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January 25, 2007
Hot Cross Sponge
While this story has nothing to do with music and recording, I found it so funny that I had to comment (snark?) on it. Apparently, you can’t underestimate the ability of some people to not think things through.
Apparently a team at the University of Florida (not the football team, but most likely a team of guys in white lab coats) found that “cooking” a sponge for two minutes in the microwave at full power could kill a range of bacteria, viruses and parasites.
They described how they soaked the sponges in wastewater and then zapped them.
It sounded like a good idea. Who doesn’t want to get rid of those nasty bacteria viruses and parasites? So many folks tried to do this at home, but they didn’t realize that the sponge had to be WET. Several experimenters left out this crucial step. They put a dry sponge in the microwave at high power. The result? A series of sponge fires that left kitchens across the nation smelling like burning tires.
One disgruntled experimenter wrote: “Just wanted you to know that your article on microwaving sponges and scrubbers aroused my interest. However, when I put my sponge/scrubber into the microwave, it caught fire, smoked up the house, ruined my microwave, and pissed me off.”
Aaron Hoover, a press officer at the University of Florida, said several other news organizations received similar complaints, although no one had complained directly to the university.
“We figured, 'Wow, we better let people know right away that the sponge should be wet,”’ Hoover said in a telephone interview.
Yeah, I guess so!
So the university issued the following advisory:
“To guard against the risk of fire, people who wish to sterilize their sponges at home must ensure the sponge is completely wet. Two minutes of microwaving is sufficient for most sterilization. Sponges should also have no metallic content. Last, people should be careful when removing the sponge from the microwave as it will be hot.”
Duh, duh, and duh.
There must be SOME way I can connect this to the music business. Any ideas?
Happy sponge cooking!
Posted by leon at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2007
Denny Doherty (1940 - 2007)
I’m turning the PSG over to my wife Sheryl today: This is an email that she sent out on 1/20 to everyone on her mailing list.
Hello friends...some sad news today…
I got the call a few minutes ago from my friend “Java” John, who is a local artist, and radio host, that Denny Doherty (of the Mamas and Papas) passed away last night, resulting from complications following a surgery.
We had just been talking with our friends, Robin and Eddy (Melbourne FL based duo) a couple weeks ago and they had mentioned his surgery, and that he was planning to come to Florida soon. We were looking forward to seeing Denny again.
Denny was simply a great human being.
I remember that when he did our TV show, Session 31, he had a very quick wit and an encyclopedic recall of music in several genres. He and Leon got on a run of music puns that kept us all laughing.
He was a very positive and up guy and made everyone on the set feel comfortable.
I remember he was a great musician, and cared much more about the music than about the technology. When I asked him about changes he'd seen in the recording industry he quipped "it's still the same to me...just point me to the microphone and I'm fine."
He gave an outstanding performance with Robin and Eddy, told us about his days in the Mamas and Papas, and about his new performances.
We took everyone out to the Sun Shoppe for dinner after the shoot, and Denny grew a little melancholy reminiscing about his first wife, who had passed away just weeks before the show. He obviously cared for her a great deal. We took the time to just listen to the wonderful stories of how they met and their life together, and allowed him the chance to share his loss among friends. It strikes me that we're in that same process now. One thing is for sure, our lives are much richer for having known him, and we'll miss him.
Java John will be hosting a Tribute To Denny Doherty on his On-Line Radio Show Wednesday January 31st
THE ACOUSTIC RECORD
Monday – Friday 9am-1pm (eastern)
www.theacousticrecord.com
www.tropicwaveradio.net
Lots of love and hugs to you all.
Sheryl
Denny Doherty
Posted by leon at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2007
Dangerous Curves
After being in the project studio business for 16 years, I thought I'd done just about everything. In fact, my unofficial motto has always been "Everything but Heavy Metal."
Well, I finally got to do something completely new. I was involved in creating a workout CD for Curves International.
