FOLKEST

DeniseJordan Finley

This is a collection of my most favorite Folk/Americana style songs. Some are my own writing. Some were written with co-writer Daniel Pagdon. One is by Paul Craft who passed away in 2015.

The songs on this collection are similar in the sense that they have a Folk/Americana flavor. As an album FOLKEST is a limited edition intended for folk music

This is a collection of my most favorite Folk/Americana style songs. Some are my own writing. Some were written with co-writer Daniel Pagdon. One is by Paul Craft who passed away in 2015.

The songs on this collection are similar in the sense that they have a Folk/Americana flavor. As an album FOLKEST is a limited edition intended for folk music radio programs for airplay. The album in its entire form will be available for download purchase in 2017. Each of the songs on this album can be found on either "Beyond A Window" or "Girl on the Rhythm Guitar" which are on sale for download at the present time.

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Beyond a Window

Finley and Pagdon present their fourth and most versatile album, showcasing a surreal vocal over brooding guitars. This collection takes their sophisticated folk sound to a new dimension, never abandoning their sparce yet powerful sound.

In this album, their longest, with fifteen magical songs, Denise Jordan Finley and Daniel Pagdon take you

Finley and Pagdon present their fourth and most versatile album, showcasing a surreal vocal over brooding guitars. This collection takes their sophisticated folk sound to a new dimension, never abandoning their sparce yet powerful sound.

In this album, their longest, with fifteen magical songs, Denise Jordan Finley and Daniel Pagdon take you skyward on their journey through the magic that they alone uniquely muster. Using merely twelve strings and a moody voice, lightly laced with a provocative blend of sounds exotic to their genre, they clearly define the style of song they have invented, calling it sophisticated folk.

Matt Finley's instrumental arranging and stellar solos on flugelhorn, cornet, soprano sax, vibraphone and alto flute have given this collection the eclectic edginess that sets it apart from the three albums that have preceded it. The performances of studio drop-in Ralph Romero on accordion and recording technician, Mark Dann on electric guitar (as well as a few hilarious tongue-in-cheek fiddle licks) have enhanced the song stories which go just beyond what listeners have expected until now.

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Girl On the Rhythm Guitar

Co-writers Finley and Pagdon focus on Denise Jordan Finley's steady but interesting acoustic rhythm guitar styles from song to song on this somewhat traditional collection. the instrumentation is accessible, sparse and clean. The lyrics tell true tales.

The stories on this album take place mostly around the early nineteen hundreds. The tales they

Co-writers Finley and Pagdon focus on Denise Jordan Finley's steady but interesting acoustic rhythm guitar styles from song to song on this somewhat traditional collection. the instrumentation is accessible, sparse and clean. The lyrics tell true tales.

The stories on this album take place mostly around the early nineteen hundreds. The tales they tell are based on truth... sweet family history, macabre tales of grizzly death, an account of a trip in a model T Ford. There is Dwain Story's "Wendigo," an Algonquin legend based on an Algernon Blackwood essay. The styles range from white gospel, to a taste of bluegrass (supported by Paul Craft's "Raised by the Railroad Line,) and a charleston, not to overlook the overtly undefinable styles that are the hallmark of this artist's music. The instrumentation is sparce, designated almost exclusively to acoustic guitar bolstered by co-writer, Daniel Pagdon's melodic contrabass, along with occasional comments from mandolin, and a fancy featured trumpet solo. Finley's versatile voice whines, whispers, and soars. Her guitar, true to the album title, is relentless in rhythmic drive, all the while changing in groove from song to song. The bonus track breaks away from the strumming guitar by featuring a free form single piano track to support a delicate, poignant vocal which proves to be a surprising deviation from the oft performed "Londonderry Air." If you savored the dark furnishings of "Hauntress," or were warmed by the winter fireside glow from "Solstice," you will find "Girl on the Rhythm Guitar" to be a fresh new color on the pallet for Finley's musical creations.

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Solstice

Songs for the Winter Solstice Season, Finley and Pagdon's second album as a team, features traditional melodies you'll recognize, with fresh new lyrics that are not-for-Christmas-only.

Songs for the Winter Solstice Season, Finley and Pagdon's second album as a team, features traditional melodies you'll recognize, with fresh new lyrics that are

Songs for the Winter Solstice Season, Finley and Pagdon's second album as a team, features traditional melodies you'll recognize, with fresh new lyrics that are not-for-Christmas-only.

Songs for the Winter Solstice Season, Finley and Pagdon's second album as a team, features traditional melodies you'll recognize, with fresh new lyrics that are not-for-Christmas-only. These, along with originals that have been acclaimed to become seasonal classics, create a mood that has broad, universal appeal. This body of work includes a new version of the award winning "How Fair Is My Baby." The collection is a celebration of the passing of the seasons from autumn to winter with nostalgia and romance. A good listen on a frosty night in front of a warm fire...

Denise Jordan Finley ... Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Piano, Percussion

Daniel Pagdon ... Contra Bass Guitar

Dick Staber ... Mandolin

Matt Finley ... Alto Flute, Soprano Sax

Danny Gottlieb... Drums

Clifford Carter ... Keyboard

Penny Nichols and Greg Trafidlo... Backup Vocals

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HAUNTRESS

Sparse arrangements backing tender, soaring vocals. Strong guitar and thoughtful lyrics hallmark this singer/songwriter. "Denise can do it all - write, sing, play, and perform. It's a treat to hear her, and I always learn something when I do" ~David Roth

This singer/songwriter's voice exudes expression that can only come from a full life's

Sparse arrangements backing tender, soaring vocals. Strong guitar and thoughtful lyrics hallmark this singer/songwriter. "Denise can do it all - write, sing, play, and perform. It's a treat to hear her, and I always learn something when I do" ~David Roth

This singer/songwriter's voice exudes expression that can only come from a full life's experiences and trials...The guitar work between Finley and bassist Daniel Pagdon emerges as uncommonly intricate and harmonically robust. Sparse arrangements poignantly back tender, powerful lyrics.

