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June 30, 2009
Let It Go
Our dear friends (and long-time members of our musical family) Sandy Ferris (my new co-writer) and Spike Dean came to the studio today to listen to some tracks that we had produced more than two years ago. We had to stop work on their project, along with everything else, when Sheryl was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago.
Now we're back to work, and we were picking up where we left off.
I've done a lot of work since we first produced those tracks. Listening to them today for the first time in over 2 years, the drum programming seemed a little stiff, the piano sounds were a little outdated. I kept thinking as I listened, “Why did I do it that way?” Well, the answer is that I did the best I knew how at the time, and since then I have improved as a recording engineer, and I'm taking advantage of the new and improved recording studio tools that are now available to me.
It would be tempting to go back and re-do all the drum parts, re-record the piano, change the arrangement a little here and there, and generally end up redoing the whole thing. However, we're just going to do a quick remix and “release it.” The tracks still sound good. Sometimes you just have to let it go.
Our subsequent productions with Sandy and Spike will benefit from the improvements we've made to the studio, and the continued development of my abilities as an arranger and engineer.
We did, however, redo the bass part on one song. Spike nailed it in less than two takes. Just as I am continually striving to improve my skills, he's improving as a bass player, too!
Posted by leonolguin at 09:29 PM | Comments (0)
June 29, 2009
Man vs. Machine
I work a lot with computers and all that technology stuff, but I am most definitely not a “gear head.”
Most of the time, I get along well with my machines, but then there are days like the one I experienced last week:
First, I try to use my cell phone in the house. This is allowed isn't it? Its not against the law, as far as I know. However, whenever I try to use my cell phone in the house, I invariably lose the signal. Sheryl can walk all over the house, and merrily talk away to anyone in the world on her cell, while I can only manage, “Hello, how are you do”....(beep, beep – signal faded). This happens EVERY TIME.
OK, I'll move on to my laptop. Trusty ol' laptop. I just upgraded to Microsoft Internet Explorer 8. The day before the upgrade, I could go online, update this blog, do a quick check of Facebook, no problem. After the upgrade? Can't get online. Once I updated my browser, I could no longer go online. Now I'm no “techno geek,” but I KNOW that's not how its supposed to work.
So I have to call in my technical expert, Sheryl. She will fix it eventually, but this kind of thing can emasculate you in a hurry (if you are a man, that is).
So on to the studio. I have to bring up a certain ProTools file to work on, and IT IS NOT THERE. I'm looking in the folder where it is supposed to be, and it is NOT THERE. How could I lose a file? I search through every folder on the drive, thinking I may have accidentally moved it, all the while thinking about all the work that would be involved in recreating the file. Now, you may be asking, “Where was your backup?” Don't ask. I always back EVERYTHING up, except this one file that I was going to work on, and then save and back up on another drive.
Finally in desperation I turned off the Mac, and rebooted. I went back to the same folder, and THERE IT WAS. In the same folder I had been frantically searching through only moments before. Could I have been looking directly at it without seeing it? It is entirely possible, but I went through that folder (and every other folder on the hard drive) file by file.
Somehow, I have made the technology gods angry, and I must find some way to appease them.
Posted by leonolguin at 12:19 PM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2009
Michael Jackson (1958-2009)
I remember when Elvis died. I was driving down the Harbor Freeway in California on my way home from somewhere, and heard the news on my radio.
I remember when John Lennon was assassinated. I simply could not figure out why someone would want to kill him.
I went online late this afternoon, June 25, 2009, to check the news, and there it was: Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, dead at 50.
It almost seems surreal when someone that famous passes away. You keep checking back to make sure that it really happened. Then the flood of news stories begins, and people talk about it for days.
Others will say this, but I will say it as well; set aside all the weirdness that surrounded him since the early nineties. When he was at his peak in the 80's, it seemed that he could do anything. Sing, dance, write songs, sell 50 million copies of one album, break through the “race barrier” on MTV.
There are countless folks who turn up the volume when one of his songs comes on the radio (as they undoubtedly will now), especially a song from the unprecedented run of hits he had from his “Thriller” album.
