New York meets Juzzza

[juzzza]

Tuesday morning I fly out to New York. That's pretty cool in itself, I like the Big Apple.

Cooler though, much, much cooler... is the fact that on Wednesday morning I go into a recording studio with Tommy Allen to work on one of my own tracks. Tommy is a producer and musician (drummer) who has worked in the studio with Maroon 5 and 'The Sighs' to name but two, and has played live with the likes of Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and Deborah Harry.

If that wasn't enough, I will also be working with Blondie and The Mudlarks guitarist, Paul Carbonara...

On top of that, I get to meet face to face, Gary Wassner... who is the legend that introduced my album to Tommy (who is a friend and client of Gary).

Throw in the fact thay my GF joins me Thursday afternoon and her birthday is the next day... taking her to Broadway to catch a show and nice meal... I would say that life is pretty damn cool right now.

Hmmm... maybe I'll busk in the subway

 

[Miriamele]

Sweet, Juzz. Sounds like you're going to have a rock-awesome week. Tell us how it all goes. I've never been to New York but I bet it's bumpin'.

 

[kahnovitch]

Have a good time mate.

Take a camera and bring back lots of photos.

 

[Monty Mike]

wow, juzzza, looks like you really struck gold. Hope it all goes well, and have a great time

I can't believe some of the people you're working with!

 

[magze]

Enjoy,hope NY is ready for you.

 

[Evil Agent]

WOW!

It's like "when it rains it pours", but the opposite! Have fun juzzz, from a fellow musician I hope it goes well!

 

[Kaz]

Good luck hun! Can't believe the time has come already! Hope you and E have a wonderful, wonderful time.

BTW - wot's 'busk'?

 

[Leiali]

Sounds marvellous, good luck and enjoy yourself - I'm sure you will!

Kaz - to busk is to play a musical instrument or sing outside in a public area, mostly at train stations, for money. Passers by throw money into a hat or the instrument case or whatever the busker provides if they like their music. Best place to catch a busker in London is near the Royal Academy of Music on the tube - can't remember the station, where all the students practice. Divine! Worst busking I ever came across was in Kings Lynn....The man was tone deaf and though I do think spoons can be musical instruments, I think they must be more difficult than they look.....

I've been listening to your CD and it is so good, I think you should share that with New York(and earning some pocket money should be good too!).

 

[juzzza]

Thanks everyone, I can't wait... I don't think I have time for busking but Wednesday night I am going into the 'Village' to try and find some open mic slots... Great to test some of my tunes on a New York audience!

 

[saintjon]

*is quite the lamo*

Seriously, first I find out Agent got to hang out with the Trailer Park Boys and now this. That sounds awesome Juzzza! Hope you have a blast man.

 

[seancuig]

That's fantastic Juzzza.
Kick it out over there. Your stuff is cracking and I hope the whole trip works out really well
As we say in North County Dublin. Cool Beans......

 

[FicusFan]

Good luck and have fun Juzza. NYC in the spring is wonderful. Good luck with your music and enjoy the Broadway show. you'll have to tell us of any fabulous meals

 

[Nevyn]

meals , what's that ? All the way to NY for bangers an mash !
Best of luck with it Juzzza !

 

[Kirby]

Good luck mate!

 

[juzzza]

Well, let me start by saying:

I LOVE NEW YORK!

Too much happened to cram it in but let me give you some snippets, full details will be available at my official music blog HERE

My first night there I saw a band consisting of Ricky Byrd (Joan Jet), Hue McDonald (Bon Jovi), the drummer and sax player from Billy Joel's band, Joe Lyn Turner (Deep Purple/Rainbow) and Christine Ohlman (Saturday Night Live Band) and they were awesome. I was sat with the producer (Tommy) and Andy York (John Cougar Mellencamp's guitar player) until he was called up on stage to jam with the band.

