UPDATE Saturday May 12

Well, sorry so long since the last update in Dec! There has been much to do, and much to tell...Jane and I have been working on new material for an upcoming CD we plan to start recording in December of this year...probably for Summer '08 release...I've penned a few, and Jane is working on ideas and we are in rehearsals for a bit of a re-vamp for our stage show...I'll tell more later, but it will include more hand percussion and a wee bit of technology...how's that for a hint?

A month ago it came to our attention that our current CD received a nice mention in fROOTS, the British folk-rock journal which said, in pertinent part: "Well meaning and pleasant diversity in Sub-Folk-Rock-cum-a-bit-of-everything framework. Flutes and dulcimers lead off what can at times be Tullish, yet by the next track could be Curved Air! Strong vocals and arrangements wisely stay clear of twee."

And, in March Jason Page, a new friend at Oakton Community College, interviewed us and later wrote (excerpts) "Rick Davies and Jane Sytek's music is filled with a mother like voice that is spiritually infused with the elements of progressive classic rock of the 70's with roots in American folk and jazz-a style, when combined is simply eclectic and in a class of its own. Rick and Jane say that their influence comes from the music of Eastern Europe, England as well as an influence from Eastern Philosophy. Being eclectic is part of their lives. On Rick's desk is a Bible, a couple books on yoga, some martial arts literature and a Rolling Stone magazine. They have explored Eastern meditation, eat a vegetarian diet and practice martial arts. When Rick was identifying the Aum symbol on their website he said the symbol represents the "underlying fabric that...connects religion, martial arts, business, music, science, commerce and all people...the Aum signifies the unifying principle that ties together the stars, heavens, and the universe." Their influences lean more to the 70's
"where each band had their own, distinct sound." Jane leans toward classical and acoustic material and Rick tends to the "vibey stuff" like The Doors or Donovan. Today they hang out (musically) in the indie market."

Well, It sounds like Jason got the gist of what makes us tick, eh? He was also kind enough to show up at the show and take some pictures that we have posted on our myspace site (link above)...

We got an email from a friend abroad who told us we have a "mini following in the Balkans...Sofia, Skopje, Anad...which just makes us smile BIG! We love it when our music reaches people around the world! It turns out that the favorite songs there, we're told, are Sunset City, Alone in Thoughts, and very interestingly A Haunted Look...which was written for Mother Teresa by Jane...doesn't she come from Skopje? I think so...I'll check with Jane and report back ;-)

We've been working on old pianos and rebuilding, restoring, and repairing-tuning...and along those lines we have expanded our piano operation to include a suite at the Park Trades Center in Kalamazoo, MI. We're in suite 404...fourth floor, thankfully close to the freight elevator! We'll be performing an informal couple sets on the first Friday of June (June 1st) between 5-9pm...the room has some works-in-progress grand and upright pianos (totally interesting! so come and see!!) and also a small gallery space where we can, occasionally, perform. So, please come on by and check out some of the GREAT artists at the Park Trades Center at the Gallery Hops on the first Fridays of every month!...its simply the best show in town! ...and on June 1st just follow the sound of the flute and you'll probably find us!

Well, that's all for now...we'll be updating our favorite links to include some new and great friends...so check back in a week or two...for today, I'm off to build some shelves in our new space and a wee bit of rehearsal...Happy Mother's day to all you Mommies and lets keep in close touch!

10/7/06 THE VERY LATEST!.. CD REVIEWED IN SERBIA This week we'd like to send many thanks to Branimir Lokner from Belgrade Serbia, who emailed us telling us our recent CD was reviewed. We love it when our efforts meet with a nice reception, especially so far from home! The link to the actual review is HERE but since the review is in the Serbian language, Branimir was kind enough to pass along a translation of the pertinent parts; the following is cut/pasted (unedited) from his email:

"SYTEK & DAVIES " From The Shadow Of The Citadel( Llama Mama Records ) "From The Shadow Of The Citadel" are consists of 12 author's tracks, nearer to fields of progressive, acoustic genre, with evident folk, medieval includings. A materials itself are pretty acceptable and listenable, and manny parallels in their approach we can find in legacies of British act Renaissance, comes out from the golden 70's period. Some performing associations comes to earliest Jethro Tull, as same as to Blackmore's Night, but also lead to the groups near to celtic musical roots.

A songs itself are mostly slower mid to mid-up tempo, and all of them are recomandable for the resting time. My personal favorit from this very listenable album is an opening theme "Changing Of The Guard"...