Point Of Entry is the third recording from independent, Seattle singer songwriter, Larry Murante. Produced by Hans York, Point Of Entry is a cross-genre mix of folk-pop, acoustic, Americana and jazz. This Spring 2009 release features guest musicians Hans York on acoustic guitar, Jon Hamar on upright bass, Myra Joy on cello, Dan Tyack on pedal steel, TJ Morris and Ben Smith on drums, David Lange on accordion, Greg Fulton on mandolin and electric guitar, Stephen Sherrard on organ and Alicia Healey on background vocals. Larry’s voice has been compared to Jackson Browne, Lyle Lovett and Michael McDonald. Larry tours nationally, performing a mix of folk concerts, festivals, radio interviews and house concerts. He has shared the stage with Brandi Carlile, Peter Mulvey, Laura Love, Greg Greenway and Pierce Pettis. Larry has racked up a string of national and regional songwriting awards including: 2009 Grassy Hill Kerrville Newfolk Finalist 2009 Tucson Folk Festival Songwriting Contest/ finalist 2009 Unisong International Songwriting Contest/ honorable mention 2009 Peacedriven Songwriting Contest/ honorable mention 2002 Tumbleweed Festival Songwriting Contest/Richland, WA, Winner 2002 Billboard Song Contest/ Honorable Mention 2000 Samie Awards (Seattle Area Musical Innovation and excellence awards) Nominated: Best Male vocalist, Album of the year, Best performing Songwriter album 1999 Wildflower Songwriting Contest/ Richardson, Texas, Winner 1999 Falcon Ridge Festival Showcase Finalist/ Hillsdale, NY, 1999 Tumbleweed Festival Songwriting Contest/Richland, WA, 2nd place 1998 Tumbleweed Festival Songwriting Contest/Richland, WA, Winner 1998 Lakefolkfest Songwriting Contest/ Lakewood, WA, Top five winner 1998 Unisong International Song Contest Finalist 1991 Puget Sound Songwriting Contest/ Seattle, WA, winner REVIEWS Victory Music Magazine May, 2009 Larry Murante - Point of Entry; 2009 At long last "Point of Entry" is ready to take home; so pour yourself a glass of wine and get comfortable because you're going to want to enjoy this one in one sitting. Engaging and direct in live performance, Larry Murante's soaring vocals bring a decor to every song that when combined with his panache for storytelling grabs and holds your complete attention. I have longed to tuck his words in my pocket for further examination somewhere down the road so this fresh third release from this sterling Seattle singer/song writer is as welcome as the long awaited spring. Murante is the kind of word crafter that doesn't come along every day. His clever turn of phrase, colorfully painted descriptions and surprising plot twists create compelling story lines that are supported by a smooth, balanced melodic delivery. There is strength, power and definition in each musical arrangement. Murante also draws upon the musical talent of some of Seattle's finest musicians; TJ Morris is exquisite on drums/percussion in "More Than He Knows" and "I Still Think of You". Alicia Healey adds beautiful depth and a measure of heartache with her sensitively delivered background vocals in "Dry Rain, Calm Wind". It could be timing or a bit of just what the doctor ordered but "Point of Entry" touches a chord with me every time I hear it and each musician had to have been at the absolute top of their game while recording this one. A strong partner in this production, multi-instrumentalist Hans York adds a rich fullness to every thing he touches. A beautiful told story drawn from a historic account, "Mrs. Crouch" has a fascinating personal connection and Murante tells it with loving sweetness. The added backup of Greg Fulton on mandolin and wailing slide guitar make this story come to life. "The Big D" is in some ways painfully honest and revealing; regretful yet comfortable and ironically, filled with universal acceptance and familiarity. Murante has the uncanny ability to not only recognize certain elements of human nature but is also able to articulate the actions, emotions and hidden meanings that became so entangled as a result. His language is his music and his music will touch your mind, heart and soul when you give him a "Point of Entry". Make a point to attend one of his CD release concerts and pick up a copy. Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange (FAME) June, 2009 by Mark S. Tucker http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm This well-developed collection of songs is a potpourri of protestation, quiet observation, passionate gusto, pleasantly eerie urbanism, and around-the-corner topicality. Larry Murante possesses a mellifluous voice that can nonetheless yip and yelp when needed or rise in indignation. He writes, though, in small and large surprises, as in Paul's Song, chronicling a case of mistaken assumption that leads to the narrator deepening his appreciation of the subtleties of the human mind. Mrs. Crouch introduces a ghostly tale of yet another false preacher, this time one who engenders a string of tragedies that lead to a haunting in the singer's boyhood house, the spectre of a woman deeply wronged and still trying to live life as it should have been. Rather than try for the stereotypical quality of 'touching', Murante chose instead to show an unusual acceptance of the paranormal in a young boy. Murante has a quality that calls to mind Marc Cohn, Cliff Eberhardt, Iain Matthews, David Wilcox, and the kind of musician that you just can't get enough of, as every aspect of each song is perfection with gentle hooks, mellow instrumentation, a very polished voice, and top-notch production. Had Terence Boylan, Eric Anderson, and a few other folk mainstreamers been as consistent as Larry is here, they would've enjoyed a much better heyday. Point of Entry, in contrast, has staying power and should be finding easy egress into any and all airwaves intelligent enough to know quality when they hear it.