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August 31, 2006
New Challenges
When I was a young piano student, seriously pursuing my studies of classical music, I spent a great deal of time working on my “technique” and “practicing”.
Now, as a non-classical (or “pop” player) I work on my “chops” and “woodshed.”
It’s all the same thing, I’m trying to improve as a musician and a player.
Do you want to get better at music? One way to improve is to take on new challenges.
· Agree to play a three-hour gig, where you will have to do some cover tunes, and you’ll be forced to learn some new songs.
· Write a song in a style that’s not “normal” for you. Sheryl recently wrote a full-on gospel song in collaboration with our friend Lathan Hudson. Rhonda Mallard will be recording it.
· Co-write a song with someone new.
· Work with a songwriting, vocal, or instrument coach.
· Learn to play a different instrument. (I need to pick up that bass!)
· Singing in a new style. (Get your vocal coach to help you!)
· If you’re a self-taught player, learn to read music, and study a little music theory.
· By the same token, if you are a classically trained pianist, learn the “pop” style (which I happen to teach!).
The point here is to stretch yourself musically and mentally. Keep learning new things.
This is not a new concept, but it is so easy to fall back on what we already know, that we need to keep reminding ourselves.
We need to keep finding new challenges.
Posted by leon at 01:02 PM | Comments (0)
August 30, 2006
The Problem with Paris
I woke up early this morning, as I do most every weekday morning, to the sound of the “Scott and Erica Show” on MIX 105.1.
I, like many listeners, find the sound of Erica’s contralto voice uniquely soothing, and oddly energizing. She always sounds full of life and joviality. If she’s like that all the time and not just while she’s on the air, she must be a truly fun person to be around. She’s near the top of my list of people I’d like to meet someday.
As for Scott, he sounds like a genuinely nice man, and a very witty one to boot.
At the top of every hour Erica delivers the “Mix Morning Update”, a quick overview of the news, often with an “amusing or offbeat news story” at the end.
Sometimes I only half hear these reports as I emerge from the haze of sleep, but this morning I heard something that caught my ear. Apparently, Paris Hilton’s new album is a flop. Only about 75,000 total copies have been sold in the US. They were, of course, expecting to sell millions.
The general agreement among reviewers is that this album proves that with today’s technology (especially pitch-correction software), anyone can make an album.
Paris’ problem? She can’t go out and perform live to help promote the album. Why? Well, she can’t perform live!
Of course, I’m not too worried about her. She probably will not starve, and she now has a fun little thing to give away at her parties (that is, if anyone will take them).
In other music news, Jessica Simpson’s latest CD is not meeting with the warmest reception, at least by the critics. I listened to her latest single (the title of which I will not bother to look up) and it sounds amazingly like the 80’s hit “Holiday” by Madonna.
Today I will be working on some tracks for three artists, and any one of them has more talent in their little finger than….well, you know.
And they can all perform live, too.
Paris Hilton
Posted by leon at 10:33 AM | Comments (2)
Just Another Day
Ernesto is here.
It’s raining lightly on and off, and there is no wind to speak of.
Oh, it looks pretty grey out there, and the weather may indeed get worse throughout the day, but the general consensus is that Ernesto is a bust.
We’ll get a lot of rain, not much wind, and we’ll have a pleasant (if somewhat warm) Labor Day Weekend.
Can’t say I’m too disappointed about that!
Of course, now there will be stories about how Florida “dodged another bullet.”
The kids don’t care. They get a day off from school!
The PSG does not get the day off. The power is still on, so the studio will be open for business.
But first, it’s time to go walk Buddy Rogers, the Studio Dog ™. I’ll being an umbrella just in case.
I’ll post this when I get back, and I may be back later today!
Posted by leon at 10:02 AM | Comments (0)
August 29, 2006
Waiting for Ernesto
Well, it took a little longer this year, but here we are, waiting for another storm to hit.
