakfast At Midnight”, “Two Roads”, “Big Hearted” (perfect for defining the character), “Redwod Fence” and “Next Door Stranger” to compose a common thread that links the songs of the album to each other, fixing their coordinates. This disc is extremely enjoyable, certainly not revolutionary but which makes us meet an old friend whose stories continue to fascinate.
Remo Ricaldone
TimeMachineMusic.org
BRIAN KALINEC – “The Beauty of it All”
Time Machine Music
(Berkalin Records/Hemifran) 2023.
CD/digital
Roots music/Americana/folk – USA
Mr. Brian Kalinec is well respected artist under the Americana/roots music sky, he is also some sort of legend in his Houston, Texas homeland, but his career has been internationally recognized, awarded and over the years has become very successful. Some critics use to compare his legacy with Woody Guthrie’s, John Steinbeck’s, James Taylor’s, and Rodney Crowell’s methods of storytelling approaches. With his wife Pam, he is running record label “Berkalin Records”.
“The Beauty Of It All” is his third release, with 14 tracks in, done in mostly mid to mid-up tempo, full of sincere and emotional insightful stories, where the accompanying musical segments go hand in hand with the vocal solutions. One of the songs, called ’Big Hearted’ is about racial problems in the US society, a song that was written for Brian by his friend Steve Seskin. The prepared material is of uniform quality, and the atmosphere itself makes you have a similar atmosphere, whether you are in some long past times, the period of the 70’s and 80’s, for example, or you are in “conflict” with the present moment.
“The Beauty Of It All”, contains all that is good and pleasing to the ear, that Americana/roots music has to offer.
Rootstime.be
“Steve Seskin is a composer who in the past composed songs for a.o. Reba McEntire, Marie Osmond, 'Peter, Paul And Mary', Tim McGraw, Olivia Newton-John and Waylon Jennings. He wrote the song 'Big Hearted' about the racial problems in America and about the why of the unjustified fear that the white man turns out to have from people of color. That 'song with message' can now be found on the new album 'The Beauty
Of It All' by singer-songwriter Brian Kalinec from Houston, Texas.
The song is the only non-own composition on his fourteen-song record produced by Merel Bregante and recorded in two Texas studios. Brian Kalinec sings the album title track live on the first video accompanying this story and the second video is a 'lyrics video' of the song 'Redwood Fence'. Brian was president of the Houston Songwriters Association and the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance for a time. In that capacity, he also helped realize a number of projects for other artists in addition to creating his own solo albums. Together with his wife Pam, he is the proud owner of his own recording studio and record label 'Berkalin Records' on which many local artists have been able to record and release their records.
As a solo artist, Kalinec debuted with the album 'Last Man Standing' in 2007. This was followed by the albums 'The Fence' in 2012 and in the summer of 2021 he recorded songs telling about love and everyday life for the duo album 'Let's Get Away' which was released together with Pennsylvania-based singer and songwriter Kj Reimensnyder-Wagner as an album by the duo 'Kalinec & Kj'. In the trade press, Brian Kalinec's work has already been compared to that of other stars such as Rodney Crowell, Jim Croce, James Taylor, John Steinbeck and Woody Guthrie. Especially telling interesting stories is a core part of this musician's songwriter's event.
The songs on his latest album 'The Beauty Of It All' are performed to melodic and easy-to-hear country- and folk music. Still, as usual, we have selected some favorite songs from this album with the tracks 'Breakfast At Midnight', 'Next Door Stranger', Jackson Browne's work-like 'I'd Never Expect It' and 'River Of Kindness', but we are also very similar to the acoustic 'Fix-It Man' that reminds us of James Taylor' Brian Kalinec's third solo album is certainly as good as the second previous one, maybe even a little better.”
“The third solo album 'The Beauty Of It All' from Houston, Texas based singer-songwriter Brian Kalinec contains fourteen new songs, including the track 'Big Hearted' about racial problems in the US society, a song that was written for Brian by his friend Steve Seskin. His self-composed storytelling tracks are as usual very strong, both in meaningful lyrics as in haunting melodies.” –
Alan Cackett--Americana, Roots, Country & Bluegrass Music
Brian Kalinec "The Beauty of It All"
What do we need a song for? A song is a tonic. In addition to whatever else a song can be, and a song can be so many things. A song can heal, nourish, comfort, and enrich us, and those are welcome effects no matter the place, no matter the time.
Songs are for anything, good or ill, better times and worse times, panic and peace. Tapping into the broad spectrum of our human emotions and observations is what has made East Texas-based Brian Kalinec such a versatile and sought-after songsmith for many years. Lyrically speaking, Brian’s catalogue is already filled with relational insights, and this latest album holds a few more. We think of lyrics as the window into an artist’s personality, but songwriting and production also tell us a lot about the person behind the music. A skilled guitarist, Brian shows how the guitars are an important part of his process. But the way he carefully manages the guitar sound shows his session experience. His deference to his vocals works for the songs, but his occasional guitar spotlights make you wish he were a little less disciplined. That said, he has an able support team to work with as well, among them, Pete Wasner, who makes his presence known with his fine piano, organ and accordion playing throughout. From the lilting arrangements to his intimate vocals (which could be mapped somewhere on a compass rose of Steve Goodman and Charlie Landsborough), Brian ambles through these 14 songs at the same confident, unhurried pace as an early morning walk through the woods.
Each track serves to further reveal Brian’s diversity as a performer and heart as a storyteller. From the slow, dream-like title song through the reflective, shuffling Full Moon Window to the gently flowing album-closer River Of Kindness. He pours his tender vocals into the latter song, imploring himself—and everyone else—to keep the faith and offer help and hope to all around us, known and unknown. I’d Never Expect It feels like an effortless, timeless-but-unmistakably-modern union of swooning r&b, heartfelt country heartbreak, and sophisticated guitar-laden classic pop with a tasteful electric guitar solo tying it all together. His ability to fuse a diary-infused narrative with ethereal pedal steel in Breakfast At Midnight came as a bit of a revelation. Overcommitted is an honest and reflective exploration of a life that could be lived better. Pete Wasner’s piano takes on the role of duet partner, taking turns with the vocal to step into the spotlight, and floating alongside them like a complementary voice. Additional instrumentation is kept to a bare minimum, just Brian’s acoustic guitar and Wasner’s occasional Hammond organ unobtrusively floating around the background.
