Skip to main content

John & Johnny. A New Discovery Along With My Latest 2 Cents About Prince

Spent part of the afternoon down at Amoeba records. Picked up a sublime disc simply called John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman. The DJs on 88.1 KJAZZ had been talking about it all week long and I had downloaded a Trane podcast that had glowing things to say about the album. My Dad (a true Jazz aficianado) says, Hartman had the best male voice of all the jazz singers, surpassing even Billy Eckstine. It's a mellow album. Coltrane is blowing smooth and pianist McCoy Tyner is on point in accompanying Hartman's baritone vocals. Their version of "Lush Life" is in the Grammy Hall Of Fame. Highest recommendation. I told my Dad, since I'm not versed in standards, it was fun to hear the lyrics to these numbers. Just the age we live in. These songs are ancient by pop standards, but timeless in their presentation. A great disc to unwind with.

I'm still waiting for 90 minutes to watch the remastered DVD of HELP! All of the Beatles' movies are favorites of mine. And this one has been begging for a redo. The color on the original DVD was fairly washed out and of course it didn't boast a 5.1 soundtrack.

The artwork for my album is done! The CD will be delivered to the manufacturer on Weds of next week. Due to the holidays, the CD release date has been pushed back to Mid-December. It will still arrive in time for your Christmas/Hannukah shopping needs.

My team and I personally have begun booking the tour dates for the UK in Feb/March. I can't wait to see all of your smiling faces in Britain. It's gonna be a funky good time, as James used to say. It will be sunshine funk coming to you in midwinter. What better way to escape the cold than to heat up a dance floor!?

Shame about what's going on with Prince requiring fan sites to cease and desist. That's silly. You can't possibly hope to control your image 100% and keep 100% of your fans. These online fan sites, that don't traffic in bootlegs, etc. are the modern version of scrap books. The future is here and note to self: never sue your fans... or threaten to sue your fans... or make overtures that you might sue your fans. Unless you don't want the fans. And Prince fans have been through a lot of public humiliation. I know I was publicly chided during the whole 0+> and "slave" phase. That's a whole lot of thanks for people who buy yer wrekas.

Off my soapbox and into bed.
Peace & Disco Beats

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

John Lennon 40 Years On

Remembering John Lennon today. Forty years have flashed by. I can still hear my clock radio turning on to the incongruent sound of the Beatles on Dec. 9, 1980 and wondering why? I think about John every day. I am fortunate to have been able to make pilgrimage to Mendips, Abbey Road and Strawberry Fields, NY; to play on stages like the Cavern, the Jacaranda and the Troubadour where he performed or made trouble, or both. Here’s a quick playlist for you and me. (Just Like) Starting Over I Should Have Known Better Bless You Nobody Told Me Strawberry Fields Forever Nowhere Man Enjoy the day. Fill it with peace. Fill it with music. #JohnLennon #Liverpool
Post a Comment
Read more

Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air - Book Review

“The Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air” is a trippy new mystery novel from Phillip Mottaz. It captures the grit and gilt of the City of Angels with the flair of a contemporary Raymond Chandler. The brisk pace and wit are reminiscent of Douglas Adams’s entries in the detective game. Flourishes of  Fletch  and “Medium” also spring to mind. However, Mottaz has added a psychic/mutant/superhuman touch and his own comedic voice, structure and internal monologues to the proceedings that help the author announce his own style and the arrival of a literary heroine for a new generation. Hairstylist and budding private investigator, Danica Luman is the perfect character to convey the irony, angst and sarcasm needed to tell a 21st century L.A. crime story. Danica also represents anyone who thought it would be neat to get tangled up in a mystery and the darkly comic cautionary tale that follows. The genre is recognizable, but Mottaz offers a fresh take on the not-ready-for-prime-ti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rush Hour Soul Returns

Hey Soulmates, been some time, but many of you on Facebook have already seen that Rush Hour Soul is back. I am very excited that while we are looking back at the 15th anniversary of our 2006 UK tour, there are things happening behind the scenes for 2021. For those unfamiliar, Rush Hour Soul is a trio with myself on bass and lead vocals. We were a part of the Indie/Powerpop scene in Los Angeles from 2004-2008, although our style was heavily informed by the Rolling Stones, Chic, ABC, and Sam & Dave. Funkier than our peers.  The well-known venues Rush Hour Soul played around Los Angeles included The El Rey, B.B. King's Blues Club and The Hard Rock Cafe. Our travels in Britain took us to Sheffield, Liverpool, York and back to London. There was a four day detour to Monnow Valley Studios in Wales where recorded in the old manor house. We shot a music video in London, as well. 2006 was a magical summer for the band. In 2008, the project was rechristened as a solo recording under my n...
Post a Comment
Read more