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"Lyrical depth and maturity tinged with the melodic hues of classic 60's rock. The ballads have a brooding intensity." -Dean O'Brien Host of "The Vinyl Departure" WVBR 93.5 FM Ithaca, NY.
"Solo artist Derek Knott's songs are like little prayers- little secular prayers. That's not to say there isn't plenty of soul and spirituality in his acoustically rooted music. Even the laid back tunes smile warmly and swing sweetly." -Rochester's City Newspaper
Knott's music manages to alternate the angst and world-weariness of a Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen with the emotional vulnerability of guitar-pop romantics from Big Star to Mathew Sweet, all laced with intricate, finger-picked guitar figures played with fluid precision." - Cortland Standard
In concert Derek will be playing songs from his recently released album, Speak Less Say More.
"Infectious melodies, the moods go from fun to melancholy to romantic" - Dean Ervin, WYEP Pittsburg, PA
"Good songs here" - Judy Dyble - British folk legend and member of Fairport Convention
"Derek Knott is an excellent musician" - Sean Ashby ( Sarah Maclachlan's guitarist )
Classic Singer-Songwriter Stylings + Impeccable Guitar-playing = Accomplished
Debut by Dean Ervin WYEP-FM Pittsburg PA.
This debut album is truly something special -- but also not surprising to those of us familiar with the demos Derek Knott has posted online in the past several years. Knott is the consummate singer-songwriter and his masterful guitar playing animates his songs with complimentary moods and accents. That's probably why he's played the legendary Bitter End club in New York City several times. Some of us have seen him perform his ear-catching songs at other clubs throughout the Northeast and Canada."Speak Less Say More" is full of more of Knott's signature: infectious melodies you can't get out of your head for days. There's rock, pop and folk; the moods go from fun to melancholy to romantic. The difference between this official album release and Knott's online demos: fully fleshed-out widescreen sound production that both spotlights the fluid lyricism of Knott's guitar and brings out the poignant cinematic quality of some of his songs.
Some highlights:
The way "Fragile Days" alternates classical
harpsichord with melodic rock and film-like imagery....."She buttons her
coat/and makes the call/He's coming to get her/with no thought at all."
Theway the folksy shuffle and joyful guitar-picking of "Without You" ("wind's
blowing blue") turns rejection into light-hearted self-deprecation.
The bouncy 'British Invasion' melody of "English Reign," with its breezy commentary
on the constance of war...."The war is lost at such a cost/We raise a glass to
tomorrow."
The melancholy self-awareness and sailing theme in the romantic
struggle of "Cool Breezes"...."The change is in her heart"....."blue feelings
start to show/then I know/I've got someplace to go."
The art ballad "Whispering Bird Does Fly" and the classic folk-pop of "Annie at the Station"
are both showcases for the beautiful tones of Knott's guitars.
I'm not sure if this is a masterpiece, but it's close enough. "Speak Less Say More"
would sound especially great on a hot summer day. It's cool and relaxing, and
goes down easy.
"Solo artist Derek Knott's songs are like little prayers- little secular prayers. That's not to say there isn't plenty of soul and spirituality in his acoustically rooted music. Even the laid back tunes smile warmly and swing sweetly." -Rochester's City Newspaper
Knott's music manages to alternate the angst and world-weariness of a Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen with the emotional vulnerability of guitar-pop romantics from Big Star to Mathew Sweet, all laced with intricate, finger-picked guitar figures played with fluid precision." - Cortland Standard
In concert Derek will be playing songs from his recently released album, Speak Less Say More.
"Infectious melodies, the moods go from fun to melancholy to romantic" - Dean Ervin, WYEP Pittsburg, PA
"Good songs here" - Judy Dyble - British folk legend and member of Fairport Convention
"Derek Knott is an excellent musician" - Sean Ashby ( Sarah Maclachlan's guitarist )
Classic Singer-Songwriter Stylings + Impeccable Guitar-playing = Accomplished
Debut by Dean Ervin WYEP-FM Pittsburg PA.
This debut album is truly something special -- but also not surprising to those of us familiar with the demos Derek Knott has posted online in the past several years. Knott is the consummate singer-songwriter and his masterful guitar playing animates his songs with complimentary moods and accents. That's probably why he's played the legendary Bitter End club in New York City several times. Some of us have seen him perform his ear-catching songs at other clubs throughout the Northeast and Canada."Speak Less Say More" is full of more of Knott's signature: infectious melodies you can't get out of your head for days. There's rock, pop and folk; the moods go from fun to melancholy to romantic. The difference between this official album release and Knott's online demos: fully fleshed-out widescreen sound production that both spotlights the fluid lyricism of Knott's guitar and brings out the poignant cinematic quality of some of his songs.
Some highlights:
The way "Fragile Days" alternates classical
harpsichord with melodic rock and film-like imagery....."She buttons her
coat/and makes the call/He's coming to get her/with no thought at all."
Theway the folksy shuffle and joyful guitar-picking of "Without You" ("wind's
blowing blue") turns rejection into light-hearted self-deprecation.
The bouncy 'British Invasion' melody of "English Reign," with its breezy commentary
on the constance of war...."The war is lost at such a cost/We raise a glass to
tomorrow."
The melancholy self-awareness and sailing theme in the romantic
struggle of "Cool Breezes"...."The change is in her heart"....."blue feelings
start to show/then I know/I've got someplace to go."
The art ballad "Whispering Bird Does Fly" and the classic folk-pop of "Annie at the Station"
are both showcases for the beautiful tones of Knott's guitars.
I'm not sure if this is a masterpiece, but it's close enough. "Speak Less Say More"
would sound especially great on a hot summer day. It's cool and relaxing, and
goes down easy.
Folkworld #50 ( online magazine ) A bunch of fine singer-songwriter albums this time. Starting with Derek Knott and his album Speak less, say more. This US songwriter and guitarist recorded thirteen new songs. His warm voice and intimate guitar play make this a really nice album. With a mixture of folk, contemporary, Americana and a bluesy edge now and then. His songs are easy going and without any doubt accessible for a big singer-songwriter audience.
"Derek Knott, a singer/songwriter / guitarist from Upstate New York offering a mixture of folk, Americana, contemporary and blues. With a warm voice and intimate guitar play, his infectious melodies range in mood from fun to melancholy to romantic" - Twelve Moons Coffeehouse, St. John's Church, Salisbury, CT.