What happens when six
popular, multi-talented performers come together bringing
twelve decades of experience to bear on an unsuspecting
mass audience? You get the group MEL COOLEYS, a
Seattle-based sextet made up of some of the best
musicians the Pacific Northwest has to offer. And just
who are these musicians?
Well, first of all there`s LIBBY TORRANCE!
Libby has performed all over the country with a variety
of groups. She`s sung with everyone from Nancy Wilson to
Syd Straw to Jules Shear, teaches voice at the Washington
State Academy, and is one of the most in-demand studio
singers in the Seattle area. You`ve heard her with Tickle
Toon Typhoon, Garbo`s Feet, David Ellis, and on numerous
recordings ... now she`s here ... with Mel Cooleys!
Second, you have GAREY SHELTON. From session to
stage - recording with Randy Meisner or Bo Diddley and
touring with Jesse Colin Young, Chuck Berry, or Tingstad
& Rumbel - Garey Shelton is known as quite simply the
best bass player around. He`s been a member of Hi-Fi, The
Allies, and Jr. Cadillac, and appeared on many of the
important recording projects to come out of the Northwest
in the last decade. Called "a valued customer" by The
Seattle Times, Garey joins Mel Cooleys with his bass
guitar and vocals!
Next, there`s ANDREW RATSHIN, also known as
Electric Bonsai Band ...it`s
not electric, it`s not a band! Formerly a member of,
and principal songwriter for the group Uncle
Bonsai, Andrew brings his guitar playing and
songwriting talents to this new group. Andrew "writes
songs that are intriguing mixtures of social commentary
and playful theatrics." (That was The New York
Times!) His "lyrics are witty send-ups of consumer
culture and the American psyche" says the Associated
Press.
Then you have PATRICE O`NEILL
... Heartsong Review says: "Her voice comes out of
this great quiet space inside, a voice that sings so
well, with strength great enough to caress each word as
it comes forth." Pandemonium says: "Patrice`s
voice is that of an angel; it defines beauty, and demands
your attention." From her debut recording "Only Mercy
Knows" to her first Yellow Tail release "Elusive",
Patrice is fast becoming one of the top singers in the
Northwest ... and she`s in Mel Cooleys, too!
Fifth.....JOHN GOFORTH. Saxophone, Clarinet,
Flute, Wind Controller, Keyboards, Vocals - everything
from Rock to Jazz, Country to Polka - John Goforth is THE
sax player in the Northwest. The Dynamic Logs, Duffy
Bishop Band, you name it...John's done it.
Finally ... ARNI ADLER! That's right, formerly
a singer and lyricist with the popular group Uncle
Bonsai, Arni has joined forces with Mel Cooleys. An
amazing singer, a great performer, a fabulous songwriter,
a dog owner ... what else could you ask for? She'll even
play the accordion when she really insists. (Online,
don't miss Arni's great "Little
Jack" stories, a jaunt through the uncensored
imagination of a manic mom.)
So there are the six members of MEL COOLEYS.
And what does MEL COOLEYS sound like? Good question!
Let`s just say that sometimes there`s six-part harmony,
sometimes there`s guitar, mandolin and bass, sometimes
there`s a saxophone or clarinet or a
wind-controller...maybe there`s an accordion ... the
truth is, they sound like lots of things. But mostly,
they sound like MEL COOLEYS ... all new original songs,
all new original sound.