Since Curves is a place for women to work out, I obviously didn't know much about it. But I found out how it works: the ladies exercise to the accompaniment of high-energy music, all of which is at 140 beats per minute. At the same time, they play a CD that instructs the exercisers to "change stations” every 30 seconds. Then at the end of six minutes, the ladies are instructed to get off their machines, check their pulse, and then move to the next machine to continue their work out, where they are once again instructed to "change stations" every 30 seconds.
The woman I produced a CD for is the owner of a Curves franchise, and she thought it would be a good idea to substitute affirmations such as "you are beautiful", or "you are strong." for the "change stations now" instruction.
She brought this idea to the corporate offices of Curves, and they gave her the go-ahead to do a test CD. That's where we came in.
She came into the studio and recorded some 60 affirmations, one after the other. My job was then to create a CD that started with 30 seconds of silence, followed by an affirmation, followed by 30 seconds of silence, followed by an affirmation, and then at the 12 minute mark (she changed it from 6 minutes) splicing in the section instructing the exercisers to do a heart rate check and then continue exercising.
I was arranging dozens of little sound bits. It was rather like putting together a giant aural jigsaw puzzle.
Anyway, as I write this, the CD is now being tested at the spa. I will be very interested to find out how it works!
Bye the way, this blog entry has nothing to do with “Dangerous Curves.” I just thought it was a cool title.
Posted by leon at 07:02 PM | Comments (1)
January 16, 2007
American Pie Desecrated
I suppose it had to happen eventually.
I was taking a little break today and watching an episode of "The Simpsons" when I saw it. It was a commercial for Chevy trucks. Nothing unusual about that, except for the song they were using as a jingle. It was the chorus of "American Pie" by Don McLean.
"Bye-bye Miss American pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry."
Of course, those were the only two lines of the song that were used in the commercial. They couldn't very well use the next two lines:
"Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Saying this will be the day that I die."
Naturally, nobody wants to associate drinking and death with a Chevy truck. But I suppose in the bloody history of American highway driving, these three things have been linked together from time to time.
Well, on that morbid thought, I think I'd better get back to work...
Posted by leon at 07:16 PM | Comments (1)
January 15, 2007
Freebo Again
Last Friday night we had the opportunity to see Freebo perform at the unity Church in Melbourne, Florida. (We went on a "double date" with Spike and Sandy. Hey, we sure had fun!).
The first time we saw Freebo perform was at a private house concert. We’ve also seen him perform as a duo with Jim Photoglo.
Here's some information from Freebo's Website:
Freebo's success in rock'n’roll has been well documented over the years. From bass player/band member with Bonnie Raitt for a decade to countless studio sessions and tours with artists ranging from John Mayall, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Maria Muldaur and Ringo Starr, to T.V. appearances on "Saturday Night Live," "Midnight Special," and "Muppets Tonight," as well as tuba performances with Dr. John and the legendary Spinal Tap, Freebo has achieved status and respect in a creative and highly competitive field.
Not satisfied with simply resting on his laurels as a top sideman, Freebo has continued to push his creative envelope, and now has evolved into an acclaimed singer/songwriter, with three well received solo CDs to his credit, 1999's "The End Of The Beginning," 2002's "Dog People" (songs about the human/canine connection), and his new CD, "Before The Separation."
Released in October 2005, Freebo's latest shows his complete arrival and comfort as a singer/songwriter, with thoughtful and insightful lyrics sung with soul and passion, framed by his acoustic guitar and signature fretless bass, and supported by tasty drums, electric guitar, and harmonica, played by some of rock music's finest musicians.
Freebo's songs span styles from folk, blues, and country to R&B, reggae, and rock 'n' roll, and incorporate themes of love, struggle, triumph, peace, and the journey of life. His live performances, mainly on acoustic guitar, take you on a musical and lyrical ride. Freebo creates an intimate unity with his audience and will likely leave you with a tear in your eye, but with a smile on your face.
