"Berardo sounds like a fishing-town Bruce Springsteen (in Nebraska mode), a soft-toned Don Henley, or a James Taylor with a literary side. The comparisons to singer-songwriter greats are infinite. They're also apt."-Fairfield County Weekly, CT.
HERE IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT
Marc Douglas Berardo
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"Berardo
sounds like a fishing-town Bruce Springsteen (in Nebraska mode), a soft-toned
Don Henley, or a James Taylor with a literary side. The comparisons to singer-songwriter
greats are infinite. They're also apt."-Fairfield County
Weekly, CT.
"Berardo’s most recent CD, “Harbor”, is arguably his finest work to date and the best acoustic album I’ve heard in years."-Mark Renburke-Southbridge Evening News/Village Newspapers, CT.
"Our
talented Westerly songwriter, Marc Douglas Berardo writes stunning, sharply drawn
Americana portrait-like stories that are excellent."-Jim Vickers-Motif
Magazine, Providence, RI
"Perhaps
the track Where the Road Turns to Shell and Sand tells us why and how Berardo
got to where he is. This is an explanation in tone poem, supported by strings
and French horn in an orchestral splendor of sorts. Hollywood could make a movie
based on this song alone (and if they did it right, it would be a damn good
one). The album is peppered with excellent reflective songs. Harbor, with
it's light plucked acoustic guitar and voice create a sort of morning dream, quiet
and floating. In the liner notes, Professor Dick Neal gives thanks to Marc Douglas
"for inviting me to collaborate on this project and then bringing superb material,
ideas and performances." From a musician as accomplished as Neal, this is high
praise. A few listens to Harbor might have you wondering if the praise is high
enough."- Frank Gutch Jr.- FAME-The
Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange. |
"There
are few things more delightful than discovering a talented singer/songwriter.
I stumbled onto Marc Douglas Berardo's disc Harbor and ended up doing him a disservice...
I was so enamored it lived in my truck for well over a month before I cataloged
it and took it into the Folk Show library at WPSU here in Central Pennsylvania.
You can almost smell the salt air and feel the cracked, weathered wood of a ramshackle
pier beneath your deck shoes when Marc sings these songs, rich with the hardships,
triumphs and tragedies of the locals in the harbor town he now calls home. Hurricanes,
Portugese fisherman, fried fish houses, Kennedys and kings abound. Driven by Marc's
smooth voice and fluid, melodic guitar work, the songs crackle with life and emotion.
I find myself most often, though, returning to the gentle hope and optimism of
one of my favorite cuts, "Take it Along;" …take it along/give a little bit away/do
something real and feel something every day…" Plain and simple, this disc moves
me. Highly recommended - one of my most-listened to discs of 2006 and, so far,
of 2007." -Jim Colbert, The Folk Show, WPSU-fm, Pennsylvania. |
Review
of 6/1/07 Show at Jitter's, CT
"Armed only with an acoustic
guitar & a great voice, Berardo captivated the crowd with tunes like Shake Out
The Dust, Harbor, & Untethered. Berardo has that rare ability to connect with
each and every person in the audience, and his guitar work was nothing short of
impressive. If only all opening acts were this good!"-John A. Wilcox-The
Prog Sheet Concert Reviews.
"Every
once in awhile, a great CD falls into my lap. This is why I review CDs. Berardo
writes simply with careful images and great tunes.
Let me say right
from the beginning, this man can write. I Love it. "-Jane Emaon-The
Muse's Muse
"Berardo's characters demonstrate the life well and not so well lived. Berardo urges the listener to fully engage life and dwells on the positive. Before putting pen to paper,I lived with this CD for many months. Over that time, I grew to love it more and more. So will you." -Roger-Z, WorkingMusician.com / More Sugar Magazine, NY.
"Berardo
is first and foremost is a storyteller...The title song of Berardo’s Harbor CD
is a stellar example of the type of storytelling
which is a part of all of
his work. Berardo weaves the personal with the universal to help listeners of
all sorts relate to his tales."
-Kathryn Vercillo
-Northeast
In Tune Magazine
"Marc
Douglas Berardo's songs are like a day at the beach, filled with sensual images,
of beautiful sights, warm breezes,
salty ocean spray. Dig under the surface
and you'll find cool dark sand waiting to be brought to the surface and swept
out to sea.
He reminds me of Don Henley or JohnSmith."-Lee Larcheveque-
host of The Acoustic Cafe 91.1
FM WMUA UMass- Amherst, MA 
"Marc Douglas Berardo "Harbor", 2005 His warm voice
and thoughtful stories are the center of this contemporary folk album. Many of
the arrangements are centered on his finger picked guitar, giving his ballads
room to breathe. "Harbor" is an apt title for this collection of originals,
with its seaside images and a common theme of searching for safety. "Shake Out
the Dust" warns us that there are bigger things to worry about besides that long
commute to work or the latest argument with your loved one. There's a nice guitar
groove on "Working;" it's the sound
of the road for this touring musician
who plays over 150 nights a year. The title cut is a stand out with its beautiful
arrangement of delicate
guitar, sweet strings and french horn."
