Posts Tagged ‘Tulsa’

VARIOUS ARTISTS – ” Back to Paradise: A Tulsa Tribute to Okie Music “

Posted: August 7, 2020 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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One of the nicest collector’s albums of recent months comes from Tulsa, the second largest city in the American state of Oklahoma. At the beginning of February 2020, the idea arose to bring about twenty musicians from Tulsa and the surrounding area together in the “Paradise Studio” in Grand Lake, Oklahoma. That studio was owned for decades by the musician and songwriter Leon Russell, who died in November 2016, who had frequented almost all music genres such as pop, country, rock, gospel, bluegrass, R&B and blues during his own musical career of 60 years. other artists had produced.

However, in that “Paradise Studio” where Leon Russell, Bob Seger and Freddie King had recorded their success albums, no record had been recorded since 1978. But the legendary studio has been lovingly maintained and honoured for the last thirty years by Rick Huskey, a true Tulsaan who has always recognized the historical value of the music building. songs that got a new lease of life included “If The Shoe Fits” by Leon Russell brought here by John Fullbright, “I Yike It” from ‘The Gap Band’ covered by Charlie Redd & Briana Wright, in addition to “ Rock’n’Roll Gypsies ”from ‘Gypsy Trips’ and “Tulsa County” from Jesse Ed Davis of which Jesse Aycock brings two beautiful cover versions. Also the song “Blind Man” from “The Great Divide” from their 2001 released album “Dirt And Spirit” gets a very nice new look here adapted by Dustin Pittsley.

“Back to Paradise: A Tulsa Tribute to Okie Music” is due out 28th August via Horton Records. The sprawling collection gathers some of the finest music written by Tulsa musicians, ranging from JJ Cale to the Gap Band and Leon Russell. Oklahoma musicians John Fullbright, Jesse Aycock, and several others gathered at Leon Russell’s now-defunct Paradise Studio in Grand Lake, Oklahoma, to track material over four days in early 2020. The result is a deeply memorable, often soulful examination of the music that made the place.

John Fullbright’s take on Russell’s “If The Shoe Fits” is deeply funny and a fitting tribute to a man who pioneered a sound and a scene. “I think it’s funny, tongue-in-cheek,” says Fullbright. “The handful of us have done this long enough to get a kick out of the song.”

Jesse Aycock had made a super cool playlist called “Oklahomage”, recognizing some of his favourite Oklahoma-connected songs. He noted that there are a number of fantastic Oklahoma-connected songs that are not on streaming platforms. 10 of these 17 tracks on the Back to Paradise: A Tulsa Tribute to Okie Music album.

John Fullbright – “If The Shoe Fits (Leon Russell)” from the album . This song was written by Leon Russell. Released in 1972 on the album Carney on Shelter Records. “Carney” was partly recorded at Paradise Studios, Grand Lake of the Cherokees, Tia Juana, Oklahoma. The song is included in director Les Blank’s Leon Russell documentary, A Poem Is A Naked Person, and seemed to be a perfect fit for inclusion on this album.

In February 2020, a group of Tulsa musicians travelled to Leon Russell’s famed Paradise Studio at Grand Lake to record the first album tracked there since 1978. Tulsan Rick Huskey has spent the last 30 years preserving and restoring the space, honouring its history while preparing for a new chapter. The narrow, winding road one must travel to reach the compound provided time for reflection.

John R. Fullbright – acoustic guitar/vocals, Paul Benjaman – guitar, Jesse Aycock – lap steel/pedal steel, Paddy Ryan – drums, Aaron Boehler – bass. Video by Jeremy Charles and FireThief Productions. Shot in Tulsa, OK, including footage at Mercury Lounge Tulsa. Thanks to Dylan Golden Aycock for the space and vehicles and Hideaway Pizza for the hospitality.

Some of the biggest names in the history of music travelled the same path years before. That realization was both inspiring and daunting. Entering the studio for the first time, the musicians were awestruck. Decades later, the vibe is still alive. Seventeen tracks were recorded over the course of four days – mostly live, with very few overdubs. While there was a core group of players throughout the session, a grand total of 20 Tulsa musicians participated in the recording. The Oklahoma songs were chosen for the album represent the famous to the obscure, and everything in-between. This recording honours those who came before and made it possible for Tulsa musicians to have an identity and a music scene today. Thank you to Leon for blazing a trail and building this lake palace. Thank you to all of the Oklahoma musicians over the years who have been role models through their authenticity and spirit of community. This record is dedicated to them. Back To Paradise: A Tulsa Tribute to Okie Music.

