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  • Andrew Hozier-Byrne, better known simply as Hozier, has gained international recognition with his latest EP. (Photo by Alex Lake)

    Andrew Hozier-Byrne, better known simply as Hozier, has gained international recognition with his latest EP. (Photo by Alex Lake)

    When Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” first came out, it was unlike anything else on the radio, and that’s a really good thing. “Church” just shook things up and became an instant radio hit and a pretty emotional video in black and white.

    I got his album and loved it as well. With totally original songs like “Jackie Wilson” and “Someone New” and our favorite, “From Eden,” he approached music in a whole new and original manner.

    His phrasing and singing reminds me of Paul Simon. To wit, the man knows a catchy melody, and his lyrics (like “Shamless Wonder”) are almost whimsical, yet steeped in deep feeling and melancholy.


     

    When he appeared at the 57th Grammy Awards, paired with Annie Lennox no less, he more than held his own. Though Lennox is a whirling dervish in her own right, he stood strong and won a whole new legion of fans.

    I don’t know if it was producer Ken Erhlich’s idea to pair them up, but it was a solid winner.

    Part of his engaging sound is the way he plays his guitar without a pick, in the grand tradition of Jeff Beck and Lindsey Buckingham. The acoustic sound he gets is simply captivating.

    Andrew Hozier-Byrne (born in March 1990) is an Irish musician and singer-songwriter from Bray, County Wicklow. In 2013, he released his debut EP, featuring the hit single “Take Me to Church,” and his second EP, From Eden, a year later.

    His debut studio album, Hozier (Sony), was released in Ireland in September 2014 and globally in October 2014.

    He has also appeared on “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, 2014,” “Saturday Night Live,” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”

    So far, the best album of 2015.

    Actress Gloria Reuben Releases New Album

    Gloria Reuben, best known as an actress, has also released a new album.

    Gloria Ruben, best known as an actress, has also released a new album.

    Gloria Reuben is best remembered from hit TV show, “ER.” She was twice nominated for an Emmy as Jeanie Boulet. Less known is her music career.

    She toured with Tina Turner in 2000 and released her first album Just for You. Now, her second album, Perchance to Dream, is out via MCG Jazz and it’s a delight from start to finish.

    We caught her debut performance in Manhattan last week at The Metropolitan Room, and her show was exquisite.

    Looking gorgeous on stage in red, she sang each song from the album, in sequence, and the effect was dazzling. Her voice, part Randy Crawford, with a touch of Al Jarreau and Michael Franks thrown in. She dazzled the SRO crowd, including Debbie Gibson and Robert Funaro, from TV’s “The Sopranos.”

    Gloria has also been busy on the big screen. She appeared last year in Canadian crime thriller “Reasonable Doubt” as Detective Blake Kanon and has a new film, “The Longest Ride,” that was released April 10. She appears with Scott Eastwood and Britt Robertson.

    Her film resume also includes a part in Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” and the TNT series “Falling Skies,” alongside fellow “ER” alum Noah Wyle.

    A special performer for sure.

    Names in the News

    Anthony Pomes, Brad LeBeau, David Salidor, Carol Kaye, Tony King, Tom & Lisa Cuddy, Dave Marken, Derek Storm, Bobby ‘Bankster’ Bank, Heather Moore, Marty Ashby, Brad Balfour, Sandy Hicks, Chris Boneau, Barry Z, Dominick DiPietrantonio, cfs