Cover photo: Jammi York
When a musician channels music and brings it into the corporeal world, sometimes there is no rhyme or reason for what kind of music they create. When Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Zephaniah OHora
started his musical career, it was Country music that somehow manifested itself through his being. I am sure Zephaniah will credit his spiritual upbringing as well as the circuitous circumstance and available opportunities to play music in NYC for maneuvering his career towards traditional Country. But whatever fates drove his train, he is now on the fast track towards becoming a star in the Country world.
“I’ve been influenced by so much music because I listen to quite a variety,” states OHora. “But as far as Country music artists, I’ve spent many hours studying Jimmie Rodgers, Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, and more recently Bobby Bare, Don Williams, and Merle Haggard.”
OHora has just released his second album, “Listening To The Music”. It upholds classic, old-school Country in the true tradition, but with the flavors of modern New York tossed in for kicks. “Listening To The Music” is a great album not only because of OHora’s songwriting skills, but the album hosts such big-time players as harmonica player Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson) and guitarist Norm Hamlet (Merle Haggard).
started his musical career, it was Country music that somehow manifested itself through his being. I am sure Zephaniah will credit his spiritual upbringing as well as the circuitous circumstance and available opportunities to play music in NYC for maneuvering his career towards traditional Country. But whatever fates drove his train, he is now on the fast track towards becoming a star in the Country world.
“I’ve been influenced by so much music because I listen to quite a variety,” states OHora. “But as far as Country music artists, I’ve spent many hours studying Jimmie Rodgers, Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, and more recently Bobby Bare, Don Williams, and Merle Haggard.”
OHora has just released his second album, “Listening To The Music”. It upholds classic, old-school Country in the true tradition, but with the flavors of modern New York tossed in for kicks. “Listening To The Music” is a great album not only because of OHora’s songwriting skills, but the album hosts such big-time players as harmonica player Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson) and guitarist Norm Hamlet (Merle Haggard).
Photo curtesy of Zephaniah OHora
The album was produced by the one and only Neal Casal, the last album he worked on before his untimely death last year. “Neal showed up with his long time friend Gary Waldman to my NYC album release show for “This Highway”. We caught up after the show, and he was ecstatic about my songwriting and the presentation of it. That was honestly the highlight of the night, that really gave me the encouragement to continue making records,” states OHora. “Working with Neal in the studio was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. Neal lived for music, so being around someone like that in the studio makes it impossible for it not to be a joyful experience. He also left his ego at the door and was fully dedicated to the song. As a songwriter, that puts you at ease, knowing this person will guide you in the right direction for the moment in time that record is being recorded. Neal and I also spent considerable time talking on the phone and after sessions hanging out talking about so many aspects of life. We talked about a lot of weighty stuff, so I think a genuine friendship was formed. I like to believe that added some magic to the record that wouldn’t be there if we were in a more formal exchange. I think in retrospect, it’s a dedication to Neal and the inspiring life long love of music he had."
The basic tracks to “Listening To The Music” were recorded in just 4 days at Bunker Studio in NY.
“I was very fortunate to work with such amazing musicians. There was never a moment I had forgotten that or taken that for granted. I think the fact that Mickey & Norm have played such prominent roles in Country music recording history is profound in and of itself. I suppose that means that my record is part of that continuing thread of recorded country music. And that thread is the spirit of country music, at least in my mind,” states OHora. “Every session is different in its own way. This one was unique because of the combination of musicians and friends involved. There were many high points. The only low point was when the sessions were done, and we looked at each other and said, "Damn! I don’t want this to end, man. We’ve been having so much fun!' ”
The basic tracks to “Listening To The Music” were recorded in just 4 days at Bunker Studio in NY.
“I was very fortunate to work with such amazing musicians. There was never a moment I had forgotten that or taken that for granted. I think the fact that Mickey & Norm have played such prominent roles in Country music recording history is profound in and of itself. I suppose that means that my record is part of that continuing thread of recorded country music. And that thread is the spirit of country music, at least in my mind,” states OHora. “Every session is different in its own way. This one was unique because of the combination of musicians and friends involved. There were many high points. The only low point was when the sessions were done, and we looked at each other and said, "Damn! I don’t want this to end, man. We’ve been having so much fun!' ”
 Photos curtesy of Zephaniah OHora |  |
The album opens with Heaven’s On The Way; all slide guitars twanging with joy and light. It carries hopeful visions of the future, “we’re not worried about tomorrow, or what’s around the bend,” OHora sings, his deep voice reminiscent of his musical forefathers' twangy-lilt. Black & Blue feels like a song you’d find on some honky-tonk jukebox while folks do the two-step on a splintering dance floor; it has a steady groove while the slide and piano duel it out for the prize. The title track, Listening To The Music, has an uplifting Tex/Mex feel to the melody with lyrics that speak powerfully to what the music is all about for OHora “Let the singer sing a song, and a guitar play the chord, and I am right where I belong in the glory of the song….” The album ends with Time Won’t Take It’s Time, a light and loping song with tongue in cheek humor about big dreams and getting older.
Aside from OHora’s tremendous guitar playing (both pedal steel and acoustic), the musicians on the album helped create the magical sound that brings us to another time and place in Country music. John Shannon, electric and acoustic guitars; Jon Graboff, pedal steel and resonator guitars; Roy Williams, piano, Wurlitzer; Jeff Hill, bass; Arthur Vint, drums and percussion and Neal Casal, rhythm electric and acoustic guitar, as well as a plethora of guests who all contributed to the album’s fantastic sound.
Country music is deep and profound in its own way. The tradition and history surrounding this genre should be honored and amplified. Even though OHora’s music is created in the modern world, its feel and vibe is all old school.
“People these days get caught up in the presentation or musical style of an album, especially in Country Music,” says OHora. “I just hope the actual songs themselves mean something more than all of that for someone else too. That’s what it’s all about for me.”
Aside from OHora’s tremendous guitar playing (both pedal steel and acoustic), the musicians on the album helped create the magical sound that brings us to another time and place in Country music. John Shannon, electric and acoustic guitars; Jon Graboff, pedal steel and resonator guitars; Roy Williams, piano, Wurlitzer; Jeff Hill, bass; Arthur Vint, drums and percussion and Neal Casal, rhythm electric and acoustic guitar, as well as a plethora of guests who all contributed to the album’s fantastic sound.
Country music is deep and profound in its own way. The tradition and history surrounding this genre should be honored and amplified. Even though OHora’s music is created in the modern world, its feel and vibe is all old school.
“People these days get caught up in the presentation or musical style of an album, especially in Country Music,” says OHora. “I just hope the actual songs themselves mean something more than all of that for someone else too. That’s what it’s all about for me.”
Photo curtesy of Zephania OHora
Check out more on Zephaniah OHora!
http://www.zephaniahohora.com/
http://www.zephaniahohora.com/
Check out his music!
http://zephaniahohora.bandcamp.com/album/listening-to-the-music
http://zephaniahohora.bandcamp.com/album/listening-to-the-music
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