Gigging, Gear and Great Music
Over at the musicplayer.com forums there’s been a discussion around the Gibraltar keyboard stand offerings. Thanks to forumite Tim having a relaxing day, he’s kindly created a video to show the set up time for a Gibraltar stand.
So it seems that once you’ve spent time setting up the memory locks when you first get the components, means setup is only 3-4 minutes and damn that thing looks solid!
If you’re aged 50 or over and have a love of synths / synthesis, then you’ll understand how Oxygene is a seminal moment in the history of electronic music. It transformed my life when I first heard it, as it has many other people.
That said, I must have been living under a rock when Jarre re-recorded Oxygene live in 2006 to coincide with the album’s 30th anniversary of its release in December 1976. I was totally unaware of this until today, and just watched the whole shebang today.
If like me you haven’t seen this, it’s more than worth a watch to see the level of complexity involved in faithfully recreating the whole album using the original synthesisers. For the past 40 years I’d assumed the iconic lead part in Oxygene Part 2 was a pre-programmed sequence – how wrong I was.
Enjoy:
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Josh Weinstein is a composer, arranger and keyboard player and teacher of music history. We talk everything from US East Coast vs West Coast gigging differences, why you don’t hear Billy Joel on the radio on the West Coast, music history and even a bit of gear!
Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):
RAM ON: 50th Anniversary Tribute
For the bonus content on Josh’s role in a Pink Floyd tribute act, go to our Patreon page
Tag a keyboard player: Benmont Tench, Steve Nieve, Steve Nathan
Desert Island Discs: 5 albums that Josh hasn’t heard yet.
Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.
We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.
If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.
To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.
Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS
In one of the wider ranging conversations we’ve ever had, we speak with Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated keyboardist and composer Michael Whalen. As you’ll hear, that is only two strings to his bow and Michael has some fascinating insights into the music industry and making a living from music in the digital age.
Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):
Michael’s Future Shock project
Michael J Fox in a 1987 Pepsi Commercial
Duran Duran – All She Wants Is (from the Big Thing album)
Frank Zappa and his Synclavier
Rick Wakeman’s Twitter Account
Rick Wakeman’s RRHOF acceptance speech
Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers
Grace Jones – Slave to the Rhythm
Not discussed (yet) but well worth the read: Michael writes on digital rights and tracking your income
Tag a keyboard player: Tom Brislin
Desert Island Discs: Greatest Hits Vol. 1 – Earth, Wind and Fire, Works Vol. 1 – Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Duke – Genesis, Silk Degrees – Boz Scaggs, Toto IV – Toto.
Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.
We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.
If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.
To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.
Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS
Veronica Lewis is a great player in the early years of what looks like will be an amazing career. Veronica tells the story of her discovery of the blues and boogie woogie, her work to date and her thoughts on her future.
Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):
Veronica plays live (2019)
Barbara Blue at Silky O’Sullivan’s (on Beale St)
Tag a keyboard player: Katie Webster, Otis Spann, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis
Desert Island Discs: no discs, but a great discussion on playlists (Boogie woogie piano, rockabilly, classic country, Americana)
Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.
We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.
If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.
To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.
Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS
Alan Hewitt has had a mammoth career in film, TV and live performance. As the current keyboard player for The Moody Blues as well as leading his own band, Alan has a huge ongoing career to reflect on.
Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):
Alan Hewitt & One Nation – We’re One Nation
Alan performing with The Moody Blues
Swimming Upstream movie (which obviously does not involve Dawn Fraser)
LA Rockestra – Symphony of Rock
Alan performing at the haunted Ryman auditorium
Tag a keyboard player: Rick Wakeman, Brian Auger, Tony Banks, Jordan Rudess
Desert Island Discs: Heavy Weather – Weather Report, Romantic Warrior – Chick Corea, Close to the Edge – Yes, Brain Salad Surgery – Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.
We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.
If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.
To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.
Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS
Alan Clark was a pivotal member of Dire Straits throughout the majority of that band’s career. As you’ll hear, it was just one of many interesting experiences for a keyboard player with a storied, ongoing career.
Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):
History of working men’s clubs
Gallagher and Lyle Live – 1976
Alan and Trevor Horn Reimagine the 80s
Tag a keyboard player: Keith Jarrett
Desert Island Discs: Innervisions – Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder, Abbey Road – The Beatles, 8:30 – Weather Report, The Melody at Night, With You – Keith Jarrett.
Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.
We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.
If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.
To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.
Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS
Steve Porcaro is arguably one of the most listened to and prolific keyboard players in the world. Through his extensive session work (Michael Jackson, Don Henley, Yes to name just three), film and TV output and that small little outfit called Toto, there won’t be many people who won’t have heard Steve’s work. We attempt to capture a small snapshot of that amazing career in this interview.
Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):
Emerson, Lake and Palmer at the Hollywood Bowl 1971 (with Edgar Winter and Humble Pie)
Hans Zimmer and his modular rig/s
In The Way – The Brothers Johnson
Steve’s solo album: Someday / Somehow
Elton John and ‘The Fox’ sessions
Tag a keyboard player: Steve Weingart, David Garfield and C.J. Vanston
Desert Island Discs: Brain Salad Surgery – Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Close to the Edge – Yes, Empty Sky – Elton John, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.
We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.
If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.
To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.
Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS
Glenn Reither is a keyboard and sax player with one hell of a history with acts ranging from the Little River Band to Icehouse and Jon Stevens. Glenn has some great insights on playing keys, touring and a great initiative to encourage young people to get involved in rock music. There’s even a mention of clotting agents and haemophilia: who says we’re not a well rounded podcast?
Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):
Glenn performing with Nude Funk Orchestra
Glenn performing with Icehouse (both keys and sax)
Glenn performing with Jon Stevens
Tag a keyboard player: Bruce Hornsby
Desert Island Discs: The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby, Aliens Ate My Buick – Thomas Dolby, Luminessence – Keith Jarrett, Seal – Seal, Live – Alison Krauss and Union Station, Lovers Rock – Sade.
Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.
We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.
If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.
To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.
Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
Thanks to falling down a YouTube rabbit hole and also some specific recommendations (thanks Mark!), we thought we’d post a handful of Bob Moog interviews that will interest and maybe even inspire you. Enjoy!
2. Bob Moog interviewed at his factory in Asheville, North Carolina (circa 1980s?)
3. For something educational and amusing, here’s three Robert Moogs on camera, but only one is real. Which one is it? (Circa late 1970s?)
4. 50th Anniversary of the Moog Modular (2014)
5. Moog – The Documentary (2004)