Dobson Hall
Debut Album - Tell All
A Westport Records Album
Release Date: February 29, 2008
dobsonhall.com
myspace.com/dobsonhalltheband

Dobson Hall, Kansas City’s own progressive rock jam band will be releasing their debut album, Tell All, February 29, 2008. With sounds likened to the Dave Matthew’s Band, the Grateful Dead and Chicago, this debut is not one to miss.

The band originates from Kansas City and has been composing original music since 2004. With band members coming from varying musical backgrounds and experiences, their influences are innumerable. Anything from Latin dance beats, Middle Eastern tonalities, and funky rhythms to impetuous solos can be heard on this Dobson Hall debut.

Band members Jacob Cantrell, Ashley Thompson, Daniel York, Michael Christian Gabriel and Joey Shald, have put together a completely original album that cannot be categorized. The album starts with Cantrell’s Goals, an upbeat piece with the Latin feel of Santana. The horns are featured in this piece, and all horn arrangements on the album (with the exception of the title track) were written by trumpet/flugelhorn player Michael Christian Gabriel. It then moves onto keyboardist York’s captivating ballad How to Love. This beautiful song has life blooming from its deep lyrics. Third on the album is drummer Thompson’s unforgettable melody, My Journey. With a funky beat, tenacious alto saxophone solo by Hankey and a touch of jazz fusion, this song is catchy and often is a crowd favorite. The title track of the album, Tell All, written by guitarist Cantrell and Dobson Hall alumnus Joel Ptacek, is a musical expedition that takes you through many uncharted lands of wild rhythms and sweet melodies. This adventure is a ride you won’t want to miss with lyrics that ring true in everyday life.


Fifth on the album is York’s Victor. It is a story of hope and overcoming trial and tribulation, knowing that at some point, each of us is a victor in our own struggles. Bringing complexity in rhythm and song structure is Progress, the third piece on the album by Cantrell. With several solos that cross the band this song highlights each band member from horns to keyboard and guitar. Finishing the album is York’s Dying Flower. With catchy melodies and intense passion poured into the jam, this song is packed full of improvisation. With each song containing intense emotion and lyrics as fascinating as the challenging rhythmical patterns that groove behind them, it is easy to get lost in the music of Dobson Hall.

The album was recorded at Hyde Park Recording in Kansas City, Missouri with sound engineer Drew Burasco. The executive producer was Michael Christian Gabriel and producer Jacob Cantrell.


There are many upcoming shows Dobson Hall can be seen at including the CD release party for their new album, Tell All. The party will be February 29, 2008 at the Mission Theatre (5909 Johnson Dr, Mission, Kansas 66202).