Tropical storm Ernesto is headed right at us here on the Space Coast of Florida, and is due to hit tomorrow. It could be a rather ugly day. As I write this, we are under a tropical storm warning, hurricane watch, and a flood watch.
At this point I don’t know how the storm will affect our recording schedule.
Kevin Watson is due to come on Wednesday afternoon, but he may have to reschedule, we’ll just have to wait and see…
Of course, we hope that our sessions for Thursday and Friday will not be affected; Ernesto is supposed to have moved on by then.
There are some things you just have no control over!
Of course, if our recording schedule is slightly disrupted, so what? Our biggest concern is that everyone will be safe.
Time to go put on the Weather Channel.
You can check out the progress on Ernesto (and any other Tropical storm or hurricane) at National Hurricane Center Tropical Prediction Center site.
Posted by leon at 08:13 AM | Comments (1)
August 28, 2006
Monday, Monday
Here it is, Monday morning, and like many folks, I’m looking over the coming week to see what I need to do.
Sometimes I think that maybe I shouldn’t do that…some weeks there is so much to do and so little time, that it makes we want to go back to bed and hide until next month.
Of course, I won't do that!
But it seems that more and more weeks are like this.
So I have to spend some time deciding what needs to be done right now, and what can safely wait for a day or two.
My problem is that I want to get everything done today, and I don’t want to make anyone wait.
I guess that’s not very realistic, is it?
One of the major struggles in running a project studio business are the times when you are working a great deal, but much of that work is business development. In other words, you are working to get work so that you have work. It’s much different than working for someone, and your work is handed to you.
I think I’ve used the word “work” enough for today!
This week I’ll be working on the music of Kevin Watson, Barbara Brad, and Rhonda Mallard. I’ll also be recording Sandz of Time, and working on bits of music for various other artists.
I’ll also be talking to people about BurnLounge. Sheryl and I are talking to folks about BurnLounge every chance we get.
Why? Go to www.burnlounge.com/solo and click on “Watch the Commercial.”
Rhonda Mallard
Kevin Watson
Posted by leon at 11:36 AM | Comments (2)
August 24, 2006
Living the Dream
We started a new project today with Barbara Brad, a businesswoman, part-time singer and entertainer who we met through the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce.
We’ve worked with musicians of all skill levels, and we’ve made them all sound good. Sometimes it took a little work, but that’s what we do!
Now with Barbara, my main tasks will be to give her a track to sing to that is worthy of her voice, point the mic at her, hit record, and get out of the way.
To simply say that she is a good singer is something of an understatement.
She told me that countless people over the years have asked with a sense of urgency, “When are you going to record a CD? When you do, I want a copy!”
I now understand their impatience.
Barbara told us that it has been a dream of hers for quite some time to record a CD of her favorite songs (and maybe an original or two!).
Now I have the privilege of helping make that dream come true.
Is it any wonder I’ve been doing this for 16 years?
Posted by leon at 09:30 PM | Comments (1)
August 22, 2006
The Famous Mr. Fed
Well, I couldn’t resist, I had to watch K-Fed’s debut performance at the recent Teen Choice Awards.
While I am not driven or led by popular culture concerning movies, music, clothing, etc., sometimes I just get plain curious as to what is going on out there. So K-Fed is in the news, and his “debut” was creating a lot of buzz, so I decided to take a look.
Being unable (OK, unwilling) to watch the entire “Teen Choice” awards, I watched the video on line.
His wife Britney Spears brought him out to perform his new single “Lose Control” or “Out of Control” or “Lost Control” or something like that. I suppose I could go look it up, but somehow it just doesn’t seem that important.
The crowd seemed to like what he was doing, but I wonder if that was because they were instructed to like it by the producers of the show. After all, it wouldn’t do to bring on a highly touted and anticipated act like K-Fed and then have the audience yawning, checking their watches, or yakking on their cell-phones.