What makes Freebo worth listening to?
His performance is polished, but not slick. He is definitely a skilled musician, but when he performs, it's just him and his acoustic guitar. No lip-synching, no fancy lights, no dancers, no explosions, just a man and his music.
He's worth listening to because he has something to say. He has definite opinions on the way things are in the world, and he is able to express these views eloquently through his songs. He invites you through what he says and sings to get involved in the world, to have an opinion, to care about something. He gives you something to think about.
When Freebo performs he gets the audience involved. He had us singing, whistling, and even doing harmony parts.
He comes across as earnest and humble, but quite sure of himself on stage. He obviously loves what he does and that contributes greatly to our enjoyment.
We had a chance to talk to him after the concert, and he was happy to see us again. He let us know that he would be willing to play bass on Sheryl's next project. I certainly hope it works out so that we can take him up on that!
Freebo and Friend (All right, his dog Harlow)
Posted by leon at 07:30 PM | Comments (1)
January 13, 2007
Sad Songs
While we were at the Hall of Fame Lounge in Nashville on Tuesday night, January 9, we had the opportunity to hear the work of some other songwriters.
What they do at the Hall of Fame is schedule "rounds" where you have a group of three or four songwriters each playing a song in turn.
Sheryl and Asli were actually a "round" of two songwriters, which is unusual. Normally, you have at least three, and usually four songwriters in a round.
The songwriters who came on right after Sheryl and Asli were an interesting bunch. But one songwriter really drew our attention. She seemed intent on using her songwriting as a catharsis of some sort. Her life was apparently quite painful, and she endeavored to describe this pain in graphic detail through her lyrics.
Her first song was called "Broken". A sad little song.
Her second song was titled "Wounded". Another sad little song.
I'm not sure what her third song was; perhaps it was "Maimed".
By this time, I was overcome by the secondhand smoke, and had to leave the room.
In addition, her songs were remarkably similar in tempo (that is to say, slow) and mood (that is to say, gloomy).
At any rate, the idea of writing an upbeat song seemed to be a foreign concept to this particular songwriter.
Now, there's nothing wrong with a sad song. Obviously there's a great deal that can be said for singing the blues. But even blues singers lighten up occasionally.
As for the other two singer songwriters, unfortunately, I can't remember a thing that they did.
Posted by leon at 03:19 PM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2007
Nashville, January 2007
Friday night, January 5, 2007.
It happens every time. We're getting ready to leave for Nashville, and we plan to leave at five o'clock in the morning. (Yes, there is a 5:00 a.m.!)
So, the night before, I promise myself that I will be in bed at a reasonable hour, and be well rested for the long drive. But it never happens. Perhaps it never will happen. We always seem to be up as late as one o'clock in the morning, trying to tie up all the loose ends, pack all of our things, and make sure that we haven't forgotten anything important. (I always manage to forget at least one thing, however).
Anyway, we managed to leave on time with my mother-in-law in tow. We then went over to Oviedo, picked up Asli, and took off for Nashville. I drove the first leg, fortified by copious amounts of coffee.
It was a rather uneventful drive, although as usual, we hit traffic around Atlanta. We arrived safely and went to our usual place for dinner, The Blackstone Brewery.
On Sunday morning, we slept in, and then went for breakfast at Noshville. Noshville of course, is a Jewish delicatessen, right smack in the middle of Nashville!
We then went shopping at Opry Mills Mall and my mother-in-law bought an amplifier at the Gibson Guitar Showcase store. Who would've figured?
That evening we left to play at the Bluebird and while we were hurtling down Highway 65 at 70 miles an hour, our van died! It was the strangest thing, it was as though someone simply reached over and turned the key, shutting off the engine! Suddenly I had no headlights, no power steering, and no power brakes, and so I had to wrestle the van to the side of the road. We called AAA and proceeded to wait. Before long, Sheryl had the bright idea of calling Mike Ward (works with us in BurnLounge), and he and his wife came and rescued us. AAA arrived, the van was towed to an auto service place near our hotel, and then Mike and Laurie took us over to the Bluebird.
