Hey Soul Mates,
Live 8 is ON!!! Check your local listings. MTV is doing most of the domestic coverage in the States. I just downloaded Macca and U2 performing Sgt. Pepper. Wow. I've got chills.
I can remember where I was watching the first Live Aid: the Hotel Nikko in Paris. My first trip overseas. My Mom and I had spent the day traipsing around the Left Bank. Since the broadcast was in French it took us a little while to figure out what was on TV. I remember saying to my Mom, look at all these famous people performing. Then, I realized it was Live Aid (having bought the Charity single) and stayed up to watch the last 2 hours or so.
That was July 13, 1985. Almost 20 years ago. How appropriate that the first official Live 8 download was Macca's Beatle classic ("It was 20 years ago today..."). The track is amazing, of course. A must for McCartney or U2 fans, what are you waiting for?
The back kept me up most of the night, but I've got the adrenaline rushing. Jigga Man is on right now!
Love, Power, Peace
Hey Soul Mates,
today a true soul sensation, Luther Vandross, passed away. Oddly enough I was listening to Chic's greatest hits this morning especially Everybody Dance and Dance, Dance, Dance on which Luther sang lead. Of course, he's on one of the greatest tracks ever: Le Freak. Heard about his passing on the radio. I always marveled at hearing him sing backgrounds on David Bowie's Young Americans (the video footage of the performance is fun; young Luther among the leisure-suited backup singers). And then there were his own impressive chart singles: Never Too Much, Stop To Love, Here & Now. What an incomparable voice. What a chain of golden hits he leaves us.
[July 3. Just saw a BET special on Luther. He appeared on the very first episode of Sesame Street as a teenager. Go Luther!]
Switching gears, Live 8 kicks off tomorrow. I know I will be tuning in. This is Bob Geldof's unofficial sequel to Live Aid. The series of concerts here and overseas is going to be massive. It's the music community's opening salvo for the G8 summit's participants to recognize the continuing plight of millions of Third World citizens. Live 8's goal is to move the G8 (Bush & Blair are attending) to cancel debts, double aid and create better trade agreements for these countries.
The shows will feature everyone from U2 to Jay-Z from Duran Duran to a reunited Pink Floyd; Mariah, Snoop, Macca, Stevie, REM, Coldplay... So much great music, plus downloads will be available to benefit the cause. It's not so much a fund raiser as Live Aid, but it's certainly worthy of our time, energy & resources. Rather than money, the organizers want to raise awareness and garner support from around the globe. Check out the website to see how you can help! I have signed the Live 8 List and will be adding my name and face to their campaign. I encourage you to do the same.
Let me tell you now, if there is a similar concert next year, I want to be a part of it. This time next year, I expect us to be in a position to contribute to the musical, world community on such a scale. Watch us.
All right everyone, I'll check in later this holiday weekend. Be safe and celebrate our independence well.
Love, Power, Peace
I Love L.A. 3
Hey Soul Mates,what a fantastic "only in Los Angeles day it has been."
The back is aching ferociously, but that can't stop me!
This evening we went to the live broadcast of ABC's Dancing With The Stars. It's a lot of fun being in a studio audience for a live show. The taped ones tend to get tedious. But Dancing is a quality show and there's quite a bit going for it. Live music, celebrities dancing, coldhearted judges. Ah, the dangerous and beautiful world of ballroom dancing. Being on the VIP list helped (thanks, Michael W.). We had fine seats, but watching the tape of the show, there wasn't a lot of face time to be had. So, blink and you missed us. The show was done at CBS Television City. I hadn't been in there since my weeklong stint as deep background on Bold & the Beautiful. I did get to chat with Randy Pulley, one of the crew members, whom I've known for a decade. Everytime I go to a filmed event (Idol, EW&F) he's there working his tail off.
Memorizing Rapper's Delight in 5th grad pays off...
During the warmup for the show, they played lots of dance music and the warmup comedian went through his routine. Just before the start of the show, he had Sugarhill Gang playing and asked for volunteers to sing the song. The first girl he chose knew the first line and that's all. The second gal ran out to the dance floor set and babbled. Getting frustrated, he said does anyone know more than that, so I raised my hand. He came over with the mic and I dropped some mad science on that crowd. I worked it too, serenading the show's hosts Tom and Lisa and the audience. I got a very nice reception for my performance, thank you. In fact, after the show, we were hanging out and a gentleman from the recording industry approached me with his compliments. Snap!!!
