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.
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