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"This neighborhood guide gives both the local residents as well as out of town tourists a one-stop website for everything that is Chicago."
C. Bupp, Chicago
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Click Play to Listen: English Song
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Ted Atkatz's decision to leave the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was a bold one. After eight years as the principal percussionist, he exchanged his drumsticks for a Nord keyboard and a Gibson acoustic and began singing an altogether different tune. He wrote twelve songs, collaborated with four of Chicago's finest musicians, and NYCO was born.
TWO, NYCOs debut album, resonates with the sincerity and energy of great rock'n roll, capped by Atkatz's striking melodies. Produced by Grammy-award winner Jim Tullio, reviewers have called the album a must-own. Chicago's own Q101 FM and WXRT 93.1 FM, stations that helped bring bands like Wilco and Smashing Pumpkins into the mainstream, have lately taken to spinning NYCO's tunes. The soulful English Song" has already garnered significant attention, and has even been dubbed a pop classic by WXRT DJ Richard Milne.
Onstage, Atkatz is joined by the stellar foursome of Dave Saenger, Sam Smiley, Nick Gates and Devin Staples. Saenger's lead guitar adds a unique sonic texture that perfectly compliments Atkatz's vocals. Smiley lends a creative sensibility to the guitar section that fills out NYCO's sound. Gates has played bass with the best musicians in Chicago and brings a deep, versatile feel to NYCO's rhythm section. Staples, the other half of that rhythm section, displays a raw percussive talent that has most recently been honed through his collaboration with Cassius Clay. For anyone who has experienced the band live, they make it easy to understand that they were meant to rock out together.
©2007 The Local Tourist |