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Vol 1: 1-11-2003
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ellee ven reviews KULAK'S WOODSHED'S "Songwriter Strumble" hosted
by John Daniels.
Sunday, January 5, 2003, North Hollywood, CA
Having been born and raised in L.A., I've had the opportunity to be around
lots of entertainers and have been to my share of venues, but this Sunday,
I experienced something extremely special when JOHN DANIELS invited me to
sing at his showcase.
In the heart of the NOHO district, is KULAK's WOODSHED: a small storefront
providing international exposure to singer/songwriters that they deem worthy.
(Visit www.kulakswoodshed.com for more info) It's a super cool and comfy
atmosphere with couches, big chairs and beds to lounge on. Plus. performances
are webcast live!
There, I had the privilege of sharing the stage with 3 brilliant performers!
PLUS the sound/tech people producing the webcast were right on and there
were NO technical difficulties! (a modern miracle...)
First, Tracy Niles opened the evening with her incredibly soulful self.
I would call her a cross between Shelby Lynne and Janis Joplin. I liked
her so much I purchased her CD, "Breaking the Silence" and am enjoying it
thoroughly. You can learn more by visiting www.tracyniles.com.
Randy Sacks took the stage next. Randy Sacks and the Holy Rollers were a
mid-sized band with a huge sound! Randy believes that a true lyricist transmits
to the audience, not words, but pictures. Imagery and character study are
the backbone of his songs and it was powerful. He's also backed by an awesome
group of musicians. Visit www.randysacks.com for upcoming perfomances.
My set was well received and I was happy to debut some new songs! After
my set was through, Craig Lackey took the stage. An industry veteran, Craig
writes songs for TV and film, and has co-written songs with Nashville and
Los Angeles hit writers for Trisha Yearwood and Tim McGraw. It showed! I
was floored (and slightly displeased because I was unable to catch the whole
set). The good news, is I've been invited back!!
If you're unable to see me next time, I still highly recommend patronizing
Kulak's. They're open several nights a week, showcase buzz-worthy artists
and admission is free (Donations Appreciated).
ellee ven reviews STUN MULLEN @ LUSH, Santa Monica, CA
Saturday, January 4, 2003
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/386/stun_mullen.html
They describe themselves as "Just four So Cal freaks gettin' their kicks
blasting out supercharged, nitro burning surf, spy, rockabilly instrumentals,
period", but I describe them as fun! Music is supposed to move you one way
or the other and I guarantee you won't sit still! Inspired by bond and bong,
they're a must see!
Carmine Pascuzzi's reviews ellee ven's "The Eleventh Hour"
...This Los Angeles based singer-songwriter has the ability and personality
to be a real star...She sees music as sensual and funky, and delivers beautifully,
along with capable musicians to back her. Some highlights include “Another
Page”, with its slice of Latin, as has the song “Did I Say Too Much”. The
funky feel of “Magic” would make a great radio song. ellee’s soothing and
elegant voice, with occasional intimate whispers, creates a very romantic
feeling. “Real You” and “Forgive Me” are two more gorgeous tracks, in providing
uplifting R&B grooves, trip-hop components, and relaxing ambience. It’s
a very good album by a fine singer. Hopefully, we should hear a lot more
of her outside of the USA.
Read the entire review on line at http://www.mediasearch.com.au/music/reviews.asp#Overseas
What do you think? Send us your review of ellee ven’s latest CD "The Eleventh
Hour", and you could win an elleeven T-Shirt and an autographed copy of
"The Eleventh Hour"!
Your review must include at least 5 of the 11 songs on the CD and can be
as long as it needs to be. We reserve the right to edit your review for space
consideration.
So crank up your stereo and start writing! You could walk away wearing an
elleeven T-shirt!
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Here you’ll find the latest music trends, groups or the people
behind them that help shape the music industry.
This issue of THE SAUCE is proud to bring you an interview with Engineer,
Producer and Songwriter REGINALD (REGGIE) DOZIER.
Reggie has worked with just about everyone in the business including: Lamont
Dozier, Gene Page, Lionel Richie, Ray Parker Jr., Natalie Cole, David Paic,
McKinley Jackson, Phil Collins, Miles Davis, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklyn,
The Four Tops, The Temptations, Johnny Mathis, The Jazz Crusaders, The Isley
Brothers, Brenda Russell, Patti LaBelle, Drew Hill, Mary, Mary and Debbie
Gibson.