We also spoke briefly with Ashly DelGrosso, the cute dancer who was partnered with Joey Mac from NKOTB. And I ran into her again this evening at Farmer's Market after eating at Johnny Rocket's. She was definitely miffed about being voted off the show. All the dancers and celebs work hard to learn the routines. She told us that hopefully the show is coming back and all the dancers will have a chance to do it again. I wouldn't be surprised if they get some even bigger names to be on the program next season.
In the town where I was born...
The evening actually got more interesting. After Dancing With The Stars it was all down to the El Rey Theatre for RINGO STARR!! I've already seen Macca, so this means I've seen 50% of the Beatles. Ringo packed the place and a splendid time was guaranteed for all. Next week, Ringo turns 65 and he's in good shape. He warbled and joked through a hit filled set: Photograph, Octopus' Garden, It Don't Come Easy, Back Off Boogaloo, Boys, I Wanna Be Your Man, Act Naturally, Don't Pass Me By, Yellow Submarine and several stabs at brand new material from his latest disc Choose Love. It was great to see the world's most famous drummer hit the skins, too. His energy level and mantra of "peace & love" really kept the crowd in high spirits. It's always a trip to hear anyone talk about "George" or "John" on such a personal level. Ringo however does it without grandstanding, name dropping or being overly sentimental. He's still the comic Beatle, by God, he just makes you feel good.
The highlight of the set was the finale. With A Little Help From My Friends was all that and more. Ringo invited some celebrity guests to sing the harmonies. Get this: Gary Oldman, Doug Fieger (from the Knack), TV wonk Pat O'Brien, comedian Richard Lewis & Jeff Lynne from E.L.O. came up on stage. Wow. Gary Oldman!? One of my all-time favorite actors. It was surreal. Jeff Lynne!? Mr. Blue Sky. The best part of the evening? I got to meet Jeff Lynne, a perfectly decent chap who said, "Nice to meet you, mate." If you are a Beatles' fan, Ringo's new songs are lots of fun and I recommend a trip to his self-run website. Lots of cute film clips there.
What a great day. I hope that yours was peaceful or fun or eventful or all of the above.
Love, Power, Peace
Hey Soul mates,
after a week, I've finally gotten the live photos up from our last show at the Gig. It took some extra work this time. I'm not sure why? All this technology and it's hard to get digital pictures to look on screen the way they look as raw files. Hope you like them. Man, now blogger has changed the way you attach photos here and this thing is hard to maneuver. Anyway, you can see us in our cold sweat in our cold threads!! Click the picture when you are ready.
The back is doing a little better today. Which is good.
The sessions yesterday went well into the evening. We tackled the mix on A Talent For Loving first. That went pretty smoothly. Chris had some good ideas already mapped out for it. Then we went through Done Lost My Mind. That song was the easiest for everyone involved. Very solid vocal takes throughout. Then we spent a good deal of time on Down By Love, which required some overdubs and lots of vocal layers that we Bryan and I came up with on the spot. Thank God, Chris is patient. There are still a few issues with each track, but I'd say the mixes are at 80%. And that's certainly a far cry from where we were 36 hours ago.
I spent a solid hour listening to the tracks this afternoon. You have to step away from them for a while. Listen to them sporadically, then immerse yourself by repeating a track about 10-12 times. Only that way can you really get inside it and be sure about all the parts. To quote a favorite source of amusement: It's hard work.
Hopefully, I'll have the energy tomorrow to post the fashion photos from our shoot 3 weeks ago. As you can see, I've updated my profile here with an outtake from the sessions. Love those stripes.
Have a good Tuesday!
Love, Power, Peace
Weekends Were Made For Mixing
Hey Soul Mates,hope that the weekend has been good for you so far. Me? I'm in severe pain from a back injury I sustained while cleaning out my car yesterday. Stayed in a cramped position for too long. Ow! So, I'm kinda hobbling around the apartment.
But the weekend has been fun, so far. Last night I went to see my friend Micah McCain's one man show "Unshaven." It was excellent. Cabaret with some good storytelling and moving vocal performances. And when Micah tells a humorous anecdote it brings down the house. He's one of the most naturally gifted performers I know. But, it was closing night, so my recommendation will have to extend to his next project.Today is mixing day at the Studio. Bryan, Doug & I are destined for Santa Monica this afternoon. There are a few more vocal flourishes to add, but just a few. Some doubling on parts, a harmony here or there. Then we'll begin the mixing in earnest. Chris our engineer/mixer has been working on some roughs that we've already heard and he's definitely on the right track. We should have new music for you all to take home before the end of the Summer.
Well, I've got a date with some ibuprofen.
Love, Power, Peace
