The lights dim, a spotlight breaks through the darkness and a shadow casts itself across the perfect circle of light that sits in the center of the stage. On a lonely stool a cigarette burns, crackling and rests beside an ice filled glass, sweating, the condensation drools down the sides. The comedian, the singer, the vaudeville act, the storyteller, the jester, the songwriter eventually fills the smokey space in and he takes his place. Bob Rylett's "the Punchline" opens with what has been dubbed the "All Along the Watchtower" of the 21st Century. "These Days They Move Apocalyptically" hisses sweetly at us, preaching, sirens blaring, waking us up. Featuring tunesmith and producer Bob Pompei and Juno award winning drummer R. Adam Drake, we are locked in. Then we are on to the "Three Little Piggies". But this isn't Mother Goose telling the story, no it's the Don "Father Time". Nursery Rhymes will never be the same. Ballads, War songs, the hilarious yet brutally honest "Punchline" are then followed by a cover of Paul Simon's "The Boxer". Colin "Lazz" Lazzerini, founder of Root Cellar Records writes. " Somewhere in amongst the surprise of songs comes a version of Paul Simon's "The Boxer" but delivered with a rough authentic urgency absent from the original. It becomes pure autobiography, the troubadour staying on his feet, standing his ground, fearless. All business, he punches out one number after another with hooks in all the right places." Back with Bob Pompei (Girl From the Mystic), an accomplished writer, performer and producer who provides brilliant harmonies, sharp, playful bass-lines and keys,guitar and strings in all the right places, and featuring Canadian Recording artist and violinist Elise Boeur along with engineer Scott Woolard Barrell House Sound) this album gives itself to the listener. It has been awhile since we have had a record like this. Too long. Time to line up, grab a seat, buy the record. Bob Rylett's "The Punchline" w bob pompei