Imagine Again
Hey Soul Mates,
December 8 is always a day of thoughtfulness for me. A day of remembrance, melancholy and celebration all in one. It's the day the world lost John Winston Ono Lennon. I have a vivid memory of waking up to Strawberry Fields Forever on the radio the following morning in 1980.
After being in Liverpool this year and seeing where John spent his youth and young manhood, my connection to his spirit and music is tighter than ever. Playing at the Cavern and strolling the streets he would have was an inspiring and awesome time for me. It was an honor to be in his city and perform The Word. The day we went to his Woolton home in Menlove Ave. I stood on his driveway, Imagining and crying.
It's no surprise that I'm going to name the Beatles' Love one of my top 5 discs of the year. No matter how you slice it, genius is genius and that would be the Beatles.
Love, Power, Peace. Really.
Hey Soul Mates,
Check out the trailer to a new film called Before The Music Dies. Now, I've only seen the preview, but it's a subject close to our hearts. The general public needs to see that American Music needs to be saved (and not just archived). This film delves into why or at least sheds some light on what's wrong with the state of popular musical arts in the good old U.S. and A. And why it's so hard for acts to attain that any stature, let alone critical mass. And why others are mind-bogglingly successful.
Holler.
Love, Power, Peace
Everybody's Dancing At Roosevelt's Revue
Hey Soul Mates,
we had a really productive rehearsal last night. Bryan and I fleshed out the new cover tune that will be the show's finale. It's a real sing-a-long. So wear a scarf to keep those vocal chords warm. Baby, it's cold outside. No, were not doing a holiday song. That was our original intent, but we couldn't pick one to do justice, that would also fit in with our set. But I'm certain that everyone will enjoy what we've selected.
Following that, we caressed and finessed our hottest, newest into shape. I've mentioned it numerous times in passing in the blog. It's called Roosevelt's Revue.
Roosevelt's Revue is about a place in time; a moment in your heart and mind when everything is joyful. It's an transistor radio childhood reverie brought to the 5.1 surround sound era. The lyric doesn't come close to expressing everything I wanted to say, but it's pretty jubilant nonetheless. The music is a triptych of my favorite noises, a journey spanning decades in under three minutes.
My own recollections feeding into this song go back to when I was in the single digits. The attempts that my friends and I made to pretend to be a band, performing on tennis rackets and upside down buckets. The biggest stars in Cleveland Heights. Whirling dervishes in the living room, or the backyard when we were too loud elsewhere. The incredible entertainment we were staging for my best friend's little sister. That's what I want to capture.
There were tunes that I'd hear as a kid, maybe in school in a music class or on the neighbor's stereo, that resonated. I honestly think they don't make 'em like that anymore. They weren't always children's songs as they were sung by (sometimes drug-addled) adults, but they had that appeal to them. Ageless. And to this day, when you hear them, you're soothed.
As a songwriter, you can't always know what you've achieved, especially in the vacuum Rush Hour Soul inhabits. But that's what I'm striving for in this one. If it makes you feel 20 years (or 40 years) younger, we've nailed it. If it makes you dance, I'll be ecstatic. You might be, too.
Who's the cat in the song? Roosevelt was extraordinarily popular when I was younger. And the Revue is the most incredible experience you ever could have. It's something I've always aspired to join. A party I can't afford to miss. All you beautiful folks are there: Dancing up at Roosevelt's Revue.
So what does this mean to you, gentle readers? I hope I haven't given away the farm. I believe there should be some mystique to a song and how it germinates. You've got to bring your own psyche as a listener, can't impose mine. ;) But, it means that RHS will be showing off two things you've never heard us play before when we hit the stage next Wednesday at the Gig Hollywood. You've got to be there. It's our holiday gift to you. A new song and a fun cover. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Also in RHS news, our video for "A Talent For Loving" is posted on a new beta video portal called Music Nation. It's just gone live, but check it out. It's a fairly uncluttered place to watch music videos. They are going to have a contest with the voting in the next few weeks. So bookmark it, fans.
That's a lot to digest, but I'll leave you with the usual...
Love, Power, Peace
Happy Birthday To The Reason There's Rock And Roll
Hey Soul Mates,
on this day, every year, I give thanks for the birth of Rock and Roll and specifically to the Originator, the Emancipator, the Architect, the Georgia Peach: Little Richard. Mr. Penniman is 71 or 74 today. Either way, it's been nearly 50 years since he made his initial global impact. So Happy Whoooooooooooooo! Birthday, Little Richard!! In your honor, I'm going to blast some Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally riiiight now.
Richard is still at the top of my "I want to meet" list. Wherever he's celebrating, I'm sure it's a party and a half. Maybe next year, I'll get an invite. Want to read last year's tribute to Little Richard? Check out The Originator at 73.
OK, gotta hunker down and practice. Yes. Practice. Our show is in a week and we definitely have at least one addition to the set list.
Love, Power, Peace
Bringing SharpBack
Hey Soul Mates,
How's the weekend treating you? Yesterday was Christmas tree day. Got a beautiful 6 foot noble pine. I think. Lots of the houses in the neighborhood have their halls decked!
It was also a fitting day for my newly altered suit. My tailor, Armen, who also did my shirts for our tour of the UK is reconstructing my suits so they actually fit. Let me tell you, it makes a huge difference. You can't walk around this town in a big gray box. Lookin' like a wall of fabric. David Byrne in his big suit, you know? It's a Ted Baker, though (and I dig Ted's stuff), so it didn't need too much work. Anyway, the sleeves need a gentle touch and then it's off to the races. To go with the suit, I acquired a new gray snap brim hat. Who's bringing sexy back? Don't care, I'm bringing sharp back. Been bringing it! I'll post pictures next weekend.
Which reminds me, we are going to be working on two new songs at our next few rehearsals. One is an original, the other another surprise cover song for our show on Dec. 13. Should be fun. The RHS original has a history, which I want to blog, in fact, I should turn into a short story.
OK, I have to get serious. Today, we have another A3M bone marrow match drive up at Wat Thai for our girl, Soontaree. We love you, Soontaree. Your match is on its way!
Love, Power, Peace
