Music Now!

Archive for February, 2011

Tommy Bolin, the richly talented Rock artist has released her latest album titled Teaser and Wow! It’s good.

It’s a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I’m more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply is NOT a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all, with each song standing tall on it’s own.

Teaser is a pleasantly varied, mix of 9 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly gifted artist. Most of the songs display a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are her own personal experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions like love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They’re all here.

Rock music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Bolin on several of the tracks. Artists like David Sanborn and Others just to name a couple.

I’m of the opinion that Teaser is certainly Tommy Bolin’s best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it’s a collection that even the casual Rock fan can appreciate and enjoy.

While the entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 – Homeward Strut, track 7 – Machine Power, and track 9 – Lotus.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Grind. Wow!

Teaser Release Notes:

Tommy Bolin originally released Teaser on December 21, 2004 on the Sony label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Grind – (studio) 2. Homeward Strut – (studio) 3. Dreamer – (studio) 4. Savannah Woman – (studio) 5. Teaser – (studio) 6. People, People – (studio) 7. Marching Power – (studio) 8. Wild Dogs – (studio) 9. Lotus – (studio)

As with any business, finding the specific targeted key is always the adventure when trying to climb to the top. Many fail and fall by the wayside in their attempts to climb the mountain. And many, quite honestly, just stall out without the right talent and management to back up the endeavor. The same holds true in the music business with singers and songwriters. The countless hours that A&R spend trying to find that key song for that new “baby” act is sometimes a relentless task. Oftentimes, the success or ultimate failure of an artist, isn’t the talent or in fact having the unique talent, but the songs that will carry their success down radio airplay lane. Without the right ingredients in the CD mixing bowl, you can almost guarantee failure. What makes for a good song? What songs do up and coming acts look for and how do you obtain these songs that almost create magic in the hearts of the listener when even the intro is played? These are great questions, and many have tried to answer them. I will give you some advice as to what holds true for many of your potential listeners.

If you’ve ever tried to get inside the mindset of a potential fan or one that will purchase your CD, you will notice some distinct differences in their thinking than what is popular or in vogue within the music business culture. To begin with, songs and artists that are currently selling are not the only thing that will sell. You say da, but most get on the current bandwagon with the same old tired sound and song structure and then wonder why they can’t get a record deal or get their songs cut or wonder why people aren’t buying their music. You will have to learn to think outside the box. Think back through the music era as of late and look at all of the styles and how music has progressed from big band, to the Beatles to the many 70′s rock bands to Boston, to the new Chicago (David Foster) albums to the slicker pop artists of the nineties with the barrage of improved keyboard sounds to today. Now I know that we could list hundreds to thousands of bands here, but for the sake of time I think you get the idea.

Are you really thinking about the next layer of the musical cake? What will that sound like? What are you currently doing to write not just off the wall music and productions to sound different, but music that will be the next level of the music era that people will look back at as a turning point in music history? As a singer looking to obtain A side songs for you’re your next CD, you will want to think about how and where you will obtain them. As a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency, I know how difficult it can be for artists and writers not only to break into the industry as a whole, but to maintain a credible ongoing writing career writing fresh and new creative lyrics and melodies. Yet the gotta have it today and write it from a fresh perspective is still king. At ReelMusician.com we are always looking at new and fresh production ideas for writers who obtain song production services from our company, and I can tell you that it’s a challenge. We pride ourselves in writing incredible productions and we do, but the art of making it a little different to the point where it stands out, really takes time and effort. Anybody can throw a song production together on the computer with a keyboard and a mic, but to create a unique, yet with musical integrity to the artist’s or writer’s original intent, and within the marketing bounds of today’s music buying crowd, isn’t always easy – It’s an art.

Even within the jingle production side to ReelMusician.com, we are always looking for new and creative ways to really showcase singers trying to break into the jingle singing market. The marketing behind the singer’s jingle demo reel is key. So again, when individuals think they can record their own jingle demo reel with a computer, keyboard and mic, they are most likely mistaken and I would guess most end in failure. Same thing holds for writers and singers trying to obtain top A sided tunes that will be a hit on radio lane. You have got to be writing and recording with individuals who have a proven track record, who think outside the box, utilizing their players ideas even when they overturn your original production idea, because it’s plain a better idea. And seeing that the overall production is the end goal, there is no attitude and hopefully A sided album cuts are produced and recorded.

There are numerous outlets on the web that most everyone is familiar with where up and coming acts can review and contact the writers or artists to obtain permission to record their music. The flood of sites available is astounding. As a writer or singer, comb through these sites and listen for not only valid recording material, but for ideas and ways to steer your next production close enough to mainstream marketable music, but close enough to the edge where your music and production sound fresh and new. See, it’s not that easy. It’s easy to write it here as a valid idea, but significantly harder to put into practice.

As we close, I will offer a few suggestions, and I am well aware that many claim to have the “answers,” but I will just remain confident that you are building your career, making career corrections as needed along the way and are practicing your craft, not merely as an art, but as a way to get a recording contract or plain get your songs cut by a major recording artist. You’ve heard it before, but writers do get significantly better with their writing and productions over time – keep doing it. Don’t be afraid to admit it when either your music or production isn’t working, but keep looking up, because there is hope in your admitting it and moving forward and learning how to better you productions. Don’t have an attitude about your music or the ability to change it, but don’t necessarily change it at every beckoning, because someone else “claims” to always have the superior idea. Lastly, just hang in there, keep at it and don’t be afraid to contact us should you have further questions about song production or jingle singing. Look forward to hearing from you.

