Marquis de Sunset 50th (2013)

May 5th, 2014 § Comments Off on Marquis de Sunset 50th (2013) § permalink

When I first visited Los Angeles, I stayed at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood. Grant Black brought me from London to take meetings with record companies because of Ordinary World’s success in North America. I met Chris Evans and Michael Palin, who were headlining at the pool, on my first day.

Chris Evans paying off John Jones by the Sunset Marquis swimming pool in West Hollywood 1993

This past November the Sunset Marquis was celebrating 50 years, and Julian Lennon and Steven Tyler were the headliners by the swimming pool!

I camera’d this video of their performance of their song Someday.

John Burgess Music Production, 1959-1966

March 19th, 2014 § Comments Off on John Burgess Music Production, 1959-1966 § permalink

I found a few tracks from Adam Faith, Freddie and the Dreamer’s and Manfred Mann, that John Burgess produced. This was really groundbreaking music in it’s day, and influential around the world. Where would the Doors be without Manfred Mann?
What magic did John Burgess and George Martin have?
Listen to the songs here on Spotify – John Burgess Productions Playlist 1959-1966

John Burgess, from 1977 A.I.R. Studios brochure

If you follow the Spotify LINK, you can listen to the awesome recordings listed below, that were produced by AIR Studios’ John Burgess, and mostly recorded at E.M.I. Studios, Abbey Road.

1959 – What Do You Want – Adam Faith – John’s first Number One! – Arranged by John Barry – Engineered by Malcolm Addey

1960 – U.K. #1 – Poor Me – Adam Faith

1963 – U.S.A. #1 (1965) – U.K. #2 (1963) – I’m Telling You Now – Freddie and the Dreamers – Columbia EMI – Tower 125, USA

1963 – If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody – Freddie and the Dreamers – Inspired the Rolling Stones to ‘get writing’, said Oldham.

1963 – U.K. & U.S.A. #1 – 5-4-3-2-1 – Manfred Mann

1964 – U.S.A. #86 – Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann – Norman Smith Engineer

1964 – Smokestack Lighting – Manfred MannThe Five Faces of Manfred Mann – album

1964 – Sha La La – Manfred Mann

1964 – U.S.A. #21 – You Were Made For Me – Freddie and the Dreamers – Columbia EMI – Tower 125 USA

1964 – I Put a Spell on You – Manfred Mann

1965 – If You Gotta Go, Go Now – Manfred Mann

1965 – U.K. #1 – Pretty Flamingo – Manfred Mann – Engineer Geoff Emerick

Well that’s the start of the John Burgess Discography. More to come!

The realm has lost a true Knight. R.I.P. John Burgess.

March 14th, 2014 § Comments Off on The realm has lost a true Knight. R.I.P. John Burgess. § permalink

John Burgess - (©2014 F. Oglethorpe)

 

Are You Well, circa 1980

March 4th, 2014 § Comments Off on Are You Well, circa 1980 § permalink

This was the first song I did with a Fairlight CMI and our awesome Kawai grand piano at E.S.P.Studios in Buttonville. I was rolling on the floor recording my voices!

I programmed the computer parts on the Fairlight, and then hit record on the 2 track, before running out to the studio to play the piano. This is the only take I recorded. Thanks to Frank Watt and John Clarke.

Open Soul – New Emily Richards album!

March 4th, 2014 § Comments Off on Open Soul – New Emily Richards album! § permalink

Emily has released a new album of self-produced acoustic tracks, and it ROCKS!

 

Living in the past: Silly Boys

February 24th, 2014 § Comments Off on Living in the past: Silly Boys § permalink

Okay, I’ll admit it. Dee Long and Terry Draper were my idols! This Klaatu song is very good!

The Real 21st Century Schizoid Man

February 15th, 2014 § Comments Off on The Real 21st Century Schizoid Man § permalink

In the Court of the Crimson King

A Foot in Cold Water

February 12th, 2014 § Comments Off on A Foot in Cold Water § permalink

This was one of the great rock tracks of my youth. I am pretty sure they played at my junior hight school, and being in the front row, I was blown away by the sound of their instruments. It was spectacular.

 

My Synthesizer of the year at NAMM 2014

February 7th, 2014 § Comments Off on My Synthesizer of the year at NAMM 2014 § permalink

Richard and I were walking through the keyboard area at NAMM a couple of weeks ago, when we were suddenly halted by the sight, and then the sound, of the Schmidt Synthesizer! And the sound of it cut through everything in that huge noisy hall!

The Schmidt Synthesizer is $20,000 of the best virtual digital analogue synthesizer you’ve (n)ever had! The video is slow to start, but this is a fantastic machine, that sounds really fat, and feels great in your hands! I think $20k is cheap!

Wham, bam, thank you NAMM

February 1st, 2014 § Comments Off on Wham, bam, thank you NAMM § permalink

An interesting time was had by all at the Anaheim (home by the Santa Ana river) Convention Center last week at the annual gathering of the roadies!

But seriously, the NAMM show is always a great opportunity to meet friends and colleagues and to see the latest instruments and assorted equipment made for producers, engineers, musicians, and their entourages.

I’m going to rate my show experience like this:
1 – I found parking on a nearby residential street. The same spot each day, thanks to a pin drop.
2 – I was there with exhibitor Prism Sound. Very British, and the acting “AIR Studios of Oxford Street” booth, thanks to Frank Oglethorpe.
3 – Friday NAMM is my yearly evening with Shirlene and Chris and Sabian at the Sheraton. This year it was small and cool, with Marko Mendoza, a certified revelation, who amazed the audience, inside and outside the building, with his craftsmanship. What an awesome musician!
4 – Steve Ferrone turned up at midnight with his luggage for a quick Drumroll reunion after the party! (old drumroll page)
5 – Thanks to friends on the many floors, and to Steve Postell, Jeff Pevar, Steve Cooke, Richard Martinez, Jeremy Stappard, Alan Clarke, Neil Dorfsman, Steve Churchyard, Stevie Wonder… for making it fun!

Here is a slideshow of photos and videos that I took this year at the 2014 NAMM show.