By Bob Makin
originally published: 05/31/2024
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Stained Glass Window Panes,” the leadoff single and opening track of Mike Montrey Band’s forthcoming album, “Love, Time & Mortality.” ART BY JOSH MATSON/DOGMATIC LIVE ART
Central Jersey-based roots-rock outfit Mike Montrey Band’s ambitious, thematically rich exploration of the human condition, “Love, Time. & Mortality,” is a 10-song LP that will be released in August.
The leadoff single and opening track, “Stained Glass Window Panes,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Stained Glass Window Panes” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 31 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
Part of the LP’s “time” theme, “Stained Glass Window Panes” is a wistful remembrance of Mike’s late mother and her love of colored glass reflecting life’s beauty and fragility. Over an upbeat melody, Mike’s craggy baritone transports the listener directly into his childhood home as he sings, “I used to ask you what you needed more / Extra money or a hand in yours / But you’d just say to me you needed time / Before you’d tell me with your hand in mine.”
The poignant opener encapsulates the entire album’s messy humanity and quest for truth.
“It is about my Mom, and her often sage and clairvoyant advice, as told through my recollections of her love for colored glass,” Mike said. “She used to collect door panels with colored glass and stand them up in the yard and in the house. She particularly loved cobalt blue.
“She passed away in 2015 at 63 years young,” he continued. “She serendipitously gifted me my first guitar at 16 years old. She was a classically trained pianist, and a school teacher. After divorcing my father when I was 4 years old, she married an alcoholic who, while at times was a decent partner, ultimately contributed greatly to her death of liver disease.”
Produced by Mike and recorded, mixed and mastered by Adam Vaccarelli at Retromedia Sound Studios in Red Bank, “Love, Time. & Mortality” features Mike on lead vocals, guitar and piano, Jen Augustine on vocals, Jack Stanton on pedal steel guitar, Santo Rizzolo on drums and percussion, Mike Noordzy on upright bass, Nicole Scorsone on violin, and John Ginty on Hammond B3 organ and Vintage Vibe electric piano.
The video that accompanies the release of the single was produced by David Zeigler of Photobomb Productions.
See MMB live in various incarnations on June 1 at Old Town Pub, Bordentown; June 14, North to Shore Festival, Convention Hall’s Grand Arcade, Asbury Park; June 21, Memorial Park, Hightstown; June 29, Inn & Suites Diva Lounge; July 13, Tinicum Arts Festival, Upper Black Eddy, Pa., and Triumph Brewery, New Hope; July 18, ParkStock, Highland Park; July 26 and August. 24, Mantaloking Road Ale House, Brick; Aug. 2 and 14, Elaine’s, Cape May, and Oct. 5, Federal Twist, Stockton.
For more about MMB, visit https://mikemontreyband.com.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Orchestra Players present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd
(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July
(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.
Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Summer Jazz: Drummer Joe Farnsworth and Special Guests at William Paterson
For more than three decades, Joe Farnsworth has been one of the most admired drummers in modern jazz, revered for his superb technique, driving swing, and unwavering commitment to the jazz tradition. A Massachusetts native mentored by legendary drummers Alan Dawson, Arthur Taylor, and Jimmy Lovelace, Farnsworth has appeared on nearly 400 recordings and performed with an astonishing array of jazz masters, including McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders, Cedar Walton, Harold Mabern, and Wynton Marsalis. He is also a founding member of the acclaimed hard bop collective, One for All, alongside longtime musical associates tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trombonist Steve Davis, the late trumpeter Jim Rotondi, and pianist David Hazeltine.
Strand Center for the Arts presents Lover Taylor - Tribute to Taylor Swift on Friday
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Swifties of all ages are invited to sing, dance and celebrate the music of one of pop's biggest superstars when Lover Taylor – Tribute to Taylor Swift comes to the Strand Center for the Arts on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
FEATURED EVENTS