The next day I went into the studio with Tommy and the incredibly talented Paul Carbonara (Blondie/Mudlarks) and had my second listen (first listen the day before thanks to Gary Wassner) to the incredible instrumentation of my song, which Tommy and Paul had worked up before I flew in. Tommy is a brilliant drummer as well as a visionary producer and Paul played guitar, bass, keyboard, strings and a few things I couldn't even identify. I thought at the time it had a 'Coldplay' feel. I just had to lay down my vocals and acoustic guitar, which was an incredible experience under Tommy and Paul's direction.

We nailed it. I should hear a mix of the song (Sold) this week and REALLY cool news, is that Paul is going to see (slim) if the guy who mixes the Coldplay albums will spend half a day on the track... awesome.

Went out for dinner with Gary Wassner and his lovely wife (Cathy) and Tommy and his lovely wife (Elizabeth)... my girlfriend flew in that day and despite being tired, came along too and was beautiful as always.

Saw a homeless guy with a sign, which read:

'Ninjas killed my family, I need money for Kung Fu lessons.'

All in all, awesome and I can't wait to go back and soak in a jacuzzi with three strippers with champagne on... doh, sorry... ahem...

Oh and seancuig, CDs sent this morning... thanks for the order, mate.

 

[Monty Mike]

'Ninjas killed my family, I need money for Kung Fu lessons.'

lmao!

glad to hear it went well, juzzz

 

[Lifino]

My first night there I saw a band consisting of Ricky Byrd (Joan Jet), Hue McDonald (Bon Jovi), the drummer and sax player from Billy Joel's band, Joe Lyn Turner (Deep Purple/Rainbow) and Christine Ohlman (Saturday Night Live Band) and they were awesome. I was sat with the producer (Tommy) and Andy York (John Cougar Mellencamp's guitar player) until he was called up on stage to jam with the band.

The next day I went into the studio with Tommy and the incredibly talented Paul Carbonara (Blondie/Mudlarks) and had my second listen (first listen the day before thanks to Gary Wassner) to the incredible instrumentation of my song, which Tommy and Paul had worked up before I flew in....

CRACK

That's the sound of my back breaking under the weight of all those names you just dropped...

Good to hear you had such a great time! I look forward to a full rundown on your dining experiences over in the 'what are you eating' thread...

 

[Gary Wassner]

I just wanted to drop in to say that I had the pleasure of attending the first session with Juzza at the studio, and I got a chance to listen to him overdub some of the harmonies onto the song, effortlessly and perfectly.

I saw Tommy, the producer, yesterday. He tells me that the finished, or almost finished, song is great! I can't wait to hear it. We've got to make Juzza a star. We're kind of like a big family here, so it makes sense, right?

And I am still trying to find out what happened to that man who passed out at the restaurant!

 

[juzzza]

And to prove it... (that Gary attended) here is the man himself, chilling out to the segment of the tune he had to listen to over and over and over again

If you look to Gary's left, you will notice a Blondie flight case and to the right of that, a nice row of PRS guitars in their cases *weep*, and there was me with my battered, dented tanglewood lol.

And yes, it is true, Hulk Hogan and Tolkien did have a love child!

And talking of the Hulkster, I mean, Gary... you could never meet a nicer guy, he really does treat his friends like they are part of the family, meeting Mr & Mrs Wassner and Mr & Mrs Allen was worth the trip in itself.

Even if nothing comes of it, my New York adventure was an amazing experience, humbling and insightful and I am VERY grateful to have been a part of it.

 

[juzzza]

Below is Paul Carbonara (seated) and Tommy Allen. They had an amazing chemistry in the studio, they really worked well together. Paul is an amazing musician and sound engineer, not limited to guitar playing. When you hear the track you will see what I mean. Tommy has an incredible ear, he claims he is not a musician and is 'just' a drummer, but don't believe a word of it, he is a perfectionist and knows exactly what he wants to hear, whether it's coming from a voice, a guitar or a weird twangy sound effect low in the mix... it was awesome to work with these guys.

This is the view out of the studio window, every time Tommy and Paul turned their back to tweak something or listen to a take, I would whip out my camera and snap something lol!

This is a homeless guy I met... I met quite a few and whilst most got my change, this guy got $5 for his creativity!