Apparently the “Hip Hop Community” (do they all live in a gated community somewhere?) did not respond well to K-Fed’s debut. His performance has been roundly mocked and panned.
What did I think? Frankly, he sounded just like any other rapper to me. This could be attributed to my complete ignorance of the entire genre. Oh, I am aware of Rap’s existence, but I have not devoted much time to studying its intricacies.
Lest you think I harbor some sort of hostility towards Rap, be aware that I also don’t know much about Russian Folk Songs, Slavic Dance, nor am I a devotee of Opera. All opera sounds to me like controlled, tuneful hollering with orchestral accompaniment.
I wish Mr. Fed great success, although I suspect some may wish otherwise, since it is possible that the decision to have him perform for the first time on national television was not entirely based on his talent and experience.
Kevin Federline (a.k.a. "K-Fed", or as I like to refer to him, "Mr. Fed.")
The Teatro alla Scala in Milan is one of the world's most famous opera houses.
Posted by leon at 12:04 PM | Comments (1)
August 21, 2006
The Wave is Coming!
Here’s some information that should be of interest to anyone involved in BurnLounge.
Check it out!
Posted by leon at 11:45 AM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2006
Various and Sundry Things
This was one of those days when I had recording sessions scheduled, and then for whatever reason they were canceled.
In fact, ALL of my recording sessions for today were cancelled. This can’t be good for business.
The newest member of our musical family was to come in at 11AM today, but somehow she got it in her mind that her session was tomorrow.
Our good friend Kevin Watson was to come in at 6PM today to continue work on his new CD, but he is still recovering from a car accident.
So I spent some time writing music for a website video. Some poignant music that will play over scenes of the burned-out roof of the Central Brevard Humane Society. Sheryl shot the video and she is getting it ready to put up on the Humane Society’s website.
We hope to raise awareness of the needs of the CBHS through this video, which features an interview with Theresa Clifton, the Executive Director.
The other big project: Sheryl and I are writing an eBook about profiting from the changing trends in digital media distribution. We’re trying to get it done as soon as possible.
Well, tomorrow I need to get two or three days work done in one day, since we are going to Lake Wales on Friday to play two nights at the Highlander.
Man, if I keep this up, I may get tired.
You can adopt a pet at the CBHS!
The Highlander, Lake Wales, FL
Posted by leon at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2006
"New" Music For the Old Dog
I’ve been learning how to legally download music. Yep, the old dog is learning some new tricks.
I’ve become a customer at our BurnLounge site and now go there to buy at least a couple of albums every month.
So far I have purchased four albums on line, and three of them are over 20 years old.
This may say something about my age, I don’t know. But these were albums that I used to have in LP form, and those LPs are no longer in my possession. I gave one LP to my brother; the other two have vanished into the mists of forgetfulness. Who knows where they are? Hidden somewhere in a remote closet in my house, perhaps.
So, what did I get?
The three old albums are Elton John’s “Caribou”, and two albums from Tears for Fears, “The Hurting,” and “Songs from the Big Chair.”
I downloaded the Elton John album and burned to CD. I had not heard it since 1975.
Back when “Caribou” came out, it was practically an Elton John world. He was by far the most popular artist in the early 70’s. He had an amazing streak of 7 number one albums, of which “Caribou” was the fifth. During that time he was putting out albums at an amazing rate, 2 a year at least. What’s more, these recordings were made up of his own songs, written with partner Bernie Taupin.
Elton the musician was of particular interest to me, since he was a pianist. He brought the piano back to the forefront of pop music, whereas guitars had dominated the music scene since the 1960’s. His songwriting displayed a grasp of chord structure and melody that few of his contemporaries possessed. It seemed he could go anywhere musically, and write in almost any style. He covered light pop, loud rock, progressive rock, country, and R&B with equal ease.
The early 70’s found him at the height of his powers, but by the time he made “Caribou” the relentless touring and recording he’d pursued since the late 60’s was beginning to wear him down. He had just come off his most colossal success, the ambitious double album “Goodbye Yellowbrick Road.” There was bound to be something of a let down with his next album.
