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Discography
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Four Guys in Disguise
Live Tracks (2001) |
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| Buttcrack Man |
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| Gotta' Get That Groove |
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| Down the River |
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Four Guys “Loud and Live”…the best way to hear them! Recorded at various performances at Copperfields in Millbrook and the Hyde Park Brewery. Also, rare recordings of Four Guys original hits “Butt Crack Man” and “Sweet Honey Bumpkin” recorded at the Mid Hudson Civic Center, July 1998, while the Four Guys opened up for the Doobie Brothers.
Features Vito Petroccitto, Jeff Carano, Paul Beretta, and Michael DellVecchio. Guest performance by John Chocianowski.
Includes two bonus tracks, reissues of “Got To Get The Groove” and “Down The River”
"very exciting live performances."
"Live, the best way to hear 4G."
"Lottsa energy...these guys Rock!"
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Jeff Carano
I am America (2001) |
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| I am America |
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Jeff’s touching tribute to benefit the victims of 9/11.
All proceeds from the sale of this CD are donated to the American Red Cross, Dutchess County Chapter.
Features the Four Guys in Disguise, also Keith Slattery, Jeff Babicz, and Stan Beinstein.
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Four Guys in Disguise
with Johnny Philibuster (1998) |
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| The legendary debut CD by Four Guys in Disguise |
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Features Vito Petroccitto, Jeff Carano, John Chocianowski, and Greg Douglas
Including your favorite original “Four Guys” hits such as “Butt Crack Man”, “Sweet Honey Bumpkin”, “The Breakfast Song”, and “There’s A Bug!”
Vito and Jeff teamed up at the famed Mind Magic Studios, and armed with nothing but an old coffee pot, 2 dozen cannolli, and a line of credit at the local Taco Bell, belted out this masterpiece. Be the first one on your block to own this collectible icon of sonic prepostorousness!
Includes special guest performances by Maria Hickey, Bobby Lustgarden, Paul Beretta, Michael DellVecchio, John Platania, Vicki Frank, Dom Letterii, Stan Beinstein, Brendan Flaherty, Keith Slattery ...and the “Four Guys Children’s Choir”!
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Four Guys in Disguise
The Yankee Song (1998) |
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The infamous "Yankee Song", now available on cassette. Own a rare piece of 4Guys history, only $5.00 plus s/h
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This hard to find cassette includes two versions of the song: one live recorded at the Mid Hudson Civic Center in July 1998, as the Four Guys opened up for the Doobie Brothers, and a rare studio recording with a full horn section. This song received tons of airplay, even the Yankees themselves played it in their locker room before games in the '98 season!
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Johnny Dell
Dey Wuz (1995) |
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| Local Legend Johnny Dell with his debut release, also features Tony DePaolo, Paul Beretta, Michael DellVecchio |
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Out of print
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Lost at Home
This is a Test (1984) |
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| The very rare 1984 release (cassette only) by "Lost At Home" |
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This was one of the very first recordings by a Hudson Valley Band. Lost At Home was at the forefront of what was known as the "Progressive Rock" format. The band had a strong following throughout the eighties. Their original material gained many enthusiastic fans. The band consisted of Frank Mazzocca, the late Paul O'Reilly, Jeff Carano, Paul Duffy, and John Molloy. This is a very rare treat for the discriminating listener.
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"Four Guys" CD to Benefit Local WTC Victims
By Kalyani Thamp
Reprinted from The Poughkeepsie Beat.
On Sept. 11,
as Jeff Carano, bassist and songwriter, was flipping through television
channels, looking for something more than just Michael Jordan's life story
in the news, he found himself staring at an image he never imagined he
would ever witness in his lifetime. He was observing a plane crash into
the World Trade Center, obliterating it from sight in a cloud of smoke
and flames. It was at this time that the first lyrics of "I am America"
began to emerge. In fact, Carano says, "five seconds after the second
plane hit the World Trade Center, the idea came for this song."
Carano speaks not just as a husband, a "father of two, and
a resident of Poughkeepsie; he is also the lead bassist and songwriter
for the popular band, Four Guys in Disguise. For nearly 10 years this
group has brought their unique brand of musicianship, entertainment, and
humor to various nightspots throughout the region. They have enjoyed tremendous
local success as a popular club and concert band in the Hudson Valley
Because of the great response to their work, Carano has played on stage
with some legendary performers including Eddie Money and The Doobie Brothers.
