WHAT HAVE I BEEN LISTENING TO?!
FEBRUARY 2012
WOW! I have to admit it. I was a little shocked to read my sentiments from last month. I guess I was a little angry with the young man in question. I'm over it now, but I could feel the anger oozing from my words. So what am I listening to now? It sure isn't Christmas carols. I'm actually not listening to anything! I usually sanitize my ears before recording. I've always believed it to be a good idea to cleanse my ears before recording new projects. So there you have it.
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JANUARY 2012
I can still hear the Christmas carols ringing in my ears. Typically, I love Christmas/Seasonal music. I have a particular affinity for the classics. This year it served as a constant reminder that the man I spent the year with cheated and ruined any chance of having a happy holiday. It sucked, but it's over now, and I survived.
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DECEMBER 2011
Well I've finally tuned back into the underground. I've been checking out The Dugan Quartet's latest release featuring my long time pal Mark Brown on drums. It's definitely experimental, but funky. Check out the full-length article on Genxeffect.com this month. Happy Holidays!
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NOVEMBER 2011
What have I been listening to? Would you believe Muzak? For those who don't know, Muzak is the corporation that pipes in music from the 80's, 90's, and today at most businesses. Victoria Secret always has the classical tunes in the background. High-end department stores have tunes in the background, and my job does too.
You may tire of the 'I'm working' adage, but it's true. It's pretty much all I do these days. Work, sleep, work... Muzak, Bach, Chopin, and the Gypsy Kings.
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OCTOBER 2011
I haven't been listening to anything! I know what a travesty this is, but I don't want to lie to you. I've been vegging in front of the boob tube during my recovery. I did take a road trip with friend, and we listened to his arsenal of MP3s. His stuff spanned quite a few genres and decades. I enjoyed the Texicali styled club stuff the best. I've been in my ear-cleaning mode again.
I have new recording software. I've waited a long time for the priveledge. I can't wait to start dropping my stuff and putting it out there for you to check out. You know my rule. No listening to other people's stuff before recording. I'll TRY to get the first cut to you by next update.
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SEPTEMBER 2011
My sister gave me a wonderful present this year. She treated me to a membership at 24 Hour Fitness. I haven't been there too frequently due to my achilles injury, but I do hobble in from time to time. I guess that's the reason I've been listening to Club and/or Dance music. It gets the heart pumping and motivates. Don't you agree?
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AUGUST 2011
Outside of a few choice underground disks, I haven't been listening to anything! Hey - I've been overwhelmingly busy since returning to the day job. We have Muzac at work, but that doesn't count does it? I guess I'd better get on the ball. BUT! It's my birthday month, so you'll let me slide wontcha?
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JULY 2011
I've been having some fun with music for once. I'm not listening to anything out of duty. Rather, I've returned to the refreshing practice of listening to whatever I feel like. I've checked out everything from Dream Theather to New Twenty Ripped Angel to The Gipsy Kings. It's put some happiness back into my heart.
Sometimes you just have to get back to the basics. It was a love of listening that inspired me to want to play, and it was my love of playing that gave me the level of respect necessary to cover the works of others.
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JUNE 2011
I'm into the late great Tina Marie right now. I loved her vocals and the arrangements that were used to bring her songs to life. I happy to report I've also turned my ears back to the Underground. I'm checking out new stuff from Eat Your Neighbors and Twenty Ripped Angel along with some Naptown hereos to boot. Whenever I escape this calamity cloud that's been following me around, I'll get to a full update for Genxeffect. In the meantime, it's rest, rest, and more rest.
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MAY 2011
I'm afraid it's more of the same. I start to severely sensor my listening habits when it gets close to studio time. I usually completely ban myself from outside music for at least 1 to 2 weeks before a session. It's just something I do to cleanse the mental palate. I have been listening to a few Golden Oldie hereos like Luther Vandross, George Michael, and Lou Rawls. All of them are great performers who coincidentally had terrific productions behind them.
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MARCH 2011
Lately, I've been listening to David Glenn Alley. I've also been dusting off some of the old Apollonia 6 too. I guess I'm enjoying the oldies right now. I like the new stuff too, but I like to study older recordings so that I can learn about different production techniques.
You should try it sometime. Listen to records that were recorded pre-Pro Tools. It's good for you!
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JANUARY 2011
Have you ever heard of Tobias Russell? Well now you have. I've been wearing out his release "Flesh, Bones, Teeth, Words" for a few weeks now. You can find him on Facebook.
I've also been listening to Classical music. It calms the savage beast they say, so I'm trying it. It also takes me back to my roots. I did start my music career as a violinist.
I am eagerly awaiting Spring. I think it'll come early this year. I miss the rattle and hum of the docks. |