So, how does “Caribou” hold up after all these years? Surprisingly well.
It’s an interesting mental exercise to listen to music that you first heard in 1974, and then forgot about for over 30 years.
“Caribou” was written and recorded in Colorado over a period of two weeks between tours. Who records complete albums at that speed nowadays?
Here are my impressions of each song as I heard them again:
1. The B**** is Back (this is how the song is listed at Amazon.com) – The lyrics make no sense, but the music is full of energy and fun. I do, however, get tired of the incessant repetition of the word “b****”, so I now skip over this one.
2. Pinky – One of Elton’s great forgotten love songs. I especially like the “surprise” chord that comes at the end of the chorus, “Now she rolls like the dice in a poor gambler’s hands” Nice percussion work by Ray Cooper, who had recently become part of Elton’s touring and recording band.
3. Grimsby – This one is almost a vaudeville rock song. The introduction has a kind of “Rinky Tink” quality that’s hard to resist. This song is Taupin’s ode to a rough seaport town. Some interesting “backwards cymbals” effects.
4. Dixie Lily – A pretty good country song that could be covered today. The sax solo takes it out of the pure country realm and back to the English music hall (these boys were British, after all).
5. Solar Prestige a Gammon – Taupin’s take on John Lennon’s nonsense Italian words from “Sun King” on the Abbey Road album. Elton sings it in his best mock operatic voice. The synth “accordion” solo is great fun. This song is enjoyable if you don’t take it seriously.
6. You’re So Static – This is probably my least favorite song of this collection. The misogyny of the lyric bothers me. The music is energetic but forgettable. I guess they can’t be all “Your Song.”
7. I’ve Seen the Saucers – This eerie song, with its unusual chord progressions, could have been used on the “X-files” in some way. The “spacey” guitar effects wear thin after a few listens, but the masterful backing vocals and strong lead vocal make up for it.
8. Stinker – A chugging, overlong R&B number. Elton sounds as though he’s overreaching himself vocally here. Sharp brass arrangement played by the Tower of Power horns, though.
9. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me – The big hit (along with track #1). The story is that Elton didn’t like this song very much, considering it too schmaltzy, so it was up to the producer, Gus Dudgeon, to make it into something. Of course, Elton now includes it in practically every show.
10. Ticking - Elton and Bernie’s attempt at an epic story song. Am I the only one to notice that the piano intro to this song is the same as that of “Pinky”, only in a different key with slightly altered rhythm?
Well, now it’s on to my “new” albums from Tears for Fears.
Dig That Crazy Outfit!
Posted by leon at 02:03 PM | Comments (1)
August 14, 2006
Snakes in the Dryer
Last Saturday we Sheryl and I held our 25th anniversary party.
When I said in an earlier posting that we would have a full house, I wasn’t kidding. It was practically wall-to-wall people, but what a group!
I will not attempt to name everyone who was there, since I would run the danger of leaving someone out.
The party ended around 11:30 PM, and Sheryl and I started trying to put the house back into some semblance of order.
At about 12:20AM Sheryl went into the garage to finish drying some clothes, and found that the dryer would not run.
She began to think, “Hmm, we’ve had this problem before. Could it be?”
So she moved the dryer away from the wall, took off the back panel, and there it was: a black snake that had crawled in to the dryer through the vent. It was very much alive, and not at all happy about being disturbed while resting in a dry, warm and comfortable place.
Sheryl enlisted the aid of our daughter Rose in safely getting rid of the snake, after which the dryer ran fine.
Ah, life in the country.
I’ll have some pictures of the party soon.
Posted by leon at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2006
25 Years!
Tomorrow Sheryl and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary.
Actually, the real date of our wedding is August 22, but tomorrow is the big party!
We’ve invited every member of our musical family, every family member, and all or our friends from Christ Community Church.
