Montalkhouse Rock! Nancy Atlas delivers with New CD; CUT and RUN

Another epic night of Hamptons entertainment lore. A night when much of the east end music community assembled at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett for the live debut of The Nancy Atlas Project new CD, CUT and RUN. The place was filled, and the music had everyone moving to the "MONTALKHOUSE ROCK" sound the Nancy Atlas Project has created and projected over the last 20 years.

However the new songs had something else. A new sound, an expansion, a new direction in Nancy Atlas's songwriting and it is wonderful.

Quiet but notable, Brett Kings strong bass guitar playing with the powerful drumming of Richard Rosch leads to the fantastic keyboards, accordian (my favorite) of Neil Surreal. Then comes the majestic power of the electric guitar of Johnny Blood that brings the high notes to the forefront. Last but not least is the band leader, Montauk local and recently proclaimed, "Long Island Personality!" Nancy Atlas, rhythm guitar, singer, songwriter, community leader, mother, surfer, fisherman, and east end "Muse." Before I talk about the CD CUT and RUN I must say again Thursday night was another great evening of the east end.

Nancy's Facebook post this morning sums it up, "Tonights memory of the entire packed bar singing the chorus of The Tale of Johnny Load to John and Anthony will be with me forever. Thank you to all that came out! The love was palpable and real and everything I cherish about living out here. A truly righteous night."

So after the show on my drive home during a torrential thunderstorm with waves of rain I gave the CD, CUT and RUN a listen. Overall first impression, great clear recording sounds, loved the multi voice harmonizing mixes and the new combinations to what I call The Nancy Atlas Project MONTALKHOUSE ROCK sound. In fact this CD effort is one of the best studio albums I have heard in quite a while. Johnny Blood's effort as a producer and mixer along with Nancy, is the best "total crisp sound" I have heard since U2 albums. Most likely we will be hearing more great things from the House of Ill Repute, Springs, New York Studio. The song, The Tale of Johnny Loads, is a masterpiece of emotion, sound, composition and engineering...but so are all the songs. I played Cherry Street twice in a row. I had just heard it played live but the recording through my Bose' speakers was a different vibe that I loved.

The CD starts with, Just Another Day, and instantly the mix of the sounds building up to this song gets your attention, superb song , but the sound, the great pure mix, masters the great Nancy Atlas lyrics.

Track 2, Jolene is the only cover on the CD, it is again a slower more intense version.

Track 3 is the title track, Cut and Run, and is another amazing mix of sounds with Neil Surreals electric piano keyboard sound bringing in a touch of Nashville with the soothing touches of the New Orleans sound of Alan Toussaint. The whole band is tight, with Johnny, Brett, Richard and Neil showing their gift and skillful musicianship so often not praised enough( in my opinion) in Print when talking about all things Nancy Atlas Project.

Track 4, Shotgun Jesus is pure Atlas Project Montalkhouse Rock! Neil plays a mean mouth harp and this songs pure recording quality is crystal clear.

Track 5, King City has a Nancy Atlas/Lucinda Williams twangful soul. It's a winner.

Track 6, Los Angelitos was an instant favorite that I played twice too. This song is classic Nancy Atlas, exposing her vulnerability to what's in the winds of change.

Track 7, is The Tale of Johnny Load, as I said before will be a song played for generations in Montauk.

Track 8, Okie Dookie completely surprised me, entertained me and brought me to a Montauk Ditch Plains camp fire Hawaiian night that I actually witnessed in 2005. Steel drums and all.

Track 9, is Cherry Street, as I mentioned above, love the sound, it was like the Beach Boys, Pet Sounds.

Track 10, LOL Uncle Suzie is again all Nancy's wit, fun, power and song crafting, this classic Montalkhouse Rock.

Track 11, Deliah has a touch of the Eagles Seven Bridges sound, with a mix as masterful and kudos to Johnny Blood and Nancy for that "sound."

Track 12, I'll Come Running is a song Bonnie Raitt should cover, it has that bluesy vibe laced with beach.

Track 13, The Mystic, had a unique sound that brought me back to Linda Ronstadt's, Heart like a Wheel album, Johnny Blood sounding like Andrew Gold.

Track 14, The Claim, I love the organ intro by Neil, it's retro to Magic Carpet ride and the song had a Billy Idol zing to the center of my mind. Again amazing mix and sound.

Track 15, Burn Out Myself, Again loved this song from the first line. This is another song I will listen to over and over again. Haunting lyrics are profoundly masterful and go with Nancy's delivery like honey to the bee.

Track 16, Cowgirl's Heart perhaps says something about make makes Nancy Atlas, the person tick. Maybe it is who and how she see's herself and life, but I am guessing here. I like the tune.

So give this CD CUT and RUN a listen, but I recommend you OWN it ! Lastly I am no music critic of renowned reputation. However I have played in bands, been around a while, and love all kinds of music.