Yeah, I’m surprised too that there is no private message function on here.

And yes, I do think there’s a good chance that someone from OSA or a Sea Ogre reads these blogs.

I don’t understand why there’s not the option of contacting people privately on this thing . . . . am I being stupid and you actually can?

And: But really – do you think they read all these comments?

Good point. I’m not sure. Better safe than sorry for your sis I guess. Maybe I can think of a secret code or bat signal or something….

LW – does OSA really read all these comments do you think? I have no problem directing you to my stuff, but I’m afraid after everything I’ve read that it could result in a PTS Sec Check nightmare for my sister. What do you think??

Cool. Thx for that. I love his vibe, but as one commenter on Youtube said, “I wish he would open his mouth when he sings.” LOL!

Where can we hear something of yours my lady? Oh and hanging with LA session musicians, I could listen to those stories all day long. We just had a guy from LA who has moved to central Florida come by the studio with 2″ tape of some Michael Jackson songs he needed dumped to ProTools. He was Bruce Swedien’s(recording engineer for ALL of MJ’s stuff) assistant for a lot of the famous MJ stuff in the 80’s. He had some stories! Actually, Bruce is semi-retired in Ocala, FL too and he told us his fav artist to work with of all time, even moreso than MJ was……wait for it……make sure you’re not drinking anything…..David Hasselhoff, the Hoffmeister. Said he was the nicest guy he’s ever worked with. Ha!

I could only find the live version, which was great! What a total talent and what a damn shame. I love playing that stage.

People who truly affect this business are always remembered and discussed and invoked I think. Like Jeff Buckley. And this thing with Sheryl especially pissed people off, like Bill Botrell. eg. And their ghosts live on. I mean, you work with people who knew him or whatever . . . I spend most of my time with session cats, and it’s a pretty inspiring place to be.

So now my dear, I’m going to give you a recommendation you might like. This is a songwriter who’s part of the “itness” now. 🙂 But he has been self destructing since he finished his record. The first time I met Benji Hughes was literally the night of the day I moved to LA, I played one of those writer house party things, wherein you sing your songs in a weird circle and everyone is loaded and annoyed that they’re playing . . . . well . . . one of those writer house party things.

After it was over (it was me and Benji and Michelle Shocked – who is a TOTAL fucking nutcase. Just – WOW. So disappointing for me because my older cousin had a record of hers that I devoured as a child. Oh shit, and the last thing I heard was that she found jesus. UnREAL.) I walked up to Benji to tell him I really enjoyed his songwriting – he sang a song called Why Does Christian Music Always Suck? – and thx and so on. He was so drunk that he just stared at me and then headbutted me on his way down from passing out.

I’m not sure you’ll dig the production style, but I think he’s so unique, and we are all super sad that he can’t rally or focus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBeJYF65fT4, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYjDZwkqo3k 🙂

ALSO ! Please feel completely free to not like it. I’m one of those people who are un-bothered by stuff like that. 🙂

So glad you enjoyed. I love to “enlighten” anyone I can about his talent. To top off his musical and singing ability, he was also a world class studio engineer. If you look around for the Giraffe albums, he was not to long out of high school when that was all recorded. He did the majority of the production and even though the rest of the guys in the band we excellent musicians themselves, he played the majority of the instruments too! Some of the songs are pure 80’s cheesiness, but for him to be writing serious songs about the earth, environment, nuke war and other “serious” subjects rather than typical getting laid and love songs I think says a lot about him.

I am rather amazed you knew so much about his life, but not the music. Usually, it’s the other way around. He’s certainly a musician’s musician. I gotta tell ya about this, cause I’m very excited….listen to Certifiable #1 Smash for another laugh-fest of true record label thinking and a kick ass groove.

Easter bunny!! Good call Val! 🙂

I still love hatching out a brood. Cept I feel sad because generally only half or 3/4 actually make it . . . . lots spend so much time trying to hatch out that the albumen dries on their little feathers and basically immobilizes them. Which is why when I’m home I turn the hot shower on full blast, get a pokey stick and a pair of tweezers, and I open the world’s only baby chick ICU. 🙂 My mom finds it hilarious. Mostly because once I get them out and cleaned up, I stick them in that space between bra cups ’til they regain their strength. It’s just a perfect fit. 🙂 In fact Valerie, I might have a wee one in there now. Maybe. 🙂

I know who Kevin Gilbert is, but his “itness” preceded me setting up house in LA, you know? Tho he’s the reason nobody really likes Sheryl Crow here. And why every record she did after TNMC sucked. And of course his death remains pretty sensational. 🙁 But all that being said, I’d never ever sat down and listened to Kevin Gilbert’s stuff . . . so thank you so much for this link LW – first of all it gave me a huge belly laugh. Every single thing he says in that song is so spot on . . . . then I listened to some of his other work which is fantastic and I feel dumb for not doing so sooner. Thx you !!

Have you ever heard of Kevin Gilbert? You ought to check out his album, The Shaming of the True. There’s a fantastic song called the Suite Fugue of the A&R Man. Have a listen and then look up the lyrics so you can follow all of the lines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp_pczrUug4

The entire album is semi-autobiographical. He was super talented and almost “made it” several times, but something always happened to screw him. I’m a huge fan.