I can describe the latest release from Rock super group Black Sabbath for you with just one word… Outstanding!

Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD for review that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Sabotage. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Sabotage is a pleasantly varied, mix of 8 tracks that are very well written and brilliantly performed songs by these clearly outstanding musicians. Most of the songs display a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are their own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, and the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.

If you’re even mildly into Rock music you’ll enjoy this album. Overall Sabotage is an outstanding release. I give it my double thumbs up. You will not be disappointed with one single track.

While this entire album is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 3 – Symptom Of The Universe, track 5 – The Thrill Of It All, and track 8 – The Writ.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Hole In The Sky. This is a great track!

Sabotage Release Notes:

Black Sabbath originally released Sabotage on October 25, 1990 on the Warner Bros. Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Hole In The Sky 2. Don’t Start (Too Late) 3. Symptom Of The Universe 4. Megalomania 5. Thrill Of It All, The 6. Supertzar 7. Am I Going Insane (Radio) 8. Writ, The

Black Sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Tony Iommi (guitar); Geezer Butler (bass); Bill Ward (drums).

Additional personnel: English Chamber Choir (background vocals).

Principally recorded at Morgan Studios, London, England.

It is interesting to note how historic events impacts on fashion through the ages to modern times. And icons of years gone by, their quotations and philosophies have surfaced time and time again, as new generations discover their true meanings and adopt them to suit.

Often associated with styles of the era, it can be said that these philosophies are as constant as style.

So to be really different we have mixed some famous quotations with abstract fashion reviews, so learning becomes a double edged sword.

And, Some Famous Quotations by Albert Einstein, which surfaced timely during the 60’s hippy era.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

“I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.”

When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.”

Review

A Tapestry Of Tartan In A Tie; Direct from the Vivienne Westwood Fashion House, a vividly colourful collection of handmade silk ties, including this rendition of the classic tartan in true form. A mixture of navy and sky blue, pink, tulip and orange on richly textured silk twill.

Quotation

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music.
I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. … I get most joy in life out of music.”

Historic Chapter

French and British find common ground; Silk tie by Louis Feraud, Cufflinks by London Badge and Button. And adding flavour to cultural diversity, native wildflowers from Kings Park Botanic Gardens Perth Western Australia.

The Battle of Waterloo, The Eureka Stockade and the birth of the military style, later popularised by Tommy Nutter, renowned tailor to the Beatles and Rolling Stones.

On February 26th 1815, barely ten months after the end of the Peninsular War, Napoleon sailed from Elba to bring about the end of his brief period of exile. It was the beginning of the final, momentous chapter of the Napoleonic Wars that would culminate in the great battle of Waterloo and Napoleon’s final downfall.

Quotations

“I have no particular talent. I am merely inquisitive.”

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

Product Review

Silverado: Here, a fine collection of men’s cufflinks from Birmingham and beyond. Fashioned from malleable silver and combined with classic and contemporary materials from enamel to resin. Each piece is unique in its own right, and, due to good design their value is retained for many years to come, ready to hand down to the next generation.

Quotation

Confrontation conquers fear, hope arises, truth unfolds. Fear is merely a state of mind; there is no substance to it. Realising this fact temporarily frees the mind of the compounds of fear.

Historic Chapter

The Eureka rebellion, which is often referred to as the ‘Eureka Stockade’ is a key event in the development of Australian democracy and Australian identity, with some people arguing that ‘Australian democracy was born at Eureka’ (Clive Evatt). In addition, the principles of mateship, seen to be adapted by the gold diggers, and the term ‘digger’ was later adopted by the ANZAC soldiers in World War I.

Quotation

The Little Red Book; Thoughts Of Moa On Art and Fashion: Letting a hundred flowers blossom and a hundred schools of thought contend is the policy for promoting the progress of the arts and the sciences and a flourishing socialist culture in our land. Different forms and styles in art should develop freely and contend freely. We think that it is harmful to the growth of art and science if administrative measures are used to impose one particular style of art or school of thought and to ban another. Questions of right and wrong in the arts and sciences should be settled through free discussion in artistic and scientific circles and through practical work in these fields. They should not be settled in summary fashion.

Product reviews Four

The 60’s: Reminiscent of the sixties flower power era. Subsequently it triumphed in every decade since. Also The Monkees hit number one Billboard Charts with hit song “I’m A Believer” penned by Neil Diamond.

Bright And Beautiful: Like all things bright and beautiful, gratification is finding out. Why flowers are chosen by designers? They reflect the brilliant hues of nature and easily found in, linen, silk, wool and cotton, condensed into all forms of decoration for us to appreciate.

Children Of The Revolution; “Iconic Influences” The “Icons Cufflink Collection”, featuring, Che Guevara, Sir Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe are brought to vibrant life, using sterling silver, enamel and Swarovski Crystals to create instantly recognisable forms. But, unfortunately, nowhere to be seen, is the formidable Fidel Castro, however he needs no introduction and, highly respected. T-rexs’ hit song best describes “Children of the Revolution” We’ve displayed Che Guevara before. And, do so again in honour of Fidel Castro’s 50 year experiment.