Golden Ring
Confessions of a Mad Man in Amsterdam
Hi guys,
I’m writing this to let you know that you’re invited to help celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Golden Ring. From this point on I’m going to be posting all my music, all albums, all unreleased tracks and videos and some surprise tracks from artists that will never get radio play simply because the system denies us the privilege of getting our music heard on mainstream platforms. I’ll be posting a couple of tracks a week. You can listen for free, download videos and share with your friends and family. The only obligation is to subscribe to my channel. I would also love it if you would comment and like or dislike. I’m encouraging you to interact and be part of the Unheard Music Community. So let’s get this party started with two tracks from Golden Ring, my ninth album.
Bill and I were fortunate enough to be able to collaborate with Stuart Pianos to record this project at the old Alberts studio. They gave us complete control which is so rare, and we basically improvised these songs in real time and got some beautiful organic performances. We went in with no expectations just a great respect for each other, a love of piano and a shared love of jazz, pop, gospel and blues. We spent two full days jamming with just the two of us.
There is a funny story that goes along with the inception of this album.
When we finished recording I realised we had something special. I had to start thinking about the mix. I’d given it to a couple of very accomplished people and was finally coming to terms with my OCD and perfectionist nature.
When I finally thought we had something I happened to get a gig with Jonathan Zwartz. We had to travel quite a long way to the gig so on the way back I thought maybe I’ll freak him out and play our “masterpiece” in the car, which I did. To my dismay, he didn’t seem impressed. He wasn’t dismissive or anything he just listened politely and I thought IS THIS NOT THE BOMB DUDE! I didn’t say that but I was concerned. (He was too damn quiet) then he says, “is it mixed yet” I thought, “get out of the car man” hahaha, not really. My heart dropped and I just sort of sheepishly said I was working on it.
He said quiet matter of factly that “I just finished my album, you want to hear it”. NO, but I couldn’t say that : ) I thought, how could it sound better than ours after all the blood sweat and tears we put into mixing it. He put on his album “The Sea” and the first track oozed out of the speakers with so much warmth and sonic tastiness that it immediately melted my heart and my ego. This was the sound I had been looking for. Track after track. I know he eventually won an award for this project but whatever he won wasn’t enough. The only words I could utter was “who mixed it” and he said Helik Hadar.
Helik had worked with (Quincy Jones, Madeleine Peyroux, Herbie Hancock, and others). Long story short, he was kind enough to put me in touch with Helik and I’ve never mixed or mastered anything without him in the last ten years. I hope you can hear the love that went into making Golden Ring.
This is just the beginning, and if you’ve gotten this far you may be interested in subscribing to this newsletter and my YouTube channel, or commenting or leaving a like. It’s FREE and I could use the support. There will be a donate and join button for those of you who would like some exclusive content and some unreleased tracks that I’m keeping especially for those who want to join.
This is the first of many new newsletters and stories behind some of the music I’ve been making for the last forty years. God, sounds like such a long time but it’s zoomed by in a flash. So please hop onto the YouTube channel and have a listen because these days radio seems to have abandoned us for the most part and CD’s and vinyl are niche markets now. In the coming days, Youtube is where you’ll find me. Facebook and my Instagram page will always point you there unless there’s a gig. I will keep you all posted so stay safe stay tuned and keep coming back. Thanks for giving me a bit of your time and love. Peace out everybody.
Small world.!!! I saw the Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band at Thee Experience too!! Do you remember when we were on the Strip together and went into a movie theater called the Cinematheque 16? Well, it turned out in 1969 I was managing it. The theater had reciprocal agreements with several clubs around town that their staffs could get into the theater for free and the theater staff {all 3 of us} could go to their clubs. Thee Experience was one of those clubs. I wanted to see/hear the Dogs because they were the British version of Zappa and the Mothers. I do not remember any warm up band, but then I didn't get there until the theater closed. I am really sorry we didn't reconnect then, it would have been one of the greatest pleasures of my life, to see you again. Plus, I could have offered the theater as a rehearsal space.
That fall of 1966 is indelible in my mind. You, George, John, Bowler and Harrison. You telling me about the Doors and going to see them at the Palladium high on acid.. Watching you race slot cars at some place in Pasadena. You taking Kris and I to Zappas house one afternoon and to the Frank Lloyd house on Los Feliz. Trying to rent a house in the foothills that had like a 30 foot ceiling and blood in the carpet. The several soul food joints you took me to, and of course, meeting your mother. My memory of her is almost as strong as my memory of you.
Quick story. The theater showed the world premier of the Doors film Feast of Friends so Morrison started hanging out at the theater. One day he showed up with an arm load of Elvis albums. At the time, I hated Elvis and everything about him. So I immediately jumped down his throat about listening to a white guy sing black peoples music, and how Elvis was nothing but hype. Morrison actually got a little sheepish and stammered that he was listening for his inflections. Which makes perfect sense coming from one singer about another. Since then I have tempered my hatred for Elvis into appreciating his voice while despising the hype bs. I will go to my grave shouting at the top of my lungs that Elvis never was or will be the king of rock and roll. That distinction belongs to Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. 'nuff said.
Take care, stay safe, hope to see you in a year or two.