Sheryl also called the Bluebird to let them know that we were having car problems. They were kind enough to put her on last in the songwriter showcase.
In spite of all the problems we had getting there, Sheryl did a marvelous job. We'll be going back to play the Bluebird again this coming July.
So, early Monday morning I was at Firestone Auto Care in Brentwood Tennessee, waiting to find out what was wrong with my van. Fortunately, the only problem was that I needed a new battery. It seems that Dodge Caravans have this unique “safety feature” whereby when the battery drops below certain voltage, it shuts the engine off. A strange design, when you consider that I had to drive a suddenly disabled car without power steering or power brakes while going 70 miles an hour on a rain slicked highway. Anyway, I was glad that we were all safe, and that all I needed was a new battery. We were soon up and running again vehicle wise.
On Monday night we attended a BurnLounge meeting. Sheryl had a chance to play a couple of songs. We also met some other members of our BurnLounge team.
On Tuesday night, Sheryl and Asli played at the Hall of Fame Lounge. The main problem with playing this particular venue is that it is not a non-smoking venue! Consequently, we all smelled like cigarettes upon exiting the club. Poor Asli even wound up choking on the smoke during her last song.
We left on Wednesday morning, dropped my mother-in-law at the airport, and came home. It seemed like a very short trip!
I’ll have some pictures soon!
Posted by leon at 02:30 PM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2007
Here We Go Again
It's the day before we leave for Nashville, and as usual, we are spending the day getting everything ready for the trip. I just spent the morning getting the car ready, you know, the usual routine, getting the oil changed, and having my mechanic check everything in order to make sure that we don't break down somewhere along the way.
This is going to be a quick trip. We’re only going to be in Nashville for few days. So I'm not going to attempt to post anything to the blog while I'm up there.
I'll be back on the 13th. I'm sure I'll have some fun things to share with you. I'll make sure we take a few pictures too.
Posted by leon at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2007
Out With the Old, in With the New
Today Sheryl went out and replaced the stereo in our van. Ever since we purchased our van four years ago, the stereo has not worked properly. The CD player never worked, and we could only get a couple of AM stations on the radio. So if I was driving around during the afternoon, it was either silence or Rush Limbaugh. Silence proved preferable.
To make matters even worse, in order to play CDs, we used this device where you put this cassette like object into the cassette slot, and it connected somehow to the portable CD player. In attempting to use this device, the cassette got stuck in the stereo, and we had to put up with this constant grinding sound coming from the cassette player. I quickly learned to block out the sound, but it used to drive Sheryl crazy. I was content, we were still able to play CDs, I couldn't see what the problem was. I am now ashamed of my insensitivity.
Finally, Sheryl could take it no more. She ordered a new stereo for the van, and as soon as it was delivered, (which was today) she put it in herself. Naturally, it worked. The first time she tried it.
This started me wondering, how many other things, are there in my life that I put up with? Maybe there are some things that I need to get rid of and replace with something new and improved.
I can't really think of too many material things that I need to replace immediately. Actually, the stereo in the van was one of the few things that didn't work. Other than that, the car is in very good shape, as are all of the major appliances in our house. Everything in my studio works well, there is the occasional technical glitch, but I'm usually able to fix it in a short time.
Our TV is not the latest high definition/plasma model, but it looks fine to me. I don't watch much television, anyway.
We recently got new furniture for the living room, so I have no complaints about that. Our dining room table is 25 years old, but it's still standing! I suppose we'll have to replace it some day.
We will also need to upgrade our computers very soon, but for the time being, they do everything that we need them to do. Well, actually they don't do it all by themselves, we have to help a little bit.
