"Drummer for his high-school punk band, sometimes-bassman for Mike Viola, co-writer of songs with the Click Five and amateur stand-up comic. Frank Ciampi is or has been all of these things, but what he really wants to do is direct. Lucky for him, he’s also the Director of Music Services at Somerville’s Q Division Studios, where he fights the tyranny of the three-minute pop ditty by composing music for commercials. Ciampi released his years-in-the-making debut solo album, “Big Top Woman,” at the end of last year; it’s an impeccably crafted record that’s equal parts “White Album”-inspired classicism and power-pop modernism." Boston Metro 8/08
"FRONT RUNNER for Best Of 2008....Stunning arrangements ballast the power of each and ever song here. This is the point where I have to tell you stop reading and just go down below these words and *just listen*!" Bruce Brodeen, Not Lame
"Greatness has rubbed off on Ciampi as this is a wonderful piano based love letter to classic power pop fans. Like the Nines, Frank wears his influences like badges of honor. From the Ziggy Stardust meets Ringo Starr mix on the title track ("Big Top Woman") to the Wondermints-styled "Waiting For Someone" the songs all have a wonderful sense of melody and hooks. The Beatlesque stamp is all over this entire album, with most songs evoking Sir Paul, like "The Miss Jenny" and "Oh Gloria." Lets not forget the Beach Boys bliss-like singles "Anna" and "Anyway." The production techniques are rooted in the 70's, with touches that bring to mind Supertramp or Andrew Gold. A great example of this is "On The Road" with it's awesome guitar solo and multi-tracked chorus, piano breaks, it's an epic poem in every sense that lyrically ties together the other songs. Every track here is wonderful and even the closer "Along for The Ride" evokes the ghost of Big Star. The musicianship is flawless as well and I'm pissed I couldn't add this to last years top ten. If you even like a little bit of the mentioned influences, this is a MUST buy disc."
Aaron Kupferberg, powerpopaholic
"Ciampi’s smart songwriting and appetite for the paradigms of classic pop and rock are a constant, impulsive force throughout Big Top Woman‘s 11 tracks.....Ciampi isn’t just an imitator of aesthetic, however—from song to song, he bends each archetype to his post-modern, irreverent will, yielding spring-loaded pop that’s both fresh and familiar." Zeth Lundy, popmatters.com
"The horns and time shifts in "Little Girl" are worth the price of admission alone; "Madeline Maybe" will stick in your head - no maybes about it; "Waiting For Someone" would have fit in nicely on Smile (yes, that Smile)......There isn't a bad track here to be found." Steve, absolutepowerpop
"...Fast forward a little over two and a half (!) years and it's finally here - and worth every minute we had to wait! In a nutshell, he liberally sprinkles elements (hooks, harmonies, strings, guitars, and keyboards) of pure and sweet 60's and 70's pop throughout his absolutely brilliant debut!" Ray Gianchetti, KoolKatMusik
BIO:
frank ciampi was born a poor and uneducated soul. growing up in an upper middle class white family in NY is rough, obviously. So he headed out into the world on his own, quickly accomplishing two of his life goals before the tender age of 20. the first of two was when he dramatically delivered a baby in an elevator. To be honest and fair, it was actually twins. the birth mother was really nice and they shared a few cocktails afterwards to celebrate. The second goal being that he won the WWE championship belt after winning the 1993 royal rumble. His quick thinking and athletic but nimble figure helped him eliminate "the nature boy" ric flair during the 63min, thus making him the youngest world wrestling champion ever.
Beyond his apparent abilities in doctoring and wrestling frank took a liking to music. Today he resides in mass. and continues what he does best; cultivating larger chemical induced gala apples for mass distribution
Howdy everyone...Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade will be playing their first show ever at the Regatta Bar (Charles Hotel, Harvard Square, Cambridge). This is an important gig for us and we could really use your support! Thursday, Oct. 9 @ 7:30pm, $12
Hey man! Thanks or the add!! Please check out my profle for some awesome solo drumming and add me as a friend. Please pass it onto your friends if you want to spread the love of my music. Thank you! Feel free to leave a question or comment and I will be happy to respond! -Aaron Harel
Sorry We didnt get to chill I will call u lata I promise we just raced home last night @ like 3am but well catch up I promise and my mom thinks you look like 1 of the beatles
I love the Big Top Women song it makes you want to get up and wiggle. Your vocals go well with your music and sometimes i get lost in your music and loose your vocals but all in all i love your work keep it up =)
aye how things going? your myspace is looking awesome! anyway, i just grabbed some sweet new tones from www.hottones.info for FREE! they have the tightest shit!
With much LOVE ,a dream has come true...As promised Im letting those who may have asked know......Please let me announce to my friends that my solo effort " DreamSong " is now at CD baby and you can try out the entire work for free...I think you will enjoy it as it is a new and different pop rock concept album, Maybe the first of its kind done exclusively with guitar synths ...An eclectic soundtrack of those forgotten previous lives. Wishing you the best of music and creativity ! Love makes dreams come true.