This song was written by JJ Cale and was originally released in 1979 on the album “5” on Shelter Records. “5” was the first album to feature Cale’s wife, Christine Lakeland. Eric Clapton also recorded this song on his album “Backless”. The definition of cool, Cale is one of the most influential Tulsa musicians to have ever lived. His music continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.

Paul Benjaman – “I’ll Make Love To You Anytime (JJ Cale)” – Official Video from the album Back To Paradise: A Tulsa Tribute to Okie Music. Release date 08.28.20 on Horton Records. Paul Benjaman – guitar/vocals, Jesse Aycock – guitar/lap steel, Paddy Ryan – drums, Aaron Boehler – bass.

Release date 08.28.20 on Horton Records

PHIL SEYMOUR – ” Prince Of Power Pop “

Posted: November 14, 2017 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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His star burnt only briefly but to lovers of 1980s power pop Phil Seymour was a shining light. This collection of his finest work is enhanced by 11 previously unreleased recordings. Collection released this month on Ace Records.

For many of us who grew up in the 60s, one thing we missed most in the following decades was the short, quick jab of a powerful 45 from groups such as the Who, the Searchers, the Kinks, the Hollies and the Beatles. Where had all those punchy pop songs gone? Phil Seymour grew up listening to all those British Invasion bands in his home city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and with kindred spirit Dwight Twilley forged a determination to bring back melodic pop songs. They spent several years mastering harmony, piano, guitar, drums and the art of crafting a high-quality song, building a home studio where they spent endless hours recording under the name Oister.

In 1974 they set off for Los Angeles and were soon picked up Denny Cordell and Leon Russell’s Shelter Records. Cordell was rather taken with Twilley’s name and renamed them the Dwight Twilley Band. Soon they were in the US Top 20 with ‘I’m On Fire’, but frustrations followed as Shelter struggled with financial difficulties, and Phil decided to go solo. Initially he struggled to find a foothold but once the new wave hit America, the Phil Seymour Band stormed Hollywood and became one of the hottest acts on the circuit.

Signed to Neil Bogart’s Boardwalk label, by 1981 Phil was at #22 on Billboard’s Hot 100 with the self-penned classic ‘Precious To Me’. More terrific releases followed and for a while he was the brightest star on the horizon, but Bogart’s death in 1983 meant the end of Phil’s Boardwalk contract. He doggedly continued to make good music but contracted lymphoma and died in 1993 at age 41.

Handsomely packaged with a 20-page booklet sporting rare photos and extensive notes incorporating interviews with bandmate Michael Anderson and recording engineer Bill Cooper, our collection comprises 13 of Phil’s finest recordings and 11 never-before-heard gems. Pride of place among the previously unissued tracks goes to nine demos cut at producer Richie Podolor’s American Recording Company studio in Los Angeles’ Studio City in 1980. As wonderful as the later released versions are, nothing can match the primitive excitement that pervades the demos, which bristle with life, energy and the sheer joy of knowing that something very special is being created in the studio. Altogether a fitting tribute to this much-missed prince of power pop.

JOHN MORELAND – ” It Don’t Suit Me (Like Before) “

Posted: June 5, 2017 in MUSIC
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Following up the breakthrough is a tricky business. The easiest thing for John Moreland to do following the success of his 2015 album High On Tulsa Heat would have been to deliver a sequel-like rehash of the acoustic glories of that album. Instead he beefs things and takes a full-band approach on Big Bad Luv, which contains almost as many hooks as it does Moreland’s hard-earned kernels of truth.

You can sense the difference right off the bat with “Salisaw Blue,” which delivers some serious heartland crunch. “Ain’t We Gold” flirts with funk, while “It Don’t Suit Me (Like Before)” locates a chugging, Allman Brothers-style groove. Even mid-tempo numbers like “Lies I Chose To Believe” and “Amen, So Be It” find ways to engage the listener rhythmically as Moreland does his typically astute job with lyrics.

The feeling overall that you gather from these songs is that the difficult struggle undertaken by Moreland’s characters against the darker elements of life is absolutely worth it in the end.

Moreland does take a few moments here and there to go down the more harrowing roads of the previous album, as on “No Glory In Regret.” But even in that song, there’s somebody by his side to help him face his demons. On closing track “Latchkey Kid,” Moreland sings, “I don’t feel the need to prove myself no more.” Big Bad Luv benefits from that attitude, even as it proves this singer-songwriter hasn’t let down at all.

‘It Don’t Suit Me (Like Before)’ by John Moreland, from new album ‘Big Bad Luv’, released May 5th on 4AD Records