So what am I talking about? I'm talking about attitudes that need to be changed, and new attitudes that need to be developed.
I've been working on developing these attitudes or attributes, if you will, for a long time.
I'm working on developing an attitude of confidence in everything that I do. I was brought up to believe that it was wrong to "toot your own horn.” But if you're never allowed to tell anybody that you're good at what you do, your confidence begins to suffer.
I know from experience that I am very good at what I do. Amazingly, nobody seems to be very offended when I tell them. I've learned that it's actually possible to inform someone that you're good at what you do, and remain humble!
The attitude I'm working hardest on developing in 2007 is the willingness to take risks, and try new things.
During the past several months, I've been working with a very talented jazz singer named Sybil Gage. Now, I've always loved jazz, but I've never really put a great deal of effort into learning how to play it properly. Now that I'm working with Sybil, I am forced to put in the effort! It's been a real learning experience for me. I can feel myself growing as a musician, and I'm enjoying it very much.
Another new thing in my musical life is the Sheryl Paige band. Spike, Sandy, Sheryl and I have put together this group to play casual dates at country clubs and private parties. My good friend and longtime agent, Len Turner, is representing us. We played our first official date on New Years Eve! Talk about baptism by fire. But we made it, and we’re looking forward to playing future dates together.
I'm also planning to put a great deal of effort into building our BurnLounge business. This is definitely something new for me.
I'm also hoping to acquire more business clients. While I enjoy working with musicians, it's a different kind of challenge to work with a business. Most of the work that I do for businesses consists of voiceover work, creating radio spots, or recording podcasts. And I'm sure as the year goes along, I’ll find a few other things I can do for businesses.
These are just a few of the new things that I hope to bring into my life in 2007.
The one old thing in my life that I am most desirous of getting rid of is the fear of the new! I'll keep working on that.
A belated happy new year!
Posted by leon at 07:32 PM | Comments (0)
Its 2007!
Hello everybody!
To quote an old cliché, it's hard to believe that it's already 2007. It seems as though I was just celebrating New Year's Eve 2006, but that was actually so long ago, I can even remember what I was doing.
This past December was one of the busiest that I can remember. I was working on several projects in the studio, and Sheryl and I were preparing for our first New Year's Eve gig together. Along with Sandy Ferris and Spike Dean, we formed the Sheryl Paige Band. We were scheduled to play New Year’s Eve at The Pelican Yacht Club in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
Playing a New Year's Eve gig was not a new experience for me, but it certainly was for Sheryl Spike and Sandy. I was truly impressed at the amount of work that they put into rehearsing for this gig.
So, how did it go? I would say it went really well, the only thing we could have done better was to have more fast party songs in our repertoire. We had a few club members request that we "pick it up a little".
The younger club members wanted to party, and they wanted nothing but loud and fast music!
From my experience playing these types of engagements, I knew that if we played loud, fast and hard right away, the older members would end up leaving. Sometimes you get into situations like these New Year's Eve jobs, where no matter what you do, you're not going to please everyone!
But we made it through, and as my friend and fellow musician Jan Turner used to say, "That's one for the record books.”
So as we begin 2007 were now preparing for our next trip to Nashville. Sheryl will be playing once again at the Bluebird Café, and then also at the Hall of Fame Lounge. What makes this trip special is that not only is our good friend Asli Walker coming with us, my mother-in-law, Bev Purdum is also accompanying us.
I always tease my mother-in-law by saying to her, "I have a terrible problem with you. I don't get to see you often enough!"
Of course, like most people, we've been making our New Year's resolutions, and setting goals. There's a lot we want to accomplish in 2007. I don't think I'll put a list here in the blog, if I start listing everything out; I'm going to get tired.
I hope to be adding to this blog on a more consistent basis. I also plan to put some effort into creating an e-mail newsletter for all my clients and members of my "musical family.”
Talk to you soon!
Posted by leon at 01:22 AM | Comments (0)