Sometimes his commentary takes the form of a gentle nudge. Take the exquisite and glowingly nostalgic Redwood Fence, on the surface it paints a portrait of a peaceful neighbourhood, but soon opens up to be a lesson of how the human race should remember that fences should always have gates, to let the neighbours in. Other songs follow suit, from the easy stride of Fix It Man, the tale of an odd-job man whose purpose in life is coming near the end as old age catches up with him. Brian Kalinec crafts intriguing songs and engaging melodies that reflect his diverse sound and uniquely artistic spirit. If you’ve not discovered him yet, then this gem of an album will certainly make an excellent starting point.
June 2023
Micheles Kindh, of Blaskans vanner:
Brian J Kalinec - The Beauty of it All
I read that cultural figures in US history such as Woody Guthrie and writer John Steinbeck's social pathos can be found in Brian J Kalinec musical preferences and contemporary Rodney Crowell. When I read it, I thought that the Americana and country that Brian J Kalinec plays could as well house country music's largest royal family - The Carter Family. Where I consider country and folk music
merge in this great family's early recordings.
Although the artist doesn't need any beams to lean on, he has been doing really well himself over the years with his albums. The new album has its own strong factors where the music blends well with the lyrical texts or stories about a US beyond Hollywood and the political viewpoints of the wealthy world. Here I can understand the thought of John Steinbeck whose novels were social realist depictions of poverty and life shaped by how one lives and in what circumstances.
If you consider how republican billionaires manage to dupe working-class existence that they share the same values - was long a respected oddity among a progressive and mostly atheist left in Europe. Now, even in Europe, the working class has chosen a right instead of a socially oriented progressive left. Now the left is trying to understand this.
However, this is only a deviation from the plate. This is a crystal clear record that is like clear water in a bay. Deeply moving and stylish music for our present.
Michaelsmusiclog.blogspot.com-- Michael Doherty
Brian Kalinec is a singer and songwriter based in Houston, Texas. It’s been more than a decade since the release of his last solo album, 2012’s The Fence, though 2021 saw the release of Let’s Get Away, an album he recorded with KJ Reimensnyder-Wagner. But now he has a new solo album out, The Beauty Of It All. He wrote nearly all of the material for this one, provides the lead vocals, and plays both acoustic guitar and electric guitar. Joining him on this release are Pete Wasner on grand piano, keyboard, organ, synthesizer and accordion; Rankin Peters on bass; Mark Epstein on bass; and Merel Bregante on drums, percussion and backing vocals. There are also several guests on various tracks.
The album opens with its title track, “The Beauty Of It All,” which is also one of its strongest tracks, a song that touches upon getting older in these strange times. The lines that strike me each time I listen to this song are: “I don’t want to miss/One second I’ve been given/I don’t want to miss/A single drop of rain that falls.” This is a beautiful song, featuring some pretty work on piano and some wonderful work on strings. James Rieder is on chamber strings, and Dirje Childs plays cello. “I don’t want to miss/The beauty of it all.” That is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. As I get older, it seems more and more important to acknowledge and experience the world’s beauty. “I have come to realize that I won’t save the world,” Brian Kalinec sings at one point here. That’s a difficult lesson, isn’t it? But it means being able to focus on those people who play a big part in our lives, and that’s a wonderful thing.
The first verse of “Big Hearted” is about how two different generations view someone who is struggling, and how viewing someone through a child’s eyes might be the better way. It can be difficult, particularly as the homeless problem is getting worse and worse in several cities, but this is a good reminder of a very human problem. The second verse is about the possibility of connecting with someone who is a Republican. I’ve struggled with this one, and sadly have come to the conclusion that it’s impossible, for that party is not really about a difference of opinions anymore. It is now a cult, and there is no point in trying to talk with a cult member. It’s not a conclusion I wanted to reach, but here we are. Life is much too short to spend any of it reaching out to bigoted cult members. But my hat is off to those who continue to try, and perhaps it would be a better world if we all kept trying. I don’t know. “Maybe in the middle we could get back to being civil/Maybe not, but it’s worth a shot.” This is the only track not written by Brian Kalinec. It was composed by Steve Seskin and Kate Schutt. Sarah Pierce provides backing vocals on this track, as well as the album’s opening track.
“Breakfast At Midnight” has a mellow, kind of sweet vibe. This one is about being a songwriter, with Brian Kalinec singing, “Maybe my song will be some slice of truth/To those who may hear it but don’t care who I am.” This track features Cody Braun on mandolin, and that instrument makes me smile. Dave Pearlman adds some great stuff on pedal steel, and Michael Dorrien plays electric guitar. That’s followed by “Two Roads,” which has some pop elements, with work on keys and synthesizers supporting Brian Kalinec’s vocals. “One road leading somewhere/Another heading quickly to an end.” Susan Elliott and Sarah Pierce provide backing vocals. Then “Redwood Fence” explores black and white relations by using a wood fence as a central image. “Just how long does it take a man to learn/That fear is just a hollow alibi.” Brian Kalinec uses a gentle vocal approach on this track, which also features some nice work on piano and a good bass line. Plus, this one features strings. And again, in its lyrics, children are better about reaching out than adults. As it has been said, no one is born with prejudice or bigotry. “I’d Never Expect It” also features a good bass line. This one has a bit of a pop vibe, reminding me of some songs from the 1970s. This is another of the disc’s highlights, and it contains some really nice backing vocal work by Jen Grove, and some good guitar work.
The opening lines of “Next Door Stranger” grab me: “These walls are so thin/I can feel my neighbor sweat.” Home is the place where you should be able to escape the noise of other people, and it’s awful when you can hear everything your neighbor does, leading to feeling trapped in your own home. “His conversations make/No sense at all/Well, he hasn’t lived there long/And I don’t know his name/But he seems a bit familiar/And just a touch insane/He’d probably be the first to tell you/That he’s the last to blame.” As the song is reaching its conclusion, things change a bit. Patterson Barrett plays pedal steel on this one, and Jen Grove adds some pretty backing vocal work. Pete Wasner delivers some nice work on accordion. That’s followed by “Pizza And God.” “It’s been a difficult week/But I have a lot/To be thankful for/To be thankful for,” Brian Kalinec sings near the beginning of this one. I try to keep those things in mind, the things I am thankful for, particularly in the difficult times. Most of us have things to be thankful for, but I think we can be forgiven for hoping for more, and even for being a bit envious of those who have a great deal more. But of course it’s good to remember what we do have. Kurt Vonnegut (one of my two favorite writers) urged people to recognize when they are happy and say (or at least think), “If this isn’t nice, what is?” Dave Pearlman plays pedal steel on this track. And if that isn’t nice, what is?