They do it to this day, although they may not broadcast the fact.
Jackson was preparing to do a run of 50 shows in London and had been rehearsing for the last two months. Now we will never know if we missed the comeback of the century, or...well, there's no need now to think about the alternative.
Posted by leonolguin at 12:05 AM | Comments (1)
June 25, 2009
What People Really Want From a Musician - Integrity
I remember once back in the eighties, a friend of ours told me flatly, “All musicians are flakes.” She then realized to whom she was speaking, and tried to backpedal a bit (actually a lot) but it was too late. She had spoken what she truly believed.
Why did she say it? Well, obviously she had had a run-in with a musician at some point, and the musician in question had most likely displayed some very flake-like behavior.
What did this musician do? Probably showed up unforgivably late for appointment, or perhaps did not show up at all. Perhaps he agreed to perform some task, and never did. Somewhere, a word was not kept, or an agreement was ignored. Hence the universal “musician – flake” label.
I implore anyone who calls himself or herself a musician, to act with the utmost integrity. It doesn't matter whether you do music as a sideline, or as your full-time occupation. Always do what you say you are going to do. Be on time (or a little bit early) for everything. Be completely prepared for whatever you are doing, whether it be a performance, an interview, or a recording session. Pay your bills on time (especially your studio bills!). Be honest and upright in all your dealings.
People want to be able to depend on you. The mature musicians I know fully realize this, and thus give a good name to our profession.
Posted by leonolguin at 05:42 PM | Comments (1)
June 24, 2009
What People Really Want from a Musician - Honesty
If you are (or want to be) a musician, how can you give the public what they want? What do they want? I've got some ideas!
Honesty
This is an important one for singer / songwriters. Before you can really move ahead with your music, you need to answer this question for yourself: “Who am I?”
A pitfall that younger musicians often fall prey to is trying to be “someone else.” Back in the eighties, many young female singers wanted to be “the next Madonna.” In the music business you often see a new artist touted as “the next so and so.” Anyone out there old enough to remember when Bruce Springsteen was publicized as “the next Dylan?” Only when he progressed beyond that label did he become “The Boss.” How did he do it? He was honest about who he was. He didn't consciously try to be the next Dylan.
Nowadays, there seems to be a specific style of singing that goes over big on “American Idol,” so countless young singers strive mightily to emulate that style. In so doing, they end up sounding very much like each other, with wildly varying degrees of ability.
Finding out “who you are” as a musician and staying true to that person, is not an easy task. Sometimes you can't completely define yourself, and who you are evolves over time. Sometimes you make a conscious effort to change, as you find yourself unhappy with certain aspects of the person you have become.
The main point here is not to try and be like someone just because they are popular the moment. Most of the mature musicians I know have pretty much figured out who they are and what they are about, and they are “comfortable in their own skin.”
Posted by leonolguin at 04:16 PM | Comments (1)
June 23, 2009
The PSG is on Facebook
After some gentle persuasion from my dear wife Sheryl, and my good friend Sybil, I have joined Facebook.
Here’s what my face (actually my upper half) looks like:
See? I’m not that scary looking.
Now I’m asking folks, “Do you want to be my friend?” Why do I suddenly feel as though I’m back in 2nd grade?
Actually, Facebook is a pretty good tool for keeping in touch with everyone. However, one must be careful not to spend too much time there.
I still prefer talking with people “face to face!”
Posted by leonolguin at 10:05 AM | Comments (3)
June 22, 2009
It Was Never Funny
Ha ha ha. This is funny because musicians are losers who can never be counted on to make a living.
I hate cartoons like this. When was this joke first used? 1922?
Posted by leonolguin at 08:51 PM | Comments (2)
Anime Sheryl
Our daughter Rose will be spending her senior year studying in Japan at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka.
In honor of this once in a lifetime experience, Sheryl has had herself turned into an anime (Japanese animation) character.
Anime Sheryl
Posted by leonolguin at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2009
From Frank’s Vinyl Museum 2
I couldn’t resist this. Not only do you get to see the cover, and read about the recording, well…you’ve got to hear this to believe it.
