B I L L

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Bill Bachmann has earned the title of a “musician’s musician” from his collaboration with some of the best instrumentalists and songwriters in New York City. Seamlessly moving between folk, bluegrass, ragtime, swing, jazz, blues, and rock, he plays it all. Bill’s originality and versatility as a songwriter and guitarist reflect a singular passion to create unforgettable music -- from the satirical to the sublime! 

Bluesbunny Music Review  (March 18, 2009)

“…Bill Bachmann can handle the guitar well and the songs on this album would fit neatly into the portfolio of any self respecting Greenwich Village folk song salesman.…this is a likeable and well performed album that never seems to be trying too hard...”

…maybe timeless would be a better word - feel to these songs…”

Daily Freeman (April 10, 2009)   by David Malachowski

“Bachmann brings a sense of history with his tunes that recall a time when words were as important, if not more, than flashy licks and vocal gymnastics.”

WFDU-FM – Bill Hahn, Fairleigh Dickinson University (June 28, 2009)

“Sometimes material comes in and you say, ‘Hey this is a really terrific album I’m going to play a lot of it.’  So we always start with that one and then feed into it a little bit later on again in the program.  I think this is one of those albums … You’re gonna love this piece.  I mean I think you’re gonna love it.  You better love it.  If not, I’m gonna cry, stamp my feet, whatever… anyway – this fellow’s name is Bill Bachmann and the piece is called This Band Is Your Band. ”

WFUV-FM - Bob Sherman “Woody’s Children” (Aug. 30, 2009)

“Let’s meet another first-timer on Woody’s, though it is possible that we have encountered Bill Bachmann before, ‘cause he’s been a backup or lead guitarist for  … lots of other folk artists.  On his own though, Bill, well, how shall I put this – let’s say a punny thing happened on his way to the studio.”

“Inside jokes aplenty in Bill Bachmann’s delectable ballad of Townes Van Crier and Pasqualina.”

“Okay, is there anybody here who does not love Paul, John, George and Ringo?  Anybody who has not thrilled to Woody Guthrie’s great Americana anthem?  Didn’t think so.  Which is why Bill Bachmann’s double salute seems right on target.  This Band Was Your Band … yet another introduction to the witty outpourings of Bill Bachmann.”

(Avalonfest  (July 10, 2009)

Selected as one of four finalists in the Avalonfest 2009 Performing Songwriter Competition.

Indie-Music.com  (Sept. 20, 2009)   by Barney Quick

“…Simplicity - unpretentiousness, to be truly precise - has been folk music's most dependable characteristic. Bill Bachmann embodies this ethos admirably and with supreme craftsmanship…

...As the songs on his new album, "Big World Out There," make clear, he's just a regular guy, albeit one with a sharp wit and keen sense of observation. His songwriting approach generally falls into two broad categories: clever, humorous use of the craft for purposes of wordplay and whimsy, and personal, poetic takes on the moments and corners of life and reality that are the stuff that always intrigues artists.  He’s good at both…

…Of the whimsical type, the best offerings here are "Reds That Cincinnati Came to See," which delves into that baseball franchise's history with some really astute rhyming, and "Giant Can of Paint," which goes all-out in its embrace of playfulness, depicting grass turned blue by a can of paint dropping from the sky.

…The hands-down winner on this album is the ghostly "Upstate Towns." It's a painting in music, with a melody the listener would never be able to predict, ethereal synth strings, and vocal harmonies that reinforce the feel of the refrain masterfully. That poignant humanity is Bachmann's undeniable strength.”

Reviewyou.com (Oct. 7, 2009)   by Janie Franz

“It is Bachmann's wit with a lyric that has caused more of a stir than his undeniable skills at guitar … great vocals by Bachmann and Alyssa Bachmann … terrific slide guitar … slick guitar fingerwork… The album is a mix of some very clever and extremely funny tunes…”

Indie-Music.com (October 15, 2009)   by Jamie Anderson

“The blues and bluegrass cuts are especially well-played. I don’t know if that’s him on the guitar but there’s some pretty nice picking going on, the kind that sounds good on a recording but really burns it up at a live show.”…..One of the stand-out cuts is “This Song is Called This Song is Called” - I’ll bet this one is often requested at his shows.……“Closet Closet” - Freakin’ brilliant. It motors along in a finger-picked blues style.…….Of his serious tunes “Bad Blood” is my favorite. With lyrics like “Opposites tend to attack” and “Bad blood never runs down the drain” you can’t go wrong.”

Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange (October 24, 2009)  by Mark S. Tucker

“This guy has an extremely clever way with lyrics, first of all, and, in a world of facile versifying, that's a huge relief…Satire, turns of phrase, parody, and outright guffaws are packed into this CD…Bachmann plays and sings everything, wrote it all, and recorded every moment…I dare ya to find a release quite the equal of this. And you'll have to do so on your own, 'cause I ain't lettin' loose of my copy.”

Broken Records Magazine (June/July 2009) by Noelia Tarquino

“There’s no doubt that Bill Bachmann knows how to play his guitar.  … Folk and Americana listeners will appreciate Bachmann’s music for its simple yet piercing lyrics… his vocals compliment his sound as well… impeccable guitar-strumming during the intro of “Big World Out There.”

The Dr. Demento Radio Show (October 11, 2009) - Show #09-41

“So Much Time, So Little To Do – you know I used to have days like that when I was a kid.  Well, except for the wine, anyway.  But not lately.  That’s Bill Bachmann – find him and his clever, original songs in folk style at BillBachmannMusic.com – 2 nn’s in Bachmann.”

Indie-Music.com (January 4, 2010)

“Big World Out There” CD is nominated for Indie-Music’s Top 25 Releases of 2009, as 80 CDs have been nominated out of 2400.

Wildy’s World (January 22, 2010)   by Wildy Haskell

“Bachmann's latest effort, Big World Out There, is a master class in marrying storytelling to song craft…..The ironic part is that guitar might be Bachmann's second talent, as there are few in the Folk world or out of it who can tell a story with quite the same zest, wit and intelligence without compromising the inherent musicality of a song…..Vacation is something of an instant classic….Bachmann ratchets up the humor on Giant Can Of Paint, an entertaining Bluegrass romp that might be irresistible even if you're not much of a Bluegrass fan….(re Just Shoot Me…)Dark humor and serious Blues chops mix here to create a virtuosic performance….he can hold a crowd in thrall with his down-home folksy wit and intelligence; not to mention a musical touch that's almost magical.  Big World Out There got to us a bit late to be considered amongst our top albums of 2009, but don't be surprised if it inhabits a number of critic’s lists for last year.”

Roll Magazine (Feb-Mar 2010) by Crispin Kott

“You’re not likely to find a more perfect song title than the second track on Bill Bachmann’s new album, Big World Out There. With a harrowing slide guitar its driving force, “Just Shoot Me I Hate My Life I Wish I’d Never Been Born Blues” tells an angry tale as amusingly as it’s possible to do…. the rest of the album contains far more humor and warmth than anyone should reasonably hope for…. the skilled guitar, friendly vocals and general tone are well worth the price of admission.”