Pittsburgh-based acoustic quartet Vento, Ziggy, Hawk & McCarthy unveil a compelling cover of the Rick Nelson single “Garden Party.” The original’s lush acoustics and warming vocals provide a fitting arsenal for the covering band, who excel with their vibrant instrumentation and comforting vocal harmonies. The quartet give an enjoyable spin in injecting more charismatic guitar fluttering and the multi-vocal “learned my lesson well,” expanse. “Can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself,” the vocalists culminate, capturing the original’s classic line with spirited nostalgia.
John Vento, Bob Zigerelli, Cherylann Hawk, and Kevin McCarthy are the members involved, and all tout impressive backgrounds in the Pennsylvania music scene. Vento is well-known as the frontman for The Nied’s Hotel Band, in addition to co-founding Band Together Pittsburgh and creating Steamworks Creative. Zigerelli, a Berklee College of Music alum, has helped shaped the group’s sound since 2020. Hawk has also notably influenced the Pittsburgh music scene, leading Cherylann Hawk & The Clay Band. McCarthy is a successful songwriter with versatility in blues, pop, jazz, rock, and beyond. Their talents combine for a fantastic take on this Rick Nelson classic.
—
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