Do you love the Beatles? Do you love Dogs? Now you can love them both at the same time!
I've listened to hundreds of Beatles covers over the years in just about every style and format you can possibly imagine. I've got Beatle covers by groups trying to sound just like the Beatles and groups trying to sound like anything but the Beatles. Covers sung by celebrities, TV stars, musicians, and nobodies. Musical styles ranging from Country to Jazz to Classical to Acapella.
Just when I thought I'd heard everything, along comes this treasure: the Beatle Barkers. On it are 12 of the Beatles' most popular early songs, done up by a traditional rock-'n-roll band with the vocals supplied by dogs. That's right. Dogs.
You know at Christmastime when every radio station in town starts playing that annoying version of Jingle Bells where the tune is carried by a dog barking at different pitches? Well, this is an entire album of Beatles songs delivered exactly the same way. They even throw in a few other animal noises like cats, chickens and sheep. If that sounds revolting just listening to the description, wait until you hear the record.
I don't get it. Beatles songs with dog and cat noises is supposed to be entertaining? Cartoons of dogs playing guitars with Beatle haircuts are funny? Am I missing a chromosome somewhere or is this the stupidest idea for a recording since Edison cranked out the first wax cylinder?
The songs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney will go down in history as the most well loved and frequently performed of our generation. I have often wondered why the success of Lennon and McCartney hasn't been duplicated since the 60's -- not even by Lennon or McCartney themselves. I think this record makes the answer obvious. If reaching the pinnacle of songwriting success means you get to hear your music performed by dogs, who would want to bother?
Listen to the examples! (MP3 format)
Beatle Barkers- Love Me Do
Beatle Barkers - Saw Her Standing There
And here's one more just for fun. Beatles' songs as opera. (I am not making this up, and I have proof!)
Posted by leonolguin at 10:48 AM | Comments (1)
June 18, 2009
From Frank’s Vinyl Museum
From one of my favorite sites of all time:
If you thought the music of today was weird…
"Possibly the two most hated words in music -- brought together for the first (and probably the last) time on this 1979 release from Jimmy Sturr and his orchestra. As if to add insult to injury, this record contains not one but two discs of the stuff -- 20 tracks in all. Maybe they recorded one track for every single person who wanted to see this album made."
Posted by leonolguin at 03:17 PM | Comments (0)
Our Musical Family
We never refer to our “client list.” Instead, we talk about our “musical family.”
We seem to become close friends with just about everyone we work with in the studio. It would be hard not to. We have the privilege of sharing in the creation of their art. We are helping someone bring his or her dreams to life.
We never take this privilege lightly; we strive to do our best work for everyone who comes in here.
Our musical family has brought immeasurable joy into our lives. When Sheryl began her battle with cancer a year ago, the family rallied around us, and every one of them who were performers, without exception, played at various fund-raising benefits for Sheryl.
This blows my mind when I think about it (which is often, as in every time I look at my wife…). EVERY SINGLE ARTIST who recorded in our studio and still lived in this area came to our aid in some way during our darkest hours in 2008.
Now that we are back working again, our family is coming back to the studio to work on various projects, and Sheryl’s students (also family members!) are coming in to be instructed and encouraged.
I thank God every for our musical family, and I’m thankful for the new members who are joining their ranks.
Posted by leonolguin at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
June 17, 2009
The Song a Week Club
Sheryl has been using the weekly songwriters’ night at Nolan’s Irish Pub as a motivation to write a song every week. So far, it has been a successful experiment, as she has come up with some great songs. It’s a real challenge, finishing up a song in the afternoon and performing it live for the first time in front of audience that evening. I don’t think I could do it.
One benefit derived from this new regimen is that Sheryl now has a reason to think about songwriting and songwriting ideas every day. She is now almost always in songwriting mode, and must exert tremendous diligence to stay on schedule. No one is forcing her to do this; it is pure self-discipline.
I have always believed that creativity is like a muscle. You’ve got to “use it or lose it.” (You can get away with clichés like that in a blog, but you would not want to put them in a lyric.)