On “Overcommitted,” Brian Kalinec supports his vocals on guitar, joined only by Peter Wasner on piano and organ. “I’m tired of being tired, I’m not as fine as I may claim.” I feel like most of those claims are made when someone inquires innocently how we are doing and we respond automatically, “Fine” or “Good.” “I’m cleaning up the clutter, clearing up my mind/Souvenirs I’ve never missed now suddenly I find/I’m no longer feeling guilty about leaving guilt behind.” That’s followed by “Fix-it Man,” a song about aging, shown in the story of a fix-it man who carries fewer tools and earns less pay than in days past. I love that harmonica work by Cody Braun, who also plays mandolin on this track. “He never contemplates what might have been/He’s found good purpose in his life/No one hears him speak a bitter word/And he brings flowers to his wife.”
“If You’d Only Asked Me” has a soulful vibe, and features some excellent work on piano. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “Shadows grow long/But shadows don’t last/Whatever went wrong/Is just a piece of the past/I know I’m doing okay/If you’d only asked me today.” Brian Kalinec’s moving vocal performance helps make this track another of the disc’s highlights, and he is joined by Susan Elliott on backing vocals. “Looking for a lie I can trust.” Michael Dorrien plays electric guitar on this track. Then “Full Moon Window” has a comforting vibe, featuring Dave Pearlman on pedal steel. “Since I’m not sleeping, I’ll take a walk then/To prove to me I’m not afraid.” “The Wind” stands out, in part because of that cool work on organ, and in part because of its catchy chorus. This one was written by Mando Saenz and Brian Kalinec. “And the wind may knock you down/But you can climb back up again.” The album concludes with “River Of Kindness,” which has a gentle vibe and features Madelaine Herdeman on cello. Jen Grove, Sarah Pierce, Kelly Hanshaw, David Hanshaw, Jordi Baizan, Ken Gaines and Madelaine Herdeman all provide backing vocal work on this track. “There’s a river of kindness/A river of hope/It flows from those around us/And from some we don’t know.”
CD Track List
- The Beauty Of It All
- Big Hearted
- Breakfast At Midnight
- Two Roads
- Redwood Fence
- I’d Never Expect It
- Next Door Stranger
- Pizza And God
- Overcommitted
- Fix-it Man
- If You’d Only Asked Me
- Full Moon Window
- The Wind
- River Of Kindness
The Beauty Of It All was released on June 30, 2023 on Berkalin Records.
BERLIN CALLING-- Torbjörn Berlin
Today's surprise = Brian Kalinec
BEST TIP OF THE EVENING!
I have always had a soft spot for artists who are talented with beautiful voices and who can really sing. In that particular compartment, Brian Kalinec can be sorted into. Probably he would have been in the choir with the Beach Boys and certainly also have helped greats like Timothy B Schmit, Christopher Cross and the group America along the way. This is a man with a voice that stands out, just as can be heard in the song "Big hearted" on the album "The beauty of it all", which otherwise offers a large portion of country, pop, folk and Americana in combination with - yes, just that - a warm and beautiful voice that really stands out several miles beyond the everyday nonsense that can be heard.
After a quick scan, I can't really find a single weak number. Just that on a disc with 14 new songs.
Well, there are those who have compared this man to artists like James Taylor, Woody Guthrie and Rodney Crowell. I just want to say that the aforementioned artists should be happy about that. In addition, a devastatingly beautiful and magical ending of the album with "River of kindness".
A fun new acquaintance. Thank you for that!
Written in Music (Writteninmusic.com)--Cis van Looy
Brian Kalinec
The Beauty Of It All
Released by: Berkalin Records
"I'm not 25 I'm not trying to be, that's just a photo from my past some one took of me," sings a seemingly satisfied man in the title song. A little further on in Redwood Fence he talks about an old fence in the backyard of the family home, a nostalgic musing behind which there is more, 'our backyard fence in 1965 shielded us from what we didn't know'.
It's not just Brian Kalinec's warm voice inflections, the melancholic theme is also very reminiscent of Jim Croce or James Taylor. Brian Kalinec is also a worthy string picker. Invariably, he supports his narrative song work with refined, acoustic string playing, and in addition to a moody Fender Rhodes, the grand piano is never far away.
Kalinec and his wife Pam founded Berkalin Records in Houston in 2006, the label was originally intended to distribute his own song work. Bob Cheevers was followed by musicians from the better Texan writing industry such as George Ensle and Matt Harlan, while the late Tim Henderson sent his last full-length into the world via Berkalin.
Kalinec also belongs in that list, praised countless times for his songwriters abilities in the folk circuit and his musical qualities. Long players such as Last Man Standing, The Fence and the new album The Beauty Of It All illustrate this extensively.
The Texan roots are unmistakably resonated in combination with the poetically tinted stories, which results in particularly pleasant listening moments in addition to the aforementioned title song and Redwood Fence we like to listen to the other songs, built up with beautiful melody lines. Breakfast at Midnight, Two Roads and Next Door Stranger have a pleasant western feel, in the warm soul groove I'd Never Expect It and Pizza and God, Kalinec convinces on electric guitar in beautiful solos.
Brian Kalinec's album The Beauty Of It All was released by Berkalin Records on June 30, 2023.
Making a Scene--Jim Hynes
Brian Kalinec The Beauty of It All
Berkalin
Texas singer-songwriter Brian Kalinec writes about common, everyday subjects but has a special gift for infectious hooks and memorable rhymes. He grabs us right away with his opening autobiographical title track, welcoming us into an album brimming with comforting folk songs. Acclaimed producer Merel Bregante at Cribworks Digital Audio frames these well-crafted songs with just the right instrumental touches. Kalinec has the honor of premiering “Big Hearted,” written by Grammy winner Steve Seskin and Kate Schutt as well as a co-write with Mando Saenz, “The Wind.” The former is a plea for unity, asking us all to set aside our differences and find the human aspects in the face of political differences. The latter, like several of his originals, speaks to resilience. In one sense, these songs come off a bit on the sappy side until we get to the keen observation of latent racism in “Redwood Fence.” Throughout Kalinec’s honest delivery gives us sustenance, nonetheless.
