Cider Mag Burlington VT John Powell With each record Rochester, New York’s Jerry Falzone offers beautiful melodies over cascading, subtle folk/rock music. Despite this sensibility, I simply can’t call him a singer/songwriter. Instead, I’d classify him as old school, synthesizing influences from the rise of the late 60’s: Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, The Eagles, and Bob Seger. Jerry has somehow maintained a mentor role for like minded musicians in the Western New York area while continuously engaging as one of the emerging artists. This shows his passion for music, and Chasing Ghosts (Self-released, 2017), carried by backing band Liar’s Moon, is his best work to date. He throws in strings, horns, lush vocal harmonies, and restrained guitar solos throughout the album, while lyrically he offers some of his most personal stuff. Most tracks are love songs, but Jerry (who’s been married for a while and has offspring), sheds gooey lust pop for meaningful messages about longstanding love, and I believe this travels beyond his romantic life and speaks to his community, something he’s closely tied to. This vision for his music sprawls across the album, and the intensity pauses only momentarily for “Message to Millennials”, a brief transition halfway through the album when a voice harkens, “That concludes side one of Chasing Ghosts.” This tongue-in-cheek addition also speaks to Jerry’s focus on producing an album, not just a series of songs. The album swims high and low, soft and hard, deep and danceable. “Built To Last” leaps out as a key track. “In a world that’s changing fast/ nothing ever seems to last/ You turn around/ something new has passed,” Jerry begins, followed by the elegant chorus (that warms like CSNY’s best), “Like a mountain reaching into the past/ baby, you and me/ we were built to last.” Piano plays a big role for the instrumentation here, along with lead guitar reminiscent of early Dire Straits. “Cold Cold World” follows, basking in keys again. The funky up-tempo is a newer and welcome pace for Jerry. Later, “Gray Day Dawning” has a similar pulse to it, on which Jerry yearns, “I wish this rain would lift/ I’m so tired of it.” The title track appears last, and is a haunting, ethereal scene: “I left here many years ago,” Jerry offers; “never said goodbye.” Much of Jerry’s music is existential in nature, exploring death and love in a simultaneously solemn and grateful manner. Throughout Chasing Ghosts the harmonies hold onto that haunted quality, speaking to a complex man who is very in touch with his darker sides. In fact, Jerry’s good friend, Carl Lang, who appears on the record, passed away mid-recording, and Jerry kept his ashes in the studio. This sentimentality and respect for spirit is evident in each song. These days, I’m not listening to much folk/rock, but Jerry remains one of my favored songwriters. Even after a full lifetime of music, he’s not done growing, and Chasing Ghosts is catchy, witty, emotional, courageous, and endearing. Sure, it’s not pushing the limits of music, but sometimes that’s not necessary, and when someone does their thing as well as Jerry does, it can be good to sit back and just enjoy an artist sharing his voice. Jerry Falzone & Liar's Moon "Chasing Ghosts" Self-released facebook.com/jerryfalzoneandliarsmoon It's the rapid deployment of all the instruments in this heady CD's opening cut that expertly sets up "Chasing Ghosts." The latest by Jerry Falzone & Liar's Moon, "Chasing Ghosts" is a fine outing with a keen power-pop sensibility. Falzone stands like the king of the singer-songwriter mountain on this 12-song mound of sound with intentional tips of the hat to Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Beatles. The songs on this record are worked up — but not over-worked — impressively within their structure, even with the copious talent found at Falzone's disposal, so the aforementioned influences are a little clearer and a little more deliberate. You'll still want to digest each track in the order they are served to catch hold of the artist's narrative. The use of reverb throughout adds to the rock 'n' roll bigness, although the band doesn't overdo that either; everything just cruises steady and sweet. The guitars flex throughout without stampeding the album's mid-tempo drive and lush harmonious layers, bringing the stories to life. Frank De Blase City Newspaper Jerry Falzone & Liar's Moon, Chasing Ghosts Falzone has settled in as a mover on the scene, setting up a concert series here and there, joining the board of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. A music interview show on public access television for a while. Anything to make something happen. He even makes an appearance on a local Ford commercial, for anyone who considers TV to be the ultimate confirmation of personal relevancy. A lot of work went into Chasing Ghosts, which Falzone celebrates with a 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, show at Immanuel Baptist Church, 850 Park Ave. Last week he was even working on a mockumentary on "The Making of Chasing Ghosts." He's called in a lot of