One of the benefits for me in doing this blog is that I am obliged to think about what I do every day, and try to come up with something useful and inspiring for my readers. This leads me to think about ways in which I may better serve those who come to me for help with their music.
Now I just need to start writing a song a week as well! As soon as I invent a 36-hour day, I think I’ll be able to do it.
Posted by leonolguin at 08:42 AM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2009
Calling All Idols
Well, the madness is starting again. Any of you want to be a star? Now’s your chance!
Here's what some hopefuls are going through:
Just a few things first (these are last year’s rules, but I’m sure they are largely the same for this year):
· You must be able to prove at the time of your registration and audition that:
- You are a legal U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident who is eligible to work full-time in the United States; and
- You are 16 to 28 years old on July 15, 2008 (which means you must be born on or between July 16, 1979 and July 15, 1992). If you were born before or after this window, you are not eligible to participate this season.
- You are ineligible to participate if you progressed in any previous season of American Idol to any of the following levels:
Season 1 - top 30 contestants
Season 2 - top 32 contestants
Season 3 - top 36 contestants
Season 4 - top 44 contestants
Season 5 - top 44 contestants
Season 6 - top 40 contestants
Season 7 - top 24 contestants
· If you are asked to audition for one (1) or more of the semi-final rounds of the competition (currently scheduled for November 2008), you MUST be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of Producer at that time that you do not have any of the following agreements in effect (written or oral):
- a contract for talent representation (for example, a talent agent or manager);
- a music recording contract;
- an agreement relating to the use of your name, voice and/or likeness;
- an exclusive acting contract; or any other contractual arrangement that would prohibit you from fully participating in the show and/or entering into any contracts required by Producer, including an exclusive management contract, recording contract and merchandising contract.
· You are ineligible if you, or any member of your immediate family and/or anyone living in your household, is an employee, officer, director, agent and/or representative of Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Interactive Media, Inc., American Idol Productions, Inc., FremantleMedia North America, Inc., 19 TV Limited., CKX, Inc., AT&T Mobility, LLC, Telescope, Inc., Coca-Cola, the Ford Motor Company, Sony/BMG, production personnel for the television program, participating television stations, advertising agencies, corporate sponsors or any person or entity connected with the production, administration or judging of the auditions, or any of the parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing entities.
And don't forget what a "star" is: a big ball of gas!
Posted by leonolguin at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2009
Beethoven in Nashville
I post this famous cartoon in honor of my friend and fellow musician, Sybil Gage.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by leonolguin at 10:58 PM | Comments (1)
Why PSG?
Sometimes I wonder, “Why did I call this blog ‘Project Studio Guy?’”
I don’t even like being called a “guy.” And I really hate it when someone calls me “big guy.”
But what choice did I have?
Consider the alternatives.
“Project Studio Man” sounds like some kind of super hero thing.
“Project Studio Journal” sounds as boring as a Yanni CD played at half speed.
“Project Studio Person” is politically correct, but exceedingly stilted.
“Ruminations on the Inner Workings of a Project Recording Studio, and Musings on the Music Business in General” may be accurate, but perhaps a tad long.
Other rejected names:
“Studio Stuff.”
“Dog in the Studio.”
“Not a Bedroom Studio.”
“Wanna Make an Album?”
This posting is getting too silly; I’d better stop before Graham Chapman shows up in full British Colonel regalia, and reprimands me sternly.
If you understand that previous reference, you are a silly guy, indeed.
Stop it! It's getting too silly!
Posted by leonolguin at 03:45 PM | Comments (1)
June 11, 2009
Tennessee Waltz – the Sequel
I did a little research, and it turns out the “The Tennessee Waltz” is ONE of the state songs of Tennessee. They actually have 6 state songs:
1. My Homeland Tennessee
2. When It's Iris Time In Tennessee
3. My Tennessee
4. Tennessee Waltz
5. Rocky Top
6. Tennessee
In 1964, Tennessee Waltz became the fourth official song of the state. It was adopted by Senate Joint Resolution 9 of the 84th general assembly.
