Reviews and Press about Jim Fusco

"Masters of the Internet"
By Jesse J. Stanley, Record-Journal.com Newspaper

Meriden – Local band Masters of the Universe is branching out into another universe lately – the Internet – with an interesting concept they’ve named Laptop Sessions.

Chris Moore, 23, of Meriden; Jim Fusco, 24, of Meriden; Jeff Copperthite, 27, of Fairfield; and Mike Fusco, 22, of Wallingford have been making music together for two years.  This venture onto the web is something none of them have seen anyone else do to such a level.

“It’s a mix between hobby and fun,” said Chris Moore, band member.  “It is a melding between our original music and covers everyone knows.”

“The concept is pretty simple.  Each member of the band will record and post a cover song onto the site once every day.  Their goal is to post one song per day for the entire year.

“We’re not going to miss a day, God help us,” said Jim Fusco, band member.  “We made a commitment to ourselves more than anything.”

“There have been a few close calls, though,” Fusco said.  “Every time we get a little frustrated, we say, ‘whose idea was this?”

Usually after that, the band shoots Moore a few dirty looks; but they have managed not to miss a post.

The exposure that Laptop Sessions has brought it has been very positive for the band. 

“In total, we have more than 500 subscribers between us,” Fusco said.  “They get updates every time we post something.”

The band members’ sessions have resulted in thousands of YouTube views every day, more traffic to their Web site, and an interest in their original music, as well. 

“We like to think that if they like the music we like, that they’ll also like the kind of music we play on our own, too,” Fusco said.

“We’ve noticed that people are also commenting on our original works we are posting, too,” Moore said.  “It is always a huge joy to hear a person comment on a song I’ve written.” 

One piece of recognition was a big deal to Fusco.

“Brian Wilson, of the Beach Boys, has a permanent link on his official Web site to my cover of one of his songs,” Fusco said.  “For me that was huge.”

They’ve also been coming up on Internet searches more frequently.

“I did a search the other day for a cover song and we came up as the first link in that search,” Fusco said.  “It is exciting to see all this work come to fruition.”

It is also a way to practice their skills as musicians. 

“We have grown as musicians as a result,” Moore said.  “It is good for honing my skill.”

“We used to only play originals, but Laptop Sessions has given us more than 100 new songs we can play,” Fusco said.

With posting a new cover every day for an entire year, one might think the band might run out of material to cover.

“There’s no end in sight,” Fusco said.  “My iTunes collection has more than 11,000 songs in it; we are huge music fans and there are a lot of choices.”

Already they have covered music from more than 50 bands.

All of this work they do from the comfort of their own home – or at least, the comfort of Fusco’s own home – with a recording studio in Fusco’s basement in Meriden.

“We have a recording studio set up with all the trappings of an amateur professional studio,” Moore said.  “What we really love doing is making music.”

They are hoping to help other local musicians have a recording space in the future. 

Masters of the Universe has played at the main stage of the Webster and locally at George’s II and Testa’s.  You can tune in every day for a new update at www.LaptopSessions.com. 

“People can go there every day and see something new,” Fusco said.

Jim Fusco: "What About Today?"
By Karla Ash, TheWigFitsAllHeads.com

There is a dry sense of humor at work here, at least judging from the title. Singer/songwriter Jim Fusco (http://www.jimfusco.com) is asking about the present time when, in fact, he is living in the past. The strange part is that Fusco wasn’t even born yet in the time period that he’s nostalgic about. Back in the '80s it was common for alternative rockers to revive certain sounds from the '60s. Considering that was their childhood, it made sense. Fusco defies logic. How can a 21-year-old kid write and record an LP that sounds like 1967? No, there’s no studio trickery involved, at least that which is apparent. Fusco’s voice - clear as water, melodic, and sad and dreamy as Brian Wilson’s – is a ghost from the past.

The songs feature the ringing guitars from the Summer of Love and calming hippie harmonies although minus the clichés that would horribly date this material. “Another Backwards Day” wouldn’t sound out of place on an oldies radio station. In fact, just about every track on this album could be played on KZOK or KBSG without anybody noticing they were from 2005. However, Fusco isn’t a Xerox machine for baby boomers; the sincerity is revealed in his vocals and the good-natured sentiments of his lyrics.

