Patterns CD Review by Stonewall Society
18/05/07 18:11 Filed in: Recording
Reviews
A
basic premise of all art is to share. Zane Kuchera
strongly achieves this with "Patterns". The more I
listened the more I felt like I was taking part in a
personal invitation to experience what is Zane Kuchera.
The experience is first of all extremely pleasant.
Kuchera's music takes you to many places and diverse
viewpoints. I frequently found myself associating what
I was hearing on "Patterns" with the character of
Pippin from the musical of the same name. Possibly
because Zane's vocal talent would lend itself very well
to the roll. However, I think it is more probable that
Kuchera's thought provoking lyrics and topics are
easily linked to Pippin's search for understanding from
within himself. Like the musical, the CD "Patterns" had
me on more than one occasion taking a look at my own
experiences.
Zane's lyrics are not overstated nor exaggerated, they are genuine and honest in their statements. Covering a range of experiences and emotions with which most will have strong associations. Delivered in such a manner as to showcase the lyrics and vocal talent of Kuchera. On his website it is easily known that these lyrics are a strong point to Zane, as he supplies a brief description of each song.
From the opening instrumental of track one, "All My Life", I was intrigued by Kuchera's style and lyrics. His clever ability to combine serious subject matter with lively, lingering melody as in "Haven't Got A Clue" and "Simon Says" further demonstrates his appeal. Overall "Patterns" is of a romantic nature. Not the gushy type, but more in a classic sense in dealing with the true romance of life and its opportunities. In "Cathedrals" a change in direction to addressing a religious theme, Kuchera shares an interesting view based on the sheep in wolves clothing theme. The romance Zane examines in his art deals with that of love, doubt, hope, and happiness. While the subjects are universal in understanding, they are not presented from the usual point of view. This brings a fresh honesty to the power of Kuchera's lyrics. Everything, and I do mean everything about "Patterns" is Zane Kuchera, and you couldn't ask for more.
On his website, Zane has added two new songs. A heart wrenching ballad about domestic violence with a happy ending called "Childhood In A Storm". The other is Jon Gilbert Leavitt's "ballad for the new millennium", "Believe". The combination of Leavitt and Kuchera is as would be expected pure quality! A definite to added for your surfing pleasure. As for your listening pleasure be sure to add "Patterns" to your collection.
Codi
Copyright 2002, StoneWall Society
Zane's lyrics are not overstated nor exaggerated, they are genuine and honest in their statements. Covering a range of experiences and emotions with which most will have strong associations. Delivered in such a manner as to showcase the lyrics and vocal talent of Kuchera. On his website it is easily known that these lyrics are a strong point to Zane, as he supplies a brief description of each song.
From the opening instrumental of track one, "All My Life", I was intrigued by Kuchera's style and lyrics. His clever ability to combine serious subject matter with lively, lingering melody as in "Haven't Got A Clue" and "Simon Says" further demonstrates his appeal. Overall "Patterns" is of a romantic nature. Not the gushy type, but more in a classic sense in dealing with the true romance of life and its opportunities. In "Cathedrals" a change in direction to addressing a religious theme, Kuchera shares an interesting view based on the sheep in wolves clothing theme. The romance Zane examines in his art deals with that of love, doubt, hope, and happiness. While the subjects are universal in understanding, they are not presented from the usual point of view. This brings a fresh honesty to the power of Kuchera's lyrics. Everything, and I do mean everything about "Patterns" is Zane Kuchera, and you couldn't ask for more.
On his website, Zane has added two new songs. A heart wrenching ballad about domestic violence with a happy ending called "Childhood In A Storm". The other is Jon Gilbert Leavitt's "ballad for the new millennium", "Believe". The combination of Leavitt and Kuchera is as would be expected pure quality! A definite to added for your surfing pleasure. As for your listening pleasure be sure to add "Patterns" to your collection.
Codi
Copyright 2002, StoneWall Society
Patterns CD Review by Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
18/05/07 18:09 Filed in: Recording
Reviews
Zane
composed, arranged, performed and produced the entire
CD, employing electric keyboards and a software
application. But if the production is a "labor of
love," the songs themselves, and Zane's performance of
them, are a labor of love, heartache, grief, healing
and redemption - the work of a lifetime. Indeed, the
songs on Patterns were written over the span of two
decades, and as such, serve as the story of Zane's
life. Or, perhaps more accurately, the songs tell the
story of his love life, from the first forays into
puppy love (and hangdog disillusionment), through a sad
marriage, to a growing self-awareness and centeredness
as a gay man.
In every song, Zane wears his heart on his sleeve, and it's a gorgeous heart. His lyrics are forthright and unpretentious as they examine love gone bad, the tension between romance and long-term commitment, and the yearning for something sure and lasting. Zane's strong tenor rings out with understated candor, expressing the emotion through words and music rather than any vocal dramatics. This clear-eyed exploration of love ultimately offers hope, if only the hope of getting beyond the hurt and becoming stronger.
The style ranges between lush ballads and mid-tempo pop, suggesting Zane's roots in contemporary cabaret and torch song - Peter Allen, Barbra Streisand, and (don't laugh) Barry Manilow come to mind (Zane does confess in the notes that he wrote one of his prettier songs, Tell Me When, while having "a Diana Ross moment"). Some particularly catchy melodies include Haven't Got a Clue, Simon Says, Fantasy, the anthem-like Isn't Enough, and a sweet, almost baroque instrumental called Somewhere in This World.