So “Rocky Top” is ALSO a state song of Tennessee.
Why so much fuss over Tennessee?
Because Nashville is there, of course!
And they have more state songs than any other state.
How could any songwriter not like a state that has 6 state songs?
Posted by leonolguin at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2009
The Mysterious Tennessee Waltz
Last Friday Sheryl and I played a gig at the Vero Beach Yacht Club.
Just before we started, a spry, charming, elderly lady called me over to her table.
“Would you please play the Tennessee Waltz?” she asked.
“I’d be happy to,” I replied, “but I can’t remember all the words, so I’ll have to play it instrumentally.”
“That’s OK,” she said, “It’s the state song of Tennessee, you know.”
Her husband had been listening in to our conversation, “Will you also play “Rocky Top?” he requested.
“Oh, don’t play that!” she teased, “That song was written to be sung at football games.”
“We’re from Tennessee,” he proudly informed me, “and that’s one of my favorite songs.”
We played both songs.
This was not the first time a long-married, sweetly devoted couple asked for the “Tennessee Waltz.” What makes it interesting is that while it’s a tender, romantic, country tinged melody, the lyrics tell the story of a man who brought his sweetheart to a dance, introduced her to a friend of his, and then watched helplessly as his friend stole his sweetheart away, as the friend and the sweetheart danced to the beautiful Tennessee Waltz.
Later on the gentleman proudly informed me that he had proposed to his wife in 1948 in front of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
I wonder if they met a dance?
Tennessee Waltz
I was dancin' with my darlin' to the Tennessee Waltz
When an old friend I happened to see
I introduced her to my loved one
And while they were dancin'
My friend stole my sweetheart from me.
I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
Now I know just how much I have lost
Yes, I lost my little darlin' the night they were playing
The beautiful Tennessee Waltz.
Posted by leonolguin at 04:13 PM | Comments (0)
June 09, 2009
Look Out, Old Macky is Back!
I had to sing “Mack the Knife” last weekend when Sheryl and I played the Vero Beach Yacht Club.
It’s a very popular number, and there seems to be a law requiring one to perform it at all Country Club or Yacht Club functions.
Here’s Bobby Darin’s Version:
Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it … ah … out of sight.
Ya know when that shark bites, with his teeth, babe
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves, though, wears old MacHeath, babe
So there’s nevah, nevah a trace of red.
Now on the sidewalk … uuh, huh … whoo … sunny mornin’ … uuh, huh
Lies a body just oozin' life … eeek!
And someone’s sneakin' ‘round the corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
A-there's a tugboat … huh, huh, huh … down by the river don’tcha know
Where a cement bag’s just a'droopin' on down
Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten old Macky’s back in town.
Now, d'ja hear ‘bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor
Could it be our boy's done somethin' rash?
Now … Jenny Diver … ho, ho … yeah … Sukey Tawdry
ho … Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky’s back in town.
Aah … I said Jenny Diver … whoa … Sukey Tawdry
Look out to Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky’s back in town …
Look out … old Macky is back!!
I don’t sing it like Bobby; I kind of do the “safe, bland country club version.” The folks enjoy it greatly, and dance a foxtrot when I perform it, but look at those lyrics! It’s a rather gruesome song.
Apparently there are some unused verses that make it even worse: check out this article from this fascinating site: “The Straight Dope.”
Be careful! This site will draw you in, and you may not come out for hours.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Bobby Darin!
Posted by leonolguin at 11:38 AM | Comments (0)
June 04, 2009
Never Be Mean to a Horse
I couldn't resist putting this up.
Check out this comic: "One Big Happy."
Ruthie is upset because they didn't give the horse a name.
I'm upset that a hit song was written with a two-note melody.
Posted by leonolguin at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)
Two Blogs Become One
Since the start of 2009, I’ve been writing two blogs, this one and “They Can Still Hear You.”
After much thought I have decided to end TCSHY, and concentrate solely on the PSG.
With the studio work, teaching, and performing I do, along with coordinating the music at our church, I found that I didn’t have enough time to do a thorough job on both blogs.