© Jamie Anderson -
Minor 7th Magazine.
"Berardo is a great singer, songwriter."-Arnold Mculler-Vocalist-(James Taylor, Phil Collins, Aretha Franklin, Lyle Lovett, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Bonnie Rait, Linda Ronstadt, Bette Midler, Brenda Russell. Lionel Ritchie, Marc Cohn and Beck.)
"These
are real-life stories and, in the hands of a good writer, all that more believable.
It's not surprising that folks are paying attention
to Berardo. He's been a winner and finalist in a lot of songwriting contests.
He deserves it." -Rambles Magazine
"Your set was incredible! There was a whole lot of engery there that really added to the enjoyment of the day. -Linda Hayes-Harbor Splash Festival, Norwalk, CT
"Your
songs are beautiful; great stories, nice tunings. It looks like our paths will
cross. Cheers, Kenny "-
Kenny Edwards-writer, producer, performer-(Linda Rondstadt,
Warren Zevon, Bryndle, Stevie Nicks, Karla Bonoff, JD Souther and more)
Bryter Layter Radio Magazine-Berlin, Germany
"Berardo should be proud of such an accomplished album -- As You Make Your Way is a fine example of true musicianship with stunning instrumentation and true sensibility. This one's definitely going in my music rotation, you can't forget an artist that strikes a chord in your heart. " -Shellie Byrum -Indie-Music.com.
"Marc's music is like a warm breeze in March when hopes are high for a thaw...his knack for hooking a phrase and defining melodies keeps your auditory canal perked."-Steven J. Athanas-Toledo City Paper -Best Of 2003-Ohio.
"Marc Douglas Berardo writes thoughtful ballads that explore the rough spots of everyday life. He has an eye for unusual and interesting song topics. “The Rum Diary” imagines Hunter S. Thompson's wasted artiste “shadowboxing the muse” in a richly described island landscape. The laid-back musical setting drifts off like a raft towards the horizon. On As You Make Your Way, Berardo shows that determination can pay off. "-Danielle Dreilinger -Northeast Performer Magazine.
"His
lonesome, clear voice easily carries an aching beauty through introspective songs
such as "Untethered" and "The Rum Diary."
"The Story (Life
After Hemingway)" is a lyrical stand-out, a kind of anti-"Starry Starry Night"
for serious students of the heart."
- Steve Klingaman-
Minor 7th Magazine.
"Berardo's
songwriting is that of an honest to goodness troubador. His songs express his
doubts and triumphs, struggles and dreams. Universal emotions set to lovely melody
and expertly played."
Stacy Board-The
Muse's Muse
"Marc Douglas Berardo's As You Make Your Way achieves the rare feat of being
both thought provoking and a pleasure to hear! An excellent set of songs!"-Chris
Tesky-WPKN 85.9FM-Bridgeport,
CT.
"I got As You Make Your Way and it sounds great! Very nice work."- Mac McLanahan-Rosegarden Coffeehouse-Mansfield, MA.
"Another
fantastic show....especially the song "Just One." It gives you chills."-Dave
Anderson-Victoria
Station Cafe-Putnam,CT
The Promise Radio on Live365
"Marc
Douglas Berardo is a blend of a rocking, alternative folk and country sound, with
the ability to move the audience with a slower, more melodic tune and not lose
one of them. His good hearted nature and stage presence eminates from behind the
microphone, and draws the audience in, for what becomes a seriously great night
of music."
Rich Franzino- The
Acoustic Cafe-Black Rock, CT
"As
You Make Your Way" gives you all the experience the title and the cover promise...A
journey on a cold, but not pessimistic day, a journey to a place you don't know,
a journey to yourself. You have to take your time, have to listen to it again
and again, and after all you' ll find something very special..."-
David Wonschewski KONTRASTRADIO-
Berlin, Germany.
"Great music!! I look forward to Dagwood Radio being able to help spread the word."-Program Director-Dogwood Music Radio.
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"Marc is a fine songwriter…” Hugh Blumenfeld-songwriter and editor, Fennario Online Magazine.
"Another indie gem. This is why I write these
reviews. I feel like I’ve made a special discovery. Imagine Bruce Springsteen
stories as Glen Frey of The Eagles would tell them. Jackson Browne would kill
to cover some of these songs. This is beautiful work. A gorgeous CD. A perfect
soundtrack for the upcoming summer months." Jennifer
Layton-Indie-Music.com
“Marc Douglas brings to the
stage one of the most haunting voices I have ever heard, rich and melodic guitar
work that enhances his vocal artistry, and a wealth of truly great songs…I would
have to say that he is my all time favorite.” Don Oja Dunaway-The
Milltop Tavern and Listening Room, St. Augustine, Florida.
Erik Balkey-HUDSON
HARDING MUSIC and Host of the Songwriter's Tour Stop Concert Series.
"As
You Make Your Way" gives you all the experience the title and the cover promise...A
journey on a cold, but not pessimistic day, a journey to a place you don't know,
a journey to yourself. You have to take your time, have to listen to it again
and again, and after all you' ll find something very special..."- David
Wonschewski-