Features over 20 different musicians, vocalists and soloists and clocks in over an hours worth of music.
Conversation Pieces follows the story of a disparate teen and of his trials and tribulations of high school. His battles with love, loss, family, bullying and adolescence are all told through song, lyrics, ambient soundscapes and introspective ballads.
The plot in and of it self is slightly autobiographical, in which I have taken aspects of my life and all it's ups and downs and have managed to weave a plot line that transcends just a story of nerdy teenager. It touches upon the hardships of divorce, alcoholism, bullying, love, hate, life & death, aided with a cast of different voices and instrumentalists.
CD REVIEWS:
"There are over 20 guest musicians and vocalists on this album, but Barone's composition is it's main selling point, delivering moments of well-crafted melody that hit all the right spots" HW (
www.progrockmag.com)
"Shades of Ayreon, Alan Parsons Project and Pink Floyd can be heard on different parts of the album coupled with the sounds of a musical making for a very interesting combination. The album flows with each track running into the next making it a non-stop roller coaster ride.' : Tony Bird (DPRP - Dutch Progressive Rock Page)
www.dprp.net
"Barone demonstrates a knack for crafting beguiling melodies that catch and stick. LIke other sophisticated pop-prog songsmiths - think Today Rundgren and Andy Partridge - Barone wraps his vocals in complex arrangements lending depth and gravity" - Nick Tate (
www.progressionmagazine.com)
"Guest vocalists take roles within the story, and they lend the album a defined filmic quality. Albums like “Tommy” and “The Wall” provide easy reference points, certainly with regard to structure, though “Conversation Pieces” doesn’t sound much like either. In fact it’s almost impossible to come up with easy comparisons, which is always a good thing." - Phil S (
leicesterbangs.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-geoff-barone-conversation-pieces.html)
released October 30, 2012
Personnel:
Scott Clinton (Drums & Additional Percussion)
Corey Pietrzak (Bass Guitars on 2,4, 9 & bridge of 18. Backing vocals on 16)
Darrel Looney (Violin on 2)
Jason Neubauer (Guitar Solo on 16)
Bryan Maacks (Guitar solo on 9)
Andrew Bieniek (Sitar on 16)
David Andreana (Backing Vocals on 2, 3 & 18 . Guitar solo on 7 & 12)
Mathew PIkE (Lead Vocals on 2 & 18 / Backing vocals on 4, 12, 14. Guitar solo on 14. Additional percussion.
Mike Willard (Lead vocals & lead guitar on 3)
Steven Mesropian (Lead Vocals on 4)
Kari Papadinis (Lead Vocals on 9 & 18. Backing vocals on 18)
Kim Rose (Lead Vocals on 10 & 18. Backing vocals on 1, 2, 3, 6, 16, 18)
Michael Zucker (Lead vocals on 14 & 18)
Dave Barone (Lead Vocals on 16 & 18)
Jessica Nichele (Backing Vocals on 2, 4, 7, 8, 16
Shari Gaines (Backing Vocals on 7, 8 & 16)
Naomi Langworthy (Backing vocals on 14 & 16)
Onslaught Six (backing vocals on 12)
Ryan Gaines (Backing Vocals on 7)
Aaron Pasisz ( screams 12 & 18)
Cassandra Barone ( screams on 18)
Geoff Barone (everything else)
Production:
Basic tracks recorded at Tough Guy Studios (Lewiston, NY) by Ryan Gaines. & Geoff Barone.
Aided by Mike Naus, Carl Wrobel, Mathew Pike, Mike Hatalak, Scott Clinton, Corey Pietrzak & Shari Gaines.
Vocals & overdubs recorded at 603 Studios (Long Island,NY)
Steven Mesropian’s vocals recorded @ MusicMez Studios
www.musicmez.com
Michael Zucker’s vocals recorded at Differential Studios (Boulder, CO)
Mathew PIkE’s vocals & guitar solo recorded at Grendel Studios (Niagara Falls, NY)
Shari Gaines’ Vocals recorded by Johnny Allen Helms (Niagara Falls, NY)
Jason Neubauer’s guitar solo recorded at Angry Jay Studios (Niagara Falls, NY)
Violin recorded by Darrell "D-Funk" Looney (
www.phatfunk.com)
Onslaught Six's vocals recorded at Tidalrolled Studios (Philipsburg,PA)
Mixed & Mastered by Michael Zucker and Geoff Barone @
www.differential-productions.com
*Mixed by Will Hensley
www.wahproductions.com
Music, Lyrics & Song Arrangements: Geoff Barone
Drum & additional song arrangements: Scott Clinton
Artwork & Album Design: Kaptain Carbon
www.deathontheseas.com
Photography & Additional Design: Geoff Barone
Additional photography: Dave Barone & Bill Pasisz
Album assistance, technical support and quips: Corey Pietrzak
© & ℗ 2012 by Geoff Barone All Rights Reserved