Music
A Hot Lover Gets A One-Way Ticket Home in “Take That Train” by The Nied’s Hotel Band
“Take That Train” is about the hardships of having a romantic relationship when you’re in a great rock band
Who gets the one-way ticket home, your hot lover or your amazing rock band? The Nied’s Hotel Band’s new song “Take That Train” is about a sizzling romance that fizzles due to the hardships of maintaining a relationship while you’re in a band. Listen to the song to find out if he lets the relationship go or if the band plays on without him! The Nied’s Hotel Band is releasing “Take That Train” on Friday, July 15th on MTS Records.
“Take That Train” originated in the early ’90s when guitarist Tim Hadley was working on a project with Ronda Z (who would later be a guest vocalist on NHB’s “Day the Lady Cried”). At that time, they only had a general outline of the song and a title. The band split soon after, but the song stayed with Hadley for over a decade. Inspired by Little Feat and New Orleans mid-tempo, funky grooves, “Take That Train” was resurrected from Hadley’s memory and ignited by The Nied’s Hotel Band.
Featuring a stellar lineup of musicians, the band included Ron Beitle, a powerhouse drummer with Gold Record experience (Wild Cherry – “Play That Funky Music”) and Russ Oblinger, his equally-talented rhythm section partner on bass. The song also features a fleet-fingered, rock n’ roll piano solo by Fred Delu in the bridge section, followed by a wailin’ sax solo by Ed Jonnet.
The lyrics to the song were created by John Vento, singer/leader of NHB, who took the simple phrase ‘take that train’ and crafted a whole scenario revolving around the difficulty of maintaining relationships when playing in a band, ending with him telling her to “take that train” because it’s over.
Once the band had fine-tuned the arrangement, they convened at Klint Macro’s Cobblesound Studio to record the track. Hadley added his Lowell George-inspired slide guitar licks and Jim McCullough laid down some tasty rhythm guitar. The song was featured on NHB’s “One Night Stand” CD release in 2014.
Fast forward to 2022 and the awesome talent that is Jim Pitulski was coerced into creating a cool lyric video for the song as The Nied’s Hotel Band continues on its’ mission to spread good music and good vibes throughout the known universe.
About The Nied’s Hotel Band
The Nied’s Hotel Band, voted Pittsburgh’s “Best Bar Band” in the 2016 Pittsburgh Magazine Readers Poll, is a powerhouse recording and performing rock-n-roll and R&B group from Pittsburgh, PA. (USA). NHB delivers the hardworking, blue collar, muscle that has made Pittsburgh a legendary rock-n-roll city. A recent review by The Pittsburgh City paper proclaimed, “The Nied’s Hotel Band could be called The E-Street Band of Pittsburgh.” In addition, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has proclaimed July 17th as “Nied’s Hotel Band Day” in honor of the bands impact on the local music scene and their unwavering support of charitable causes.
The band includes some of the best-known and respected players in the region, including singer John Vento (who is, perhaps, the hardest-working front man around), guitarists Tim Hadley and Jim McCullough, plus keyboardist Fred Delu and sax man Ed Jonnet, who last joined forces as members of Pittsburgh’s most beloved rock/soul band – The Rhythm Kings. Newest members Eugene Perry (bass) and Greg McIltrot (drummer/vocalist) complete the stellar lineup. For more information on Nied’s Hotel Band, please visit their website.
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Artist Spotlight
“Wishing on a Star” by Claire Littley evokes a soulful odyssey of timeless classic dreams and optimism
Breathing new life into its familiar melody, Claire Littley’s reimagining of “Wishing on a Star” transcends its origins, transforming a timeless classic into an intimate, deeply personal narrative. Written initially by Billie Rae Calvin and recording popularized by Rose Royce, this song has always been a beacon of hope and dreams. However, Littley’s version delves into uncharted emotional territory, offering a vulnerable and soulful spin that feels like a heartfelt whisper to the universe.
Claire’s vocal performance stands out the most when she starts singing. Her delivery has a distinct emotive softness, a deliberate fragility that underscores the yearning at the song’s heart. Every word feels imbued with intention as if she’s not just singing about wishes but living them, shaping an atmosphere of intimacy that draws you in and holds you close.
Her production choices are equally thoughtful. Stripping the track to its emotional core, Littley creates a chilled, soulful arrangement that complements her vocals without overshadowing them. Delicate layers of instrumentation glide effortlessly, balancing nostalgia with innovation.
This version is unique because Claire connects with the song’s personal yet universal themes of hope, longing, and love in a way that resonates with generations. Her interpretation taps into these emotions, making it feel as relevant today as it did when the song was first released. It reminds listeners that the idea of “Wishing on a Star” is a metaphor we all share, a quiet act of defiance against life’s challenges.
“Wishing on a Star” by Claire Littley is more than a cover single; it’s a reinvention that will linger in the minds of listeners long after the final note fades, inviting everyone on a soul-stirring journey to dream and hope a little bigger. It’s proof that even the most familiar stars can shine in new and beautiful ways.
For more information about Claire Littley, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Claire Littley’s “Wishing on a Star“ on Spotify.
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Artist Spotlight
Caplin & Massiah stirs a heartfelt dance through heartbreak in its new single, “Shaped Like You”
Caplin & Massiah have proven their artistic prowess significantly with their latest single, “Shaped Like You.” The composition masterfully transforms heartbreak into a rhythmic, genre-blending masterpiece. Rooted in a dancehall vibe of blues and soul flourishes, it exemplifies the duo’s talent for merging heartfelt storytelling with irresistibly upbeat soundscapes, creating an emotionally impactful and sonically captivating experience.
The introductory segment of the song instantly commands attention through infectious groove-inspired rhythms and coaxing movement from the first beat. However, beneath the vibrant pulse lies a poignant narrative. Born from a deeply personal place of pain, initially inspired by Zeeteah Massiah’s struggles with her daughter, “Shaped Like You” evolves into a broader exploration of how loss manifests in many forms but still finds expression in joyful yearning. The lyrics, “Everybody sees this hole in my heart, and everybody knows it’s shaped like you,” strike an emotional chord that reveals a story of love lost even as the production encourages listeners to dance despite feelings of sorrow. The duo has adeptly reimagined this sentiment into a broader tale of romantic loss.
What distinguishes “Shaped Like You” is the duo’s capacity to marry lyrical sensitivity with sonic innovation. Influenced by an eclectic range of sources, from Ella Fitzgerald’s classic sophistication to Billie Eilish’s avant-garde style, Caplin & Massiah craft a timeless and contemporary sound. Their genre-defying methodology ensures the track resonates with a diverse audience, bridging generations and musical tastes.
This auditory evolution, transitioning from personal grief to heartbreak, manifests prominently in this work, resulting in a nostalgic celebration of resilience and reinvention. By translating a profoundly personal story into an uplifting anthem, Caplin & Massiah affirm their artistic proficiency and versatility, inviting listeners to simultaneously engage in a multifaceted experience encompassing movement, emotion, and healing. “Shaped Like You” is a testament to the power of music to convert sorrow into strength and pain into possibility. Audiences may find themselves inclined to hit repeat, not solely for its rhythmic appeal but also for the poignant story it articulates.
For more information about Caplin & Massiah, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Caplin & Massiah’s “Shaped Like You“ on Spotify.
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