Press

The Livesays
“Rose Colored Glasses”

Livesay’s pop influences are all too obvious. Taking its cue from the Beatles, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Maroon 5, and Train, the album reflects a classic-rock sensibility that draws on radio-ready hooks, well-brewed arrangements, and songs that quickly sink into the consciousness even on first hearing. The title track strikes an immediate boisterous impression, while the sentimental ballad “I Waited Too Long” tugs at the heartstrings. What’s more, the band’s remake of the Byrds’ “My Back Pages” is a close contender for what may well be the best cover of this classic ever recorded.

“I am a classic-rock/pop guy,” Livesay says. And with the aptly titled Rose Colored Glasses, he proves adept at mining his muse.

Lee Zimmerman – Broward/palm Beach New Times

By
Leslie Gray Streeter, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 8, 2003

Excerpt from a review of “The Reverend Al Green”
Concert at The Broward Center For The Performing Arts. Friday, April
4, 2003

“The crowd was also supportive of Miami-based opening band The
Livesays, although the group’s blues-tinged rock seemed a curious
fit for an Al Green. Passionate lead singer Billy Livesay’s voice
and style are a mix of several heartland rockers – call him John
Seger Mellencamp. But their set of originals, including A Little
Bit of Hurt and This Side of Town, had several feet tapping”.

Nashville Music Guide – August 2002
Reviewed by Brad Fischer

“LITTLE
BIT OF HURT” Artist: The Livesays
If you’re into pop/rock, you’ll want to add LITTLE BIT OF HURT to
your CD collection. All twelve tracks were co-written by the lead
singer, Billy Livesay, who also produced the album. Livesay’s vocals
will remind you of Bruce Springsteen with an edge that gets under
your skin. The arrangements on all the cuts make judicious use of
lead guitar, harmonica and saxaphones. My favorite tune was “Listening
To The Radio” co-written with David Graham which takes you
on a ride through your first teenage romance. Released on the independent
Refuge Records label, you can obtain your copy on the web at www.billylivesay.com.
Rating: 6 Stars ******

Street Magazine September 15-21, 2000
Underbelly
by Rene Alvarez

HEAVY MESSAGE – Singer-songwriter Billy Livesay is a man with a message. And in
a land of sugar-pop-co-coa-puff cereal songwriting and posing, it
might be a good to at least try to write something relevant and
issue-oriented.
Inspired by the tragic death of a Delray schoolteacher at the hands
of a gun-toting student, Livesay (whose music is a kind of cross
between early Del Amitri and Rod Stewart during the ]atter’s “Maggie
May” period) has written “Stranger in My House,” a song about the
emotional tightwire of a physically abused child. Then, after reading
about violence in Florida schools, he wrote about his feelings on
the availability of guns in “Terror in the Neighborhood.”

“When I was 16 I found my stepfather’s gun, hidden in a closet,”
Livesay recalls. “Anything could have happened at that moment, I
could have accidentally hurt myself or someone else.” Livesay, who
has a son of his own, hopes that the message of a less violent culture
will touch his fans, and their kids as well.

Get a taste of Livesay live with his band the Livesays at Power
Studios, 3701 NE Second Ave., 305-576-1336, on Saturday, Sept. 16,
at 9:30 p.m. sharp. You can get a preview of “Stranger in My House”
by clicking here. You can also find
out more about Livesay at https://www.billylivesay.com.

Jam Magazine
Reviewed by Deborah Toby

Picture
cruising a lonely, dark highway late in the evening, jamming to
kicking guitars, great vocals, and ripping saxophone, and thinking
“can it get any better than this?” The only bump in the
road appears when the blue lights start flashing.Billy Livesay stands
out as a great rock/blues vocalist and guitarist, while Stan Waldman
on saxophone compliments the song arrangements. Mars Cowling on
bass and Eddie Zyne on drums keep each mix nice and solid.Some tunes
are sprinkled with additional backup vocals and instruments such
as conga drums and harmonica. Really good song arrangement and production
skills are evident throughout.Although The Livesays’ CD is entitled
Little Bit of Hurt, there is plenty of feel-good rhythm and mellow
rocking that does not hurt a bit. Recorded, mixed and mastered in
Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida, these guys are truly a stand-out
in the wonderful crowd of Indie label groups. Rating: 4 Stars ****