Review of "What About Today?"
By Adam Harrington, WhisperinandHollerin.com

Somebody check this man's I.D.

That a 21-year-old singer/songwriter can so accurately recapture the summer breeze gentle guitar pop of the late '60s, without parody or irony, is downright bizarre. Perhaps Jim Fusco (http://www.jimfusco.com) is the reincarnation of a forgotten rock star. Or maybe he's lying, using a fake bio and Photoshop-tweaked pictures.

But does it really matter? After all, we should be happy enough that somebody remembers how good the music of that time period was, giving it the proper respect and tender loving care. "What About Today" is track after track of hummable '60s golden lights, from the wah-wah psychedelia of "Another Backwards Day" (even the title is so '60s) to the Beach Boys-ish harmonies of "Sometimes."

Fusco must've inherited an older parent or relative's record collection and discovered the sense of wonder and joy that the Beach Boys, the Byrds, the Zombies, the Beatles, and the Moody Blues brought to an entire generation. Every song is sung with affection and good vibrations.

Oddly enough, the best track here actually reminds one of the '70s and not the '60s. The charming, melancholy "What Left to Do?" is gorgeous, reminiscent of Bread , America , and Classics IV.

Fusco is a man out of time - or is he? Whether or not Fusco is actually 21 has yet to be believed.

It's a One-Man Show for Jim Fusco- 2005
By Ralph Hohman, Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD — These days, work is all about play for Jim Fusco. His part-time job doing computer work for a local real estate agent is fun, he says. But more than that, it's a way to get money for instruments and recording equipment, with a little left over for lunch with his girlfriend at Burger King.

"What else am I gonna spend it on?" he says from the basement of his family's home.

The place is his studio, where Fusco makes CDs and videos, his latest titled "What About Today?" It mixes a little of both in an enhanced CD format, with the video playable on computer. Aside from buying a 24-track digital machine on which he recorded the album, Fusco says he put $1,500 into pumping out 1,000 discs through a Virginia company called Oasis CD Manufacturing. As part of the deal, "What About Today?" is distributed through Internet outlets like Amazon.com and Borders.com.

"I designed the cover and the back, and the disc art — which took forever — sent them everything, and they put everything together," Fusco says.

The result is a package that looks more professional than do-it-yourself, PC-copied CDs (with photographs taken in Fusco's yard and at West Haven Beach), down to the real, functional barcode.

At 21, and heading into his senior year as a video production major at Southern Connecticut State University, Fusco (online at www.jimfusco.com) has made six CDs, some of them in musical partnership with his friend, Chris Moore. Last Year, Fusco compiled videos from the music of his first five albums into a DVD called "The Best of Jim Fusco: Volume One."

"He puts an incredible amount of effort into it," Moore says.

For "What About Today?" Fusco did just about everything himself ( Moore co-wrote one song and contributes harmonica work). Fusco has an array of acoustic and electric guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, ukuleles and a mandolin.

"If it's needed in the song, I'll find a way to learn how to play it," he says.

For the two videos on "What About Today?" Fusco used a single camera, playing through each song three times, repositioning the camera with each take. Editing makes it look like there were three cameras on the shoot.

A Review of "That's All..." by customer, Pete Sferra

"That's All Jim" really registered with me big time.

     I thought there were some jewels on the folk CD ["That's All Folks"] and one of my favorites was "Your Loving Model". Beautiful vocals and nice backing track. I only wish it was longer. I found myself wanting to hear more when it was winding down. Very sweet! I also liked "On Stable Ground". Great composition and execution. I'm always amazed when an artist plays all of the instruments and does every vocal. That's pretty impressive!  "Hole In My Wall" is another solid winner and I think it's interesting how you're able to vary the delivery of your vocals to suit the particular song. Jeez, I wish I could sing!

     As for "That's All Jim", I got an entirely different feeling from it.  Very polished and "developed". The songs showed real maturity in their lyrics and the compositions were quite good. The complexity of the music was quite apparent and several of the songs jumped out at me.

