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Rob Carlson & Benefit Street: the new group (What Cheer CD3345)

Rob Carlson & Benefit Street's first full-length CD, released September, 2011
Read the story below, then find out more at www.robcarlsonmusic.com

What Cheer CD3345
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L-R: Vin Pasternak, Sam Carlson, Rob Carlson, Paul Payton (summer, 2011)

To order copies of this CD directly from Rob Carlson & Benefit Street, read about the band and hear samples of songs from the new album, click here.

The story so far:
         
            After a 39-year "pause," original Benefit Street members Rob Carlson and Paul Payton began working together again in 2010 with Vin Pasternak and Sam Carlson in Rob Carlson & Benefit Street.  The new group, with a varied mix of folk-rock and acoustic-based music - also known as the Americana genre - has reclaimed the Benefit Street name since "half of us were in it, Sam is Rob's son and thus a 'direct descendant,' and Vin lives a mile from the namesake street in Providence, RI," says Paul.  "Rob gets top billing this time around since most of the songs are his, and since we originally got together as the road band supporting his 2009 solo album 'Pieces of Paradise.'" This band's self-titled first full-length CD debuted in September, 2011, and is available on line and at band gigs as a hard copy.
            Unlike many bands with veteran players, the group's repertoire consists of all original material. "The Bells of St. Stephen's" and "Seven Years," two songs from the original Benefit Street's repertoire, have been re-recorded for the new CD, but the group is constantly developing new songs, reflecting their joy in composing and arranging. "Consider us to be 'young guys in older bodies,'" says Paul, "except for Sam, who really is 21. We never stopped creating. We think our music is ageless, timeless, and contemporary, and we're getting excellent audience response among all ages. In fact, we've been invited back to every venue we've played."          
            A hallmark of Rob Carlson & Benefit Street is its mix of humor and "straight" songs. "I was with Modern Man for 15 years," says Rob. "We were known for our comedy and clever songwriting, but part of me - more serious music - was missing." Now the group blends straightforward songwriting with smart humor, prompting Rob to remark, "This is the group I always wanted to have." Needless to say, Vin, Paul and Sam are smiling!
            To get an idea of a Rob Carlson & Benefit Street concert, enjoy the videos on these webpages: 

Rob Carlson & Benefit Street, June, 2010
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Paul, Vin and Rob celebrate the release of "Benefit Street/The American Dream."

Purchase both Benefit Street CDs, Rob Carlson's "Pieces of Paradise" CD, and more here.
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