Visitors please note!
This is an old version of Barbara Kessler's web site—from 1996, making it very old by web standards! Please visit's Barb's current web site at BarbaraKessler.com for the latest news about Barb's musical doings. Feel free to meander around here for amusement purposes, but beware that some links (especially old email and audio links, and off-site links) won't work.
Management: Phil Antoniades
Johnny Brock Management
200 Arlington Street, Suite B
Framingham, MA 01701
Voice: (508) 820-8738
FAX: (508) 820-7920
Internet: FolkWithJB-OLD-aol.com
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| Order CDs and Tapes | Performance Itinerary | ...and Much More! |
Kessler's chiseled craft makes this album [Notion] one of the best by any contemporary singer/songwriter in years.
Seth Rogovoy, The Boston Phoenix
Her soulful voice merges with her guitar to form the most achingly beautiful acoustic music around.
This musician could ride on the sweet, soaring clarity of her voice alone. But she offers so much more. Her vocal and instrumental musicianship is a showcase for superlative songwriting.
One listen to her new album, Notion, proves Barbara Kessler fits snugly into that expanding niche of sensitive, college-educated women making smart folk-pop.
Breaking out of Boston's vital folk music scene, Kessler is a triple threat. She possesses a strong, supple voice, is a skillful guitarist and composes thought-provoking songs with striking melodies.
Barbara Kessler is my favorite from the newest batch of singer-songwriters. I could listen to her sing the phonebook.
Introducing Barbara Kessler...
Late-Breaking News
Career Highlights
Discography
Current Itinerary
Critical Acclaim
Interviews
Barbara's
Haircuts (A Photo Gallery)
Barbara's Web Page at Grooves
Correspondence
Singer-Songwriter... A Long Island, NY native,
Barbara Kessler discovered the Boston music scene in the late '80s while
summering on Cape Cod as a real-life Ice Cream Lady. After graduating
from Cornell University, she experienced the "real world" while
backpacking throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific,
and sampling life in Sange Fe, Los Angeles, Houston and Seattle. Settling
in Boston, she quickly progressed from open-mics to warm-up act and
contest winner to headliner in regional clubs, coffeehouses and
universities.
Notion... Barbara Kessler's first studio
effort was produced by Jerry Marotta, a superb and highly respected drummer
who has recorded and toured with an impressive variety of artists from
Peter Gabriel and Paul McCartney to Suzanne Vega and the Indigo Girls.
Featured are guest artists Tony Levin (bassist for King Crimson,
Peter Gabriel), Marc Shulman (guitarist for Suzanne Vega), Duke Levine
(guitarist for Mary Chapin Carpenter), and Jennifer Kimball (vocalist
with The Story, Patty Larkin). The sound is looming yet intimate, tough
but alluring; a seductive blend of folk and rock with pop-alternate edges.
Says Kessler, "Notion sorts through the myths and facts of
life, of who we are, of the stories we choose to tell and not to tell."
Stranger To This Land... Homegrown live in an
intimate local club, Barbara's debut recording was picked up in 1995 by
Eastern Front Records. Stranger won considerable critical
favor in addition to a Boston Music Award. One of the cuts, "Kathy,"
was selected for a Time-Warner artist compilation called
Grooves Magazine that also featured Matthew Sweet, Linda Ronstadt,
John Lee Hooker and Belly. Performing Songwriter magazine
chose Stranger as one of its top 12 "Indie" picks of the year.
On The Road... Barbara currently tours nationally knocking
out over 200 dates a year. She has shared the stage with the Indigo Girls,
Shawn Colvin, The Roches, David Wilcox, Tom Rush and many others. Her tour
schedule has included appearances at the Philadelphia Folk Festival,
The Bottom Line in New York City, The Troubador in Los Angeles, the
annual CMJ New Music Marathon, and the North By Northeast Conference
in Toronto.
On The Radio... Stranger To This Land
has received
airplay on over 200 radio stations throughout the US and Canada and
charted in the College Music Journal. In addition, Barbara was featured
on the syndicated radio programs "Mountain Stage" and "Acoustic Cafe."