We should have a full house, a lot of good food, and a lot of good music. Our guests have been requested not to bring presents, but to come ready to play a song or two. It should be quite a concert!
Sheryl and I have gone through a lot in 25-year journey together.
We’ve endured hard times and enjoyed countless good times.
We have an intelligent, charming and beautiful daughter.
We have met and become friends with so many wonderful people, and worked with so many outstanding musicians and songwriters.
I could write a great deal more, but suffice it to say that we are truly blessed.
My Blushing Bride (Who doesn't look old enough to have been married 25 years!)
Posted by leon at 10:06 AM | Comments (1)
August 10, 2006
Wasting Time
Here’s an example of how today’s technology can cause us to waste time. This is an email that I received today:
Hi!
Last time we talked about the difference between Canadian and US medications. You told me that US meds are much better than other. I've decided to try out Canadian pharmacy. You know that i have some problems with anxiety so i used Valium and Xanax that I've bought at My Canadian Pharmacy drug store: (use this link).
They have lower prices but their medications have such quality as US meds do. They also provide secure purchase. I'm completely satisfied and i think you'll be satisfied, too.
John.
In the first place, who is “John”, and when did I talk to him about Canadian and US medications? Why would I even be talking about medications? I’m a musician, not a pharmacist!
Secondly, how would I know that “John” had problems with anxiety if I don’t know who he is in the first place?
Finally, is “John” intimating that I need to be using Xanax and Valium, so I might as well get them cheaper from “My Canadian Pharmacy?”
Perhaps I need to be using some sort of memory enhancing drug, since I have no recollection of my conversation with “John.”
Things like this keep me out of the studio, and thinking crazy thoughts.
I’d better get to work before I’m tempted to write back to “John” and demand that he leave me alone. (I could word my request in a stronger, earthier way, but there are ladies reading this blog!)
Posted by leon at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2006
House Concert Photos
Sharon Osuna - She and her husband Ray hosted the concert in their beautiful home in Titusville, FL
Sheryl Paige (The Headliner) and the PSG
The PSG and his favorite "Country Sanger" - Sandy Ferris of Sandz of Time
Sandz of Time - featuring "Seamus" (Pronounced "Shame Us")
(Asli Walker, Leon Olguin, Spike Dean, Sandy Ferris)
Posted by leon at 08:24 PM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2006
House Concert - August 5, 2006
Last Saturday Sheryl and I played our first house concert, which was held at the home of Ray and Sharon Osuna (Sharon is one of the newest members of our “musical family”, having just recently recorded a six-song project in our studio).
We hope to do many more house concerts! It was great fun, playing Sheryl’s songs for a warm and appreciative audience in a very intimate setting. We got to eat dinner beforehand, hang out with a great bunch of people (including several other members of our music family), and we got paid. What more could we ask for?
House concerts are put on by dedicated music lovers like Sharon who open their homes to musicians and fans for an afternoon or evening of music in comfortable surroundings.
I have since learned that there are House Concerts being given in almost every part of the US and Canada.
The following description of House Concerts is by Bruce Woytuik from houseconcerts.ca.
A house concert is not a new concept; in fact it dates back to the days of chamber music where people would gather in their drawing rooms and salons to listen to traveling musicians. It was a way to get together with friends and, at the same time, to be introduced to artists and their work. It was a time when involvement in the arts was a part of everyday life.
Today, most of us are accustomed to concerts where the performer is inaccessible, so the experience of a private concert in an intimate setting provides a refreshing contrast. House Concerts are unique events. The audience is close enough to see the details of the artist’s performance – the nuances of a facial expression – or see the artist’s fingers attack the strings before they hear the sound of the notes. Not only can the guests see and hear the performance better, they also have multiple opportunities to meet and mingle with the performer.
As performers, Sheryl and I could easily get used to playing this type of show!
Thank you Sharon and Ray, and our thanks to those who came to support their effort (and us!)
