The Freddie Long Band

"The Freddie Long Band is starting down a sunny road paved with talent, devotion, and a sense of how to make music both fun and meaningful. I hope that this road is a long one..."
-Nathan Olson, Indie-Music.com


"Every inch a rock and roll band with strong vocals."
-Susie Mudd, Music Monthly Magazine


"After 20 years of radio, I've heard and seen new, young musicians and bands popping up from the 4 corners. It has been a long time since I was as excited about a sound and talent as I am about The Freddie Long Band."
-Cougar Michaels, Legendary Radio Personality & Morning DJ for 106.9 The Eagle, Hagerstown, MD


"Frederick, Maryland’s The Freddie Long Band has been called a 't-shirt and jeans blend of pop, rock, soul, and honesty.' They do wear the heck out of some denim and vintage concert shirts. They also sing/strum/blow the heck out of slick, classic rock-sounding numbers like the surprisingly upbeat 'Shotgun with the Devil' and the hooky, driving, 'That’s The Way.' To make originals sound like time-tested singles is no easy task."
-Mountain Xpress, Asheville, NC


"The Freddie Long Band has stumbled upon something really good. You'll listen to the songs find yourself smiling and hanging on every word."
-Robin Ward, Chesapeake Music Guide


"(The) FLB, with its poppy and smooth, perhaps even radio-friendly sound, is establishing a base..."
-Dickson Mercer, The Frederick News Post, Frederick, MD


"…A very dedicated and talented musician. Freddie is well on his way to a great career.”
-Marcos Martinez, Area Marketing Manager, Borders Books and Music


“He is a songwriter extraordinaire and I hate him for it because he’s so darn young and so darn good at it. His voice reminds me of those blues singers who even at young ages can stir up emotion with a wide vocal range. Freddie‘s moving on to a great career, I can tell you that right now.”
-Dan Stevens, Morning DJ, Key 103.1 FM, Frederick, MD


“…A talented young man.”
-Dr. Gene Foley, Foley Entertainment


“His frequent smiles and easy laugh don’t completely mask the determination in his steady blue eyes; this is a serious young man.”
-Harry Long (unrelated), Lebanon Daily News, Lebanon, PA - -

Artist: The Freddie Long Band
Title: Strangers and Friends
Label: Self Issued

They say never talk to strangers but they didn't say not to listen to them. Strangers and Friends, the debut release from The Freddie Long Band (FLB) - pick it up and make this stranger your new friend. I sure did.

From the moment the music started, I was hooked and my feet were tapping nonstop. It's a feel-good, be happy, love-life vibe. It's pop at its best with catchy tunes and great lyrics. I sampled the CD out for some friends and one's response was, "I wish I knew all the lyrics ... I want to sing along!" That's the instant feeling you get. “The Punch Line” provides the listener a good perspective on life. Though we face challenges, there's still so much to be thankful for and as the song says, "sometimes life is just a joke and we're all the punch line." The heartfelt ballads are simple and soulful. The genuine feelings that went into the writing make you wonder to whom they were written. Songwriting credits for all 13 tracks go to Freddie Long and as I listen to them, I've got to think he's in a good place in life as that's how the songs come across.

The production is beautiful. Clean, crisp and clear. Loose and open, not overpowering. Natalie makes me regret not listening to my mother and continuing with my piano studies. Playing air piano just isn't the same. The song possesses a quality of a cross between Hootie and the Blowfish and Bruce Hornsby. Great acoustics and keyboards throughout and the strings on Stay the Night are wonderful with lyrics to make you melt.

The Freddie Long Band, for being together a mere two years, has stumbled upon something really good. It's obvious the four mesh well and thus have produced a tight and smooth-sounding album. There's a wonderful flow to the music that you can't help being swept into. You'll listen to the songs and, if like me, you'll find yourself smiling and hanging on every word as they trigger a past, or even present memory. I could break down each track individually and tell you why I like it, but it's not all about me, is it? Music is unique to the one who is listening to it, and we all hear and feel different things. My best recommendation is that you pick up Strangers and Friends and immerse yourself in it. You'll be happy you did. I sure am. - By Robin Ward

Posted on Saturday, November 03, 2007 @ 14:42:44 EDT
Topic: Reviews
Artist: The Freddie Long Band

CD: Strangers and Friends

Home: Maryland

Style: Pop Rock

Quote: "The Freddie Long Band is starting down a sunny road paved with talent, devotion, and a sense of how to make music both fun and meaningful."

By Nathan Olson

The Freddie Long Band debut album Strangers And Friends is an upbeat collection of songs meant to lift spirits and smiles. With poppy guitar riffs, steady back-beats, catchy lyrics, and captivating harmonies you’ll find yourself tapping your feet and singing along before you realize you’re doing it.

“Wish You Had” sets the tempo for the peppy jaunt through the rest of this well crafted album. It is immediately apparent that the band is made up of talented musicians, who were all hand picked by Freddie Long to accentuate his down-home sound. The talent that Freddie Long shows as a singer/songwriter first surfaces in “Natalie” as Freddie jumps on the piano to offer a nice background melody. However, I believe when the album slows down for “Stay The Night” is when his talent is truly showcased.

The toe-tapping rhythm quickly returns with “Blanket” and “Gullible,” both of which have the signature FLB melodies that stick deep in your head. FLB returns to their deeper, meaningful nature with “Unconditional,” a song that could be placed on any mix tape made for someone close to your heart. However, the best of the album is saved for the end with “Figure Me Out,” when the full talent of Freddie and his band are showcased with a hook created by both guitar and piano that leaves you wanting to listen to the entire album one more time.


With Strangers And Friends, The Freddie Long Band is starting down a sunny road paved with talent, devotion, and a sense of how to make music both fun and meaningful. I hope that this road is a long one, as I know that I’m a FLB fan now and look forward to hearing everything they offer up in the future. - By Nathan Olson