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MP3 Strange Bedfellows - ROCK: Folk Rock
11 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Folk Rock, ROCK: Modern Rock
Details:
Hey, it''s me! My name is Ted Donat, and you have somehow stumbled onto the eponymous debut album of my band Strange Bedfellows. Kudos!
A labor of love founded on the tight friendship among the core members of the group, this album marked a turning point for me wherein years of writing solidified into a coherent musical statement that I am still very proud of.
It wasn''t what I set out to do when we got in the car, but I liked where we ended up when we got out. Sort of like setting out for the Golden Gate bridge and ending up in The Painted Desert.
I continue to get nice compliments on this album from people who own it, like, "It never leaves my disc changer," "My kids love it!" and "It makes a great coaster - all shiny-like!"
The project was called "Strange Bedfellows" because each member brought a different musical sensibility to the project. I was the confessional singer/songwriter guy, deeply influenced by Elvis Costello, Chrissie Hynde, Joe Jackson, Joni Mitchell, and their ilk. When I made this, I was listening to Matthew Sweet''s "Girlfriend" until I had nearly carved my own grooves in it. Scott (guitar) was the Deadhead and southern rock aficionado. Jonathan (bass) was into eclectic stuff. Marty (keys) was the classic rocker. Pete (drums) was a jazzhead. Steve (guitar) was a folk picker with jazz sensibilities.
Strange Bedfellows played all over NYC from 1992 to 1999. We played CBGB, including the big room, the "Canteen" and the "Gallery", Le Bar Bat, Kenny''s Castaways, Sun Mountain, The Red Lion, one of the last shows ever at The Lone Star, Avalon, Crossroads, The Bitter End, and other venues - some still around and others lost to history.
I even got some label interest in this disc from a few majors and minors, though it ultimately didn''t pan out. I did get lots of positive encouragement, though. A highlight was a phone call from Howard Thompson, then-president of Almo Sounds (Garbage). Like others, Howard told me he didn''t know what to do with my disc, but he really liked it and he wanted to tell me that and that I should keep plugging away and stay in touch. I got similar feedback from folks at MCA and Virgin Records: "This is really good. I have no idea what to do with it..." "Hey It''s Me" even played on CBS Sports while they were going to commercial. (Weird, I know. I knew one of the producers and he was a big fan.)
I think the fact that the album fizzled had a lot to do with the time that it was released. It is an eclectic album that didn''t fit neatly into what was playing on the radio in 1995. I think it would have done much better had it been released now, and that is why I have decided to make it available here on CD Baby in our new digital world ten years hence. I have sheltered it long enough. It''s time to kick it out of the nest and see if it can fly!
As for me, I left New York City in 1999, relocating to the DC area to get out of the NYC rat race and start a family.
I have since had the privilege of taking part in another musical endeavor as fresh and exciting as Strange Bedfellows. It is called "The Slow Burn" and it is a whole ''nother ball of wax. The Slow Burn does a different take on some Strange Bedfellows nuggets, including "Emily" and "Love Is in Season". Check us out at https://www.tradebit.com. I''m the hot looking one that looks like the unholy offspring of Kevin James and George Costanza.
If you like Scott''s guitar playing, and I have yet to meet anyone who doesn''t, check out his band TycoonDog at https://www.tradebit.com.
Meanwhile, below are some nice things people said about this disc. Thanks for listening!
Best,
Teddy
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"Ted Donat possesses the perfect pop voice and sings catchy pop ditties." - Gordon''s Flash (Tip Sheet)/What''s Hot That''s Not Signed/Favorite Bands & Demos, March 1995
"A well-crafted, well-executed collection of 11 pop songs... Easy to listen to, the album''s got a lot of positive attributes, including good vocals and above-average musicianship. ***" - The Music Paper, June 1995
The Internet Music Review Service
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The text herein is the property of the IMRS, and is not to be reused without permission, except in promotional material for the artist discussed. [I think this qualifies. -TD]
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Nestled somewhere in the New York City area clubs is a hidden treasure known as Strange Bedfellows. Ted Donat (vocals, rhythm guitar), Scott Bailey (lead guitar), Peter Runnells (drums), and Jonathan Duckett (bass) have created a pop masterpiece with their debut effort on T-Bear Records. With a sound that evokes memories of the late 70''s Brit shoulda- been-hitsters Brinsley Schwartz, Strange Bedfellows is able to hit a wide variety of musical styles without missing a beat.
This disc is dominated by no-frills, can''t-help-but-sing-along melodies that deserve to be heard. Not to bore us, we get to hear some reggae influenced keyboard work on "Love Is In Season" and some nice bluesy guitar on "The 1 U Loved B4". The guitars turn jazzy on "Uneasy Lovers," and close the disc with some 60''s psychedelia on "Green". The one song I can definitely relate to is "Emily", which tells the story of a wild and carefree young man who has a sudden, drastic life change with the addition of Emily, but seems to manage quite well. [Actually my first was named Katie, but the latest is 18-month old Emily.]
Donat''s voice adapts perfectly to all the subtle musical changes on this timeless sounding disc that could belong everywhere from early Stiff to 90''s MTV. The disc starts with the catchy "Hey It''s Me", already featured on "The CBS Sports Show," aired nationally. All in all, this is one for all pure pop fans, including college radio junkies, "alternative" followers, and MTV''ers, the kind of stuff I could always count on Scottso or Vin Scelsa to come up while I was growing up listening to WNEW in NYC. Check this out if you listen to: Rockpile, NRBQ, Style Council (had to throw that in with some of the keyboard work here).
Top Cuts: Hey It''s Me, Hallways of Time, Emily
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