Jeremiah Birnbaum & The Ramblers Release 'Getting There' at Joe's Pub

A few weeks ago, Patch profiled local boy Jeremiah Birnbaum's open road to music success. Birnbaum, a Maplewood native and transplant to the East Village, just released his new album at Joe's Pub, a high-profile venue opened in 1998 by New York's Public Theater. 

Collectively known as The Ramblers, the independent band is made up of Birnbaum, Scott Stein, Shawn Setaro and Steve Purcell. Born out of the East Village music scene, it's not uncommon for several other players to be on stage with them, and according to Stein, they wouldn't have it any other way. This was evident at their record release, when vocalist Shanna Zell, guitarist Mark Marshall and album producer Jeff Berner joined them on stage to celebrate and make music. 

The Mamas & The Papas once spoke of "Harvey"– the personification of their sound as a set. Cass Elliot was a beautifully powerful vocalist, John Phillips a master guitarist, but when they came together with the rest of The Mamas & The Papas, Harvey presented himself.  Likewise, every member of The Ramblers is an accomplished musician in his own right, but when they joined harmonic forces at the April 14 show, there was an unseen member on the Joe's Pub stage–their sound.

"Irving," perhaps?

When asked how they would classify their sound, The Ramblers couldn't quite whittle it down to a single genre. Soul-Americana-Roots-Rock and Roll was about as general as it got.  Their newest album, which they played in its entirety for the show, goes from folky-country to Southern blues in a single song change, giving the listener a rich and fulfilling experience. Their varied influences and life experience make for a band that might bring Joni Mitchell to your mind one minute, and Isaac Hayes the next. 

The previous Patch article was all about Birnbaum; let me tell you a bit about the band. 

Stein, an accomplished pianist and vocalist, co-wrote Getting There with Birnbaum. Raised in Akron, Ohio and the son of a cantor, Stein's young life was filled with religious, classical and Broadway tunes. It wasn't until age 11 that he got into rock and jazz, thanks to a music teacher turned mentor. Passion instilled by his teachers and fellow musicians led Stein to come to New York, where he pounds out the keys like he means it. 

Setaro, the band's bassist, grew up in the New Jersey town of East Windsor. Just like those of us who grew up in Maplewood—New York was always calling him. He and his dad would shop for records on trips into "the city," he recalled, where he would acquire and absorb the sounds of bassists Duck Dunn (Stax Records) and David Hood (Muscle Shoals).  He notes pianist Joshua Rifkin's Scott Joplin album as an influential record from childhood and is also into rap… this all makes sense when you hear him play; he picks every bit of soul of out that bass. 

Purcell hails from Gahanna, OH and is a more recent transport to the city.  Naturally talented, Purcell began banging on pots and pans when he was a youngin'.  Influenced heavily by drummers Jim Keltner (John Lennon, Neil Young), Charlie Watts (Blues Encorporated, Rolling Stones) and of course, Ringo, Purcell's style is a masterful mélange of skill, funk and quiet intensity all wrapped up in one of the steadiest beats you'll hear.

Birnbaum and Stein worked together in an earlier incarnation of the group, and when they revamped, Setaro got on board for rehearsals. Their first show last summer with the new line-up had a different drummer, but by Independence Day "Steve [Purcell] came in… swinging, and made The Ramblers his own," said Birnbaum, adding "and I couldn't be happier."

The Ramblers will be playing May 8 at Living Room (154 Ludlow St. in Manhattan), June 2 at Union Hall (702 Union St., Bklyn) and July 3 at Mercury Lounge (217 East Houston St. in Manhattan).

Disclaimer from writer:  I am the aforementioned Birnbaum's sister.  Given the rules of sibling rivalry, I am certainly biased...against him. Just kidding.