Napoleon by the
Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra has been described as “a highly
effective cross between Los Lobos, Tom Waits and Robert Johnson.”
Or in other words, it’s a sophisticated, intelligent, and
melodically seductive album rich with wit, stylish songwriting,
and musicality that crosses styles and genres to appeal to discerning
listeners of wide tastes. Produced by production and engineering
legend Rob Fraboni (who has worked with Clapton, Dylan and The Rolling
Stones), it’s a disc that proves that imagination and vision
are still very much alive in contemporary music.
The son of a jazz pianist father and blues singer mother, Tremulis
fronted the 13-piece Nicholas Tremulis Band, who became one of Chicago’s
top acts and were signed to Island Records in the 1980s by Chris
Blackwell, Two major label albums followed before Tremulis asked
for his release from the label and embarked on a distinguished indie
career that includes the EP King of the Hill and the albums Bloody
Show (a collaboration with famed beat poet Gregory Corso) and In
Search of Woodfoot (which included one of the last recorded performances
by The Band’s Rick Danko). His acclaimed 1999 charity concert,
The First Waltz, featured Danko, Billy Corgan, Cheap Trick’s
Rick Neilson, Robbie Fulks, Alejandro Escovedo, Jon Langford, Ivan
Neville, Alice Peacock, members of the BoDeans and others, and was
released on video by Palm Pictures. He has recorded with Keith Richards
and his Orchestra has backed such noted artists as Steve Earle,
Marianne Faithfull, Ronnie Spector, Jeff Tweedy, Graham Parker,
Bob Mould and Chris Whitley.
A hometown Chicago hero, Tremulis enjoys regular airplay on WXRT,
the city’s powerhouse AAA radio station. The subject of critical
acclaim both here and abroad, Tremulis is poised to break out with
Napoleon, which includes his collaboration with Escovedo
and Neville, “Till You Know Who You Are.” With his gift
for making multiple genres all his own and creating innovative yet
catchy music, Tremulis is a musical treasure ripe for mass discovery.
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