I hope to get some pictures of the event soon.
Posted by leon at 04:37 PM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2006
Song Virgins
I had a couple of ladies in the studio last week that came in to record a simple song demo.
The lady who initially called me had seen our number in the yellow pages, and called to inquire if we were really a recording studio. After receiving assurance that we really did record people, she made an appointment for herself and her partner. It turns out she was the lyricist, and her partner, a singer and keyboardist, would be the actual performer of the song.
They came over and ending up recording the song, and it was not bad.
It was only after the session that I found out it was the first song that either of the ladies had written. They were “song virgins.”
I was impressed. They had done very well for their first attempt.
It caused me to think back on the first song I ever wrote.
I was 13, and a group of churches in the Los Angeles area where I grew up decided to hold a music festival. As part of the festivities, they planned to put on a songwriting contest.
I fancied myself a serious composer at that age, having written some pieces that I fondly called “sonatas,” or “piano pieces”. I dutifully attached opus numbers to each of my compositions (e.g. “Theme and Variations for Piano by Leon Olguin, op. 1”)
I decided to enter the songwriting competition, even though I considered songwriting to be a lower art form, when placed next to serious classical composition. I thought it might be fun and easy, and since I was a composer already, I believed I stood a good chance of winning. Words? How hard could that be? I would think up some lyrics to this magnum opus, no problem.
I wrote my first song, and I mean I actually wrote it out: words, melody, and every note of the detailed piano accompaniment in full score.
I turned it in to the judges, and also had one the better singers from our church perform it the competition. Certainly my superior abilities would be recognized.
I didn’t win.
I didn’t place.
The judges’ comments were along the lines of: “That was………….interesting.”
The song, which mercifully no one remembers except me (and I have no intentions of performing it for anyone ever), was a grand exercise in youthful pretension. I attempted to make a grand philosophical statement through the lyrics, and create music for the ages that would stand alongside the best of the masters.
That song was so bad that it could have been used as a sort of aural punishment for hardened criminals. “I won’t do it again! Just stop playing that song!!!!”
Fortunately, over time I learned what songwriting was really all about, and my songs have improved a bit since “the early days.”
Now here were two fledgling songwriters who had nervously come to my studio with their first attempt at serious songwriting, and they certainly did not embarrass themselves.
Will the song be a hit? Probably not. But they had definite potential as songwriters.
I really hope they stick with it. It will fun to watch them grow as songwriters and collaborators.
Maybe they will write a hit song someday, and I’ll be able to say, “I was there at the beginning!”
Posted by leon at 12:10 PM | Comments (0)
August 04, 2006
I'll Be Back
It’s been a crazy week here at SCM. The PSG is buried!
Back with more postings next week.
Have a great weekend.
Posted by leon at 04:45 PM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2006
We’re Going Places, and We’re Taking All Our Friends With Us
Last Saturday (July 29) we held a “BurnLounge Mixer” at Spike and Sandy’s house.
I had the privilege of standing up in front of the 15 (or so) people in attendance and giving an overview of the BurnLounge concept, and the opportunities that exist for both musicians and businesspeople.
Musicians now have a way to distribute their music without relying on a record label. They can also earn commissions from the sale of anyone’s music on their site.
5 of the attendees were being introduced to the BurnLounge concept, the rest of us were already BurnLounge retailers.
The more I talk about BurnLounge, the more I am convinced that digital downloading of music is the “wave of the future” (to use a well-worn cliché).
Our BurnLounge team will be earning passive income from the sale of music, and eventually, movies, ring tones, TV shows, and audio books.
In addition, this whole thing will shortly be going global, eventually branching out into at least 50 countries.
To use another well-worn cliché, it’s going to be huge!
We’re excited to be a part of it all at this very early stage. We plan to go places with this, and we want to take all of our friends with us.
If you’ve never heard of BurnLounge, go to our site and click “watch the commercial.”
Posted by leon at 03:55 PM | Comments (0)