Before the release of Stranger, Kessler was named
"best new artist of the year" on American Public Radio's "World Cafe"
by then-correspondent Christine Lavin.
From Barbara's 1996 Press Kit
You'll find further biographical information about Barbara in:
Notion (studio recording on CD and Cassette, 1996)
Stranger To This Land (live CD/Cassette, 1994)
Barbara Kessler Live (cassette, 1992)
Barbara's CDs and cassettes are additionally available by mailorder from Johnny Brock Management. You can also order CDs of all of the compilations listed above (except for the Fast Folk compilation) from Johnny Brock. Send a check or money order for $15 for each CD ($30 for the double-CD, Follow That Road, or $10 for the Barbara Kessler Live cassette), plus $1.50 shipping and handling for each item, to Johnny Brock Management.
Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery of orders from Johnny Brock Management.
Breaking out of Boston's vital folk music scene, Kessler is a triple
threat. She possesses a strong , supple voice, is a skillful guitarist and
composes thought-provoking songs with striking melodies.CMJ New Music Report
Songs like "Kathy" showcase Kessler's flair for poignant detail and
understatement, qualities that lend her tales of ordinary folks their
extraordinary emotional weight.
Vin Scelsa, of New York City's WXRK (K-Rock) and Editor of Grooves
Magazine
... star-of-the-future... hypnotic... a from-the-heart, Sheryl Crow-type
singer with some jazzy edges.
The Boston Globe
With her sweet supple voice, lyrically direct songs and natural beauty,
she is a star ready to shine.
Album Network
Her strength lies in understatement and a blessed aversion to preaching...
Many try, but few succeed like Kessler.
Providence Phoenix (Rhode Island)
(full review of Stranger To This Land)
In the end, though, it's not the hooks, the Froom-like production, or even
the songs that make this album one of the best by any contemporary
singer/songwriter in years. What puts her over the top is her voice, a smooth
subtle and sometimes jazzy, versatile soprano full of surprises---whether it's
the aggression of "Carolina," the jaded weariness of "Me," or the
heartrending vulnerability of "The Date." They prove that Barbara Kessler can
out sing just about anyone on the contemporary folk-pop scene.
Boston Phoenix
(full review of Notion)
One listen to her new album Notion, proves Barbara Kessler fits snugly
into that expanding niche of sensitive, college-educated women making smart
folk-pop.
Dan Gewertz, The Boston Herald
Kessler, moreover, is a lyricist of great economy - And though her stories
and song structures can be formulaic, they're so damn catchy, they transcend
stereotype.
Boston Phoenix
(full review of Stranger To This Land)
Kessler's voice is unquestionably her own---direct lyrics, universal
subject matter and passionate voice make Stranger To This Land
one to become familiar with.
Gavin Report
She writes and sings with an assurance and maturity that younger
performers usually lack.
Pioneer Press, MN
Kessler's original songs and strong vocals make for a splendid listening
adventure. Kessler's engaging lyrics give you interesting characters
with emotions that hit home.
Dirty Linen
This musician could ride on the sweet, soaring clarity of her voice
alone. But she offers so much more. Her vocal and instrumental
musicianship is a showcase for superlative songwriting.
The Hampton Union, NH
Her soulful voice merges with her guitar to form the most achingly
beautiful acoustic music around.
Worcester Phoenix, MA
Barbara Kessler's Stranger To This Land is brilliantly written and
beautifully performed. Her lyrics are both poignant and funny, from the
whimsical "Mary Tyler Moore" to the deeply heartfelt "Kathy." This recording
is full of life -- a must listen.
Ann Curless, Arista recording artist and
songwriter with the pop group "Expose."
...a strong-minded singer-songwriter whose music is substantive and
entertaining.
The Boston Globe
With a voice like an angel, and a collection of well-crafted songs that hit
home, Barbara Kessler is certainly a talent to keep your eye (and ears) on.
Jeff Cohen, Broadcast Music, Inc
Barbara Kessler is my favorite from the newest batch of singer-songwriters.
