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Shop at Fishnose
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People I've always wanted to work with, whose music and artistry I respect, and I
finally got to do it!
I will try to explain why. (Please be patient, I will add descriptions as I am
able)
- Karla Bonoff
- David Bromberg
- Ever since I first heard David Bromberg play (probably about 30 years ago), I couldn't
get enough of him. The stories he tells with his music, and his talent as a
performer are incredible. Whenever I hear him play, I must stop whatever I'm doing
and listen. It was a major disappointment for me that he had (mostly) given up
performing. So when I got a call a couple of years ago to ask me if I wanted to mix
monitors for his 50th birthday show, I almost burst. He decided to do one big show
at a large popular club in New York City. However, the night before this big show,
he did a "preview" show at Town Hall in New York City. This is the show I
got to mix. Town Hall is a beautiful place to see just about anything, but it has a
very shallow stage. From front to back it's probably less than 15 feet deep.
So when David Bromberg and his band showed up with about 8 or 10 musicians and lots of
equipment on stage, it was a bit tight. Add to that the fact that I had to mix
monitors from on stage just behind the speaker stacks, it made for a very crowded scene
indeed. But it was a great show, and a night I will never forget.
- Arlo Guthrie
- What can I say about Arlo? I've worked with him about a dozen times now, and each
time is just as enjoyable as the last. Another one of my childhood heroes from the
same days as Janis Ian, David Bromberg, etc., Arlo is a genuine human being. I'm not
pretending to be an old family buddy or anything like that, but certain people are the
same backstage as they are on stage. I've had the good fortune to be able to mix
front of house and monitors for him, his son Abe, and his daughter Sarah. There is
an abundance of musical talent in that family. The combination of his story telling
ability, his unique songwriting, and his musicianship are outstanding. He's one of
the few performers who are more concerned with their performance than they are with the
technical aspects of being on stage. As long as he can hear himself well enough to
perform, Arlo seems happy. Back in the 60's, I never dreamed that I would ever meet
the "Alice's Restaurant" guy face to face, let alone mix for him.
It's been a real experience every time.
- Janis Ian
- I grew up with Janis Ian. Not in the same neighborhood, but at the same time.
I think maybe she's a year or two older than I am, but I vividly recall being
mesmerized by her first LP (remember them?). She's another artist that is a talented
performer whose songs have a lot to say. Her rise to fame and stardom was quite
something to see, and I never dreamed that I would ever get to work with her.
When I saw her name added to the schedule at IMAC I got quite excited. Of course I
immediately signed up to do the show. As it turned out, it was fairly simple, just
her and her guitar, and I got to mix both house and monitors for her. It was an
honor and a privilege to be able to work with her.
- Dr. John
- The man is a legend among fans and among musicians. He has appeared
on so many other artists' recordings that I lost track. He's been
around the world with his music, and there is nobody else that sounds
anything like him. I first heard his music as a teenager, never
dreaming that one day I would actually mix sound for him. I have mixed
monitors for Mac on many occasions, and I even mixed front of house for him
one night at IMAC. He is a consummate professional as a musician, and
he's quite a personable and amicable character as well. Besides, he's
real cool!
- Al Kooper
- Another guy that defines the word "cool" is Al Kooper.
Since I first heard "I stand alone" back in the 60's, his musical
talent has been drawing me in. I never get tired of hearing his
performances. So naturally, when I had the opportunity to mix sound
for him, it was quite an experience. He did a little bit of
everything, old and new. The show was incredible, and I will never
forget it. I look forward to the possibility of working with him
again.
- Leo Kottke
- John Mayall
- Laura Nyro
- The first time I heard Laura Nyro was at a friend's house. He put on the "New
York Tendaberry" album, and I sat transfixed on the floor listening to that amazing
voice. When I found out that I would be mixing a Laura Nyro concert, I thought I was
too much of a professional to get excited. Nah... who was I kidding -- I was very
excited, indeed. I hate to keep repeating myself, but unless you had the great
fortune to see her in concert, you didn't get the real experience. Even as late in
her career as it was, she was a true professional. Very quiet and reserved offstage,
sincerely humble, and very sweet to a sound guy who was a bit star struck. The
concert was great, of course, and she was gracious enough to sign autographs for everyone.
After the show, she left as quietly as she had arrived. Just thinking back on
that experience as I write this brings back all the memories of that evening. She
will be sorely missed.
- Tom Paxton
- Rockapella
- Todd Rundgren
- Livingston Taylor
- The first concert I ever attended was Livingston Taylor. I was just out of high
school and had already become familiar with his singing and songwriting. A friend
told me that he was appearing at a local high school, and I jumped at the chance.
The first time I actually got to work with Livingston, I experienced the same thrill that
I had back at that first concert at the high school. Some musicians are good at what
they do, and some are good performers. Livingston Taylor is a master of both.
Maybe I appreciated his music more because I saw him in concert, but his live performance
is much more than you can ever get from a recording. I have been lucky to work with
him about a half dozen times or so, and each time has been as good as the one
before. He is a talented man and a great entertainer.
- Loudon Wainwright III
Copyright © 2000-2004, Mind Over Machines Inc.
This page last updated 05/07/2004.
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