There was also some overlap between the two. TSCHY was about owning and running a small business, and the PSG often deals with the same thing, albeit with more concentration on the peculiar business of running a recording studio.
Most of you who read this blog have probably never looked at the other one, but of course, I hope that those who read TSCHY will come over here!
No posting tomorrow. Sheryl and I will be getting ready to go to Vero Beach for a two-night stand at the Vero Beach Yacht Club. Yep, I’ll sing a verse of “Mack the Knife” for you! (Sheryl, on the other hand, does not have to sing these type of songs, I have to protect her dignity, you know. She will be strumming some jazz-type guitar chords, and singing some of the cooler songs from the 60’s and 70’s.)
Posted by leonolguin at 10:52 AM | Comments (0)
June 03, 2009
Ow! My Ears!
Auto Tune software, when used properly, can help make a good vocal a little better. You can't hear it being used.
Or, it can be used for evil.
Posted by leonolguin at 12:58 AM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2009
Not Too Late?
Sometimes I get a little wistful when I watch shows like “Legends and Lyrics.”
The feeling comes over me as I listen to the amazing and often moving creations of these master songwriters.
When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I really wanted to be a songwriter. Elton John and Billy Joel were my main inspirations, since they were classically trained piano players, and so was I!
I started writing songs in earnest around that time, and of course, most of them were not any good. I still have some of my lyric books from that time, and I will not show them to anyone. I can barely look at them myself. But I keep them for some reason.
Back in 1978 I had two of my early songs cut by a Contemporary Christian Band called “Tradewind.” One of my songs was even the title cut on their album (we called them albums back then in the pre-CD days).
I was getting two types of feedback on my songwriting efforts at the time.
Type one was from my fellow musicians and some of my college professors. They encouraged me to keep at it. I had some ability that I could develop; there was a chance that I could do something with this.
Type two was coming from my family, and well-meaning relatives. “Cut it out,” was the word, either directly or implied. “You cannot make a living this way. You need to get a real job. Maybe you could be a piano teacher. Wait, you can’t even make a living doing that. Just forget this music thing.”
I chose to listen exclusively to the type two feedback, in an effort to be a “good kid” and keep peace in the family.
Oh, I managed to carve out a career in music. I started out as a church music minister, and served in that capacity in various places until 1990.
Today, I am most fortunate to be able to devote myself to recording and producing music, writing about music, composing instrumental music, and performing music. I continued to write songs well into the 80’s, primarily worship songs for use in the church, but by the early 90’s, after I left the ministry, I had all but given up on songwriting.
I just turned 51. It’s hard not to think of all the great songs I might have written had I kept at it steadily from the time I was 18.
Sheryl, sensing my songwriting melancholy, told me about a songwriter she met in Nashville who retired from his job in his early sixties, and moved to Nashville to pursue his songwriting. As few years into his “second career” he has had a few songs cut. He’s out there, doing what he loves, and having the time of his life.
Let’s see, I had an idea for a lyric the other night, and there’s this melody I came up with…
Posted by leonolguin at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2009
Papa Leo
Back in 2002, Sheryl wrote a song called “Walking My Dog,” in which she sang about the various dogs we met on our morning walks with our “previous” dog, the late Buddy Rodgers.
In the last verse she tells the story of “Papa Leo,” who “keeps his pockets full of treats.” When we ask him how he is doing, his reply is usually, “Still kicking! But not too high.”
When Sheryl began her battle with Lymphoma last year, I ended up walking our “new” dog, Abby Rhodes, on my own each day. I would occasionally see Papa Leo and he would always ask how Sheryl was.
Well, this morning Sheryl and I were out walking Abby Rhodes together, and for the first time in a year we met Papa Leo together as he was working in his front yard.
His pockets were full of treats for Abby (and other neighborhood dogs, no doubt).
Sheryl asked him, “So how are you doing?”
He answered, “Still kicking! But not too high.”
Then he added, “You know, I try to enjoy every day as much as I can. And I hope to enjoy many more.”
We hope he does too.
Posted by leonolguin at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)