Sessions Update #1

Hey Soul Mates,
we have great news. Next week we will be back in studio with our producer, Richard Bosworth, working on our latest recording sessions. We will once again be in the Smartso Digital Studio where we laid down the basic tracks. The songs we are working on are:
1. "Excommunication"
2. "Fall Out"
3. "Majestic Rejection"
4. "Saffron Dancer"

As you probably know, "Excommunication" is the track that we used for filming the promotional video. It's an uptempo number about heartbreak. How's that!?
"Fall Out" is a real funk workout and we emphasize the work and the out. And it's an ode to love and joy.
"Majestic Rejection" is a recent song that is seriously about heartbreak. It's done as a waltz and the tracking was quite effective. Bryan did a guitar part that sounds just like an electric piano. Dennis and I played acoustic instruments. It was fun for me, 'cause it was the first time I ever played acoustic bass (special thanks to Rick "The Bass Player" Rosas for use of the instrument). It's a beautiful guitar (a Washburn AB40) and I gots to get me one for Christmas. Hint, Hint, Santy Claus. Or Hanukkah. Hint, Hint Harry.
Finally "Saffron Dancer" is a brassy number featuring the RHS horn section.

More returns as they come in.
Love, Power, Peace.

p.s. Don't forget to register to vote. Then, vote.

Earth, Wind & Fire and Water, Lex Luthor & A Fresh Tie.

Hey,
just back from the Earth, Wind & Fire/Chicago double headlining bill at the Greek. The show used an interesting concept. Even though they were filming the whole night for a DVD, both bands came on stage together and ran through a couple of songs. Then they actually flipped a coin to see who would "headline" and who would "open." EW&F lost the toss and took the stage first. Their set was pure joy. Lots of exuberance from their wild bass player, Verdine White and stratospheric vocals from Phillip Bailey. Sadly no appearance from founder Maurice White (Although, I did see Maurice last month at a screening of Fahrenheit 9/11). The songlist included "Fantasy," "Reasons," "Got To Get You Into My Life," & "Let's Groove."

Intermission was spent in the VIP lounge (better known as the "Cheese Room"); chatted briefly with "Smallville's" Michael Rosenbaum. He plays Lex Luthor on the show and is a rabid Chicago fan. I also got a smile from Macy Gray while waiting at the bar. But, Macy was not pleased that the cheese trays and food were taken away just as she made her way to the buffet table. Hey, peoples from Canton gotta eat, too.

I have no idea who people think I am. It's kinda neat though to walk into a room and have everyone glance your way and whisper to friends or smile knowingly. I'm not (so) narcissistic or (extraordinarily) vain, but this happens everywhere I go in town. No lie. I'd love to know who they think this is. Or maybe they already do. I just hope that they think I'm somebody without a criminal record. I did look sharp tonight. Black jacket, sea green shirt and blue and gold tie.
People... let's all start looking as important as we are. This ain't just for the stupidly rich. Dress for the job you want. Dress for the life you want. Wanna go shopping, call me.

Chicago actually impressed me (Mark!). They played some of the schmaltzy 80's hits, but stuck mostly with their early 70's jazz influenced hits like "Saturday In The Park" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" For the finale, both groups took the stage again. A total of 19 players. It was a wild finish which included "Shining Star" and a thunderous "25 or 6 to 4."

After the show it was back to the Cheese Room. I got to meet and speak briefly with Rock Hall member Ralph Johnson percussionist and singer for EW&F who's been with the group since '72. Can you imagine playing with a spectacular group for 30+ years? I didn't get to meet too many professional musicians as a kid. So I really cherish moments were I get a tiny bit of one-on-one time with people whose music has influenced me. Mr. Johnson was very nice and was thankful that I had enjoyed the show. I told him likewise.

I'm done.
Love, Power, Peace!

T.A.M.I. Show Review

Hope you can stand my review of last night's feature.

Seeing the TAMI Show on a big screen at the Arclight was fun. The film was presented as a glorified kinescope (it basically looks like a videotape of what was playing on a TV screen). Steve Binder, the film's director was on hand to tell some stories about the 3 days it took to film. The print we watched, he told us, was donated to the festival by none other than Quentin Tarantino.
It's really a time capsule of a film. The line up included legends James Brown, The Rolling Stones, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Beach Boys (who appear briefly, but actually had their performance removed from the film because their manager thought it was beneath them), Chuck Berry, Jan & Dean and the Supremes; one-hit wonders Leslie Gore, Gerry & The Pacemakers; and no-hit wonders like the Barbarians.

It was fun seeing Smokey, Marvin, The Stones and the Supremes on the verge of superstardom. This was 1964, so no "Tears of a Clown," "Heard It Through The Grapevine," or even "Satisfaction." Instead they gave energetic performances of their early R&B hits. Now, the real entertainment for most of the show was nearly upstaged by a group of choreographed dancers, including Teri Garr and Toni Basil, who shimmy and wiggle madly behind the acts. Fortunately the dancers were done by the time the Flames took the stage. Ah, James and his Famous Flames.

The highlight of the film is undoubtedly James Brown. He was at his peak, in his mid-30s and the fastest dancer alive. He ripped through "Out Of Sight" with dance moves that made me jump out of my seat. I know the people behind me must have been annoyed. Then he cooled it down with "Try Me" and "Prisoner of Love." The showstopper was "Please, Please, Please," which featured James falling to his knees, mic stand in hand over and over. When his valet and one of the Famous Flames came over with the cape to drape over James' shoulders, the audience in the movie theater went as nuts as the crowd on hand. It was that electrifying. The final number was the mainly instrumental "Night Train" which showcased Brown's dancing talents, with numerous dancing encores. James lit the stage so hot that even the Stones couldn't handle following him.

Needless to say, if this film comes within a county of you: you better run, don't walk, to see it. The T.A.M.I. Show is pop history.

Love, Power, Peace