Somehow, miraculously, Terry took the time to produce and record, with Dee, the song demo that got me signed to ATV Music, which started my career in music!
The song was “Everyday, Everynight,” an unfinished one, but it had a lot of good energy. So, we recorded it anyway, in a studio up on Major Mackenzie, near Kennedy road, north of Toronto. I think we had three hours to learn the song, record, mix, and pack up! Terry directed the session. I don’t remember doing more than one lead vocal take. I know I didn’t have lyrics written down.
Producer Terry Draper on drums. Engineer mixer Dee Long on Bass. Songwriter arranger jjfrazz on CP-70 (the studio didn’t have a piano) and vocals! Terry and JJ on handclaps, with Terry on “Oh Yeah” vocals! This is the best version I can find. From a very old cassette.
FUNN
Terry Draper put the band “Funn” together, with Dee, myself, Jon Bojicic, and Freddie Coutts.
Bojicic, Jones, Draper, Long, Coutts – Funn
One afternoon while Funn were rehearsing at Swamp Manor, the floor collapsed into the swamp! And we laughed our asses off! How did we not get electrocuted? Mystery.
ESP Studios, Buttonville
ESP Studios, Buttonville. Klaatu Wall of Fame with John Clarke.
Our 1980 studio, ESP, was created by Dee, myself, Frank Watt, and Klaatu’s EMI Records budget for their Magentalane album! Say no more.
AIR Studios
Years later, when we had our studio on Oxford Street at AIR Studios, London, we were approached by the German television series “Tatort,” to record a song for the show. They sent us the song they wanted: “Woman,” by Paul Vincent Gunia. They offered us a good “pound” to produce it, but they wanted the “Klaatu” name. Dee had to be pushed to call Terry and John to ask them to let us do the track. And they said no!
So, I suggested they come to London, and we would pay for it, and they agreed. The result was “Woman,” a song where I finally got to work with Klaatu!
Personally, I love John’s vocal, Dee’s solo, and Terry’s live drum fills!
When Dee called and told me that Terry had passed, I told him that I had just been listening to the “Everyday Everynight” demo! I reached out to Terry a few weeks ago to talk about our past, but did not get a response. I should have called.
Bless him. Sweet, lovely man. Teacher. Seeker. Always remembered in my heart.
The album was produced by Sam Reid (Glass Tiger, Alan Frew), John Jones (Bond, Gary O, Klaatu, Roy Wood, Duran Duran, Alan Frew, Dan Hill, Celine Dion, Fleetwood Mac), and Steve Sidwell (George Michael, Sam Brown, Black, Roger Waters, Kate Bush, Joe Crocker, Robbie Williams, Tina Turner, Sheena Easton, Mick Jagger, Seal (arranger), Lisa Stansfield, Amy Winehouse, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney). Pre-production piano by Richard Evans. Pre-production and inspiration, Roy Tan. Engineered by Steve Price, Sam Reid and John Jones. Score written, arranged and conducted by SteveSidwell. Mixed by Steve Price.
The video of “Winner Takes It All.” Filmed in Studio One. Directed and produced by Don Allan for Revolver Films.
The youtube link to “Priceless” by Joey Niceforo (2018)
August 26th, 2019 § Comments Off on An Especial Pint With jj frazz II § permalink
A few weeks back I decided to put together a 15 minute “podcast” of various demo recordings that I have produced over the years. I have had the luxury of recording everyday since my parents bought me a Sony Sound-On-Sound real-to-reel tape recorder in the 1970’s, so I have recorded hundreds of songs in my life. Quantity over quality!
This week’s A Pint With jjfrazz II is a flock of covers, special to me, but not ready for prime time. Here are they in all their one take demo goodness.
