March 2nd, 2015 § Comments Off on Dick Wagner Interview about Alice Cooper’s Da Da album § permalink
Da Da, Alice Cooper
Da Da will always be one of the great albums of the 1980s to me. I was there, learning every day, when they recorded it in our studio, ESP, in Buttonville.
Dick Wagner was a monster guitar player and song writer and producer and a powerful personality. He passed away in 2014 after a very successful and fullfilling life!
I’m quoted near the end of the interview. What an education it was to hang out with Dick Wagner, Alice Cooper, Bob Ezrin, Dee Long and John Clarke, all those years ago!
Follow the link to the interview.
February 11th, 2015 § Comments Off on Honoring Nile Rodgers § permalink
The Producers & Engineers Wing of N.A.R.A.S. honored Nile Rodgers at the Village Studios on February 3, 2015. Billboard Article
Like Nile, I was overwhelmed at seeing so many old friends again this year at the Village. I’m sorry I missed some special ones, but it can’t all be perfect!
Here are some really low-fi iPhone photos of friends who were there to honor Nile.
John on the red carpet
Neil Portnow and Nile Rodgers
Flee and Nile jamming!
Steve Ferrone and Neil Dorfsman
Skip Saylor, Neil Dorfsman and John Jones
John Jones with Ed Cherney and gang!
Jones, Ferrone, Dorfsman, Adam Moseley
February 11th, 2015 § Comments Off on Bob Dylan Speaks! § permalink
Just in case anyone missed it, here is Music Cares Person of the Year, 2015, Bob Dylan, speaking about his songs and his life, in Los Angeles on February 6, 2015.
Bob Dylan’s Music Cares Speech Transcript – LA Times
Bob Dylan, President Carter, Neil Portnow, 2015 Music Cares
January 4th, 2015 § Comments Off on Jeff Golub § permalink
Rest in peace Jeff. All talent is a gift, and you have been most gifted. Sincerest condolences to your family and to the music lovers of the world at your passing.
I was lucky to work with Jeff, when, in 2003, he played electric guitar on Hatana for me and Steve Ferrone, at Drumroll, in Burbank. A couple of years later, Jeff returned, with producer/engineer Steve Miller, to record Steve, who tracked drums for his Grand Central CD, amongst other reasons.
Jeff went through an annus horriblis over the last few. He was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), an aggressive and untreatable degenerative brain disease. First it took his sight.
His great friends and colleagues are doing a Concert on January 21st in New York, to raise funds for his family. Please follow the links and contribute, or go to the show, if you can!
Jeff Golub during the recording of Grand Central at Drumroll in 2005
January 3rd, 2015 § Comments Off on Happy Birthday Sir George Martin! § permalink
Another year older and wiser! Wishing Sir George all the best this year!
Dave Harries and Sir George Martin in Studio 5, the "midi room", at AIR Studios
Time has continued to reinforce the values that were instilled in Dee Long and I by Sir George and the late John Burgess, Dave Harries, Malcolm Atkin, and all of our clients, friends, and colleagues, during our years at AIR Studios on Oxford Street in London.
The home of Sir George Martin
Click here for Last years Sir George Martin birthday page and links.
December 24th, 2014 § Comments Off on Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! § permalink
Best wishes of the season to all of my friends, family and associates! Cheers!
I was reminded of a time, far away, long ago…
A Christmas gift from Toronto Sound Studios to John Jones, from 1976.
Somewhere, lurking on the various pages of my site, are other Christmas messages – like this one from 2001 and another silly one from 2008 with your Christmas card and some lovely Coyote sounds from the Dell.
December 6th, 2014 § Comments Off on Max Webster – Toronto Sound 1977 § permalink
How lucky was I to grow up in such a rich musical climate as Toronto in the 70’s and 80’s?
Back in 1977, when Toronto Sound studio was the holy house of recording (Rush, Crowbar, Klaatu, Dr Music, Thin Lizzy), another of the many killer musical groups to be produced and recorded by Terry Brown and company was Max Webster, the Kim Mitchell vehicle.
This was the band that came out of Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels and his all time classic album Over-Nite Sensation. Hey, I did too!
In the 80’s we recorded a lot of music at ESP in Buttonville with Gary McCracken and Terry Watkinson of Max Webster. Awesome musicians!
This track is from their 1977 album, “High Class and Borrowed Shoes”. These guys were even better live! I can vividly remember being mesmerized watching Kim’s every note from 20 feet away!
This is where it all started! Recorded at Toronto Sound by Terry Brown, with Ken Morris assisting.
Terry, Kim, Mike and Gary.
November 23rd, 2014 § Comments Off on Ken Takakura § permalink
I'll Be There - John Jones - Ken Takakura
In the summer of 2001 I was fortunate to have sung the song I’ll Be There for a Kirin Beer campaign in Japan. It was written and produced by Michael Becker for Nick Wood’s Syn Productions and released as a single that featured a painting of Ken Takakura on the cover. The commercials used bits of the song with comments from Ken about life and respect for elders and nature. Ken passed away last week at 83.
I’ll Be There was on my One Moment in Time (Japan) CD.
August 19th, 2014 § Comments Off on Skip and Nick § permalink
Off we went to Rancho Encino for a mixing session with Skip Saylor over the weekend!
Skip and Ian, and the studio, and the Rancho, and the Thai restaurant Mustang, and the exceptional facilities, paled in comparison to the great sound they gave to Nick Wood‘s music!
We’re almost ready for mastering!
John Jones, Nick Wood and Skip Saylor at the SSL!
August 1st, 2014 § Comments Off on Biscuit’s Boogie § permalink
King Biscuit Boy and Crowbar; LIVE!