Bregante assembled a stellar group of backing musicians, especially keyboardist Pete Wasner who imbues each track with his grand piano and other keyboards, Cody Braun on mandolin and harmonica, Dave Pearlman or Patterson Barrett on pedal steel, bassist Rankin Peters, guitarist Michael Dorrien, and cellists Dirje Childs and Madeline Herdeman along with a host of background vocalists. It’s Kalinec though who performs most of the acoustic and electric guitar parts.
“Breakfast at Midnight” essays the lonely troubadour existence after the show is over, replaying songs in his head and holding out hope that he connected. “Two Roads” is devastating tale of two former lovers who took divergent paths, one sobered up while the female took a job in NYC only to pass in the towers on 9-11. He has every reason to be angry about a breakup in “I’d Never Expect It” but somehow stays cool as the ballad just floats along. “If You’d Only Asked Me’ plies similar turf. There’s the tale of the nomadic “Next Door Stranger” that the protagonist never really meets but gets to know in other ways. He chronicles the emotions in the daily routine of a rodeo concession worker in “Pizza and God,” keeping a stoic disposition in the face of it all. “Fix-it Man” is the tale of an aging, generous handyman, the kind we’ve all known at one time or another. It’s just Wasner and Kalinec on the ballad, “Overcommitted,” decrying our obsession with staying busy and holding on to baggage we don’t need. We can all relate to this – “I’m cleaning up the clutter, clearing up my mind/Souvenirs I’ve never missed now suddenly I find/I’m no longer feeling guilty about leaving guilt behind/For dead.”
“Full Moon Window” is about reminiscing a fleeting memory and the overriding theme of resilience. These lyrics in the chorus somehow linger – “Was this heaven or was it Houston/Or just one more slight of eye/It was real or an illusion/I’ll always treasure as years pass by.” Dave Pearlman’s pedal steel and Wasner’s piano beautifully support the reflective lyrics. “River of Kindness” is the summation of the themes of unity, resilience, forgiveness and hope that course through these eminently listenable, often provocative songs.
Americana-UK--Paul Kerr
From Houston, Texas, Brian Kalinec is a veteran of the local music scene there and has quite a storied past with numerous awards to his name. ‘The Beauty of It All’ features his fine writing talent and the songs are all superbly arranged although they tend to veer into middle of the road territory. One is reminded of James Taylor at times and if you’re looking for a nicely relaxed listen then it’s well worth pursuing this release. The standout track is ‘Redwood Fence‘ which finds Kalinec recalling the segregation he grew up with while ‘Full Moon Window’ and ‘River Of Kindness’ have Kalinec in communion with nature, neighbourhoods and, essentially, the milk of human kindness.
Americana Highways--John Apice
Brian Kalinec – The Beauty of It All
This set is back to basics Americana. Brian’s cut from the cloth of storytellers like John Steinbeck but mixed in the bacon grease & winds of the Dust Bowl where Woody Guthrie left his footprints. There’s a touch of folk, country, roots & melodically adult contemporary. Thrown in to keep the old folks awake.
Produced by Merel Bregante (drums/percussion/bgv) at locations in Texas. The Beauty of It All (Drops June 30– Berkalin Records) is 14 songs & it takes the majority to explore an everyday existence. It celebrates as Mr. Kalinec says, “some of the quiet victories in our hectic lives.” The rodeo concession worker, a friendship of neighbors who’ve taken separate paths in life, the unexpected journeys, an aging handyman, the late-night existence of a musician & while not all songs were written by Brian many are him.
I see Mr. Kalinec as another country/folk hero who’s still poking the musical bear as a mature troubadour. He follows a path much the same as the late Boxcar Willie. Ok, Willie had a gimmick with his outfit & hat filled with buttons & lures. He sounded a little like Johnny Cash but on close listen he was no novelty act. Boxcar Willie was genuine. He was good, entertaining, talented & skillful.
I’ve never seen him live but maybe his white moustache, glasses & fedora are his gimmicks. The performance quality is authentic. But don’t expect Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, or Willie Nelson. This is homegrown Texas. With Brian, the quality comes with the vocal sincerity & the well-written & performed songs. He’s experienced with the bare bones of the genre & sometimes that’s enough.
The majority of tunes also follow a similar route of soft-rock singers like Danny O’Keefe, Murray McLachlan, Kenny Rankin & Sam Leno. Soft-spoken lyrical approach with gentle precise instrumentation. Brian’s voice is too thin to be convincingly an easy-listening/middle-of-the-road vocalist but his capacity for sincerity in every note sung is splendid.
As a song — “I’d Never Expect It,” is Sinatra-worthy while “Next Door Stranger,” is Willie Nelson-worthy.
Highlights – “Big Hearted,” “Breakfast at Midnight,” “Two Roads,” “I’d Never Expect It,” “Next Door Stranger,” “Overcommitted,” “Fix It Man” & “If You Only Asked Me.”
Musicians – Brian (vocal/acoustic & electric guitar/fingerpick acoustic), Sarah Pierce, Susan Elliott, Jen Grove with Kelly Hanshaw, David Hanshaw, Jordi Baizan, Ken Gaines & Madelaine Herdeman (bgvs), Rankin Peters (bass), Dirje Childs & Madelaine Herdeman (cello), James Rieder (chamber strings & double bass), David Pearlman & Patterson Barrett (pedal steel), Pete Wasner (grand piano/Fender Rhodes/synth/accordion/Hammond B3/Wurlitzer), Michael Dorrien (electric & acoustic strum guitar), Cody Braun (mandolin/harmonica) & Mark Epstein (Fender bass/bass).
Color image by Kerri Clark. The CD includes a 16pp lyrical insert. CD @ http://www.briankalinec.com/ & https://www.hemifran.com/news/detail/n/1282/Brian%20Kalinec/The%20Beauty%20Of%20It%20All/
"Down to earth vocals with some “What was that, again?” lyrics."
- Marilyn Rea Beyer, Host Midnight Special & Folkstage, WFMT
“It’s a
wonderful CD!...Its a keeper!”
Wanda Fischer, The Hudson River Sampler, WAMC"This record is great! Get ready for an exciting ride!"
