Beerless Bhuddist Lent Ahead
July 5, 2009The Buddhist Lent starts on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month. The tradition of Buddhist Lent or the annual three-month Rains Retreat known in Thai as “Phansa” dates back to the time of early Buddhism in ancient India when all holy men, mendicants and sages spent three months of the annual rainy season in permanent dwellings. They avoided unnecessary travel during the period when crops were still new for fear they might accidentally step on young plants. In deference to popular opinion, Lord Buddha decreed that his followers should also abide by this ancient tradition. Today in Thailand it also means no booze on those auspicious days which this year fall on the 7th and 8th July which of course are also public holidays.
Blue On Blue at Saxophone: Jam at Overtone
July 5, 2009
There ain’t many blues band in the Big Mango and just a couple of venues where you can catch what there is. Blue on Blues – a smokin’ blues outfit sadly missed by the former Tokyo Joe’s crowd can still be found plugging away in their own perfect style, and the good news is they play Saxophone Pub down Victory Monument (BTS) way every Sunday at 9 pm and should not be missed. For hands-on blues buffs, don’t forget the beautifully-equipped blues jam over at Overtone on RCA every Sunday night, hosted by blues drum legend ‘Soi Dog’ Thot. Great club, good food and a nice blues vibe as the kids get it on. That covers both venues by the way!
Lefsetz Says: Do it – then die smiling!
July 4, 2009Fuck this!
That’s what John Muir said after being blinded in an industrial accident. A file pierced his eye and he thought his vision was history. But after a month in a darkened room, his vision returned and he walked from Indiana to Florida.
I know, I know, that was a hundred years ago. More, actually. But that’s not the point. The question is, are you working with your head or heart? At some point you’ve got to stop being who your parents want you to be and start being who you are.
I hadn’t been to Yosemite since 1973. Not much has changed. That’s how it is with the physical world. It outlasts us. We’re just a blip in time. We think we’re forever, but despite all the hosannas, even Michael Jackson’s music will soon be forgotten. It’s not human nature, it’s Mother Nature!
Kick Horns’ Star Puts Pattaya Band Together
June 29, 2009
Roddy Lorimer, trumpet player with perhaps Europe’s finest horn section, is putting together a band for a new club on Walking Street, Pattaya. He is looking in Thailand, Phillippines and the UK for drummers, bassists, guitars, keyboards, lead female vocals and lead male vocals and two more horn players. Rod has played trumpet with the Kick Horns for 25 years – four years with Eric Clapton’s band, touring with the Who and the Waterboys and recording with so many artists – check the website at www.kickhorns.com – including Rolling Stones, Dr John, Jamiriquai, Spice Girls, Blur, Kylie, Beyonce and on and on. Rod says the new band will be well paid for Thailand playing covers six nights a week, “but not the same old churned out stuff you hear in every other bar.”
Only good, very serious musicians and singers need contact him at roddy@kickhorns.com.
Recording a Band: Live vs. Overdubs
June 26, 2009By Cliff Goldmacher
Cliff Goldmacher is a songwriter, producer, engineer and the owner of recording studios in Nashville and New York City. When he’s not writing songs, Cliff is also a regular contributor to EQ Magazine and Pro Sound News as well as a number of online blogs. He can be reached at cliff@cliffgoldmacher.com
When I’m hired by a band to produce their album, it’s often up to me to decide the best approach to take in the studio. The principal choices are live (all the band members at the same time giving a “live” performance in the studio) versus overdubs (creating a band sound by tracking members of the band separately and then putting all the instrument parts together in the final mix). By reading a little about the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, hopefully you will be better able to decide which one will be best for your band.
Michael Jackson Dead
June 25, 2009Our telephone rang this morning at 5 am local time. Michael Jackson has died in California of cardiac arrest. Rehearsing for a series of concerts in London soon, he would have been 51 on August 29.