I could listen to her sing the phonebook.
Cliff Eberhardt, songwriter and Shanachie/Cachet Recording Artist
First I was taken in by Barbara's beautiful voice. Then I was taken into
the the world of her songs, a familiar place full of compassion and
strength.
Actor Marcia Cross, "Kimberly" on Melrose Place
She writes and sings with an assurance and maturity that younger performers
usually lack. And there's a refreshing lack of anti-white-middle-aged-sentiment, which target, of course, I wear squarely on my
forehead.
James M. Tarbox, Pioneer Press
On one of the best debut discs of the year, Kessler whips up one of the best
blends of folk, pop and rock.
KANU Flint Hills
This musician could ride on the sweet, soaring clarity of her voice alone.
But she offers so much more. Her vocal and instrumental musicianship's a
showcase for superlative songwriting.
The Hampton Union
This is about the best local CD I've ever had the pleasure of reviewing.
Metronome Magazine
Barbara's song "Mary Tyler Moore" has been the number 1 requested song
on our program for the last few months!
Sonja Mortenson, "The Coffeehouse", WERS FM, Boston
Best New Artist of the Year.
Christine Lavin for "World Cafe", American Public Radio, 1993
She Delicately weaves a forceful spell with just a guitar and that
remarkable voice-not an easy accomplishment. Kessler establishes herself as
one of today's great unsung talents. Surely she won't go unrecognized much
longer.
Jim Caligiuri, CMJ New Music Report, 1992
Barbara Kessler has a commercial feel that Nashville will do well to
exploit.
English Folk Magazine
Her soulful voice merges with her guitar to form the most achingly beautiful
acoustic music around.
Worcester Phoenix
Kessler's songs are interesting glimpses
of coming-of-age in these confusing times, showing a genuine
understanding of the human condition. She's been opening for some
big names (Bill Morrissey, Patty Larkin, Arlo Guthrie) in the
New England area to rave reviews, as well.
Jim Caligiuri, CMJ New Music Report, 1990
For professional contact (e.g., booking a show or interview):
Management: Phil Antoniades
Johnny Brock Management
200 Arlington Street, Suite B
Framingham, MA 01701
Voice: (508) 820-8738
FAX: (508) 820-7920
Internet: FolkWithJB-OLD-aol.com
Representation: George Tobia, Esq.
Burns and Levinson
125 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110
Voice: (617) 345-3000
FAX: (617) 345-3299
Yup, Barbara's manager, Phil Antoniades, is the fellow who
plays drums and groove box on the CDs, and the fellow whose playing on the
groove box helped Tom Prasada-Rao
blow everyone away at Kerrville 95!
Personal correspondence for Barbara should be sent care of Johnny Brock management.
If you'd like to get email updates of Barbara's itinerary direct from Johnny Brock, just drop them a line at the email address above.
Barbara's CDs and cassettes can be ordered by mail or by phone from:
Eastern Front Records, Inc.
7 Curve St.
Medfield, MA 02052
(508) 359-8003
Orders: (800) 337-3747
FAX (508) 359-8090
Internet: EastFront1-OLD-aol.com
This Web page was constructed with help from Mike Allinger, Phil Antoniades, and Robert Swalley (thanks, guys!). Photo credits appear in the Photo Gallery. Corrections, additions, and suggestions regarding this Web page are welcome; send them to Tom at the address below.
If you're wondering what it is about Barbara's music that would motivate an astronomer to put together something like the web pages you are now reading, allow me to exercise editorial priveledge and include here a copy of my own review of my first live Barbara Kessler experience. It was posted to the folk_music@nysernet.org list server moderated by Alan Rowoth. You do subscribe to folk_music, don't you??!!
Thanks for your interest in Folk Music on the Web, and for your interest in Barbara's music!
This Web site was created in October 1994. It was last updated in May 1996. All original elements are © Copyright 1994/1996 by Phil Antoniades, Barbara Kessler, and Tom Loredo.
Tom Loredo / loredo-OLD-edu