- Jeff Vallet, JayVee Music Reviews--Baton Rouge
Cri Du Coyote--Sam Pierre
Brian KALINEC
Brian Kalinec is, with his wife Pam, at the head of Berkalin Records, a label that is never wrong about the quality of the artists it publishes. Matt Harlan, Bob Cheevers, George Ensle, Jeff Talmadge, Tim Henderson, Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus, Libby Koch, Daniel Boling, Ordinary Elephant, Bernice Lewis, Curtis McMurtry, Jordi Baizan, Randy Lewis Brown, Randy Palmer, here are a few of them. Brian is not to be outdone and he proves it with The Beauty Of It All, his third solo album. The previous ones were Last Man Standing in 2007 and The Fence in 2012 (Le Cri du Coyote 129) to which is added Let's Get Away by Kalinec & Kj (Le Cri du Coyote #170).
The disc is produced by Merel Bregante (Loggins & Messina, The Dirt Band) and offers thirteen original compositions as well as the cover of Big Hearted (written by Steve Seskin & Kate Schutt). We are here in a register close to that of artists like James Taylor and Dan Seals, with a fine line-up of musicians who have the opportunity to showcase themselves. In addition to Brian (acoustic and electric guitars) and Merel (drums and percussion), we hear Pete Wasner on keyboards, particularly brilliant on the "grand" piano, Cody Braun on mandolin and harmonica, Rankin Peters and Mark Epstein on bass , Dave Pearlman and Paterson Barrett on pedal steel, Dirje Childs on cello, Michael Dorrien on guitar, James Rieder on strings and double bass, as well as a few vocalists including Sarah Pierce, Jen Grove, Susan Elliott, Merel Bregante.
From The Beauty Of It All (which clearly announces what will follow) to River Of Kindness, via Two Roads, Redwood Fence, Next Door Stranger (with Pete's accordion), Pizza And God (a wink à l'ami Jeffco), Fix-It Man (where the mandolin dialogues with the piano), If You'd Only Ask Me, we let ourselves be charmed by this oasis of calm in the midst of a troubled period. Brian doesn't say anything else: "Hopefully this album will celebrate some of our quiet victories in hectic lives".
Wildfire Music + News
Song Premier: Brian Kalinec’s “Fix It Man” Asks What Really Makes A Life Well-Lived
[Photo credit to Kerri Clark]
June 7, 2023
Hanna Means-Shannon
Texan singer/songwriter Brian Kalinec will be releasing new album The Beauty of It All on June 30th, 2023 via Berkalin Records. While Kalinec’s music is multi-genre, it often contains elements of Folk, Americana, or Country and his upcoming album also draws from a wide sonic palette.
The Beauty of It All was Produced by Merel Bregante at Cribworks Digital Audio, and explores “everyday aspects of our existence.” Storytelling is key, ranging from the life of a rodeo concession worker, to the friendship of two neighbors headed down separate, unexpected paths, the difficulties of an aging handyman, to the late-night routine of a journeyman musician. It even takes in a youthful recollection of a fence built during the last vestiges of segregation and the coming together of a community during a flood.
Today at Wildfire, we’re delighted to premier the song “Fix it Man” from The Beauty of It All. The track focuses on the the reflections of the aging, titular, “fix it man” and the “good purpose” he’s found in his life that has brought him contentment.
By drilling down into the details of this man’s life, Kalinec paints a portrait of gradual but accepted change grounded in self-knowledge. Musically, vocals take a major role but gentle accompaniment and sonic spotlights suggest the dignity and harmony of a life well-lived.
Brian Kalinec comments on the track:
As time catches up with us, we adjust. But our essence remains the same. A life well-lived is one where we stay true to ourselves.
On this album, Kalinec wrote most of he songs, but he also premiers “Big Hearted”, written by Grammy-winner Steve Seskin and Kate Schutt, about “bridging our differences in our beliefs” and “The Wind” a co-write with Mando Saenz, which “poignantly demonstrates human resiliency.”
Kalinec performs most of the acoustic and electric guitar work on this record, and Merel Bregante not only Produced but provided drums and percussion, as well as background vocals on this record. Bregante also assembled musicians including: Pete Wasner on Grand Piano, Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, accordion, and synth, Cody Braun on mandolin and harmonica, Dave Pearlman on pedal steel, Patterson Barrett on pedal steel, Rankin Peters on bass, Mark Epstein on bass, James Rieder handling orchestration and double bass, Michael Dorrien on electric and acoustic guitar, Dirje Childs on cello, and Madelaine Herdeman on cello.
Background vocalists include Sarah Pierce, Merel Bregante, Jen Grove, Susan Elliott, Kalinec, and special appearances by Kelly Hanshaw, David Hanshaw, Jordi Baizan, Ken Gaines, and Madelaine Herdeman on “River of Kindness”.
Brian Kalinec concludes:
We all try to make the most of our time while we are here. Hopefully this album celebrates some of the quiet victories in our hectic lives.
Brian Kalinec was nominated for Songwriter of the Year and Musician of the Year in the Texas Music Awards in the recent past. He has appeared at the Kerrville Folk Festival, and venues such as Uncle Calvin’s in Dallas, The Bugle Boy in La Grange, and as a featured guest on Rich Warren’s Folkstage on WFMT in Chicago.
Brian and his wife Pam own Berkalin Records, a label which is home to a number of Folk and Americana artists. Kelanic is also Past-President of the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance, and was recently on the boards of directors for Songwriter Serenade and Houston Live.
Steemit.com
willphoenix (53)in #music
Brian Kalinec is readying for the release of a new album. It's titled The Beauty of It All and has a drop date of June 30th. But first, for those of you not yet familiar with the act in question, a bit o’ background.
Brian Kalinec
According to online sources such as his official website, Brian Kalinec is a Houston, Texas-based American singer-songwriter. His rockin’ resume includes two previous platters including 2007’s Last Man Standing and 2012’s The Fence. He has won the Big TopChautauqua Song Contest, the Songwriter Serenade Competition, second place in theWoody Guthrie Song Contest and was even a finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest. He has performed internationally and appeared on Rich Warren's Folkstage on WFMT in Chicago.
Signature Sound
Brian Kalinec’s signature sound is a blend of multiple music genres including Americana, adult contemporary, country, and folk. His music is often inspired by real life events.
