[NFBWATLK] New CD from Northwest Trio Fine Company and upcoming CD Releases!

Sun Mar 5 04:37:31 UTC 2017

Hi,
Wow! Congratulations!  That is really neat news.
Thanks,
Lauren

Blessings in Jesus’ name. “But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each
morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my
refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.”
   --Psalm 59:16, NLT
Advice from my cats:”meow when you feel like it.” 

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBWATLK [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jim
Portillo via NFBWATLK
Sent: Saturday, March 4, 2017 4:13 PM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List' <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jim Portillo <portillo.jim at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFBWATLK] New CD from Northwest Trio Fine Company and upcoming CD
Releases!

Hello everyone!

I’m thrilled to share the following news with you.  At long last, my trio,
known as Fine Company, has recorded and released a brand new CD!  It’s hot
off the press and ready for the enjoyment of listening ears.

Below, I will paste our CD Release bio, and I’ll attach information about
our upcoming Seattle CD release concert, at the Stone Way Café, on March
11th.  Also, we’ll have another concert at the Couth Buzzard bookstore, on
April 29th.  Finally, on May 7th, we will have a CD release concert at
Artichoke Music, in Portland. Stay tuned!

You should now be able to purchase our music online as well.  Right now, it
is only digital, but as of next week, physical CDs should be available. 

The link is

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/finecompany2

Of course, if you don’t want to wait to get the CD online, we of course have
the physical CDs in hand as well.  Please feel free to contact me with any
questions.

Jim Portillo

Fine Company

www.finecompanymusic.com <http://www.finecompanymusic.com> 

If you’re on Facebook, so are we!  Like our page!

www.facebook.com/finecompanymusic <http://www.facebook.com/finecompanymusic>

“IN FINE COMPANY” CD RELEASE AND BIO

“In Fine Company” – a great place to be. It warms the heart and in this
case, the ears as well.   Fine Company’s debut album says, “We’re glad
you’re here. Come stay a while.”  The enticements are crisp string work on
guitar, banjo, and bass along with vocal harmonies that say synergy, which
is a fancy word when applied to folk music. But it aptly fits Fine Company.
It is clear from the songs on In Fine Company that the whole is greater than
the sum of the parts.  

Bill Murlin, Jim Portillo, and Ron Dalton are talented Northwest musicians
who love what they do – sing and play together. Folk Icon, Tom Paxton says,
it shows. “Fine Company is fine company, indeed. This is what happens when
three friends who love music get out the instruments and decide to enjoy
themselves. We are privileged to sit and listen and if we just can’t help
joining in, nobody will mind.” Indeed. 

Take an old Carter Family standard – Dixie Darling. Fine Company keeps that
old timey feel with banjo, guitar and bass yet there’s something different –
that harmony. Tom Paxton’s Last Thing On My Mind is the perfect song for
that rich harmony.  Synergy.

Ron’s original Backroad Country Ride, puts listeners in the car to enjoy
some scenery and silliness as well.  And the tightly timed guitars in Bill’s
instrumental Cascade Creek transport the listener to an idyllic mountain
stream. Each song creates anticipation for what’s next and Fine Company does
not disappoint. 

One of the leading ladies of bluegrass, Laurie Lewis says, “Fine Company has
a welcome air of love and dedication in their thoughtful arrangements and
choice of songs. These are songs that beg to be sung, and Jim, Bill and Ron
join their voices with obvious and infectious delight.”

Bluegrass star, Kathy Kallick noted that “Fine Company evokes the folk trio
sound of the 1960s.”  That’s when Bill learned his early folk music skills
in a college group called The Wanderers.  More recently Bill has published
the Columbia River Collection, 26 songs Woody Guthrie penned in Portland in
1941. 

Jim fell in love with folk music when he was seven in El Paso, Texas, long
after the 1960s. He heard Doc Watson on the radio and was hooked.  Later in
Seattle, lessons, open mics and sitting in with various groups helped him
hone his skills. He’s still stealing licks from pickers like Wayne
Henderson. 

Ron is the “vocal gymnast” of the trio. He is equally comfortable as a
tenor, baritone, or bass, though how he does that seems magical. The soaring
harmonies from the 1970s got his attention.  Ron’s clever songwriting shows
in three originals on the CD: Round and Round, Down, Down, Down and Backroad
Country Ride. Ron also performs with the Seattle duo/trio, Burgundy Pearl. 

Bringing these three together blends the love of the folk tradition with a
fresh perspective on how music connects us. 

Kathy Kallick added, “They have a rich and mellow blend, and a warm
sweetness. While they are paying homage to this traditional sound, they
bring originality with their newly composed tunes. Their vocal blend is
satisfying, and the perfect combination with the twin guitars, and
occasional banjo. This collection feels like sitting in front of a big cozy
fire, sipping a mug of hot cider with a splash of something thrown in for a
little kick!”

And some folk radio programmers have taken notice.

Rik James (KGLT-Montana): “Fine Company sounds to me like a trio rooted in
the traditions of the American folk music era - three guys who love to sing
and to be entertaining. They encourage their audiences to sing along. That
is so refreshing. And people singing are always good company in my book.
Recommended listening.”

Larry Lewin (KBCS-Seattle): “Fine Company’s debut release is definitely a
winner, featuring sweet harmony, well-chosen songs and finely-crafted
accompaniments.”

So come stay a while.  Sit back with that mug of nectar. You’re with Fine
Company.  