Carano himself has been performing throughout the Hudson Valley
for nearly 20 years with such bands as Silk and Sounds, Lost at Home,
and various other jazz and rock bands. According to the band's web page,
this 41-year-old musician is well known for his musical versatility, which
comes from his diverse musical background, education, and years of professional
experience.
In their new single-song CD entitled "I am America," Carano
and his fellow band members found an outlet for their inspiration, emotions,
and talent through words inspired by, as Carano says, the kind acts, the
tolerance, and the intelligence of the American people in rallying together
against terrorism. "Terrorism is the enemy," adds Carano, "but
we have progressed since the Vietnam War where we wanted to kill the enemy.
Now we are not focused on blind vengeance. We understand that we should
not obliterate hungry mothers and children in far-off countries. We have
become more intelligent."
So saying, the premise of the song does not surround rage and vengeance.
As the liner notes of the CD indicate, "I am America" exemplifies
the notion that nothing will ever be the same again. In an instant all
of history has changed, all values reevaluated, and all priorities rearranged.
Yet, pride and resolve have replaced the sense of hopelessness and rage.
Why make a song, then, that taps into the American consciousness
in the aftermath of the attacks? Carano replies that he wants to get the
message across that these acts of terrorism will not be tolerated by either
the "enemy" or by "us." Disavowing the power of violence
and aggression, Carano and the band took an alternative route. "Let's
give something back," says Carano proudly. This was the intent of
marketing their single-song CD. All of the proceeds go directly to the
Dutchess County Chapter of the Red Cross for residents of the Hudson Valley
who have been affected by the attacks, either by the the loss of employment,
or worse yet, a family member, says Carano. This CD affords the band an
opportunity to make a difference on a local level while reaffirming the
national identity. As Carano says, "It would seem that the qualities
of compassion and tolerance make us truly American, that in spite of our
strength we can be vulnerable, in spite of our will we can be restrained,
in spite of our fear we can be courageous."
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4 Guys play hard, love gigs
By Lee park
Reprinted from the Poughkeepsie Journal 8/17/01
If they're Four Guys In Disguise, then they're doing a pretty poor
job of staying incognito.
The quartet, made up of Vito Petroccitto, Jr. on guitar and vocals,
Jeff Carano on bass, Paul Beretta on drums and Michael DelVecchio on vocals,
is currently alternating Friday nights with the Hyde Park Brewing Co.
and the Hobnobbin' North, both on Route 9 in Hyde Park. Tonight, Four
Guys In Disguise will be at the Brewing Co. beginning at 10 p.m.
"We've moved our venues from the outskirts of town back to
Route 9," said DelVecchio.
The quintessential cover and party band, Four Guys In Disguise digs
to its classic rock roots, but with much more added spice.
"We're more of a sophisticated classic rock background, like
Steely Dan," said DelVecchio.
The resulting sound is pure fun. The band brings its sense of humor
to the stage, as Petroccitto frequently pens parodies for Classic Rock
WPDH's (101.5 FM) morning program.
"We get wild and have a great time," said Petroccitto.
"We try to break down that barrier between the audience and the band."
Humor a bond
Using humor is one way of doing that, but the strong musicianship
and huge song selection bridges the gap just as well. Each show is unpredictable,
with a wide variety of music.
"We have such a vast musical canvas that we can work on,"
said Beretta. "We bring all me elements together.
Carmelo DeCicco, owner of the Hyde Park Brewing Co., said before
Four Guys In Disguise began playing the venue, he would never dream of
booking the same band every other week. Four Guys is the exception, however,
as they always bring in a large crowd looking for that guaranteed good
time.
The band does have original material and its repertoire of covers
extends well beyond the classic rock realm.
"You can hear anything from Latin to jazz to rock 'n' roll
to dance music," said DelVecchio.
Carano is proud of the Hudson Valley as home for Four Guys In Disguise.
"There is an enormous wealth of musical talent in this area,"
said Carano. "We're proud and happy to be a part of the Hudson Valley."
While many great acts grace the stages at local venues, DeCicco
is partial to Four Guys In Disguise, which will be having a CD release
party at the venue on Aug. 30 to celebrate its new live CD.
"I'd say they're the best band in Dutchess County," he
said.