In fact, now that Zane has proven himself as a talented singer-songwriter (arranger- producer-musician-engineer), my wish for him is that he could eventually develop enough financial backing to hire a band. On a few songs I could imagine female back-up singers joining the chorus, and the energy created by musicians playing together is often difficult, though not impossible to attain in a solo effort. But this is not the first recording by one man and his MIDI, and very few sound even half as lovely, or achieve half the energy that Zane achieves here. You have to start somewhere, and on Patterns Zane Kuchera is off to a running leap.
(P.S.: such rugged individualism has been paying off. "Patterns" has received glowing reviews on several web pages, including http://mp3.boston.com/bands/zane.shtml, and stage.vitaminic.com/zane_kuchera/singles, http://www.stonewallsociety.com/EqualPride/ep20zanekucherareview.htm.)
TRACK LIST:
All My Life
Haven't Got a Clue
In Your Eyes (lyrics: Debra Kuchera)
Simon Says (lyrics: Katie Sieber)
Tell Me When
Cathedrals (lyrics: June Santucci)
Fantasy
Somewhere in This World
Isn't Enough
All My Life (unplugged)
In Your Eyes (unplugged) (lyrics: Debra Kuchera)
Isn't Enough (unplugged)
Lindsay Cobb
Copyright 2002 Peterborough Folk Music Society
In every song, Zane wears his heart on his sleeve, and it's a gorgeous heart. His lyrics are forthright and unpretentious as they examine love gone bad, the tension between romance and long-term commitment, and the yearning for something sure and lasting. Zane's strong tenor rings out with understated candor, expressing the emotion through words and music rather than any vocal dramatics. This clear-eyed exploration of love ultimately offers hope, if only the hope of getting beyond the hurt and becoming stronger.
The style ranges between lush ballads and mid-tempo pop, suggesting Zane's roots in contemporary cabaret and torch song - Peter Allen, Barbra Streisand, and (don't laugh) Barry Manilow come to mind (Zane does confess in the notes that he wrote one of his prettier songs, Tell Me When, while having "a Diana Ross moment"). Some particularly catchy melodies include Haven't Got a Clue, Simon Says, Fantasy, the anthem-like Isn't Enough, and a sweet, almost baroque instrumental called Somewhere in This World.
In fact, now that Zane has proven himself as a talented singer-songwriter (arranger- producer-musician-engineer), my wish for him is that he could eventually develop enough financial backing to hire a band. On a few songs I could imagine female back-up singers joining the chorus, and the energy created by musicians playing together is often difficult, though not impossible to attain in a solo effort. But this is not the first recording by one man and his MIDI, and very few sound even half as lovely, or achieve half the energy that Zane achieves here. You have to start somewhere, and on Patterns Zane Kuchera is off to a running leap.
(P.S.: such rugged individualism has been paying off. "Patterns" has received glowing reviews on several web pages, including http://mp3.boston.com/bands/zane.shtml, and stage.vitaminic.com/zane_kuchera/singles, http://www.stonewallsociety.com/EqualPride/ep20zanekucherareview.htm.)
TRACK LIST:
All My Life
Haven't Got a Clue
In Your Eyes (lyrics: Debra Kuchera)
Simon Says (lyrics: Katie Sieber)
Tell Me When
Cathedrals (lyrics: June Santucci)
Fantasy
Somewhere in This World
Isn't Enough
All My Life (unplugged)
In Your Eyes (unplugged) (lyrics: Debra Kuchera)
Isn't Enough (unplugged)
Lindsay Cobb
Copyright 2002 Peterborough Folk Music Society
Featured Performer at the Amazing Things Arts Center
18/05/07 18:07 Filed in: Performance
Reviews
“An engaging
performance where Zane, with his tall and handsome
elegance, peers into your soul with his clear blue eyes
and caresses you with his warm soothing vocals. He
delivers the song directly to your heart from his with
a beautiful balance of raw emotion infused with passion
and musical technique.” ~ Zola (Recording
Artist/Songwriter/TulipSongs International)
"Zane Kuchera sings with conviction - allowing the words to come through him and have meaning for him and the audience. His lovely tenor voice is a pleasure to hear." ~ Leslie Holmes, Host, Amazing Things Arts Center
March 14, 2007 Amazing Things Arts Center, Framingham, MA
"Zane Kuchera sings with conviction - allowing the words to come through him and have meaning for him and the audience. His lovely tenor voice is a pleasure to hear." ~ Leslie Holmes, Host, Amazing Things Arts Center
March 14, 2007 Amazing Things Arts Center, Framingham, MA
New CD Release
18/05/07 17:24 Filed in: Releases
We are now taking orders for
Zane's new CD entitled "Shakespeare's
As You Like It - A New Musical
Soundtrack." This CD contains all of the
original instrumental musical compositions for the
Shakespeare play, which was inspired and used by
the Gazebo Players
of Medfield, Massachusetts in July of 2006,
directed by the amazing David Logan-Morrow, plus vocal
performances of those songs by Zane. Click
here to learn more ...