     Easily my favorite was "Happy Tears" but this should be no surprise coming from a die hard Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan (Have you ever considered covering any of the Beach Boys work? I'd love to hear the results!). [Editor's note: Yes, Jim has done a version of "Don't Worry Baby" in the past]  I LOVE lush, layered vocals and you really hit a sweet spot with this performance. I could listen to that one over and over again. Just beautiful! The same goes for "To The Men", which sounded like an instant classic to me. What a fabulously written piece, top to bottom. You've demonstrated an acute sense of arranging with those great backing vocals and, once again, extreme versatility by playing all of the instruments. I'm assuming "That's All Jim" is your latest effort and the growth in your creating and performing is evident.  "Looking To You" is yet another great combination of all elements of a good song. Meaningful lyrics, sweet melody, and an on target performance.

     I'm impressed with your ability to express yourself in different ways.  "That's All Jim" conveys your ideas and feelings with considerable variety and that makes it an appealing listen. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't help but believe you're headed for great things.

Thanks a lot, Pete!  I couldn't have asked for a better review and I'm glad to see how heartfelt it is!  I want everyone to know that this man took a chance on me, and now he is a great friend!

Out There, Jim Fusco and Chris Moore- 2003

By Ralph Hohman, The Record-Journal

Wouldn't it be nice: Jim Fusco, the Beatles and Beach Boys fan, and Chris Moore, who leans toward Bob Dylan, are both 19-year-old college students dutifully preparing for the real world.

Fusco studies video production at Southern Connecticut State University and can see himself one day at ESPN. Moore is working toward an English degree at Central Connecticut State University, and is considering a career as college professor.

Neither would mind if a music career got in the way of all that.

They've been buddies since eighth grade. In recent years they've gotten serious about producing and marketing their own work. The hub of their operation is in the nicely finished basement of Fusco's family home in Wallingford, well-appointed with musical instruments and recording equipment.

Media moguls: Fusco, who also has a radio show Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Southern's WSIN (1590 AM), says his sound engineering skills are self-taught.

"I've always had a knack for computers."

"And I just mimic him," adds Moore.

Fusco says he recorded his first album in 2001, and has done five since. His music is smooth, mostly acoustic folk/rock, played with Moore and with Fusco's girlfriend, Becky Daly, and sometimes with Fusco's kid brother, Mike.

A few weeks ago they played out for the first time, at a church open-mike night.

"We didn't know how we'd be received, because there were harder bands there," says Moore. But they say they got a good reception, and plan to try again.

Money matters: Their music (performed mostly by Jim) and Moore's autobiographical, "semi-poetic" book are on sale through www.jimfusco.com, www.jim-moore.com and www.fusco-moore.com (they lead to the same place).

Fusco is also working on a book, "based on the type of people Chris and I are, but in a much different setting."

Moore's hand-assembled book is $9.95 online; Fusco's double CD, "That's All Folks & That's All Jim," goes for $7.95.

The two do all the work. Moore's part-time job at Staples puts him near a source of raw materials. Fusco works weekends at Cheshire Video, where he says he learned to shrink wrap his CDs. They manage their own Web sites.

Costs them about $5.50 for a disc, plus what they pay PayPal, Fusco says. He makes about 25 discs at a time, and says he's sold about 20 copies of the new album.

"And we give free shipping, so really online we're not making anything."

That makes taxes simple, Moore says.

"We finally figured out if we don't make any profit, it's not gonna be an issue."

Bang on the drum all day: Fusco has been a musician near as long as he can remember.

"When I was little, I didn't listen to kids' songs," he says. "They started me right off with the Beatles and the Moody Blues and the Monkeys."

He began playing pots-and-pans drums, then moved on to guitar, keyboards and bass. Moore started playing three years ago — keyboards, guitar and harmonica. Lyrics have been his primary contribution.

Old school: With their CDs and Web sites and an upcoming music DVD, Fusco and Moore indulge their old-rock fixation with as many CDs as they can afford. They're late coming to music downloading and MP3s.

"We're packaging guys," Fusco says. "We love liner notes."

— Ralph Hohman