The Beauty of It All
The Beauty of It All is a 14-track album of almost all original material. Here Kalinec leads the way on lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar. He is backed by an assortment of other artists including Patterson Barrett on pedal steel; Cody Braun on harmonica and mandolin; Michael Dorrien on electric guitar; Mark Epstein on bass and fretless bass; Dave Pearlman on pedal steel; Rankin Peters on bass; James Rieder on double bass and chamber strings; Pete Wasner on grand piano, fender rhodes and Synth, Hammond B3, accordion, and Wurlitzer; Dirje Childs and Madelaine Herdeman on cello; producer Merel Bregante on drums, percussion, and background vocals; and Jen Grove, Sarah Pierce, Kelly Hanshaw, David Hanshaw, Jordi Baizan, Ken Gaines, and Madelaine Herdemen also on background vocals.
Track by Track
The album opens on the autobiographical “The Beauty of it All.” This song expresses what's important i Kalinec's life. It confirms the old axiom that youth can indeed be wasted on the young. It’s about the wisdom that comes with age and appreciating the life you have.
The second selection is “Big Hearted.” This one was co-written by Grammy Award winner Steve Seskin and Kate Schutt. It focuses on kindness and poses a positive possibility without passing judgment.
The next number is “Breakfast at Midnight.” It’s a calm cut about the life of someone who works on the road, perhaps even a traveling troubadour. To a lesser extent, you may feel it even speaks to the routines which we all develop.
“Two Roads” is a tuneful tale of a pair of neighbors who have chosen separate paths in life. It explores their obvious differences while also songfully showing that we are all a part of humanity and perhaps may make many different choices in life but still share commonalities.
“Redwood Fence” follows. It’s the powerful premiere single about societal segregation as initially seen through the eyes of a child. It’s yet another tuneful tale complete with a universal life lesson about acceptance and friendly inclusion fabulously free of any unnatural agenda. In a recent email, Kalinec discussed the inspiration behind the song.
He said: “Our perspective of life is greatly shaped by our experiences. We learn from the things we see, but we may not understand or even be aware of the lives of others around us. Until we do become aware, we cannot appreciate what each human being can contribute to the world. Ultimately, the cruelty of discrimination against anyone makes us a poorer, less just, and less knowledgeable society.”
Kalinec continued: “I grew up in the north end of Beaumont, TX, but this story could've taken place in almost any town in the US at that time. In our immediate area, our street was the most southerly one with white residents. On the south side of our backyard fence was a series of large, adjacent African American neighborhoods extending all the way to downtown.”
He concluded: “When our subdivision was built in the 1950s the builder constructed a continuous six-foot redwood fence which spanned the entire 20-house block on the back property line of our backyards. This song explores the relationships and regrets related to that fence, as observed through the eyes of a child and reconsidered often as an adult. The accompanying video reminds us of the continuing struggle for equality and racial justice through the past century and a half. Everything in this song happened and is as true as I know it to be.”
The sixth songful serving is “I’d Never Expect It.” This song might be overshadowed by its placement. Nevertheless, it still has its own little identity.
The focus track “Next Door Stranger” explores a familiar theme. Here is yet another songstory that is both observational and yet self-reflective. That’s all I can say without giving it all away.
“Pizza and God” is another fun little number. It focuses on being thankful for what we have regardless of if some others have more. “Overcommitted” demonstrates Kalinec’s versatile songwriting skills, and his solid signature sound. Again, this tune too might be overshadowed and not get as much press but it nonetheless earns it inclusion on this release.
“Fix It Man” is the final focus track. It is a lovely little song about an older handyman who presents the perfect picture of perseverance. Also included is “If You’d Only Asked Me”. It is yet another track on which he tunefully touches on struggling with personal perseverance.
The twelfth track is “Full Moon Window.” This is another cut which was obviously born of personal experience and the realizations that come with the wisdom gained from being on this planet for a while. “The Wind” blows in next. This one was co-written with Mando Saez. The pair effectively presents a musical metaphor that eloquently expresses a point about inner strength and our ability to perservere.
The closing cut is “River of Kindness.” This song is about our ability to set aside our differences to demonstrate the decency we have within us. It’s one final example of Kalinec’s songwriting skills, and the effective musicianship of everyone on the album.
Overall…
Overall, this album is a breath of fresh air in many ways. The cuts are comforting, clever and musically solid in composition and performance. The creative musical messages resonate with modern-day times with reflective yet somehow universal lyrical lessons that often teach but never lecture. In a world where people all too often point the finger everywhere but in the mirror, Kalinec focuses on the ability we all have to aid, appreciate, unify, and persevere to improve even our everyday existence. In essence, the album focuses on the strength we have to overcome life’s stumbling blocks and recognizing every single step we take to move forward. So, check out Brian Kalinec’s new album and experience “The Beauty of it All.”--Will Phoenix--Steemit.com
(Photo by Kerri Clark)
Hootenanny Cafe
“I always get excited whenever Brian Kalinec releases a new album. The wonderful thing about his new CDs - you almost don’t have to listen to know it’s gonna be great! But when you do listen it’s even better than expected and that happens to be the case with his most recent CD release- “The Beauty Of It All”!
This album is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking! Get it and LISTEN!!!!”
–Jon Stein--Host, Hootenany Cafe, WTBQ AM 1110 FM 93.5
Songwriters Studio
“The Beauty of It All, the latest release by Brian Kalinec, dives deep into lyrical complexity and visual appeal. Great poetic lyrics are common traits among Kalinec’s writing strengths and The Beauty Of It All has brought his creativity along for the ride.
Recorded and engineered at Merel Bregante’s Cribworks Digital Audio, Liberty Hill, TX with additional recording in Brian’s home studio. Bringing in Houston’s notable, skilled side-man Rankin Peters on bass, who has been one of Brian’s go-to players for many of his live shows. In addition, producer/engineer Merel Bregante called on some old friends to add the right touches to Brian’s project, including the incomparable session-ace Pete Wasner (Vince Gill, Kathy Mattea & Jerry Douglas) on grand piano, Hammond B3 organ, Fender Rhodes & accordian; Cody Braun (Reckless Kelly) on mandolin & harmonica; Michael Dorrien (The Sarah Pierce Band) on guitar; Dirje Childs & Madeline Herdman on cello; Dave Pearlman & Patterson Barrett on pedal steel; Merel Bregante on all drums and percussion, whom one would require to produce a full-blown ensemble. Legendary engineer, Jerry Tubb put the final touches on the record, mastering the project at his Terra Nova Mastering, Austin, TX.