The collection, produced by Daniel Pagdon, including two award-winning songs, features examples of the most haunting pieces in their repertoire. Along with brilliantly arranged Horn and Flute accents by Matt Finley, this volume of songs also features the Voice of veteran back-up singer Penny Nichols, and the Piano of Grammy Award winner Clifford Carter.

"Denise can do it all - write, sing, play, and perform. It's a treat to hear her, and I always learn something when I do" ~David Roth

"A gorgeous album" ~Penny Nichols

"Denise Jordan Finley and Daniel Pagdon, wow!" ~Jim Marzano, A.I.R. Studio

"There just aren't enough superlatives to do your new CD justice.

I seem to have a problem--I can't get it out of my CD player. I keep waiting for a mediocre song to come on so i can eject it or fast forward it but I can't find one that is not exquisite!

You've created an album that is an eight course meal. complete with several appetizers, entrees and desserts. Despite feeling fully sated by the meal, it leaves me wanting to consume it again and again and again... Your restaurant gets five stars out of four!" ~Tom Ryan

DETAILS ABOUT THE SONGS...

MEMORIAL DAY ...the opening lyrics of this first track were taken from the headstone of a very old grave in Pine Plains, NY, where my family has lived for seven generations.

JUST OUTSIDE OF TIME ...dedicated to the memory of Bruce Morrison who died just outside the train station in Pawling, New York.

MIDNIGHT BLUE ...looking out at the sun setting behind a grove of trees when i was still in my teens. this song took decades to finish, but the harmonics of the chordal arrangement, with its haunting flute and vibes interwoven melodies musically states exactly what i saw and felt in those days.

LITTLE SECRETS ...based on the true story of a courageous woman

UNDER THE RADAR ...with the second half of life, come new songs of rebellion

WENDIGO ...Dwain Story wrote this song based on the Algonquin tale

LOVERS WATCH THE MOON ...inspired by the full moon making its ascent on the horizon on the road home

HOW FAIR IS MY BABY ...a lullaby

Often microscopic in nature, the songs focus on everyday people and the familiar events of life, while bringing forth the poignant and often dramatic details as are felt deep in the spirit and the heart. The recently released CD, HAUNTRESS is decidedly metaphysical in tone.

Finley's vocals, show expression coming from a full life of observation, compassion, sorrow and joy... Her guitar work emerges as uncommonly intricate, harmonically compelling, and rhythmically powerful. Denise has performed her original songs since she was first honored in 'Super Teen,' a national music awards contest for emerging young artists. She has played with and composed for such bands as The Young Pretenders; Dick Staber and The Yonder City Bluegrass Band; and Rio Jazz. She has appeared with Bill Keith, Tony Trishka and Skyline, Aztec Two Step, Priscilla Herdman, Sally Rogers, Howie Burson, Steve Gillette, Bob Franke, Kenny Edwards, Tom Kimmel, Pat Donehue, Sloan Wainright, Penny Nichols, Ann Hills, Michael Smith; and has been accompanied by some of the best bassists in the world: Freebo, Mark Egan, Dick Kniss, Roger Mason, and most recently, Daniel Pagdon.

Contra Bass Guitarist, Daniel Pagdon, discovered his instrument at the age of 11, and hasn't put it down since, making a lifetime career of playing with Rich Hozza, Todd Wolfe, Paul Carbonara, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Ehinger, Mike Lattrel, and Hiro Suzuki, Frank Giasullo (professor of Jazz Studies at Princeton,) Bob Sanders of 'Stormcrow', Taff Freeman from Nektar, Peter Karp and the Roadshow, Mike Agronoff, and Mick Taylor to name some!

Both are self-taught in their craft. Between them they have over three decades of playing music for live audiences in concert halls, small venues, and festivals. Between them, they have appeared on AM, FM, Public, and Internet Radio. Between them, they have appeared on local and national television. They have covered coast to coast United States, Europe, and the high seas.

Finley has received song writing Honors from The New Jersey Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist Showcase, and numerous times from The Great American Songwriting Contest, and The Plowshares Songwriting Competition. In 2007 her songs won an unprecedented three catagory sweep in The Walnut Valley Folk Festival.

.."A superb blend of genres, folk, country, jazz, blues, rock, with an awesome style all your own!!! Five stars high & five stars wide!!!!! (Wade Farlowe, Soundclick)

"Denise can do it all - write, sing, play, and perform. It's a treat to hear her, and I always learn something when I do" (David Roth)

"Here’s the scoop du jour in northern Dutchess County: Finley is the hardest-working woman in Hudson Valley nightlife...playing contemporary folk and guitar-based instrumentals as a musical digestif" (The Chronogram)

"Gluteus Maximus Kickin' " (Sloan Wainwright)

"Superb musician" (The Country and Abroad)

"...Your songs ere evocative and well-crafted, your guitar playing extraordinary...I love your voice!" (David Simpkins, Meadow Creek Gazette)

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