favors. Eleven musicians appear on the opening track alone, and it doesn’t let up much the rest of the way. There are funky and jazz-lite saxophones, soaring melodies, spiraling guitar solos and heavenly female choruses. Falzone’s band, Liar’s Moon, is well populated. Did you get left out? Maybe next time. With the exception of Neil Young’s “I’ve Been Waiting For You,” Falzone wrote all of the songs. They’re almost all about love, tough turf on which to break new ground. This album almost could have been called Women, Can’t Live With ’Em, Can’t Live Without ’Em. Falzone and his co-producers, Ken Colombo and Sam Gruttadauria, do a nice job of corralling their influences, which not surprisingly correlate with those of middle-aged men (Not a bad thing, if you ask me). There’s a slight veil of Steely Dan harmony and techno-polish on “Cold Cold World.” A tinge of The Hollies in “Without Love” and its lightly propelling guitars. “Fallen” and “Carry on Love” is Crosby, Stills, Nash & Falzone. “You Belong to Me” has the feel of a Springsteen guitar ballad. I can quibble with the lyrics: We’re kind of past the point where anyone in a relationship can declare a partner “belongs to me.” But maybe that’s taking things too literally, because I’m sure the neighbors would be calling the cops if Falzone truly “stood naked waiting underneath the stars.” But it’s a tough job marrying complex arrangements, which is Chasing Ghosts’ strength, with words that move the proceedings along. So “without love this world would not spin ’round” might read like a cliché. But if The Hollies were singing it, it would sound fine coming out of your car’s dashboard radio, and it does here as well. And the title track’s lament of, “I don’t know what I’ll miss the most, chasing you or chasing ghosts” is a nice image defining a lost relationship. Fine musical moments are to be found on virtually all tracks. A testament to Rochester’s deep lineup of great musicians. Colombo’s piano always seems to show up at the right moment. The guitars are wonderful, and a reminder that we’ll be missing Margaret Explosion’s Bob Martin when he moves to Chicago this summer. Last Chance - Ends Today Memorial Day Sale $9.99 for 1 year Act Now The best track? I’ll vote for “Gray Day Dawning,” with the character whose collar is turned up against the wind, and its vague lyrics and fusion of guitars and organs creating a sense of apprehension. Of course, the 23-second “Message to Millennials,” appearing halfway through the CD, deserves some mention. “That concludes side one of Chasing Ghosts,” says Miché Fambro in his best game-show voice, over the sound of a needle tracking on a vinyl record. “We will now continue on to side two.” So Chasing Ghosts had better be coming out on vinyl as well. Jeff Spevak Democrat and Chronicle After mixing his latest CD release show last Thursday, Jerry Falzone gave me a copy of "Chasing Ghosts" (now, wishing I had had a copy of it before the actual event) I've been listening to it these past few days. At first it was simply "homework" to learn the arrangements and production for some future gig with him. When Jerry first told me about the CD and how he felt/thought this was the best thing he's done to date, I simply took it as a musician being proud of their latest project. After the 3rd or 4th time through, though, I found myself really listening... intently ...like a guy that has seen Star Wars for the 50th time and can repeat the dialogue word for word intently (and no, I haven't memorized the words) but instead of me just getting the feel of the music and production and being satisfied with that I realized I was being drawn into it...the layers of the music. The guitars, bass and drums and their tonality, the vocals...both lead and background, the strings and effects that made up this panorama ..this landscape of sound. I'm listening and I say " Oh that sounds like Tom Petty's band " but no...maybe the Hollies or Crosby, Stills and Nash? no....the Byrds? Niel Young? Definite influences all ...but no. It's Jerry and his band delivering their absolute best performance / recording to date....Just like Jerry said. As a former player myself I appreciate the talent, time, effort and expertise that all of these fine musicians have put into this recording. As a sound tech I applaud Sam Gruttadauria's talent, ingenuity, ability and that undefinable quality that defines a great engineer. I could tell you it's a good CD but I would be lying...It's a GREAT CD by anybody's standards!!! It is a truly moving musical experience. Bill Hooper Sound Tech MaryAnn Mauro Kraft: Over the weekend I took a ride in the country with my husbands car (excellent sound system). Chasing Ghosts filled the air with such sound clarity. There are so many layers of talent on this CD! I'm looking forward to my next country road drive with this CD. As the mystery woman on the cover... I'm honored. Cathy Frid Silvio: Jerry, Your Chasing Ghosts CD is Amazing. I Love your song writing. The musicians are incredible & the mix terrific. Fabulous. Flawless. Thank You! And to all that had a part in making it all come together.