To find out more about Four Guys In Disguise, visit their Web site.
Lee Park is the music writer for the Poughkeepsie Journal.
Write him c/o Poughkeepsie Journal, P.O. Box 1231, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602,
call (845) 437-4822, or e-mail lpark@poughkee.gannett.com.
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Stan's Musings
by Stan Beinstein
Vito is an extraordinary guitarist...he understands when it is time to
lead...and when it is time to follow.....when it is time to play trash..and
when it is time to play sweetly....but Vito is blessed with an extraordinary
rhythm section...... We often take the rhythm section for granted..especially in Rock and
Roll..it's just there to hold down the foundation.That can only happen when
two people fit so well together that they breath as one beast...and that is
the rhythm section of Four Guys In Disguise...Jeff Carano on bass and Paul
Bareta on drums....You don't THINK about tribal aspects
of James Brown..you FEEL them..and your body responds...and you don't know
where the bass ends and the drums begin.... At the height of his career the
boy wonder conductor of The New York Philharmonic Michael Tilson Thomas (nee: Thomashefsky,third genaration of world class musician).one of the worlds
finest interpreters of classic American music (i.e.Copeland and
Gershwin).took a sabatical to study with James Brown's Band..his
contemporaries in classical music in the 70's thought that this was sheer
madness..but in fact it was brilliance to understand the genius of James
Brown ..Sometimes the body needs rhythm not complication.......I have seen
James Brown..and I have NEVER seen a rhythm section that had a greater
understanding of JB than Jeff and Paul....but it doesn't end there...
I've seen Four Guys GO OFF into extended jams that LAND in the oddest
places...Jeff Beck's Freeway Jam or Weather Report's Birdland or Hocus Pocus
by Focus....where the gymnastics of soloing compound the anxiety of holding
down the rhythm...until your mind and your body start to disagree about
priorities....NOW THATS A GOOD TIME.....
Great rhythm sections are more than two great players.. they become
one....Jeff and Paul remind me of Ginger and Jack in Cream (on a GOOD
night...like the show I caught at The Village theatre in the fall of 67)...or
the EARLY Dead dates with Phil and Bill before Mickey made it too muddy with
a second drummer..(which I also caught in May 67).even Ron Carter and Tony
Williams swingin behind Miles Davis ironically in that same year of
67. Whether it's rock and roll or jazz or country or blues, a brilliant rhythm
section is a thing of beauty that doesn't have to dominate the music to be in
control of it.. and Four Guys has the most brilliant rhythm section in this
part of the world.......no lie..these two guys are scary...
Rhythm becomes a more complex discussion when you start to look at
jazz. Charles Mingus was truly a giant of jazz..as a composer his ode to the
late Lester Young "Goodbye Porkpie Hat is one of the finest blues ever
written.. As a performer his Fables Of Faubus has more time changes than any
piece of music I can think of..and as an arranger he was the link between
Duke Ellington and Miles Davis...over his thirty plus year career Mingus
hired and fired a division of reed players,and brass players but only his
drummer, Danny Richmond stayed with him for nearly 25 years..because Mingus
the bassist knew that he and Danny were one beast..with one heart...
Now I've rambled on without saying a word about the guy who invited me to
ramble in the first place Michael Dell(vechio). Lead singer of Four Guys in
Disguise....Michael is more than a classic pretty boy front guy..At first you
might say he looks too good...he probably can't sing...... Make no
mistake...he can really sing...whether its Steely Dan's "Pretzel Logic" ..or
Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes"..or Paul Simon's "Late In The Evening"....he
delivers them true to their original intent..but he takes ownership as if
they were his own....no loungy cakewalk from this guy....maybe yoos should
ugly him up.....
Vito Petricito is one of those Genius guitar players you find every one
hundred years or so....he is the heart, soul, liver and spleen of Four Guys In
Disguise. After many changes,Vito has finally built a version of 4Guys that is
incontrovertibly the strongest band in this little corner of the planet.
Michael and Jeff have invited me to write this here stuff...probably because
it's easier than inviting me to play harp ..They have made me feel absolutely
brilliant on stage....a feeling that this one trick pony should have no title
to, because as a musician. I am as disciplined as a two year old..but it sho
do feel good....(The hell with the blues I just wanna play the James Brown
stuff).......What key is Sex Machine.?
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