After getting a review copy of the album I had a brief chat with Rogers about his production vision, he stated…”The record is recorded completely on analogue gear this time, turning back the clock. We get so used to hearing the super clean, clinical ProTools records! [The vocals] have a warm valve sound as opposed to over the top verbs. I wanted to ditch a load of bottom end on them, making the whole thing a little retro. I suppose I recorded the record I wanted really, because until a few people heard it and went “Wow”, I was keeping it for me.”

The song that gave me the biggest “Wow” was “This Life” about a drunk in a New Orleans bar who falls for a hooker.  This song stood out to me as having the most soul, and brought Ray LaMontagne to mind as a reference along with the others I mentioned in my past review of Lee Rogers song “Easier” from his 2006 album Drawing Clocks.  Again the musicianship is super classy, creating a rich texture with the rhythm section and subtle highlights with the keys and backing vocals.

Produced by rising star Gareth Dunlop and Rogers himself, it feels like they have invited you to sit next to them in the studio in the way Citizen:General was recorded.  Take a listen and read more about it at Lee’s Website.

Well I’m proud to state that the full Mr. Rose music catalog is now available in high quality format at the Google Play Music Store.  I know it’s been a difficult time for you waiting, but head on over and take a listen…and then buy hundreds of copies for friends and family!  Go HERE

Mr. Rose Music News

I did some brief production work at CCA for Louisa Alten, creator and host of the new TV show Forever Younger.  I worked with Producer/Editor Ed Oliver to help organize the background music, and I was honored to hear that my Mr. Rose song “Lo Siento” was included in a full segment of Episode One.

UPDATE:  Forever Younger is now airing its first 6 Episodes in Texas, Louisiana, Indiana, and Arizona…and writing/production has already begun on Season Two!

I co-produced this promo video with CCA wunderkind Ted Voorhies, and it was shot and edited by the legendary technologist Ed Oliver:

~

Pau Gasol, starting center of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, was rumored in 2003 to be found mating with a pack of wild ostrich in an abandoned barn just outside of Memphis, TN.  Pau was then a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, and the rumor was quickly dismissed as a hoax in local newspapers.

The photo you see here was taken on 2/8/11 through an RV windshield by 9 yr. old Anthony Wayne 30 miles outside of Las Vegas, NV, and it was reported to authorities on 2/12/11.  Gasol and the Lakers then encountered a rare 3-game losing streak, including a loss to what many consider the worst team in NBA history…the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This story is slowly gaining traction, shaking up both the NBA and scientific communities.  Perhaps the young “Gasolstrich” is nearing the end of its long journey from Memphis to Los Angeles…soon to feel the embrace of a father it never knew.

When the ‘Beats by Dr. Dre’ headphone series was introduced, they used the marketing phrase “hear the music the way the artist intended”.  I tested their ‘Solo’ and ‘Studio’ models, and I can tell you that this phrase is several times more appropriate with Grado headphones…especially with the SR125i’s and higher.

As I do when I test all headphones, I listened to a few songs from every major genre of music.  I covered the super-slick production of major label artists, and also some independent self-produced gems here at Music Forte.  I’d like to highlight what I noticed specifically with the SR125i’s…

• Fingerpicking and rhythmic acoustic sounds are amazing.
• Songs with a deep punchy bass allow you to feel it in ways you just can’t with other headphones.  With the open-air design, it’s like there’s a mini subwoofer in your ears…and it feels good.
• Because you can hear all the proper panning, sound effects, and ear candy that the sound engineers intended in the mix, some songs sound like you’re hearing them for the first time.

.

As I mentioned in my review of the “iGrado’s”, it’s much more of an event than a casual listening experience with these headphones.  To expand on that, it’s also a more sensual experience.  With such great detail and sensitivity in the sound, I found myself getting more moved by vocal performances and easily recognizing instrument brands and amplifier models.

NOTE: The SR125i’s ship with a 1/4 inch cable attached.  If you want to use them to listen to your iPod or mobile phone, you’ll have to pick up a 1/4 inch to 3.5mm adapter which you can easily find at Radio Shack or Best Buy for just a few bucks.

It’s also hard to go back to other brands once you’ve listened to Grado.  It would be like getting a new 52-inch 1080p Plasma TV and then having to go back to your old 40-inch 720p unit…not to sound like an arrogant snob or anything, but it’s kind of painful.  The technical explanation for Grado’s sound is “dynamic open-air, supra aural, high fidelity”, which means that air does pass through the cans while you’re listening.  These are not noise cancellation headphones by any means, and someone sitting next to you would hear some sound leak even at lower volume, but it feels like more of a natural experience to me.

The “iGrado” is the least expensive model in Grado’s Prestige Series, and they retail for about $50.  This price is ridiculous for the quality of sound you get, and when you compare them to other brands in that range (believe me, I’ve tested just about everything out there).  I also listened to some of Grado’s higher end models first, and I was expecting a major drop off in sound with the iGrado’s…but there really wasn’t that much.

The iGrado is also Grado’s newest product, a street-style design for the portable market with an over-the-ear loop/behind-the-neck fit.  I’ve tested numerous different headphone brands that have this same style, and most I found to be very uncomfortable, digging into my temples, or just too damn tight.  This was my major concern with the iGrado’s when I first saw the pictures…but then I got them in the mail, tried them on, and they fit like a dream! They have nice ear cushion, no temple digging, and I really don’t have any complaints with them whatsoever.

~

~

You can also listen to the full studio production of “Wild Monkey” HERE

First read this quote by Lee Rogers, “I like the idea that music crosses oceans of time, that my songs and my voice will be here long after I’m gone, that someday they will belong to my son. It’s important that he knows who I am. He inspires me everyday. Maybe someday I’ll inspire him.”

Now take a listen to his song “Easier”.  If you feel something tugging at your heart strings, don’t be alarmed…it just means you’re human.  With the help of producer Marco Canepa, a gorgeous texture is built around an acoustic guitar, upright bass, subtle strings, and understated piano…and of course Lee’s warm, soulful voice.  Tom Waits is mentioned as an influence and I hear that, but Bruce Cockburn also comes to mind.

Van Morisson may be the best reference though, for his similar phrasing and rare talent in creating timeless classics….not to mention they both were raised in Northern Ireland.  Lee’s entire album is amazing, but the song “Easier” resonates with me to a level where I’m moved to give it my first 5-Star review rating.

My review of Easier by Lee Rogers is also featured at his website:  RIGHT HERE

The mugger was later found to be ‘Texas’ Rex Torshin, an unofficial representative of ASCAP who happens to be missing two fingers on his left hand. ASCAP denied Torshin being on corporate payroll, stating he’s simply a “friend of the company”.

The 62 year old homeless Indieman likes to play his guitar outside of the Mill Ave. bars, just a few short blocks from ASU campus. His specialty is a heartfelt acoustic rendition of the score from Barbara Streisand’s hit movie, Yentl. He can also bring the house down with his A cappella version of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” where he likes to lay flat on his back while singing. After heckling Indieman for nearly an hour, Torshin then wrestled him to the ground and took 14 cents out of his tip jar…which was slightly more than 15% of his earnings for the night. Torshin was charged with theft and battery, but the case was immediately dismissed in court by a judge with an Italian last name.

A group of ASU students chipped in to buy Indieman a new guitar, and they brought him to tears when they surprised him with an autographed copy of the original Yentl soundtrack on vinyl.
=================
-
NOTE: This horrific tale was inspired by the real life news article – ‘End of the song’