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MUSIC

Bob Burger beefs up his sound for latest album

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/22/06

BY ED CONDRAN
CORRESPONDENT

Days after Bob Burger performed with Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny Lyon and other locals during Bobby Bandiera's latest benefit concert at the Count Basie Theatre, the Eatontown-based singer/songwriter was still as excited as he had been onstage.

"What an amazing show," Burger said. "Bruce is a one-of-a-kind bird. Whatever he's got, I hope it rubs off on me. I just marvel at the performers who played. It's always great to be up onstage with them. It's such an incredible hometown kind of thing."

Eatontown is Burger's adopted hometown.

"The Jersey Shore feels like home since I've been here for such a long time," said Burger, who hails from Erie, Pa.

Burger, who was looking for a strong musical community, outgrew Erie and relocated 20 years ago.

"I didn't want to go to Los Angeles or Nashville," he said. "The Jersey Shore is the perfect place. It's close to New York and has such an incredible history. I've had the opportunity to play with legends and I've received such great support here."

Burger, who has written for Styx, Donnie Iris and his pal Bandiera, is counting on area music fans to venture out to the Wonder Bar tonight for his "Surprise Party" record release event.

The disc is more fleshed out and powerful than his solo debut, 2003's acoustic "Cymbals at Dawn." "Surprise Party" primarily is electric-guitar driven and it also features drummers Jerry Gaskill and Joe Belia.

"I have a lot of percussion on this one," Burger said. "It's a full-sounding album. I did the whole disc on acoustic guitar initially and felt that it was a good idea to make a bigger sound. I spent a year and a half on it."

Burger still is waiting for the initial shipment of "Surprise Party." He hopes the disc will arrive in time for the Wonder Bar show.

"If they don't come in by then, my name is mud," he said. "I'm on the edge of my seat. I'm optimistic that it'll be here in time for the show."

The new tunes are a terrific way for Burger to showcase his pipes.

"I've always been able to sing," he said. "When I switched a couple of years ago from bass to guitar, I knew I could lean on my voice while I made the transition. The funny thing is that my voice has really come into its own over the last five, six years. Not long ago, a friend of mine from Erie said, "What happened to your voice? It sounds so much bigger than it used to.' I can always depend on my voice."

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