Though Brian penned most of the tracks, he shares writing credits for The Wind, with Mando Saenz, which includes backing vocals by Sarah Pierce & Merel Bregante. In addition, Brian premiers Big Hearted, written by Steve Seskin & Kate Schutt, a heart warming story of a young boy’s sympathy for a homeless man. The Beauty Of It All, is a reminiscent story of one’s past to present, with no regrets, incorporates beautiful piano and strings, composed and performed by Jim Rieder(The London Symphony Orchestra), is a great opener to this fine album. On Breakfast At Midnight & Full Moon Window, Kalinec so delicately weaves his lyrics into the stories we may have all faced, waking in the middle of the night as creativity absorbs our thoughts, both feature excellent pedal steel by Dave Pearlman. Kalinec showcases his polished guitar work, including his clean finger picking on tracks like Redwood Fence & Next Door Stranger. The Beauty Of It All crosses genres including folk, touches of jazz (I’d Never Expect it & Fix It Man), Americana (Full Moon Window) and blues (The Wind.) Closing track River OF Kindness appropriately closes the album offering a sense of calm and completion.
Great recording, excellent production, mixing & mastering, The Beauty of It All, begs you to listen again. Thanks, Brian, for a record worthy of the wait!”
--Tom Tranchilla--Host: Songwriters Studio, KPFT, 90.1, Houston, TX, A Pacifica Network Station
Video Premiere: Brian Kalinec “Redwood Fence”
Brian Kalinec — “Redwood Fence”
Americana Highways presents this video premiere of Brian Kalinec’s song “Redwood Fence” from his forthcoming album The Beauty Of It All, due to be available this spring.
The audio for this song was produced by Merel Bregante at Cribworks; and the video was produced by Brian Kalinec at Berkalin Records.
Musicians on “Redwood Fence” are Brian Kalinec on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Sarah Pierce on backing vocals; Mark Epstein on fretless bass; Merel Bregante on drums and percussion; Pete Wasner on grand piano and Fender Rhodes piano; Dirje Childs on cello; and James Rieder on chamber strings and double bass.
The scene is a racistly erected “backyard fence in 1965, shielded us from what we didn’t know,” and then the story unfolds of the fence breaking down over time, although the difficulties remained. Brian Kalinec tells it like it is with lilting, easy instrumentation.
Our perspective of life is greatly shaped by our experiences. We learn from the things we see, but we may not understand or even be aware of the lives of others around us. Until we do become aware, we cannot appreciate what each human being can contribute to the world. Ultimately, the cruelty of discrimination against anyone makes us a poorer, less kind,and less knowledgeable society. I grew up in the north end of Beaumont,TX. In our immediate area, our street was the most southerly one with white residents. Immediately south of our backyard fence was a series of large, adjacent African American neighborhoods extending all the way to downtown. When our subdivision was built in the1950’s the builder constructed a continuous six-foot redwood fence which spanned the entire 20 house block on the back property line of our backyards. This song explores the relationships and regrets related to that fence, as observed through the eyes of a child and reconsidered often as an adult. The accompanying video reminds us of the continuing struggle for equality and racial justice through the past century and a half. Everything in this song happened and is as true as I know it to be. — Brian Kalinec
Find more information and tour dates here: www.BrianKalinec.com
Reviews of the CD: "The Fence" 2012
Rootsy (Sweden)
Interesting lyrics, poetic touch and personal reflections combined with a supple musical setting. There is a combination of Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck, James Taylor and Rodney Crowell in the stories he tells...Brian is a fine singer - songwriter... he sings with a soft and strong singing voice, a voice that captivates because it has such a strong ability to convey the words, tie them together with music to a functioning whole. He is a brilliant guitar player...the combination of fine thoughtful lyrics, strong melodies and a clever musical cast make "The Fence" a strong album..."The Fence" takes its well-deserved place on the Euro Americana Chart...--Staffan Solding, Rootsy
Link to review:www.rootsy.nu/recension.php?id=1952
Rootstime (Belgium)
Following five years after his debut album ‘Last Man Standing’, the Houston-based veteran folksinger-songwriter Brian Kalinec returns in the spotlights with his new album ‘The Fence’... a collection of beautiful and melodic folk songs... the roots of Texan Brian Kalinec are clearly audible and if you want to compare him, then you can think of artists like James Taylor and Jim Croce, who both also made career as storytelling singers...--Freddy Celis, Rootstime
Link to review: http://www.rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEUW/2012/JUN1/CD95.html
Roots Music Report (US)
The new Americana/Roots album released from Berkalin Records featuring Brian Kalinec is making radio dj’s turn up their studio headsets.
Brian Kalinec is one of the most creative songwriters from the Texas music scene we have heard this year at Roots Music Report. All 12 tracks on his new album “The Fence” are simply wonderful to listen to.
There is something special about listening to songs by a singer of this caliber that seem to invite the listener into the private life and thoughts of the songs creator Brian Kalinec. You can actually become part of these songs if you close your eyes and let Brian lead you on a wonderful melodic trip of your own.
Good music is something to be revered and this new album is one that is.