THE SAUCE: For the laymen reading this interview, what role does the engineer
play in the studio?
Basically, the engineer’s job is to try and back the producer up as far
as what he’s hearing. I try to set myself in that position that the things
he misses, such as tuning, or something like that I’ll catch it and let
him know that something is there. And I guess the first priority of all
things is to make sure that the sound itself is the way he wants to hear
it and interpet the music the way he also wants to bring it to the public
and overall oversee it.
THE SAUCE: How does one break into the industry if your goal is to be an
engineer, and how did you get your first big break?
Well, if you’re trying to get into the industry now, it’s pretty hard. There’s
a lot of guys such as myself--I do a lot of work out of my home, using—I
use LOGIC and sometimes I’ll go places where I use PROTOOLS. The engineering
now has changed to a point that it’s pretty much digital. And people are
not going into the big studios as much unless they’re the big artists and
then you get a chance to go.
I started, in the beginning of R & B and Rock ‘n’ Roll. I started in
the ‘50s you know doing different things—sweeping floors, just to get in
there, whatever it took just to get started. And then went from one thing
to another, did my service time and came back and started again. Did some
recordings with my brother, Holland Dozier Holland Recording Studio and
ABC and other studios. I worked with Marvin Gaye at his studio and he asked
me to go with him on his last tour.
THE SAUCE: In your eyes, how has the music industry changed since the days
of Motown?
It’s changed for me as far as songs. Real songs. Real music. It seems to
me today’s music has gotten away from the old style that made R & B and
Rock ‘n’ Roll what it is today. I miss sitting down and listening to some
beautiful cords or some beautiful arrangements. But the music industry is
like a pendullium and I feel eventually it will swing back the other way.
THE SAUCE: What do you consider to be your major achievement to date?
I’ve done a few things I’m pretty proud of It’s kind of hard to put my finger
on one thing, but I guess I’ll have to say that would probably be LADY.
That was done by KENNY ROGERS. And another one that’s running a close first
if not first ENDLESS LOVE that was done by DIANA ROSS and LIONEL RITCHIE.
THE SAUCE: What is the most unusual experience you've ever had in this industry?
One of the most unsual experiences I ever had was during a session with
Miles Davis. I had set up a mic in the front of the room and he started
to move around the mic leaning over playing his horn. I spoke to him and
told him that he was not blowing into the mic--he never said anything to
me. When he found the spot he liked he told me to play the tape and record
it. As I began to listen to it. It sounded very good. What he was actually
doing was hitting the reflection off of the floor up to the mic. It felt
very warm and it was very unusual. It was my first experierince with something
like that, and I realized how brilliant he was with his music and sound.
THE SAUCE: Any final words of advice to those trying to receive their first
big break?
All I can say is keep trying and keep reading, keep up with the new stuff,
because it’s another world out here. It’s changed. I find myself looking
outside and seeing the sun coming up while sitting at the computer and basically
I’m doing the same thing that everybody else is doing. I’m trying to catch
up with what’s going on, because it’s changing so much, like you have to
stay with it. If you don’t stay with it you’re going to get lost.
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Q: Without a doubt, the song I'm most curious about is “Forgive
me”, what'd you do that made you write that?
A: At one point or another, a person says things that in no way reflect
their true emotion. I said something to someone I really loved, that
was just awful, and ultimately irreparable. The first lyric of that
song is “One day I looked into my eyes”, and it was true; I looked in the
mirror and started to cry, wishing that I could have this person's forgiveness,
and the opportunity to tell them I loved them.
Q: Do you like hot sauce?
A: can’t stand it!
Q:What and/or who inspires you to create your unique sound?
A: My songs are always inspired by a variety of things..I go through phases
of listening to different kinds of music and of course, life hands you a
variety of experiences to write about. I try to make music that will match
my emotion. i’m less “genre” obsessed than I am “affect” obsessed.
Q: When is your next performance?
A: My next show is Thursday, February 27th at 9:15PM at the LAVA LOUNGE
in Hollywood. There'll be more new songs and guest musicians. I can't wait!
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