Yes I must say “Revered” says it all. Robert Bartosh, Roots Music Report
Link to review: http://rootsmusicreport.com/index.php?page=reviews&search=single&id=451
Real Roots Cafe (Netherlands)
Brian Kalinec is a born and bred Texan (Beaumont, Houston), and grabbed by music at a very young age. His thing is to write songs, for which he has won the requisite prizes and received much recognition. After 'Last Man Standing' in 2007, 'The Fence' its successor, is a very good CD from a real troubadour, a man who knows how to pen a good song. No lack of inspiration, his own insecurities and struggles with life are in fact sufficient "Demons falling down "( You've seen me at my worst, but you're still hanging around, I've become uncursed see those demons falling down ), "Paint "(I'm gonna paint these walls in a pearly white or maybe yellow as sun. I need a change of view so I'm gonna paint them bright, I'm tired of living with this lonely shade of blue, a little paint might get me over you), " Stranger in this line" and "Nowhere at all", but he also sees some things around him: "Uncle Joe" is an ode to the hard working outdoors, the 'stone cutter', the 'oil driller "and the 'truck driver '," Carla Moore" drawn in by her boyfriend's crime and accomplice to a robbery with deadly outcome...Brian has a nice voice, very in tune with his songs. The guidance is an important role for fiddler Jeff Duncan, percussionist Merel Bregante (late 70's was part of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), bassist Rankin Peters and multi-instrumentalist Patterson Barrett (mandolin, dobro, pedal steel). We also hear cello, trumpet, piano and synthesizer and a host of harmony vocalists. The music is folk, country, bluegrass and blues, a nice Americana mix accordingly. Brian Kalinec's 'The Fence' is a true singer-songwriter hit. Jewels of songs, texts that matter, beautifully played by a bunch of outstanding Texans, produced by Kalinec himself. Take a listen and you're sold...--Fred Schmale, Real Roots Cafe
Link to review: http://www.realrootscafe.com/2012/07/03/brian-kalinec-the-fence/
Le Cri Du Coyote (France)
Brian Kalinec is one of those many hidden treasures that Texas allows us to discover, little by little. A renowned songwriter on the Houston scene, he waited until 2007 to publish his first album, Last Man Standing. He benefits from what is here for me the most beautiful of presentations, a note of introduction by Tom Pacheco. To be honored by one of the most honest and most sincere songwriters, it is not nothing! The authenticity of Brian Kalinec is no way inferior to that of Tom, everything is simple and natural. The songs, from the first listen, appear to have always been part of our universe. Tom Pacheco refers to James Taylor (Sweet Baby time James) and Woody Guthrie. And it's true that we find the calm assurance and sense of melody of the first and the timelessness of second. The album is acoustic, and the violin of Jeff Duncan particularly stands out. Note the presence on percussion of Merel Bregante, who formerly served with Loggins & Messina and the Dirt Band. In addition to his writing talent, Brian Kalinec reveals he is also a man of taste as evidenced by rediscovery to conclude the disk with "A Song I Heard" by Maury Muehleisen, songwriter and guitarist for Jim Croce with whom he was killed in an accident airplane in 1973. --Sam Pierre, Le Cri du Coyote
altcountryforum.nl (The Netherlands)
The album "The Fence" the Texas singer-songwriter Brian Kalinec shone proudly in the June edition of the Euro Americana Charts. A list of twenty-five albums is composed each month by critics, broadcasters and promotional staff. (The Fence) is recently promoted by its Swedish distribution company with Peter Holmstedt Hemifran the European promotion of American interests. As there are people who spread the gospel, so is the objective of "Good Music For All People" is paramount to the likeable Swede. None other than Tom Pacheco wrote for "The Fence" liner notes as appropriate praise, not too high seized: "In this 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie's birth, these songs resonate in our own times. I'm sure Woody would have loved them. Brian sings, writes, and plays so seamlessly That it feels these songs have always been there. "--Johan Shoenmakers, altcountryforum
Link to review: www.altcountryforum.nl/2012/07/01/18610/
mi2n Review: Americana/Folk Singer/Songwriter Brian Kalinec's Single "Nowhere At All"
Award-winning Houston, Texas based Americana/folk singer/songwriter Brian Kalinec's single, "Nowhere At All" from his new CD The Fence is a quality song that reflects on living life, and the things that matter - the simple things. Encouraging us not to take anything for granted, the song is beautifully composed and arranged, and features a nice small string section, and lyrical solo violin. There's steel string guitar with a beautiful finger style, and tasteful use of a shaker and percussion. The mix is not in your face, and the lead vocal weaves the lyrics with solid harmonies along with 2 other singers. The female's voice compliments the lead singer nicely. The drums keep it flowing tightly with a great arrangement. "Nowhere At All" is the kind of song that you'll want to listen to repeatedly, and will definitely pique your interest in hearing the full CD. This one is both musically and lyrically strong, and is solid throughout.
Link to review: http://mi2nmusic.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/review-americanafolk-singersongwriter-brian-kalinecs-single-nowhere-at-all/
Email: editor@mi2n.com
Reviews of Last Man Standing, 2012
AmericanaUK--2008
AmericanaUK--Brian Kalinec "Last Man Standing"-- July 31, 2008--reviewed by Michael Mee
Straight from the heart acoustic magic If ever a musician was in the perfect place musically, it has got to be Houston singer-songwriter Brian Kalinec with Last Man Standing.
Somehow it's difficult to imagine him playing anything other than the acoustic magic that runs through the album like a golden thread. However, Kalinec is no fresh-faced young poet, he began playing guitar aged 10 and that was 32 years ago.
Last Man Standing is certainly the album of a mature performer, a series of gentle but precisely observed stories. While Kalinec is undoubtedly a skilled and sympathetic guitarist, it is apparent that song writing is his first love and he is one those natural storytellers who can fire the imagination.
The acoustic blues of Last Man Standing is performed without fuss or unnecessary frivolity, Kalinec's music is as unadorned as it is beautiful. The real surprise is that it has taken him 30 years to get his songs recorded - Last Man Standing is his debut - given the quality it can only be by choice that the man who wrote the superb The Book I Can't Put Down, hasn't been in a studio on his own accord before.
One of the real appeals of Last Man Standing is its honest humility, the title song and I Don't Know are written from the heart of an intelligent man. Brian Kalinec is no disinterested bystander he is an integral part of every note and lyric.
Last Man Standing is something of a throwback, recalling a time when singer songwriters wrote from the heart and personal, often bitter, experience. You don't need to be told to realise that this is a deeply personal journey for Brian Kalinec.
We've become so programmed to expect fireworks, twists and turns with our music like extras with a pizza, that when someone comes along and plays it as straight as Brian Kalinec, it is a shock to the system but a very welcome one.
Date review added: Thursday, July 31, 2008
Reviewer: Michael Mee
Reviewers Rating: 8 out of 10
“Incredibly intelligent songwriting along with a mellow voice and excellent guitar playing make Brian a wonder to listen to…”-JOANNE SPROTT, host, Harmony Coffeehouse
“ ‘Last Man Standing’ is a coffee-house kind of thinker from Beaumont native Brian Kalinec…he’s Houston-based now, with this new CD reflecting thoughts on good, honest men, love and tough relationships.”-DARRAGH DOIRON, Port Arthur News
“…he has a deft touch with a lyric and an above-average amount of wise leavening gained in the school of experience and living...” -WILLIAM MICHAEL SMITH, writer, Rockzilla, and Houston Press
“Brian’s songs and arrangements are real gems…every one of them.”- KEN GAINES, host, Songwriter’s Night at Anderson Fair
